238 Squadron

[Tom131]

Hi Folks,

I've previously posted on other forums regarding this same subject, but I'm hoping for some new leads from you here.

I'm currently working as an instructor on No. 238 Squadron (now part of No.1 School of Technical Training), based at RAF Cosford. I've spent the last couple of years researching the history of the Squadron, but have struggled desperately to track down much in the way of photographs. Everyone I've asked has said something to the effect of "there weren't many photos taken of that Squadron", and yet tantalising tit-bits do come to light every now and then, which leads me to believe that there may still be more out there. I am currently toiling to complete a history / heritage room within the Squadron HQ and I could really do with some more resources to help flesh it out.

I'm keen to track down images from any period of the Squadron's past; the key facets being:
• Mixed flying boat / sea plane operations (mainly Short 184 & Felixstowes) from Cattewater (Plymouth) – 1918
• Spitfires (briefly), then Hurricanes from Tangmere, Middle Wallop & Chilbolton during the Battle of Britain.
• Hurricanes and (later) Spitfires in North Africa – 1941-1944
• Spitfires in Corsica & Southern France – 1944
• Dakotas in Burma, then Australia – 1945
• Dakotas in the UK / Berlin Airlift – 1946-1948

Of particular interest at the moment (given the display I am currently working on) would be anything relating to Spitfires operating over either North Africa or the Mediterranean circa 1943/44. A pair of pics are circulating on the web at the moment showing 238 Squadron Spit’s at Calvi, Corsica. The pair are labelled “Collection D’Amico-Valentini”. I’d be delighted if anyone could tell me anything about these images and if any more might exist in this collection.

In addition, I would be keen to hear from any survivors or individuals with a family connection to the Squadron, or to source copies of documents like logbooks.

Cheers.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Tom131

A pair of pics are circulating on the web at the moment … labelled “Collection D’Amico-Valentini”. I’d be delighted if anyone could tell me anything about these images and if any more might exist in this collection.
Cheers.

Send a private message (see top right corner of the screen) to forum member "veltro", he's one of the collection owners.

[Chris Goss]

PM me as I have a few 1940 Spit & Hurricane photos

[Tom131]

Thanks for the replies; I will send a couple of PMs just as soon as I figure out how. I don't appear to have the option on my User CP and I seem to be getting a lot of "you do not have permission to access this page" messages. Any suggestions? I have been registered on the forum for some time already.

[andy bird]

Tom,
Have an album of 238 Sqdn that is on a list along with other RAF Squadron albums/material that was pulped in 1995.
Andy Bird

[Tom131]

Apologies, I'm still having trouble sending PMs. I understand the forum has some kind of restriction until you have made 5 administrator approved posts; could this also be affecting my PMs?

[Tom131]

Originally Posted by andy bird

Have an album of 238 Sqdn that is on a list along with other RAF Squadron albums/material that was pulped in 1995.

Andy, do you mean you have the actual album, or just the list?

I have spent a fair bit of time at the RAF Museum archives over the last year or so and the relative lack of archive photos has been a recurring theme of conversation. I assume you are talking about the sizeable collection that was once held at Farnborough, by the photographic school?