Spitfire Mk Vb ''Hahmadabad''

[JACK COOK]

Does anyone have info on this Spit flown by 121 Eagle Squadron??

[Revi16]

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/240109

[JACK COOK]

I have a original print Barry sent me years back but am still interested in the a/c or any he flew.

[Frank Olynyk]

Jack,
The American Air Museum website says he received the British DFC in 1985. But I have him receiving the DFC in 1942. Is the 1985 date when it was actually presented to him? Also, I have seen a note that he received both the DFC and the DSO; any thoughts on the DSO? And any thoughts on the confirmation of his claims on Aug 19, 1942 at Dieppe? Postwar confirmation?

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Revi16]

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/19962

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by JACK COOK

I have a original print Barry sent me years back but am still interested in the a/c or any he flew.

Hi Jack,

BM405 was Barry's first and only "allocated" mount. She was coded AV-J and carried the moniker Barry as seen in the photo in the link above. The two kill markings are for his double victories on the 31st July. This is the same aircraft he was shot down in by a Fw-190.

Cheers,

Tim

[Tom Semenza]

According to Frank Olynyk's Stars and Bars the aircraft nicknamed "Barry" with the two kill markings was AD289 (AV-J). His first two confirmed victories were in that Spitfire on 8 June 42, as shown in the ORB. In addition claims for a probable and a damaged were made in May flying the same aircraft (also per the ORB). However that must be incorrect as AD289 was shot down on 28 April 42, unless the loss was recorded incorrectly.

BM405 does not seem to have been taken on charge by 121 Sqn. until 16 June 42. Very likely this was in fact the "Barry" in the photo as Tim points out.

Mahon claimed a FW 190 damaged on 12 April 42 in W3711 (AV-H). But the identity of the Spitfire used for his May and June claims is left unresolved. The ORB, not an infallible document, shows AD289 in use up until 25 June, moslty by Mahon. BM405 makes its first appearance on 26 June, also flown by Mahon.

Regards,
Tom

[Tom Semenza]

[quote=Frank Olynyk;290181]
Also, I have seen a note that he received both the DFC and the DSO; any thoughts on the DSO?

Frank,

The DSO is extremely unlikely. First of all very rare to be awarded to a low ranking officer. More significantly no citation is listed in Doug Hearns' Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, 1920-2006: Air Awards.

Regards,
Tom

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Tom Semenza

According to Frank Olynyk's Stars and Bars the aircraft nicknamed "Barry" with the two kill markings was AD289 (AV-J). His first two confirmed victories were in that Spitfire on 8 June 42, as shown in the ORB. In addition claims for a probable and a damaged were made in May flying the same aircraft (also per the ORB). However that must be incorrect as AD289 was shot down on 28 April 42, unless the loss was recorded incorrectly.

BM405 does not seem to have been taken on charge by 121 Sqn. until 16 June 42. Very likely this was in fact the "Barry" in the photo as Tim points out.

Mahon claimed a FW 190 damaged on 12 April 42 in W3711 (AV-H). But the identity of the Spitfire used for his May and June claims is left unresolved. The ORB, not an infallible document, shows AD289 in use up until 25 June, moslty by Mahon. BM405 makes its first appearance on 26 June, also flown by Mahon.

Regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,

Yes "Barry" was BM405. The confusion lies in the fact that AD289 was also coded J. As we know AD289 was lost on 28th April with P/O Bodding. The reason why AD289 is used for several weeks afterwards in the ORB is very probably due to confusion because BM405 took over as J and the same individual aircraft code generated this mistake by the diarist. I should also correct my statement above that the two swastika kill marks on Barry were from his victories on the 8th June and not the 31st July - I'd been up all night working and the old brain was a bit addled!

In terms of gallantry awards, Barry was awarded the DFC after he had been shot down over Dieppe, but the presentation of it was in May 1945 after his liberation in April and at the last ceremony that His Majesty personally presented these awards. Barry never won the DSO as far as I am aware.

Hope that helps,

Tim

[JACK COOK]

Thank you all for the info!
BTW you maybe entertained watching some of Barry's movies on youtube
like Cuban Rebel Girls for instance!! :-)