RDB Hopkins Fleet Air Arm

[keith A]

Can anyone supply more details of this pilot? "Hoppy" Hopkins commanded 1834 Squadron (HMS Victorious) in 1945 claiming a shared aerial victory and another on the ground.

He does not appear to have been a successful pilot in aerial combat in the FAA before taking command of 1834 in October 1944. I am assuming a trajectory with "Hans" Hanson of 1833 Squadron i.e. a senior pilot without combat experience that trains on Corsairs in USA.

K

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Richard Donald Buchanan HOPKINS MID RN.

H M S VICTORIOUS.

London Gazette 1 May 1945 - Operation MERIDIAN - Air strikes on the oil refineries at Palembang on 24 and 29 January 1945.

HOPKINS, Richard Donald Buchanan - RN - ALtCdr (A) - MID - Investiture - N/A.

See:
Seedie's List of Fleet Air Arm Awards 1939-1969.
Ripley Registers,1990,
p.88.

ADMIRALTY. Whitehall.

For Bravery, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in H. M. Ships Victorious, Illustrious, Indefatigible and King George V in attacks on enemy oil installations at Palembang, Sumatra.

Mention in Despatches.

Acting Lieutenant-Commander (A) Richard Donald Buchanan HOPKINS, Royal Navy (East Finchley).

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/2299

Interesting event earlier in his career: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/238231

Col.