Secrets of the transport museum

Tonight they discovered a WW2 airforce uniform. It had 3 stripes on the sleeve, a one wing badge and AG letters. Now I would have guessed this meant sergeant air gunner, but they announced it belonged to a pilot officer who flew spitfires. At the same time they were showing what I think were Bolton Paul Defiants, not many spitfires had a rear facing gun turret.

Any aviation enthusiasts want to put me right?

Was it this badge by any chance?
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30069111

Bill

Couldn't see it that well, certainly one wing. The AG was brass? Letters, also had VR on lapels which I guess is volunteer reserve

as you will see by the time (UK) I'm not having a good night.

The plot thickens on the uniform issue. According to RAFVR, prior to 1943 officers would have worn the brass VR on their collar (lapels?) other ranks on their shoulders, but the uniform in the programme had the VR on lapel and sergeants stripes.

Another site says that RAFVR were only officers, but the link above clearly mentions ORs. Perhaps the owner got promoted and retrained to fly Spits

Edited By duncan webster on 26/05/2021 02:30:53

I noticed that as well, Duncan. Let's face it, it wasn't easy to miss! Found myself shouting at the television - a trait that seems to be getting more prevalent these days. Is it me getting more senile or is it the TV content? I'd like to think it is the latter. But that is bye-the-bye, there was a document in one of the pockets which supposedly gave the owner's name, so it shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to trace him through RAF records, surely.

My experience of the museum is not reassuring. I have a Brooklands Drivers Club badge (numbered) which was given to me by a friend of my late mother. I enquired of the museum if they had any club records in their archives which could help me trace the original owner. I received no reply but didn't follow it up until a couple of years later when I took it with me on a visit to the museum. I enquired at reception if I could consult the archivist. A phone call was made, giving the details of my enquiry but I was told that "no one was available". I haven't pursued it any further. I suspect it will go to a dealer when I've had my "half-day out with the undertaker".

John

Not Bolton Paul Defiants Duncan, as you said they had a rear facing turret but a slender nose profile like Spits & Hurricanes. The ones in the film had large radiator cowls at the front, much like the later Hawker Typhoon. Saying that, the ones in the film appeared to have elogated cockpits behind the pilot - for a second crew member ? As far as I'm aware the Typhoons only ever had as single 'teardrop' canopy.

Film was only on for a few seconds so couldn't be sure - I think its repeated sometime - I'll try and catch it and have a better look if no one can come up with an answer

Some airecraft buffs on the forum - someone must be able to help identify them. Intrigued to know the answer!

Mike

If it helps to identify the fighter - I've got this screen grab from the show:

It's not a type that I recognise, but that distinctively shaped tail and cockpit arrangement should narrow it down a bit.

John

Looks a bit like a Fairy Firefly, some of which used the Napier Sabre engine which was also used in the Typhoon.

Andrew

The voiceover is very poorly researched - there are several glaring errors in each episide, along with inappropriate film clips. Surely the family that donated the sergeants uniform would be appalled that it is now treated as a 'discovery'. Competent administrators would sureky have made a record at the time. But then....it's just tv. And another thing........

Which is why I've given up watching these sort of programmes - been sorely disappointed too many times.

Andrew

Thats the one, definitely not a Spitfire! According to firefly they had RR Griffon engines

My mistake, there were design options using Griffon or Sabre engines, but the latter never went into production.

Andrre

They look like Fairey Fireflies to me - Royal Navy, not RAF. Google images of the FF any there are a lot of variants with different engines - so I suppose comparison with Spitfire Mk 1 and Mk 24.

Look identical to the Fireflys depicted in Wikipedia. Dave W

I agree the voice-over is very poor. What did for me last night was in relation to the Napier Railton.

I will paraphrase "it was a racer and weight was everything, it doesn't have electrics, it doesn't even have ignition,,,"

Another one here leaning towards Fairy Firefly from that picture. The British roundels are also extended - similar to the US insignia. I suspect that means that they were in operation around the pacific and were easier to identify as friend by US pilots.

Some (but not all) programme researchers do not have a clue what they are dealing with, just produce something for the couch potatoes, they will not know much better!