Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

Paul, great to hear the stories of the individual aircraft. Not sure if I've already posted this first one. The second photo - the Hali in town, is an interesting photo.
Cheers,
John



I'm assuming that this photo too, is of a Halifax.

This is a great photo shoot of W7676.
It was my late friend Reg Lane's a/c on 35 sqdn. Reg and crew did half of their 1st tour in this kite.
They were on leave when it was hacked down with Sgt. John & crew on board.
I believe this color photo shoot is the most published of any of the photos for Mk 2 Hali's ?
Reg told me that they were scheduled for a flight test this day and just by chance an RAF photo crew was on base @ the time.
In one of the photos, Reg's F/E, Harry Haxby, can be seen clearly.
There is a great print of this crew attacking Tirpitz in March/April, 42:
http://www.baileyprints.com/tirpitz-terror/
Reg's 1st crew on 35, prior to the PFF days:
http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/s,reglane.html
An interesting note: Reg's W/Op, Len Thorpe, completed well over 100 ops on 35 sqdn.
Lt. General Reg Lane DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (67 ops), was Canada's 2nd highest decorated airmen (2nd only to the 617 C/O,Johnny Fauquier..DSO & 2 Bars!).
My late friend F/L Jimmy Scannell DFM DFC (89 ops) completed his 2nd and 3rd tour as Reg's R/G. Beginning on 35 sqdn. PFF, then transferring (with Reg) to 405 sqdn PFF, as Reg was made the C/O of 405.
They were Master Bombers on several occasions including the last of the Berlin raids...March 24/25, 44 (the night of the Great Escape). Jim's log reads..."45 minutes spent over target" !
They flew Reg's personal kite, a Mk 6 Lanc, one of only 6 or so made for Bomber Command PFF sqdns. This kite had Mk 85 Merlins, they operated regularly @ 24,000 ft.
Dr. Theo Boiten informed me that on the Berlin op.they were "chased" by a night fighter on the return journey, the fighter was unable to intercept them. Reg and crew were never aware they were being chased, he told me this kite flew more like a fighter than a Lanc.
Reg was screened after his 405 C/O days, and his 3rd tour.
Jim Scannell went on to 617 as the C/O's (Fauquier) R/G, they were to be the 1st to drop the 22,500 lb "Tallboy-Large" but engine failure prevented their take off. The day prior they made history as the 1st Lanc to land with one on board.
Reg remained in the RCAF and rose to Deputy Commander of NORAD before his retirement.
Reg was a 1st class gentleman and a natural leader.
Another member of this great generation that you would never forget, if you were lucky and fortunate enough to say he was your friend.
Cheers.
Paul G.

Yes Paul and Tom, these are great photos so I thought I'd put them thru 'PB'
John

Many thanks for all the information so far on the Halifax pics Paul ......much appreciated. One of my favourite pics on this thread is,... the Halifax special with the Tollerton nose fairing complete with sharks teeth! ....cheers for posting John.

The nose art is very similar to that carried by a 78 sqn kite LK645 "The Saint".

Rgds Tom

Thanks Tom and gents, the collection is building nicely ........... here are a few more.
John

Thanks once again Tom for some great photos ............ love it when members can find the odd photo or two!
Here is a 'Hali' with glider in tow.
John

here are a few more good photos to add to the collection.
John

Here is a very interesting link of RCAF aircraft nose-art.
John
http://www.rcaf434squadron.com/aircraft-photos/

Here is another interesting image.
John

Here is a nice night time image from the workshop.
John