November 2009 - Brussels Air Museum Foundation

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enthusiastically welcomed back (with the addition of a flesh-coloured bathing suit). I wonder if Reg Day could shed some light on the identity of the ‘Hot Gen’ artist. Norman Prowse: can you add to the stories or provide clearer wartime nose art photos ATLANTIC FERRY - REVERSED David Poissant The famed B-25 Mitchell restored in the likeness of ‘Grumpy’, the longest-serving RAF Mitchell (125 Operations), has left her long- at time home in Duxford to take up residence the ‘Historic Flight Foundation’ Museum at Paine Field in Seattle, Washington. Built in North American Aviation’s Kansas City plant, B-25D-30 to the USAAF advanced flying Mitchelll 43331/N888972 was delivered school in La Junta, Colorado 27 October 1943. After a short service there, it joined the RCAF as KL161 and served first in North Bay, RAF Museum Photoo Ontario then at Central Flying School in Trenton, Ontario. It was then used as a target tug in Cold Lake, Alberta and RCAF Uplands in Ottawa before going into storage in 1960. In 1962 it was struck off charge and sold by the Canadian Crown Assets Disposal Corp to John Goldney of Vancouver; subsequent owners were North Star Aviation of Fairbanks, Alaskaa and Noel Merrill Wein of Anchorage, Alaska. The Fighter Collection of Duxford purchased it in 1987 and flew it to Aero Traders in Chino, California for rebuild/restoration, after which the new ‘ Grumpy’ was ferried to Duxford via St. John’s, Newfoundland. Ferry pilots were John Crocker, Tony Ritzman (Aero Trader co-owner), and Stephen Grey of The Fighter Collection. For seventeen years, ‘Grumpy’ thrilled crowds at European air shows before being put into storage at North Weald. The Historic Flight Foundation purchased ‘Grumpy’ in May of 2008 and she was restored to airworthy condition by Aircraft Restoration Company of Duxford, England. Getting ‘Grumpy’ to Seattle involved a five-day ferry flight with stops in Iceland; Goose Bay, Labrador; Edmonton, Alberta & Abbottsford, British Columbia. For the seven-hour flight between Duxford and Iceland the crew donned Grumpy Landing in Iceland 26
immersion suits in case of emergency (the water’s awfully cold up there). Second stop was Goose Bay and the weather upon leaving there was an experience. From their flight log: “Weather out of Goose was marginal. We carried ice for the first hour and it was impossible to dodge all the clouds. Grumpy gave up about 20 mph due to additional weight, change of wing shape and reduced engine performance; all in all, not bad. She didn’t miss a stroke. Then, as conditions improved, the ice fell off, some if it hitting our tail. No doubt antaircraft explosions provided similar jolts.” Upon entering Edmonton airspace ten hours after leaving Goose Bay, the tower at Edmonton International Airport requested, and received, a low pass before ‘Grumpy was cleared to Edmonton City Centree Airport (another low pass) where the Alberta Aviation Museum is located with its under-restoration Mitchell...talk about excited volunteers! The ferry crew, headed by John Sessions, pilot and Historic Flight Foundation founder, over-nighted at Edmonton and the following day (01 Sept) met with a number of enthusiasts; one being Fred Guest, RCAF pilot with 180 Squadron. Fred’s wartime crewmates were George McDonald, Observer RCAF, Keith Mitchell, WAG RAAF (both now deceased) and Art Briggs-Jude, AG RCAF. I was in Edmonton at the time, visiting my Dad; oh, how I wish I had been aware of this stop! Fred Guest (Pilot ‐ 180 Sqn) At last report, ‘Grumpy’ was at Abbottsford Airport in British Columbia (another low pass approach) awaiting the completion of runway repairs at her new home, Paine Field at Seattle, Washington. To honour all air crews that perished while moving bombers to the European Theatre, Grumpy’s flight crew, led by owner John Sessions and fellow pilots Lee Proudfoot and John Romain, are carrying a special commission Royal Air Force Pooley sword. The sword will be presented in a ceremony in Washington, DC on 28 October 2009. ‘Historic Flight Foundation’ kept a detailedd flight log including many wonderful photos of their trip. See them at www.historicflight.org/grumpyreturns John Sessions receiving Pooley sword from Tim Manna, RAF Museum. With records and photos by Historic Flight Foundation; permission by John Sessions ■ Thank-you to Michael Crosbee (nephew ‘in-law’ to Trevor Bennettt [P-180]) for alerting me to the Historic Flight Foundation’s online ferry record. 27
Page 1 and 2: NOVEMBER 2009 2 nd TACTICAL AIR FOR
Page 3 and 4: DISPERSALS • UK/ /EUROPE Going fr
Page 5 and 6: authorized Pedro, the driver, to he
Page 7 and 8: KAY WATTS - WAAF Driver 107 SQDN Ge
Page 9 and 10: [Another Oooops from your ed. : Jan
Page 11 and 12: gather and over which there is a fl
Page 13 and 14: Hallo Brian, Thanks for your email
Page 15 and 16: that it is a moving account from a
Page 17 and 18: 2 nd TAF NOSE ART Begin with a chea
Page 19 and 20: THE SILVER SWORD (left) On a Hartfo
Page 21 and 22: GELUKKIG HAPPY KERSTMIS CHRISTMAS !
Page 23 and 24: Chairman’s Message This issue car
Page 25 and 26: Among those who attended this year
Page 27: If I take the wings of the morning
Page 31: OVERHEARD ON THE AIR ‘Actual’ e

November 2009 - Brussels Air Museum Foundation

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