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By: - 3rd April 2018 at 12:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The "Royal Eltham and New Eltham" Spitfire was one aircraft, Mk.IX MH473 (485 NZ Sqn, Biggin Hill)
As for a photograph, the IWM has one (Ref CH11497 - could not locate it on their website though unfortunately)
All the above from pages 272-273 of the superb Air-Britain book "Gifts of War" by Henry Boot and Ray Sturtivant.
By: - 3rd April 2018 at 12:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi,
So embarrassed - I have Gifts of war on my book shelf!!
Thanks for your reply.
I will have a look at that IWM reference as well.
Cheers
Gerry
By: - 6th August 2018 at 19:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Did anyone manage to find a copy of this photo online? I have been searching but can find nothing! Thanks and hoping!
Bob.
By: - 6th August 2018 at 21:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
By: - 7th August 2018 at 09:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
This photo shows the late No. 485 (NZ) Squadron pilot Ken Lee with the Spitfire in 1944. Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo
And here he recreated it on Brendon Deere's Spitfire in March 2010 at a No. 485 Squadron Reunion at Whenuapai. RNZAF Official
Ken Lee was studying engineering before WWII, and as he had a great interest in aviation he signed up in 1938 for the Civil Reserve scheme, in which the Government paid for him to learn to fly at Auckland Aero Club. By the time WWII began in September 1939 he was a qualified pilot, and on the 26th of October 1939 he was mobilised into the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Ken started his Air Force career with a refresher course at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Bell Block, in de Havilland Moths and Tiger Moths. He then progressed to flying Vickers Vincents at No. 2 Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Woodbourne, on the first course through the Empire Air Training Scheme. When most of course mates went off to Britain to fly operations, Ken was retained to become a flying instructor.
Following nearly three years instructing on Tiger Moths, Oxfords and Harvards at RNZAF Stations Taieri, Whenuapai and Woodbourne, Ken finally got his chance for overseas service in 1942. He travelled to England, and sent time flying Miles Master trainers before converting to the Supermarine Spitfire at an Operational Training Unit.
Next he was posted to the famous No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF, and began flying operations over occupied Europe as a Spitfire pilot. Following a long tour of operations Ken ended up as a test pilot for de Havillands in their propeller unit.
This interview was recorded at Ken’s home in January 2010. On the day we’d recorded several other interviews and this was the last before I had to return home to Cambridge. We sadly ran out of tape and so did not quite cover all of Ken’s wartime experiences, however this recording gives some great detail and very interesting memories.
More on him here with his obituary
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/post/179036
And hear my interview with him here:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2017/11/ken-lee/
By: - 7th August 2018 at 09:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hmm, not sure why that image has attached like that as a double up, not how to remove it.
By: - 7th August 2018 at 13:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Dear Dave and Mark 12,
Thank you both so much for sending these images. I really appreciate it.
Gerry
Posts: 461
By: gedburke3 - 1st April 2018 at 16:40
Dear all
Can anyone confirm that the town of Eltham in Kent purchased two spitfire and named them Royal Eltham and New Eltham.
I am trying to locate a photo of them.
Kindnretards
Gerry