The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

G'day Mac,Welcome to the forum. Interesting to read that your relative flew, or, flew-in, Lancasters from Lincolnshire. Which airfield was this from.

Hi,

I have just found this site when looking for info on Smiths Lawn where my father was detached as duty pilot over Christmas 1943 - my query being: what was the duty? All I know is that there were two RAAF pilots on duty there over the period, flying Tiger Moths, and my father could not disclose his duties at the time.
Also looking for any info on the vicarage (?) at RAF Waddington where 8 - 10 officers were accommodated when father was later serving with 463 SQN.

I am sure I will have more questions as I read through Dad's letters and his Log. Please be patient if I ask naive questions occasionally.

Mardi

A little bit of information here Mardi ;

/community/showthread.php?970-Smith-s-Lawn&highlight=Smiths+lawn

I'm sure others will add more before too long .
Good luck !

I've just found a Keith Septimus Frearson DFC RAAF , 460 Squadron RAAF . Quite an unusual surname so perhaps a relation ?

Hi David,

Keith Frearson was Dad's first cousin. Keith went on to become Associate Professor of Economics at Monash University, Melbourne. He did not marry. His brother Don still lives in Perth WA.

Mardi

Hi Mardi
A few thoughts that I hope might be helpful. Apologies in advance if you already know these things.

The Tiger Moth is a small, two-seat biplane dating from about 1931. They were built by the thousand and were used to teach RAF and Commonwealth pilots to learn how to fly; up to the standard where they could go solo. Hundreds still survive as valued antiques and there are lots in Oz. A check on Google will even suggest places in most States where you could have a flight in one if you are feeling adventurous!

Smith's Lawn was a small, grass airfield at the southern end of Windsor Great Park, originally developed as the private landing ground for the Prince of Wales -(later Edward VIII). In 1941 it was taken on as a relief landing ground for No 18 Elementary Flying Training School at nearby Fair Oaks - just to create additional space for their Tiger Moths to practice the basic skills of landing and taking off. It is now home to the largest polo facility in Europe

Although I don't have specific details for Smith's Lawn; the norm was that the duty pilot's role was shared in turn by the fully qualified and experienced pilots at any particular station. It was more concerned with ensuring safe operating conditions at all times, rather than any flying. There had to be someone on duty but not the most sought-after job. It being Christmas, perhaps your father was doing the kind deed of letting a Brit have the chance of some Christmas leave?

If you haven't done so already, I strongly recommend you get hold of your Dad's RAAF records that will almost certainly be at Canberra. This will add vital detail to flesh out what you can discover from his log books.

I can't answer your Waddington question, but from the British National Archives www.nationalarchives.gov.uk you can download the Operational Records Books for No 463 Squadron for the period in question. There was one book per month which will detail every operational flight -all the aircraft involved, crew lists, target, results and much more. The cost of the down load is GBP 3.36 per month, which you can pay by credit card.

Happy hunting

To David and Mike0,
Many, many thanks for your information and leads regarding Smiths Lawn and 463 SQN. I'll follow up the sites you gave me over the coming week. Mardi

Mardi
You can buy copies of the airfield plan for Smiths Lawn from the research department of the RAF Museum at Hendon , London . Email them first regards price and overseas postage , details here ;

www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries.aspx

They may have other info on file too so worth enquiring ?

Just saying hello on arriving at this forum and a plea for a bit of historical info regarding former RAF Hullavington - now the Buckley Barracks. I would like to know who the principal contractor was who constructed this Expansion Period airfield and more specifically who was responsible for erecting the Bath stone faced C type sheds. Any other info relating to the C type sheds would also be most welcome.

Kartracer

PS. Although my screen name would suggest otherwise I have nothing to do with the indoor kart racing operation situated at Hullavington and have absolutely no interest in turning Hullavington into a kart racing venue, although wouldnt mind having a thrash around the perimeter track in my CRG Road Rebel kart lol..

Nice welcome to the forum - are you lot usually this friendly?