Tuesday September 15th - Battle Of Britain Day Sortie

[ianfisher 101]

So after Sundays sortie flying over 11 Group airfields tonight we commemorate 12 Group and in particular 242 Squadron based out of RAF Coltishall. The squadron was formed on 30 October 1939 at Church Fenton, as a fighter squadron with a large proportion of Canadian personnel. It was equipped with Blenheim fighters in December 1939, before receiving the Hurricane in January 1940. The squadron became operational on 23 March 1940. Operations over France began on 16 May, from bases in Britain. On 7 June the squadron was one of the last RAF squadrons to be ordered to move to France, and on 8 June the squadron moved to Chateaudun. It was moved to change base twice in the next eight days, before in mid June it helped cover the evacuation from St. Nazaire and Nantes. During the Battle of Britain, the Squadron was based at RAF Coltishall from 18 June until 26 October, practically the entire length of the battle. During this period the Hurricanes of No.242 operated alongside a series of Spitfire squadrons, under the energetic but controversial leadership of Douglas Bader. The squadron thus formed part of the 'Duxford Wing', named after the base where it rendezvoused.

For today's sortie I've taken a couple of liberties with the truth. First on September 15th while 242 were indeed at RAF Coltishall they were flying Hurricanes but we will be in the A2A Spitfire. Second 242 never did the sortie we will be doing today, indeed no squadron would ever do such a sortie. The Fighter squadrons of the day were intercepter Squadrons, so scramble, engage the ememy, return, refuel and rearm and do it again. The longer range sweeps came later in the war over France.

Here is the combat report for 242 Squadron on Battle of Britain Day, September 15th.

Destroyed. D.o. 17. S/Lrd DRS Bader DSO
Destroyed. D.o. 17. Sub/Lt RJ Cork RN
Destroyed. D.o. 17. P/O MK Stansfield
Destroyed. D.o. 17. P/O HN Tamblyn
Destroyed. D.o. 17. P/O PS Turner
Destroyed. Me 109. P/O M Hart
Damaged. D.o 17. P/O M Cambell

Today we start from home base at RAF Coltishall before heading out along the Eastern shoreline of England. We pass by Skegness, Grimsby, Bridlington, Whitby, Hartlepool and Blyth before heading inland to Escott Airfield EG18. I wanted to stop at RAF Acklington which was a 13 group major fighter base but it's now a prison so Escott is just a few miles away and was used as an operations training base during the battle. Three Spitfires remain flying in the World from WWII, but P7350 is by far the most famous - the 14th Spitfire off the construction line. Spitfire P7350 saw active service and is the only Spitfire that remains flying which actually saw active service in the Battle of Britain. The aircraft was dramatically shot down by a BF109 in 1940 but was returned to flight where she was used to train budding fighter pilots with 57 OTU at RAF Eshott. From here we start our return South via RAF Spadeadam EGOM, Linton-On-Ouse EGXU, Gamston EGNE, RAF Wittering EGXT
and finally into the home of the Big Wing, RAF Duxford.

We will need to refuel to make it back so I suggest at the half way point, Eshott. For those that do not have the airfield then fly on to RAF Spadeadam or Linton-On-Ouse on the way back.

Meet at: 1745z for an 1800z departure.
Meet on: Digital Theme Park on JoinFS.
Comms through A2A Discord channel.
Local time: 0800.
Weather: Real

https://skyvector.com/?ll=54.4244697067 ... GXT%20EGSU

[Lewis - A2A]

Hopefully should be present for some though maybe not all of it. Will try my best

cheers,
Lewis