Skua L2876 June 5, 1938

[paulmcmillan]

Skua L2876 of 800 Sqn abandoned over North Waltham, Norfolk on June 5, 1938

Has anyone got a possible pilot name for this?

Thanks

[COL BRUGGY]

Paul,

Are you absolutely sure of the Type/Date tie-up?

The first production Skua II, first flew at Brough piloted by Flt Lt H. J. Wilson on 28 August 1938.

Blackburn Skuas L2876-L2887 to No.803 Sqn Worthy Down between 6 December 1938 and 24 January 1939. All to No.800 Sqn.

Putnam's Blackburn Aircraft since 1909 (1968 ed.)/Jackson.pp.403 & 408.

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Col

Thnaks - It was on a list I got from someone - I wonder if it should be 1939?

I need to X Ref with what is in L Serials or FAA Serials

Paul

[COL BRUGGY]

Paul,

A-B "L" serials:

Blackburn Skua I [sic] - L2876 - 803/800 - Abandoned over North Waltham, Norfolk 5-6-1939.

Col.

[davew]

Paul,

FAA Aircraft names the pilot as 'J Haldey'

DaveW

[paulmcmillan]

DaveW/Col

Thanks mystery solved! - now to work out who 'J Haldey'is.

Paul

[COL BRUGGY]

Paul,

Your man most likely:

FAA Attack on "Konigsberg" (10-4-1940). Order of Battle:

No.800 Squadron.

Yellow 3: P/O Amn J Hadley/Ldg Amn M Hall.

See:
Dive Bomber:An Illustrated history.
Smith,Peter C.
Ashbourne:Moorland Publishing,1982.
p.123

and...

26-4-1940.

Although Filmer (Lt C H Filmer, of No.803 Sqn), had been brought down by fire from the I./KG26 aircraft, the only claim submitted was by 5./KG54, a gunner of this unit claiming one Skua shot down. This may have resulted from a combat during the mid-afternoon period, when three 800 Squadron Skuas attacked one of two He111s which were bombing HMS "Flamingo". No obvious effects of this attack were seen, but return fire wounded Pty Off J Hadley in 6C.

See:
Fledgling Eagles.
Shores,C et al.
London:Grub Street,1991.
p.292

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Yes highly likely to be Petty Officer Airman J Hadley

All I need now is his full details - This is NOT in Irvin 1940 Caterpillar List

[paulmcmillan]

Petty Officer (Airman) Jack Hadley - Later Warrant Air Officer

[Errol Martyn]

I think you may find that Petty Officer (Airman) Jack Hadley should actually read

Petty Officer (A) Jack Hadley.

The (A) indicating the Air Branch of the RN.

Errol