You men have worked wonders the warehouse I was recently made redundant from was were the vickers Wellington bomber was built four thousand to be exact the building was designed by Barnes Wallace and still had the overhead cranes on gantries we found graffiti from the girls who made the Wellington very interesting
One of my favorite planes. I've never flown in one but I have flown ON one! Oh yes! I've stood on the top wing of a Boeing Stearman 3 times now as can be seen on my RU-vid channel. Oh yes! Hammerheads, loops and barrel rolls all performed while stood on top of the plane! It;s fantastic! I've had an aerobatic flight in a 1942 de Havilland Tiger Moth bi-plane too.
My father would not discuss his wartime career until he realised that his time was near. He was a tail gunner in a Halifax flying from Leeming Bar, attached to the RCAF (I didn't realise the Canadians were all volunteers paid by their government). He flew 33 missions, and one over the North Sea minelaying, which wasn't counted because it wasn't dangerous enough. Most dramatic story was him ordered to kit up and fly on a trainee pilots final flight before qualifying. Guns loaded but no bomb load. Minutes before takeoff the CO changed his mind and ordered another tail gunner on board. The plane took off piloted by a Canadian Jewish boy, eastward over the North Sea and was never seen again. SERIOUSLY SCAREY. I like to think that the parents of these 7 men were told that their sons died on active service; a small comfort. The squadron numbers were 427 and 429.
If I recall. the crew survived the crash landing but only the rear gunner survived in the cold water to be rescued, the rest died. So close to the end of the war too. They did an amazing rebuild of this aircraft. They even left the flak damage that caused it to crash.
my dad flt sergeant eddie jones (uk) was attached to rcaf 428 sqdrn bomber command - flew in halifax's - his A/C was attacked by enemy fighter on 29th op over belgium A/C caught fire skipper ordered crew to bale out but stayed with plane - he at first thought fire was petrol but it was hydraulic fluid - managed to fly A/C back to UK but crash landed in norfolk miles from base - all flaps undercarriage gone - he survied the crash but rear gunner was killed - dad and rest of crew captured except one - he could speak french being french canadian and posed as a farmworker with the french resistance - pilots name was chuck ford - canadian - dad said the halifax was a tough old bird and was treated well by his canadian crew mates - very generous with their rations - got more than the RAF guys - thanks to those guys - alan UK
Well done to the people who restored that wwll legendary aircraft I love to see it fly again in the skies of Canada with the other wwll legendary aircraft spitfire,hurricanes,mosquito and Lancaster
The Halifaxes were mostly based at airfields not far from where I live in North Yorkshire. A number of Canadian airmen are still with us in our cemeteries and I have visited their graves now and again. That aircraft is a magnificent tribute to the men who flew them. I once met a flight engineer who flew Halifaxes and after the war he and his crew bought two very cheaply, one to fly and one for spares, and they set up a transport business. It didn't last as the Civil Aviation Authority didn't approve of their hand to mouth operation. He became a flight engineer with BOAC thereafter.
An amazing accomplishment and a worthy tribute to all Bomber aircrew of ww2. Thank you Canada for your sacrifice. My father flew the Halifax in 35 squadron, squadron letters TL, out of RAF Gravely. He always felt that the Halifax has been overshadowed by the Avro Lancaster. They were both major league players in the defeat of the axis. Many thanks for your hard work in promoting the wonderful Handley Page Halifax and the bravery and unstinting courage of all who flew her. May God bless you all!! Alan, U.K.
My brother died on the last Bombing raid on Germany ( kiel ) 3/5/1945. 5 days from Wars end. He was 22. His Halifax RG 373, and RG 375 collided , after RG 375 was fired on by a Ju 88 night fighter. Their Squadron was 199, part of 100 group.
