The heroic actions of Fighter Command's few during the Battle of Britain

 

THE HISTORY The heroic actions of Fighter Command's few during the Battle of Britain are the stuff of legend and it is rather surprising that only one pilot was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during this significant period in British history. Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson was attacking a large number of Bf 110 fighters above Southampton, when his Hurricane Mk.I (P3576) began taking hits from behind - Messerschmitt Bf 109s flying top cover had surprised the British fighters, which were now in mortal danger. Suffering injury and with his aircraft starting to burn, Nicolson was in the process of bailing out when he noticed one of the Bf 110 destroyers passing right in front of his stricken aircraft. Climbing back into the burning cockpit of his Hurricane, he fired his guns into the Luftwaffe fighter, until the intense heat forced him to jump out of his aircraft. Suffering severe burns to his hands and a number of other wounds, Nicolson managed to parachute to safety and was immediately rushed to Southampton Hospital, by members of the Home Guard. James Nicolson returned to flight operations in September 1941, after recovering from his injuries.

To mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2015, the RAF painted one of their Eurofighter Typhoons in the colours of Nicolson's Hurricane, which became one of the stars of the Airshow circuit and a popular release in the Aviation Archive series.

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THIS IS THE MAP I SAID I WOULD PUT ON REF GATWICK SPOTTING

Had loads of request to where I was when I took the photos of the aircraft landing on the windy day. Some by crew actually flying in that day as well. Here it is for you to look at. There are no paths to this point. There was some once but have been allowed to be overgrown and tree branches block the path. You must be carefully and walk on the grass with of course good shoes on, if you have any concerns simply do not try. It easy for me as I been doing this walk for over 50 years.

Once you are there you will see gaps in the hedge and you can look through the fence. You will get Gatwick security inside the airport stop and look at you. I normally wave back and sometimes they do as well. Occasionally police will stop and check you as well from the road that's happened to me twice but again no issue. You on public land and as long as you not trying to cause airport havoc your be fine. DO NOT WALK DOWN TO THE EMERGENCY GATE. It is opposite Binoculars word on the map. This is set up with sensors and they will go off if you get within 2 meters of it. Then you will be in trouble. I was once and was escorted back to my car and it saved me walking back.

LEGAL BIT : I have no authority here and just use my years of knowledge as a photographer and spotter. to advise others who like doing this too. You go there under your own motivation Any injury through falling on the grass/road or traffic incident (it's a busy road) is your own fault and not mine. Follow any instruction or orders by the POLICE or Security give you and do as they say. I seen a few park here on the bend and been rude when spoken too. They lost their car and were probaly charged. The signs are clear no parking even on the verge simply walk from the layby.

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WHEN ITS A BIT WINDY AT LONDON GATWICK

I popped up Gatwick today and was a little bit windy. If you walk past purple parking you can see the aircraft landing by looking through fence.  Purple parking  is near the end of the runway up the charlwood end of the airport and well away from the terminal.

To get here you cannot park you car and have to walk about quarter of a milde to this locations. There is a long layby on the Gatwick road 

The A380 is always a good sight to see but a 747 would be better. 

The map of where I was for these photo's

This one went round after a bumpy landing attempt

Turkish also went round as well 

I was contacted by cabin crew for copies of the photos

And finally one is down 

 

What are Pre-Loved model aircraft.

 WHAT ARE PRE-LOVED MODELS

Two sets of model aircraft were acquired last week from London and Birmingham, each with a scale of 1/200 and 1/400. My colleague Peter and I retrieved one each, with me fetching from London and Peter from Birmingham. As known to frequent visitors of Airspotters.com, Peter and I are based in different offices, with him stationed in Corby's mail order office and myself located near London Gatwick, primarily in charge of administrative tasks such as updating the website, paperwork, and social media updates.

This week, I am embarking on a trip to Dorset in search of more Corgi models to add to our stock. However, this particular acquisition is so sizable that it cannot fit into my car, despite it being a 4x4. What is left will be boxed up and posted up by Courier. Nonetheless, we relish these excursions.

WHAT WE NORMALLY FIND 

Models have been carefully looked after by fellow enthusiasts who have decided to stop collecting or are downsizing their collections. As model aviation lovers  ourselves, we understand the value of these models and the sentimental attachment that collectors have with them.

WHEN THERE IS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

We take pride in dealing respectfully with the families of collectors who have passed away. We're always pleased to inform them that the models have found new homes with collectors from all over the world. This always brings comfort to them, often in difficult and emotional times.

WHAT WE DO WITH COLLECTIONS BEFORE WE SELL THEM ON TO YOU

Normally we take the customers word thats they are as they say, but of course have to check. Once I have inspected them they are then sent on to Peter. He will of course looks over them again and normally wipes each model box with anti bacterial wipes. There is always a film of dust on models that have been stored for many years. This way we know we are giving you the model in the best possible condition. 

WHAT DO WE DO WITH MODELS THAT ARE DAMAGED

These may have parts missing and parts broken off. We call these boneyard like scrapped aircraft in the worldwide graveyards. They are then put in our boneyard category. We clear mark the faults and adjust the price downwards.  

HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN DOING THIS 

Since 2005 is the date I started I will post a blog ref our time from then until now soon. 

 

Imperial War Museum Duxford 2017 UK

Duxford 2017 UK: Seems so long ago 2017 time does fly pardon the pun. I was able to be here for a few hours as I had arranged to meet Peter my business partner to exchange some models. I live near Gatwick and he is in Northamptonshire., so Duxford is the halfway point. 

There was lots going on this day including Spitfires and Apache helicopters in and out of the aerodrome. Aircraft inside the hangars always look like they are envious of the flying around. My dad always said that's about the Steam locomotives in museum's. He said they need to feel the rails running under there wheels. He had spent 47 years on the railway mainly as a driver so he should know. I will always recommend a family day out here. There lots of things the children can get involved in and are well catered for. Enjoy my photographs and I look forward to reading your comments below. Please follow us as well and hit the like button. 

Thank you for looking 

Malcolm 

Airspotters

Star Wars lands at Gatwick in 2015 for film premier

Embarking on a thrilling pursuit, I diligently monitored the movement of an aircraft from Los Angeles to Gatwick via Flight radar. Armed with my trusty Canon camera equipped with a modest 300mm lens, I eagerly ventured to my favourite spot where a throng of enthusiasts had gathered to capture the aircraft. But, knowing that the key to a remarkable shot lay in being where others were not, I quietly positioned myself 100 metres away from them. My move paid off when I managed to capture an awe-inspiring image with Gatwick in the backdrop. This photo swiftly attained viral status and was featured on several notable websites such as BBC, ITV, and countless others around the globe, even gracing print publications. While I received no monetary compensation, this exhilarating feat ignited my passion and photography.

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For Models and More

BATTLE OF BRITAIN FILM 1969

 

Over the years, I have visited Duxford on numerous occasions and never fail to notice the hangar that was featured in the 1969 film, BOB. It was noted that the production team used too much explosive on the actual hangar, resulting in a misfire during the first attempt, with only a few bits falling off.

 Interestingly, the hangar's complete destruction in the film was a model. Many people have seen the film, including myself, who watched it at Redhill Cinema in Surrey in 1969 with my parents. I have since viewed it several times on television and also have a DVD copy. Additionally, I had the chance to speak with an extra from the film whose scene was cut due to a minor oversight involving his Landrover 1968 number plate. Although the film has several bloopers, it remains a tribute to all those who lost their lives during the war, whether they were English and the many others that joined the RAF or German. At Tangmere church there is a churchyard one side is German graves and the other British graves. I do hope a new film is made, but without overusing CGI, as was the case with the unwatchable Midway film.