FAO: Peter Larry - Paddy Hemingway - Restore to flying condition P3966

[Nails]

Pete, posting this here in case your email does not work anymore!

I received an email from Brian Hemingway (Paddy Hemingway's son) this morning (25th July). Paddy Hemingway was 103 on the 17th July 22 - the last pilot that flew in the Battle of Britain. Hoping someone in ACG might know the answer to his question too?

Quote (sic):

"Hi again,

Dad was very happy to receive your letter and image of 3 Hurricanes just taking off.

You may be aware P3966 has CAA approval for a flying restoration, and we are trying to authenticate the makings on the Hurricane. You have shown VY T. I am particularly keen to know if you can verify the T marking (what source etc) as accuracy if very important..

Any additional information on 85 Squadron to the above would be most welcome.

I appreciate you support and will keep Dad informed.

All the best

Brian

Unquote

Paddy Hemingway received the "image of 3 Hurricanes" for signing (which I was going to send to you). He wants to know if you have any authenticity for P3966 bearing the Squadron code "T" (VY-T). The reason for this is when the restored P3966 is ready, they want to paint the aircraft as VY-T (if the code can be validated).

According to the 85 Squadron diary. Paddy Hemmingway was flying Hurricane P3966 on the 26/8 (the monthly summary for this date records the death of his aircraft, and Paddy's successful bale out). Throughout August though, he flew different aircraft (L1933, V7249, L2071 as well as P3966 which is being restored).

Frustratingly the start of the record gives the letters and their pilots! But no Hemmingway is listed before, they then just list Serial Numbers! Record also doesn't state what Serial No went with what Letter!

Over to you Pete - hope you can confirm the "T" code? I feel honoured that they have reached out to us about this.

Here is the photo that Paddy Hemingway received:

[Nails]

I'm also posting this on ATAG. I think you spend more time over there now?

[Nails]

Today I asked if his aircraft code was recorded in Paddy's Flying Log Book. Alas, it isn't, and he can't remember why! Sigh.

[Nails]

I have been given special permission to post these photos.

Paddy Hemingway's Logbook (August 1940)
Look at the entry for 18th August V7249 - Shot down by Ju88. Bailed Out
Look at the entry for 26th August P3966 - Shot down in flames by Me109



Paddy Hemingway’s Logbook, Medals, and Spadegrip dug up during P3966's excavation, and presented to him!

[Donkey]

Thanks for posting these images Nails, really interesting. Sadly I can't help on the T question.

[Nails]

My pleasure Donkey. I know most of us are interested in this stuff.

I don't think we will ever know what the Squadron Letter was on P3966.

Working with Pete Larry (85 Sqn is his favourite). I have been able to tie some Serial No's to Squadron Codes but not all.

Sqn Ldr Townsend who was the 'A' Flight Leader logged Squadron Codes in their diary (i.e. VY-A and its pilot), but not the Serial No.

Flt Lt Dickie Lee who was the 'B' Flight Leader logged Serial No's in the diary, but not the Code. It is very difficult matching a Code to a Serial No if you can't find any reference to it.

For 'B' Flight there are more Serial No's than Code letters available. There are 11 Letters avaialable, but 'B' Flt had 19 Serial No's flying! The mystery of which might be solved in my next question.

The other unanswered question is did aircraft that were shot down and destroyed get replaced with a new aircraft (obviously with a different Serial No) but with the same Squadron letter? As an example 'B' Flight lost 5 aircraft during August:

P2923 VY-R Dickie Lee - MIA
V7249 VY-? P/O Hemingway - Bailed
L1933 VY-? Unknown Pilot - Crashed on landing - Fate not known
P3966 VY-? P/O Hemingway - Bailed
V6623 VY-L Flt Lt Hamilton - Killed

Did the above get a replacement, using the same letter? Unknown. I know that no one else flew P2923 VY-R (Dickie Lee) it was exclusive to him. Did VY-R ever get used again - Don't know.

85 Sqn were allocated the following batch:



It's a right can of worms using limited resources!

[Nails]

Here is the Squadron Diary for the 18th August 1940. Paddy Hemingway shot down in V7249 (code unknown). And the day Dickie Lee went MIA in VY-R P2923.

[Nails]

Here is the diary entry for the demise of P3966 (the one being returned to flying condition) Code Unknown. Pilot Paddy Hemingway:

[Nails]

Paddy Hemingway on his 103rd Birthday (17th July 2022). The last surviving RAF Battle of Britain pilot.

[Dickie]

Thanks Nails.

Hope you are well!