Warbird Information Exchange

Thank-you Barrie and Carlie! It's moments like this when I get a real pick-me-up in my day...

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Hello Barry,

I just now found this great website and your long quest for answers. I am a longtime military collector/historian and have been richly blessed with historical treasures over the years. Back in 2010 I received a call from an antique shop out of Eugene Oregon saying that a fellow was there with a group of WW2 memorabilia. I am about 45 minutes away and asked if he could wait there until I arrived to see what he had (I have been known to travel many hours to see a sword that ended up being nothing) so this was a short trip. Now for the exiting goose bump part! The fellow was the grandson of Col. Elmer McKesson thus all of the items had belonged to him. This includes a recognition plaque, many wings, insignia, goggles, etc. along with a beautiful photo album with 21 original 8" x 10" glossy photos of "Cavalcade Of The Air". The photos include Col. McKesson (then Major) piloting many planes to include the Messerschmidt and more importantly your Spitfire, boldly showing the name "Borough of Southgate". Most all of the photos are noted on the back with dates, locations, plane & pilot identification, etc. etc. I'm new to the forum and don't have time right now to figure out how to post photos but would love to share with you and other members. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Very Best Regards, Ed.

That sounds fantastic Ed.

I'm sure that many of the WIX members would appreciate you posting these images, as I would.

It may be easier in the short term for you to use regular email to send me copies, which I would warmly appreciate.

barry@bga.co.nz

Very many thanks

Barry

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Little Johnny : "When I grow up I want to be a pilot!"

Johnny's Mother : "Don't be silly Dear - you can't do both!"

From the Sarah Clark records at the National Archives, College Park, MD, located in RG 342 RD2996, Box 5707, "Surplus Misc. Type 1940-45," is the following information on Spitfires:

Information on location of various British-built aircraft with the USAAF.

June 24, 1941 Group Captian P. W. S. Bulman had advised that two (2) Spitfires and two (2) Hurricanes are being shipped by freight to Wright Field, and that Mr. J. Nunn, a trained British mechanic will be ordered to Wright Field to assist in the assembly of these airplanes.

7-2-41 The British Supermarine Spitfire V and two British Hawker Hurricane II airplane have been received at WF.
1 Jan 1943 Spitfire Vc AA-963 received 3-12-1942 Wright Field Status: conditioning for Eglin Field.
1 March 1943 AA-963 Eglin Field, Status: Armament and flgiht tests.
1 April 1943 AA-963 Eglin Field, Status: Armament and flight tests.
1 July 1943 AA-963 Eglin Field: Status: Armament and flight tests.
2 February 1944 Class 26 aircraft: non-flyable, but in sufficiently good condition to be valuable for instructional purposes. The aircraft with the exception of Beaufighter 7718 have been transferred to the Technical Training Command.
Spitfire V R7347
Spitfire Vc AA963
Spifire V W-3119

I hope this helps. Norman Malayney