We were
informed today that a tire had been recovered from the wreckage
of Typhoon off Beachy Head bearing the markings, R.A.F. Ayr.
It is now almost certain that Paul Elfner is lost to the Squadron.
Words cannot express our true feelings. At least he had been over
France once!
Five of our
Hurricanes were ferried out yesterday, and three more today,
leaving us with 1 Hurricane LD570, as a drogue ship, 1 Auster NX
535 (5V 1/2) and four clear hood Typhoons - all this for an
operational squadron !!
Very little
flying was done during the day, and a number of pilots, with S/L
Norsworthy, went to the bomb dump to learn the intricacies of
fuse-setting and S.C.1 installation on a Typhoon. In the morning
the C.O. had a short discussion with the pilots, in which he
reviewed our accident list and attempted to put his finger on the
cause, unsuccessfully. At 1800 hrs. F/O R.A. Johns & Sgt King
(Maintenance N.C.O.) flew to Gatwick in "Buster" the
Auster. F/O Johns returned alone at 1915 hrs.
Detail
of Work Carried Out by No. 439
RCAF Squadron
as
compiled by in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form
541
Tiger
Squadron