Recent content by theramin

Hi - I wanted to mention that I have produced a short documentary on my great uncle in 272 squadron and this accident. I have used some of this data with thanks. I hope you enjoy it...

This video I've assembled features the life and brief times of pilot officer Frederick A Duquette RCAF who flew Beaufighters for 272 Squadron in Malta from January to May 1943. Hesadly perished at sea on a return flight from Heliopolis, Egypt. This document is the result of over a year of...

I agree. It appears that they were seen to jump into the sea. What I'd like to know is how far further the plane 'flew' on ahead on it's remaining fuel supply. I'm no expert but I would assume they wouldn't have waited until the fuel ran out to jump being only 150 feet up. It must still have...

Hey Flyboy Jamie here again. Been working on some other historical research - got in touch with some other flyers in 272 squadron, trying to talk to some of the search party, lots of digging. Just went through some of the letters I had received with regards to calculating flying speed (what we...

thanks again i will take a look and/or request a clarification. cheers jamie

Hello again Joe Jamie here - I heard back from a 27 squadron navigator who flew the Egypt to Malta run a few times in 1943. He sent me a little bit more info and I quote: 'The average cruising height between Egypt and Malta would be about 150 feet or about 45 metres. In other words, high...

Hi Joe, Jamie here with some 'updates' on the fuel calculations we've talked about. I heard back from an observer for 272 squadron who made similar runs. I asked him specific questions about trip time, cruising altitude, air speed etc. I got a partial answer and have asked him for...

I have put a request in with an ex 272 observer with these specific questions. Hope to hear within the month.

part 6 of 6.

hi gentlemen attached are the form 540 and form 541 logs of my great uncle's squadron interspersed with scans from his logbook. i've only just started to read the reports - some interesting stuff in here. maybe of some help in trip/fuel calculation? Cheers Jamie ps pt 6 of 6 in next post.

Another factor I've started to look into is once they got un the water they would have had to contend with very choppy seas. Roughly 7 metre high waves?! Oceanography: waves

Based on the only weather advisory I've found so far (I'm working on more) from that date: 'Strong wind warning 25-30 m.p.h. gusts to 40-45 m.p.h. W.N.W.' Seems variable to me. The question is/was where did the wind 'zone' start? Close to Malta or several hundred miles going out to sea...

there is no indication of take off time that I can find. No flight plan has surfaced. I'm guessing 12:00 pm? I understand it was about a 5.5 hour flight or so? thank you for really going to the wall on this one. Your expertise is opening up a lot of new avenues of research. Regards, Jamie

Dear Tzaw 1, Thank you very much for this this rare document. I had been looking for such a beast for half a year or so with no luck. I should think it is certain that my great uncle read a copy of this very manual before his return trip back to Malta. Your help is another fine example...

Thanks again Joe - I tend to agree with your assessment. I'm not sure how much training was given in the RAF for removing chutes, getting into a dinghy in the water, etc. but that's neither here nor there. It seems in hindsight quite frustrating how close they got. In fact the flight commander...