Username: Vic Balshaw
First name: Vic
Category: Judge – Non competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Special Hobbies – 48091
As is my usual want, NOT OOB, though the kit contains a whole swag of resin and some etched detail. This is also only the second Spitfire I have ever built, the first sits in my 56 Sqn flight line. The aircraft was with the squadron for about 3 months during the 'D' Day landings.
Extras: Ventura VA 4821 decal set, Rising Decals RD48013 detailing set, Eduard ED49426 PE detail set and Eduards EDEX259 mask set.
My subject is Flt Lt Edward Hall RAAF who flew out of Darwin in Spitfire Mk.Vc (Trop) Ser No BS186 with 452 Squadron.
Flt Lt EDWARD SMITH "TEDDY" HALL
Born in Sydney on 10 March 1918, Teddy Hall worked as a grazier in Werris Creek, NSW, before his enlistment on 13 November 1940. Sent to the UK, he was initially posted to 129 Squadron, where he became a Flight Commander, flying Spitfires. On 18 August 1942, he shared in the destruction of a He 59, and probably destroyed a He 115 over Cherbourg. Sent back to Australia in late 1942, Hall was posted to 452 Squadron, Darwin, were No 1 Fighter Wing RAAF was forming and training to take over the defence of the North West Australia. Hall became the Flight Commander of 'A' Flight. All his remaining claims were in this theatre. He was later posted to 105 Fighter Control Unit, before his discharge on 3 November 1944.
His Pacific Theatre combat claims were:
15 March 1943 452 Sqn Spitfire A6M Zero Darwin A/C BS186
2 May 1943 452 Sqn Spitfire A6M Zero Darwin A/C BS186
30 June 1943 452 Sqn Spitfire A6M Zero Peron Island A/C BS186
6 July 1943 452 Sqn Spitfire A6M Zero Anson Bay A/C BS186
Extracted from:
Pacific Victory Roll - Pilots D - H
BS186 arriver in Australia aboard the SS Hoperidge on 23 October 1942 with the official transfer from the UK to Australian charge taking place in November, at some stage the aircraft was also allocated the Australian serial number A58-74. Allocated to 452 Squadron it was given the code letter 'L' and named 'UML Overdale', the squadron code of 'QY' was not added until later. The aircraft also had a tropical filter (for which I extend my thanks to Karl, who kindly supplied it), and also sported the smaller de Havilland spinner and propeller without the cuffs on the blades. Apart from a number of trips to 7 RSU (Repair Service Unit) or to 14 ARD (Aircraft Repair Depot) BS 186The aircraft remained with the squadron until 27 March 1944 when it was through a number of moves, transferred to 1 EU (Engineering School) as an instructional airframe. It was eventually offered for disposal in April 1946.
Extracted from:
Welcome to ADF Serials
Flt Lt EDWARD SMITH "TEDDY" HALL
Some of the motley ground crew of 452 Sqn
Profile of BS186