----- Original Message -----

From: enf855d

To: Whitley_project@...

Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:51 AM

Subject: [Whitley_project] Particular Whitley 612 Squadron

Dear All

I am researching the loss of my uncle, Philip Halliday, RAFVR on
Christmas Day 1941 who was pilot Navigator in a Mark VII Whitley
fitted with ASV. On the day I beleive he was relocating to Rejkavik
from Wick and my mother says they were actually carrying the
Christmas post to the new base.

I intend to model his particular aircraft (Frog Kit) and my research
has turned up a nice picture of G George of 612 - but I would like
to know the call sign and number of Philips plane specifically.
Could anyone help me ?

As part of the research I have already connected with a member of
612 who was there just before my uncle. He provided some interesting
general data below.

Other research suggests to me that the CO of 612 Sqdn in i941 was
JBM Wallis - is that right ?

Any background people could help me with would be gratefully
received.

Many thanks

David

Regarding your uncle Philip Halliday, I regret that I can not be of
much
help.
I left 612 Squadron in early January 1941 as we were converting to
Whitleys
when the squadron was based at Dyce. At that time I do not recall
anyone by
the name of Philip Halliday in the squadron. He may have joined
later in the
year.
In Dec. 1941 I joined 502 Squadron again flying Whitleys.
Regarding Whitleys, some were powered by U.S.A. Packard built
Merlins which
could develop coolant leaks and thus engine failure and the Whitley
would
not remain airborne on one engine.
The last C.O. of 612 wrote a history of the squadron after it was
disbanded
in the 1950s or 1960s. I expect that a copy woud be available in
Aberdeen as
it was the city of Aberdeen Auxiliary squadron pre war.

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