[Shamrock]

65 years ago today the RAF lost one of it's most famous Wing Commanders; Dublin born, Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane. His Spitfire MkVb was hit in the radiator by a burst of fire from a German MG in a sand dune while leading his Wing as Wing Commander, Hornchurch on a fighter 'Ramrod' on July 15th 1942. The engine began to overheat and rather than bale out and risk certain captivity he decided to ditch. It is thought that his head went forward and struck the gunsight knocking him out. His aircraft sank taking him with it. He was 21 years of age and the youngest Wing Commander (Lt. Colonel) in the RAF. He reached this rank in an amazing flying career spanning exactly two years as he was posted to 65 Sqd at Hornchurch on July 15 1940 as a lowly Pilot Officer. His final score is accepted as 32 but may be more. He was awarded the DSO and DFC with two bars.
My cousin is a very skilled model maker and he converted a Corgi 1/32 PR-F into this wonderful 'one off' for me. It depicts Finucane's aircraft with 65 Sqd when he scored his first kill on August 12 1940. The Corgi Brian Lane is very well weathered but this Spitfire takes it a little bit further IMHO. This goes very well with Corgi's 1/72 Finucane Spitfire.

There is an excellent book Paddy Finucane 'Fighter Ace' (Crecy/Kimber) by Doug Stokes now sadly out of print but is still available s/h on various booksellers websites. Recommended.

[swoop]

Right on Shamrock,Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane is my favourite. I will attempt to know more about him by searching out this book. Let's not forget a young Canadian pilot who met the same fate, Lidstone 'Willie' McKnight had 30 + victories also. Only consolation we have is,they took a lot of the enemy with them. LEST WE FORGET. Many nationalities put their lives on the line to subsequently preserve ours. We owe all a debt of gratitude.