92
Squadron Royal Air Force. Supermarine Spitfire of 92 Squadron flown by
Brian Kingcombe. shown in aviation art prints available from aviationprints.co.uk, part of the Royal Air Force
squadron's history in aviation art.
Great
Fighter Pilots , Air Commodore J A Leathart. Nicknamed 'The Prof' on
No 54 Squadron He
begun his flying training whilst still at university as a member of No 610
Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. On
Graduating he joined the Royal Air Forceand completed his flying training at No 3 FTS and then joined No 54
Squadron at Hornchurch equipped with Gauntlets.The squadron was re equipped with Spitfire I's and owing to the
rapid expansion of the RAF he soon found himself a flight commander on the
squadron.In 1940, prior to the fall of France he undertook a rescue mission
when the CO of No 74 became stranded in Franceat Calais/Marck airport.He
commandeered a Miles Master trainer, and escorted by fellow squadron
pilots, including Al Deere, he flew to France collected 74's CO and flew
him back to Britain.Five
hours after the invasion of Normandy, he landed on the beach with a jeep
mounted light radar unit, in order that he could control night fighters in
the beach-head area.
Distinguished
Service Order Citation reads. Acting Flight Lieutenant James Anthony LEATHART (39625).
During May, 1940, this officer led his squadron on a large number
of offensive patrols over- Northern France. On one occasion an attack was
made on a formation of no less than 60 enemy aircraft. In company with his
squadron he has shot down fifteen Messerschmitts, and possibly one Heinkel
in and one Junkers 88, during the period mentioned. He also flew a trainer
aircraft to Calais Marckaerodrome
to rescue a squadron commander who had been shot down there but was
uninjured. Whilst taking off, after the rescue, an attack was made by
twelve Messerschmitt log's but with great coolness and skilful evasive
tactics Flight Lieutenant Leathart succeeded in shaking off the enemy and
landing again without damage. Subsequently, he took off and flew back to
England unescorted. This officer
has displayed great courage, determination and splendid leadership.Gazetted 11 June 1940
Spitfires Over Kent by Graeme Lothian. (GL)
Spitfires of No.92 Sqn in action over Kent during the Battle of Britain.
Item Code : DHM1926
Spitfires Over Kent by Graeme Lothian. (GL) - Editions Available
Pilot Officer Allan Wright - later Group Captain, and awarded DFC and AFC - pilots Spitfire QJ-S of No.92 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, with his wingman in close support.
Item Code : IBF0001
Summer 1940 by Ivan Berryman. - Editions Available
With the Battle of Britain at its height and the RAF stretched to breaking point, September of 1940 was a desperate time for the young pilots who fought gallantly to defend the UK against an imminent invasion. Among those brave few was the eighteen year old Geoffrey Wellum, shown here destroying a Heinkel He.111 on 11th September in Spitfire 1a K9998. The Heinkel fought back, peppering Wellum's Spitfire with holes, but the German bomber was mortally wounded and was seen to go down in flames.
Spitfires (MkI) of 92 Squadron out of Biggin Hill in September 1940 are about to take on the enemy during the Battle of Britain. The aircraft in the background was flown by Pilot Officer Alan Wright - his list of victories was eleven, three destroyed, two probables, two possibles and seven damaged.
Item Code : DHM2244
In Defence of Britain by Philip West. - Editions Available
Without doubt the most famous British fighter aircraft. It always inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike – to this very day. Flight Lt. Geoff Wellum in his 92 Sqn. Spitfire, during an all-too rare quiet moment, one evening during the summer of 1940 - the height of the Battle of Britain. The aircraft that inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike, and such statements as - she really was the perfect flying machine; she hadnt got a vice at all - was also admired by those on the ground. In propaganda posters and illustrations, the Spitfire represented Britains defiance and commitment to ultimate victory.
Item Code : DHM2332
Evening Glory by Philip West. - Editions Available
Flt. Lt. Geoff Wellum leads this flight of Spitfires from 92 Squadron in a scramble to take on the might of the German Luftwaffe during the height of the Battle of Britain. No 92 Squadron was first formed on the 1st September 1917 at London Colney and was disbanded on 7th August 1919. Following the outbreak of the Second World War 92 Squadron reformed on 10th October 1939 at RAF Tangmere and first saw action over the Dunkirk evacuation beaches. The Squadron was the first into action on September 15, 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day. Towards the end of the Battle of Britain 92 Squadron flew from Biggin Hill. By the end of 1940 the Squadron tally stood at 127 German aircraft destroyed.
Item Code : DHM1741
Spitfire Scramble by Philip West. - Editions Available
During the legendary Battle of Britain Spitfires of 92 Squadron are engaged with Messerschmitt Me109s of JG-2 in a high-altitude dog-fight directly over London in September 1940. Way below bombers of the Luftwaffe attempt one of their final daylight raids over the capital.
Item Code : DHM2133
Combat Over London by Robert Taylor - Editions Available
Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum of 92 Squadron once again takes his trusted Spitfire into attack high over southern England. Any moment now both he and one other Spitfire pilot will be flying into hell amongst at least a dozen Luftwaffe He111s on their way to drop their bombs on London. Geoffrey Wellum together with other pilots of Fighter Command became One of the Few and fought with courage and determination.
At the end of another days hard air combat fighting over the war-torn skies of England, Spitfires of 92 Squadron enjoy a rare, peaceful moment prior to returning to base during the Battle of Britain. The few prevailed and gave us the freedom we enjoy to this day.
Item Code : DHM2678
Spitfires - Masters of the Air by Philip West. - Editions Available
It is the winter of 1941 and heavy snow has disrupted operations for several days. A break in the weather today has brought blue skies and the opportunity for the ground crew to clear the runway of snow and get the pilots of 92 Squadron airborne. Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum and his fellow fighter pilots are bringing their Spitfires safely home after the third and final sortie of the day.
Item Code : DHM2624
Spitfires Safely Home by Stephen Brown. - Editions Available
In this classic Robert Taylor painting Brian Kingcome is seen leading the Spitfires of 92 Squadron in a diving attack into a force of HEIIIs over the city of London during the height of the Battle of Britain. Brian Kingcome flew Spitfires operationally virtually without break, right throughout the war.
Depicting Spitfires of No.92 Squadron, which on their first mission over Dunkirk, encountered six ME109Es and succeeded in shooting down every one of them! Such actions came to symbolise the spirit of the 92nd Squadron which went on to see intense fighting during the Battle of Britain and by the end of 1940 had claimed an astonishing 127 enemy aircraft destroyed. A dramatic and unusual perspective on this classic aeroplane addition to any collection of Spitfire paintings.
Item Code : B0019
The Hunting Party by Ivan Berryman. - Editions Available
Two Spitfire Mk1Bs of 92 Squadron patrol the south coast from their temporary base at Ford, here passing over the Needles rocks, Isle of Wight, in the Spring of 1942.
Item Code : DHM1708
In Them We Trust by Ivan Berryman. - Editions Available
On 15th September 1965, the late Jeffrey Quill flew the old Spitfire VB AB910 into RAF Station Coltishall to be handed over to the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight and preserved in perpetuity. Significantly, this was to be virtually the final moment of a thirty-year association and devotion by Jeffrey Quill to his beloved Spitfire. After Mutt Summers initial flight, it was largely left to Jeffrey to help turn Reginald Mitchells inspired design into the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. Jeffrey Quill writes in his book, Spitfire, A Test Pilots Story : It had been my business to criticise it and identify its faults; I had no illusions about it and knew its problems only too well. Indeed, they had caused me sleepless nights all too often... As I climbed out of the cockpit of AB910 I had that feeling of sadness, of bidding farewell to an old an trusted friend. The title of the print comes most appropriately from the words of Nunc Dimittis, - Lord now lettest tho.........
In Gerald Coulsons fine study First Light, Mk Vb Spitfires of 92 Squadron climb out of Biggin Hill at the outset of an early morning patrol on a cold winters morning in February 1941. Leaving the mist behind as the first beams of light streak across the heavens, they will turn to the east and steel themselves to meet the enemy, high in the dawn sky.
Item Code : DHM2588
First Light by Gerald Coulson. - Editions Available
