Hi all, at the hieght of The Battle Of Britain P/O Gerald Maffetts Hurricane crashed at the Naze along with three other aircraft (Halifax Martinet and another Hurricane) Maffetts plane was recovered in 1973 and now forms a major exibit in Hendon, In 1973 the recovery was made possible using a Scammel Pioineer that now belongs to a good friend, he has a leg in plaster and has asked if I would take it to the Naze this coming Friday the 27th, as a small gathering of interested parties including P/O Maffetts family will gather at Walton On The Naze TOWER about 1am, at about 2-30pm the RAF are going to do a fly past along the coast from the clacton Air Show and have promised a number off passes over the site, (weather permitting) I understand anyone is welcome to join in this small respectful Rememberance event "REMEMBERING---THE FEW" ONE HURRICANE ONE RAID ISBN 1-85310-199-0 is about this aircraft and the Pilot, Anyone on Nijmagen Bridge on the 50th may of seen the Scammel along with another, as winch backup for the amphibious crossing, in case of problems, a long way from home in Essex at 23MPH.
Hey Lofty. I used to have the book and I still own the Ltd Ed print by Geoff Hunt. Hawker Hurricane MkI, P3175, of the RAF's No 257 Squadron, over the Thames Estuary, 18th August 1940. Published as a single limited edition of 950 signed and numbered prints in aid of a Hurricane restoration project. Each print is also signed by former pilots who flew operationally with 257 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. A Grand Aircraft by Geoff Hunt. Blue 2, P/O Maffett in Hurricane P3175 engages a retiring formation of bombers. Hope the day goes well.
Hi all, as requested a report on yesterday’s event at Walton on the naze. The famous tower was used as a base for a gathering of interested people and relatives of P/O GERARD MAFFETT, his 91 year old brother Alan was in attendance, along with other family members, the tower being very close to the crash site. The day turned out to be a great success, Colchester vintage car club turned up with about 10 vehicles, all 30-40s and I had the task of driving the Scammel pioneer, as the owner has a broken foot, this I did without a problem, Gerard lost another brother during the war, also in the RAF, this must have been a sad day for the only surviving brother Alan. After a social chat, a short speech was given, to remind everybody of the sacrifice given by P/O Maffett, and many like him, Battle of Britain pilots. One of the few, and at the end of the speech and with perfect timing, the B.B.M.F appeared, The Lancaster the Spit, and the Hurricane, they did three or four passes, and one got the feeling this was a job the especially wanted to do, a perfect display, and very moving. A small party of us took a short ride down to the crash site and were given a talk on the recovery in 1973 and shown the exact location of the site. I have some pictures of the day here,
Lofty Thank you. It looked like a good day for all concerned, to say his brother is 91 he looks very well, thank you for the photo's especially your friend waving his pot it brought a great smile!
Lofty Thank you for posting the photos and account of the day, it's nice to hear it it went well and had a good attendance.
