|
... e=58FE454D
This photo shows the KB700 crew. At the undercarriage, the gent with wedge hat and his hands crossed (2nd or 3rd from left), is Michael Bachinsky, flight engineer on KB700 UK ferry flight. Michael previously completed a 1943 tour with 44 Squadron as flight engineer with pilot 'Happy" Taylor. It was "rare" for a Lancaster crew to complete a tour at this early period of the war. Michael spent over a year at an OTU training Halifax flight engineers and mechanics. When KB700 was made ready for the flight to UK, he was selected to return to Canada and fly the bomber as flight engineer. After UK delivery Bachinsky returned to operations as FE with 431 Squadron flying with pilot George Percival's crew.
A Film Board of Canada photographer using a 35mm cine camera to film events was a passenger. After landing in England, he gave Bachinsky a reel of unexposed 35mm film. Mike bought a 35mm camera and spooled his own cartridges. He took photos of Lancs and airfield scenes at Crawford, and daylight loose Lanc formation missions to Germany. Rare to find RCAF Lancaster photos taken during a wartime day mission. His unique photos illustrate a bomber squadron base and operations.
Unfortunately, Michael did not have photos of KB700.
Point of interest: When Bachinsky arrived at 44 Squadron, Waddington, he could not find a crew to fly with. A S/L Nettelton VC, interviewed Michael from among the available Flight Engineers and selected him for his crew. Nettleon asked all kinds of in-depth technical questions and scenarios, and was well versed with the Lancaster. Mike flew three mission with Nettleton before he was killed flying with another crew. Michael recalls that Nettleton handled the Lancaster as if he was a fighter pilot with steep turns and dives. After Nettelton was KIA, Mike joined Happy Taylor's crew and successfully completed a 25 mission tour.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
