Significant Snipe

[mrhenniger]

Last May I visited the new Canadian War Museum and photographed the aircraft on display. I photographed one WWI airframe, but didn't know what it was since the display panels had not been installed. Here is the airframe...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/547 ... 2405mTTmqt
http://community.webshots.com/photo/547 ... 2405CWdJmz

I just received this email regarding the airframe...

Dear Mr Henniger,

I thought you might like to know that the unidentified aircraft you photographed at the Canadian War Museum in May 2005 is a Sopwith Snipe, serial number E8102, flown by Major William Barker in October 1918, during which time he fought an air battle that resulted in him receiving the Victoria Cross.

The Snipe is the only aircraft artefact surviving from a Victoria Cross event, anywhere in the world, and quite precious and rare.

I am William Barker's biographer, and more information about his story and myself can be found at the URLs below.

Kind regards,

Wayne Ralph, author
WEB site at http://aceswarriorsandwingmen.com
CP Review at http://www.recorder.ca/cp/Entertainment ... 0817A.html

I had no idea what I was looking at!

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Jerry O'Neill]

As a VC artifact, is it correct that one of the former Canadian PBY Firebombers (#791) was flown by a VC reciepient? I heard this from the crew in 1985 when the aircraft came to the Pratt & Whitney Airshow in Hartford, CT. Anybody know if it has any merit?
Jerry

[mrhenniger]

As a VC artifact, is it correct that one of the former Canadian PBY Firebombers (#791) was flown by a VC reciepient? I heard this from the crew in 1985 when the aircraft came to the Pratt & Whitney Airshow in Hartford, CT. Anybody know if it has any merit?
Jerry

I assume you talking about a PBY flown by the VC recipient in post-war civil service?

I haven't heard of this, but then I am constantly learning new stuff.

Mike

[AirJimL2]

As a VC artifact, is it correct that one of the former Canadian PBY Firebombers (#791) was flown by a VC reciepient? I heard this from the crew in 1985 when the aircraft came to the Pratt & Whitney Airshow in Hartford, CT. Anybody know if it has any merit?
Jerry

It is certainly possible that David Hornell flew Cansos other than 9754 in 162 Squadron, but he won his VC in 9754 which does not survive today. I wonder if the plane in question could be one of those.

There is one surviving Canso CF-CRR ex-RCAF 9767 which sunk a U-boat (U-342), but the highest award in that action was a DFC.

Jim

[Jerry O'Neill]

I think the U-Boat sinking is the story that I was thinking was tied to that PBY.
Thanks.
Jerry

[Wolverine]

I thought the only Snipe in existence was at the NASM!

[J-F St-Pierre]

I thought the only Snipe in existence was at the NASM!

Here an other one... in Canada : http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/coll ... nipe.shtml

[mrhenniger]

I thought the only Snipe in existence was at the NASM!

The NASM doesn't have every last plane in their collection you know! There are other museums around. (just yanking your chain)

Here are my pictures of the snipe at the Canada Aviation Museum...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/506 ... 5182jfNjJC
http://community.webshots.com/photo/510 ... 5302RivhKD
http://community.webshots.com/photo/510 ... 5308ZetoUv
http://community.webshots.com/photo/510 ... 7749UZSacO


Mike

[Wolverine]

If I read your posts correctly, you appear to believe that I am misguided... (I take no offense because none was given) well, I'm not much into WWI aircraft, so I suppose a sign from the Smithsonian could confuse me. It did say it was the only survivor of its type. I'm greatful to know that there is more than one.

That said, the Smithsonian DOES NOT HAVE THE ONLY SURVIVING BOEING 307!!!!!!! I heard the tour guide say that yesterday.

Must go see the ohka now.

[mrhenniger]

If I read your posts correctly, you appear to believe that I am misguided... (I take no offense because none was given)

Just having some fun with some friendly ribbing is all. I am looking forward to my first trip to the NASM sometime.

Mike

[systemofadown1162]

I am looking forward to my first trip to the NASM sometime.

First trip
Wow Im speachless!