Bidspirit auction | Hurricane Cover Signed, T Bennett

Hurricane Cover Signed, T Bennett 617 Sqn Leslie Izzard , Nic Stevens both 35 Sqn. 4 Jul 93 - Duxford - Classic Fighter Air Show Special Spitfire Cover of Bob Doe Flt Cdr no 238 Sqn RAF operating from Chilbolton destroys a Junkers Ju88 7 October. Personally Signed by Nic Stevens, 35 Sqn.,. & Leslie Izzard 35 Sqn. DFM enlisted 1939 expert in TV & Radio at that time due to family business. Wanted to be pilot but was more useful as Radio men, also he was night blind. Successfully developed the ZZ system for blind landing. He Did 62 ops on 35 Sqn and one other. Flew on Whitleys then Halifaxes. Air Vice Marshal D C T Bennett. He was initially told that he would be appointed a Group Capt in Training Command, but when this was downgraded to Squadron Leader, he declined the offer, He was eventually granted the rank of Wing Commander and sent to establish a Navigation School at Eastbourne. Having successfully set up this school, he requested an active assignment and was appointed CO of No 77 Squadron. He flew on operations as often as possible but always with a different crew by replacing that crew's pilot, that way he was able to assess the efficiency of all his crews. April 1942 brought a move to the command of No 10, newly equipped with the four-engined Halifax. Later the same month (27th), he took part in a combined raid by No's 10, 35 and 76 squadron against the Tirpitz. Hit by flak his aircraft caught fire and he set course for Sweden. Unable to make Sweden he ordered his crew to bale out whilst he remained at the controls before making his own escape. Landing in deep snow he located his wireless operator and with the help of friendly Norwegians he managed to cross the border into Sweden and eventually return to Britain resuming command of his squadron one month after baling out and to receive an immediate DSO. However, when No 10 Sqn was posted to the Middle East, he did not accompany them as he was summoned to HQ Bomber Command to see the AOC in C, Arthur Harris, his old CO from the flying boat days. Good condition Est.