Aerial photograph of RAF Tiree Aerodrome, 1943
Black and white aerial photograph of RAF Tiree Aerodrome during WWII taken on 24 Oct 1943, showing roads and infrastructure from Crossapol Farm to Baugh House to Kenovay and Balephetrish Bay.
RAF brevet for Meteorological Air Observers of the Tiree 518 Squadron
RAF brevet or “wings” for the Meteorological Air Observers of 518 Squadron based on Tiree during WWII. The badge would have been sewn above the left breast pocket of the airmen`s uniform, above any medal ribbons. Depicts single wing with letter `M` in white and brown stitching on black fabric background.
Articles and phototcopied photographs relating to RAF Tiree during WWII
11 newspaper articles, 2 letters and 4 annotated photocopies of photographs pertaining to RAF Tiree during WWII, 518 Squadron, RAF metereological observations, VE Day met. observations over the Atlantic, life in the RAF on Tiree, Tiree`s role during WWII, 518 Squadron crew list (after the Commonwealth airmen had left), the effect the RAF`s presence on the local population, the 518 Squadron reunion of 1985, letter from Dermot Boyle (Marshal of the RAF) to Wing Commander Angell wishing the reunion well, letter from Mary MacKinnon, Crossapol, to Neville Beale, a typed tribute to Metereological Reconnaissance in WWII by Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Harding and Sir John Houghton, short ornate description of 518 Squadron showing crest. Letters between Neville Beale and An Iodhlann regarding his donation of the material.
Short report by Peter G Rackliff (MAO 518 Squadron 1943-1945) of his private investigation into the fatal mid-air collision between two Halifax meteorolgical survey planes over Tiree during World War II, in which all 16 crew members died. Draws on evidence from the official `Report on a Flying Accident (Form 765c)` – August 1944, `Weather conditions and Air tests`, extracts from independent eyewitness accounts of crofter Hugh MacLean, Barrapol and shepherd David McClounnan, and extracts from the `Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry (Form 412)`.
Click here to view 2009.48.1
In his covering note, the author writes, “This accident has always troubled me; a chance in a million or more. I have done my best with what was available… With P/O Organ having just broken out of cloud, he could still have been losing height, whereas we know that P/O Turner had been ‘climbing up’ beyond the runway. If Organ had not banked to starboard it’s possible that his aircraft would have just passed beneath S-Sugar. They were so close that his maneouvre ensured contact with his port wing, but it was a natrual reaction to turn away, in a vain effort to avoid a collision” . Includes ring-bound updated version donated 17 Aug 2014.
HM Armed Forces Veteran badge belonging to Wing Commander Bryn Lewis who was a Metereological Observer of Halifax 518 Squadron based on Tiree during WWII.
Digitised booklet `A Guide to RAF Tiree`
Digitised book of 20+ annotated maps of RAF buildings and infrastructure on Tiree during WWII. Published by An Iodhlann. Printed in 1999 by Tiree Community Business limited. Photocopy stored in filing cabinet 9 drawer 2.
Click here to view 2009.5.1
RAF Plaque from 518 Squadron which was based on Tiree during WWII
RAF 518 Squadron Plaque with the motto – `Tha an Iuchair Againn-ne`, which means `We hold the key.`
Black and white photograph of three airmen from 518 Squadron in February 1944.
Three airmen from 518 Squadron in February 1944. L-R: Flight Engineer John ‘Taffy’ Jones, WAG Lin Steer, WAG Maurice Foster.
Black and white photograph of four airmen from 518 Squadron in March 1944.
Four airmen from 518 Squadron in March 1944. L-R: Flight Sergeant Maurice Foster (WAG), Flight Lieutenant Fred Green (Pilot), Flight Sergeant John `Taffy` Jones (Flight Engineer), Flight Sergeant John Friend (Met Observer).
Account of Meteorlogical Reconnaisance by RAF 518 Squadron during WWII
An account of Met sorties at RAF Tiree during WWII, with a map showing Met sortie flight patterns. Presented by Wing Cdr. Bryn Lewis at an RAF Historical Society seminar held in the RAF Museum, Hendon in April 2004. Includes a programme of events at the seminar.
