MURRAY,
     In a message dated 12-13-97 you wrote ...
> Correct Jim - The carrier was the USS Wasp and this
> operation probably saved Malta.
   The carrier Ranger was also used for one or so of these
 resupplies to Malta.  The Wasp had to go to the Pacific
 but the Ranger was too slow.
   We had one U.S. Naval officer off the Ranger in
 POW camp. He said he was shot down Dec 6, 1941
 :)   Where?
> Some more trivia for you - the Spit's
> flaps were operated pneumatically and only full up or full
> down. As partial flap would be required to get off the deck,
> the ship's carpenters cut a bunch of 15 degree wedges, the
> flaps lowered and the wedges inserted, the flaps retracted
> against the wedges, and voila - i5 degrees of flap. After
> take-off, the flaps were lowered, the wedges blew out and
> away they went!
> Not so - prior to WW11 they were, but by wartime the FAA was
> a separate Royal Navy branch. They wore (and still do) RN
> uniforms with their wings placed on the left sleeve just
> above the rank stripes. Check PR photos of Prince Andrew for
> details!
  I heard my tale of FAA in the North Compound of Stalag
 Luft III which was predominately Brits.. After 53 years
 my memory may slip a bit.  But did not remember when the
 change was made... Hell, I don't have photos on the wall
 of Prince Andrew.... :)
 Thanks for all the info...
   -=*  Jim Sanders  *=-
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