DAVE HOWE PAGE
November 19th 2014
As you can see on THE FORUM PAGES, Gerald Howe, Captain ( retired ) ex Sqn 426 of the RCAF, contacted me about his father, W/O Dave Howe, one of a number of Test Pilots assigned to the 107 MU Test & Despatch Flight 1943/4.
I particularly like his encounter with one of the 107 MU Seaplane Spitfires see PAGE 1943
As you can see on THE FORUM PAGES, Gerald Howe, Captain ( retired ) ex Sqn 426 of the RCAF, contacted me about his father, W/O Dave Howe, one of a number of Test Pilots assigned to the 107 MU Test & Despatch Flight 1943/4.
I particularly like his encounter with one of the 107 MU Seaplane Spitfires see PAGE 1943
David J Howe ( DJ ) Flew Spitfires in England in 1941 before converting to Hurricanes and departing for the Middle East to assist in the relief of Malta. In 1941 as their convoy approached Malta,the Hurricanes on board HMS Argus And HMS Ark Royal scrambled to take up their posts on the besieged Island. It was shortly after this that the Ark Royal was attacked and sunk shortly after departing Malta to return to UK waters. Dave was later shot down in action over Malta suffering a badly broken and dislocated ankle.
Following his injuries sustained over Malta, Dave spent time recovering in Egypt after which he moved onto the Western Desert of North Africa with 112 Sqn flying their Kittyhawk Sharks against Rommels Desert Luftwaffe. Shortly thereafter he contracted Malaria and was eventually re-mustered to 107 MU at RAF Kasfareet in the Suez Canal Zone in March 1943, joining the team of Test Pilots with the 107 MU Test & Despatch Flight. While at Kasfareet he made friends with Peter Pugson and remained so over the following years and visited him in England several times. It was Pug who eventually persuaded Dave to take his commission.
Above and below......Dave Howe with his 112 Sqn Kittyhawk Shark in the warfields of North Africa
74045 Sergeant David J Howe RCAF
Flt Sgt (promoted to WO 11 whilst with 112 Sqn
457 Sqn England 1941 Spitfires
605 Sqn Malta 1941/2 Hurricanes
112 Sqn North Africa 1942/3 Kittyhawks
107 MU Suez Canal Zone, Egypt 1943/4 Test Pilot
83 SUP GP Dunsfold, England 1945 Spitfires.
Flt Sgt (promoted to WO 11 whilst with 112 Sqn
457 Sqn England 1941 Spitfires
605 Sqn Malta 1941/2 Hurricanes
112 Sqn North Africa 1942/3 Kittyhawks
107 MU Suez Canal Zone, Egypt 1943/4 Test Pilot
83 SUP GP Dunsfold, England 1945 Spitfires.
Test & Despatch Flight November 1943
The above photograph and list of names is also shown on PAGE 1944 as a follow up of the very same picture submitted earlier by Brian Collins looking for more information of his father Ronald Collins. Gerald Howe points out however that there is a smile or two difference between the two pictures which must have been taken one after the other !!!
The above picture is also shown on the 1943 PAGE because of the link with Spitfire Seaplanes
Stunning picture of an old Vickers Valentia bomber at Habbaniya coming from Basra to Kasfareet. April 1943. Flt/Lt Martin ( Dickie Martin assumed ) behind the Wing Commander. Dave Howe helped ferry this old bomber to Kasfareet. They flew in a Boston taking 3 hrs and 40 minutes and returned in the Valentia in 13 hours in an open cockpit !!!
And below a shot taken from the Valencia during that tiring 13 hour journey
Wilson Knapp ( Knappy ) near the Pyramids June 1943. ( from Baltimore ? )
Doc, Knappy, Bill at the Pyramids June 1943
Above Frost`s Marauder after undercarriage failure April 1944. Undercarriage failures were more common than people think.
Above a Vickers Wimpey ( Wellington Bomber ) beating up the beach at Tel Aviv 1943
Two pages of Kasfareet Kronicles of T & D Flight ( Test & Despatch ) pictures , including Dave and some of his mates above, can be seen on 1943 PAGE
Pug, taking off 107MU in a Baltimore (?)
Pugson outside of Test Office
Above burnt out P-40 engine. George Allison RAAF was lucky to survive this one - September 1943. Engine fires occurred frequently on early P-40`s
Below, Dave Howe`s picture of 112 Sqn`s Stuka decorated with RAF roundels.
Dave Howe`s note marks the time when the aircraft was despatched to Alexandria on a Christmas Beer Run. Apparently the beer was stacked too far back inside the fusilage and the aircraft might well have pranged had not the priceless load slid forward on lift-off !!!