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Post by russtmurray on Oct 24, 2018 8:06:24 GMT -8
Pip's recent post on "Family Bits" and Thomas' post on pocket watches reminded me to dig through some rather "grainy" quick 'n dirty photos that I'd almost forgotten I'd taken when Mom passed away several years ago. In going through Mom's effects, my brothers and I itemized things stored in a safety deposit box and one of the things I found was Dad's pocket watch that was part of his kit as a fighter pilot in WWII. Dad flew Hurricanes & Typhoons with RAF 247 "China-British" Squadron which was primarily a night fighter operation based in the Exeter area. In 1943, the engine in Dad's Typhoon conked out shortly after take-off and he had to crash land. After they dug him out of the wreckage, Dad managed to salvage a couple mementos, one of which was this pocket watch. Now I have to apologize for the grainy photo but it will have to suffice until such time as I can return back east and reexamine it. The watch is with my middle brother and it will be passed on to his son. In addition, we still have some of Dad's flight manuals, including one for the Typhoon MK1B and you can see where in the cockpit, the watch was mounted. Position 31a Now I have no idea whether the watch still works but it might be worthwhile to take it to a watchmaker for a diagnosis. Anyway, just thought you might enjoy some more family horological stories. Cheers, Russ
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Mr.Jones
Needs a Life!
Hamburg, Germany
Posts: 4,679
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Post by Mr.Jones on Oct 24, 2018 8:28:57 GMT -8
That's quite a story for a watch! Thanks for sharing!
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pip
WS Benefactor
Berkshire, UK
Posts: 6,171
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Post by pip on Oct 24, 2018 10:56:01 GMT -8
They had a special place for watch holding? Cool. If the “Dunkirk” film is as accurate as people say then the Spitfire has no such place, it was a pilots watch and some chalk on the dashboard.
Would be lovely to see more of the pocket watch when you get a chance. There are some tremendous old school proper watchmakers out there so make sure you get a good one.
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Post by russtmurray on Oct 24, 2018 15:13:16 GMT -8
They had a special place for watch holding? Cool. If the “Dunkirk” film is as accurate as people say then the Spitfire has no such place, it was a pilots watch and some chalk on the dashboard. Would be lovely to see more of the pocket watch when you get a chance. There are some tremendous old school proper watchmakers out there so make sure you get a good one. Yes sir, they did for that particular mark of the "Tiffy" I guess. I can't comment on the Spitfires or other planes but I did enjoy the flying sequences in the Dunkirk movie. i know some "purists" may have had some objections but I'm ok with some artistic license. Funny thing, I can remember Dad often chirping "they can't do that" whenever we watched some war movies. The worst was Von Ryan's Express! When I get back east, will make a point of taking the watch to a watchmaker. More to follow at a later date.
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Post by DAHASCO on Oct 24, 2018 15:35:51 GMT -8
That is a Freekin Nice Looking Watch, Love the Coin Edge and that Sub Dial speaks to me Wonderful Story
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Post by russtmurray on Oct 25, 2018 3:04:54 GMT -8
That is a Freekin Nice Looking Watch, Love the Coin Edge and that Sub Dial speaks to me Wonderful Story Glad ya liked it big guy. It is a pretty cool story, eh? What's even more interesting is that the guy who pulled Dad from the wreckage used to deliver milk to Dad's parents in Montreal......talk about a small world!
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Post by DAHASCO on Oct 25, 2018 3:09:03 GMT -8
That is a Freekin Nice Looking Watch, Love the Coin Edge and that Sub Dial speaks to me Wonderful Story Glad ya liked it big guy. It is a pretty cool story, eh? What's even more interesting is that the guy who pulled Dad from the wreckage used to deliver milk to Dad's parents in Montreal......talk about a small world! Yep, It's a Small World Alright, I still wouldn't want to paint it Again, Really Nice Tick Tock/Story you have there 7dfe79adc2f0
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Post by triumphrox on Oct 27, 2018 12:55:36 GMT -8
That is a great story and a priceless heirloom. "Offices" have changed a little, (although we've lost a bit along the way).
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Post by russtmurray on Oct 27, 2018 15:32:01 GMT -8
That is a great story and a priceless heirloom. "Offices" have changed a little, (although we've lost a bit along the way). Thanks very much. Dad had some interesting stories for sure. Pretty incredible to be thrust into such a situation at a young age. I remember him saying that when he and other pilots got off the truck and dispatched to the squadron, he noted that all the Hurricanes (which he flew first) were black. When he asked why, he was then told that 247 Squadron was a night-fighter unit. Dad said he was "taken aback" given he a had a total of 10hrs night time experience under his belt! Judging from your photo I presume you're an aviator? Thinking that may be a safe bet given also Boeing is in your back yard and Whidbey Island ain't that far either. Nice to have you on the forum.
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Post by triumphrox on Oct 27, 2018 16:51:11 GMT -8
That is a great story and a priceless heirloom. "Offices" have changed a little, (although we've lost a bit along the way). Thanks very much. Dad had some interesting stories for sure. Pretty incredible to be thrust into such a situation at a young age. I remember him saying that when he and other pilots got off the truck and dispatched to the squadron, he noted that all the Hurricanes (which he flew first) were black. When he asked why, he was then told that 247 Squadron was a night-fighter unit. Dad said he was "taken aback" given he a had a total of 10hrs night time experience under his belt! Judging from your photo I presume you're an aviator? Thinking that may be a safe bet given also Boeing is in your back yard and Whidbey Island ain't that far either. Nice to have you on the forum. Thanks, and yes you're correct, that's a B767. It's been a very warm welcome to the forum and I'm glad to be here.
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