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Page 104

PFF sandwiches
The Pathfinders’ sandwiches – or lack of them – may soon, I hear, be a subject of a question in the House. The Pathfinders’ Club – established last August in a £2 a week cellar off Park Lane for the men who flew in Bomber Command’s “spearhead” force of targetmakers – have had their application for a sandwich and snack licence turned down by the Ministry of Food. Today I asked their President and former chief Air Vice Marshal D C T Bennett, what he thought about it. He said: I think it is pathetic that the men who have done the fighting cannot get a sandwich in their own club when so many other people, in other clubs, can do so…

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300 planes in V-Day test London sees air dress rehearsal
V-Weather Forecast: Victory parades in London and throughout Southern England on Saturday will enjoy bright sunny weather with no danger of any general rain, according to the Air Ministry experts today.
“Star” Reporter
Nearly 300 RAF planes, representing about 40 Squadrons, took part this afternoon in a full scale dress rehearsal of Saturday’s victory fly past over London…

Page 106

The Lancasters sail over the city in today’s fly past rehearsal. St Bride’s Church is on the right, a marker balloon is over the building on the left – “Evening News” picture

Page 107

The RAF formation of Lancaster bombers during the fly past as seen by our cameraman who flew with them. The roar of the planes was heard all over the capital.
Then came the fly past – squadron after squadron of RAF and Naval aircraft. These are Bomber Command Lancasters. Jet propelled planes, Meteors and Vampires, flashed through the rain filled sky while the marching columns were still saluting the King.

Page 108

WAAFs in Bomber fly past By Alan Tomkins
Sunday Dispatch War. Correspondent with the RAF
Famous 35 squadron flew 12 Lancaster heavy bombers in tight formation over the saluting base yesterday. I was with them in the bomb aimer’s position of a machine in the rear line of the “V”. We hit the fringes of the City and a heavy rainstorm at the same time. Powering through the flat panel in the nose of the machine I picked out through the low clouds St Paul’s, then Trafalgar Square, the Mall then Buckingham Palace – all thronged with people. And then they had gone. It was as quick as that. Four WAAFs flew with this pioneer Pathfinder Squadron. There was one vacancy for two watchkeepers with long service. The two girls were Sergt Edna Coats, aged 28 of Torquay and her friend Sergt Sally Speer…

Page 109

Something the RAF will show the USA
Lancasters of no. 35 Squadron RAF, make an impressive picture formation flying practice. Next month the squadron will go to America to take part in the Victory Day celebrations. Afterwards they will tour the Untied States showing the flag.

Page 110

RAF’s New York Welcome
After the Anglo-American bickering that has been going on regarding the Loan, it is pleasant to see this reminder of the Anglo-American unity that helped to win the War. The RAF received a warm welcome at Mitchell Field, Long Island.

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Mitchell Field, New York, welcomes the Lancaster bomber squadron now on a goodwill mission to the United States.
Mannequin dancers
RAF Squadron’s partners in New York
New York Saturday
Forty beautiful mannequins acted as hostesses today at a dinner dance given by the United States Air Force to members of the RAF Lancaster Bomber Squadron now touring the States. After a great welcome in New York the squadron will fly tomorrow to St Louis, Missouri on the second lap of the goodwill journey.

Page 112

Britain’s new giant of the skies. The Brabazon, the Bristol Aeroplane Company’s new transatlantic air liner, now “on the stocks”, is shown in the composite picture above in contrast to an Avro Tudor (left) and a Lancaster Bomber. All are reproduced on the same scale. The Brabazon being built at Bristol is expected to take the …

Page 113

Gong famine
There is trouble in Room 507 at the Air Ministry, Kingsway. They are running out of medals because of the shortage {yes – labour and materials again}, only five Royal Air Force DSOs will be able to attend the next investiture to collect their gongs. And the supply of DFCs has completely dried up. A few weeks ago I told the story of a DFC winner who, after waiting two years for his medal, went to Kingsway and collected it – from a drawerful of them. Since then dozens of young officers have been along to Room 507 to collect. Now the bottom of ther drawer is plainly visible, and the AM are anxious to stop the flow…

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Goodwill flyers (after touring America) touch down on home field
Village roars a welcome
Evening Standard Reporter: Graveley Airfield, Thursday
Britain’s flying ambassadors – the 35th Squadron of the RAF – landed at their airfield in this little Cambridgeshire village in a gale today, after their good will tour of America. And they were given a great welcome home by the RAF officers of high rank, by diplomats and statesmen, and by most of the people of Graveley (pop 381). On the way to their airfield they staged a fly past over and then turned North for Graveley…

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