Just eight pilots remain of the battle of britain few. This diecast model hurricane comes personally handsigned by wing commander tom neil. He retired from the raf in 1964 having reached the rank of wing commander. Then plt off tom ginger neil, in front of nicholson vcs aircraft during the battle of britain. Amazingly enough, wing commander neil is still alive, aged 97. Wing commander tom neil dfc afc ae was one of the rafs most successful fighter pilots, credited with the destruction of more than 17 enemy aircraft, the majority of which during the battle of britain.
When the germans were blitzing their way across france, pilot officer tom neil had just received his first posting to 249 squadron. Unfortunately, kenneth passed away in 2005, but i was truly. Each book has been personally signed to the title page by the author. On 26 december 1941 neil left malta and in 1942 he became tactics officer for no. Also happy to write for us in this important anniversary year for the museum is the amaz ing dr helen doe whose father wing. A gentle breeze floated over the raf front line airfield at hornchurch as exhausted young pilots of the 54 squadron enjoyed a rare opportunity to rest and reflect on their two encounters with the enemy earlier that day. In december 1941, neil was transferred and eventually became liaison officer to the us 9th air forces 100th fighter wing.
He has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences. Another of the few leaves us the battle of britain. Wing commander tom neil individuals aviation art by. Wing commander thomas francis neil we have recently discovered that autographica guest wing commander tom neil, as well as being a wwii pilot and with an incredible record, was also involved in the early stages of the american space programme. Swanwick squadron leader nigel rose squadron leader tony iveson dfc ae. Hornchurch scramble the hardest days part ii aces high. Gun button to fire available for download and read online in other formats. Hornchurch scramble the hardest days by robert taylor. Scramble ebook by tom neil 9781445649528 rakuten kobo. During his career, neil was awarded two distinguished flying crosses for the destruction of at least. Spitfire scramble by philip west aviation art hangar. His 1987 memoir gun button to fire was cited by sir john grandy, his commanding officer during the war and the former marshal of the royal air force, as the best book he had read on the battle of britain. Wing commander thomas francis ginger neil, dfc, afc, ae is a famous world war ii royal air force fighter pilot, ace and one of the few remaining survivors of the battle of britain.
With the rear section of his aircraft gone, the plane was out of control and hurtling to the ground, yet somehow he managed to bail out and miraculously survived with only a minor leg injury. Quickly following, the aircraft of new zealander colin gray is. Wing commander tom neil dfc, afc, one of the last of the few and a regular visitor to the battle of britain memorial in recent years, has died. Those valiant few framed collectors piece aces high. This is the spirit for dealing with the enemy chief of air staff, 18 august 1940. Pdf gun button to fire download full pdf book download. Called up on 2nd september 1939, neil went to 4 itw. Wing cdr neil, who died on wednesday evening 11 july, just three days before his 98th birthday, flew hurricanes with no 249 squadron throughout the battle of britain. With a major reliance on early warning radar, raf crew would sit outside their squadron hqs dressed and ready for action.
Battle of britain pilot tom chooses a turning bed to futureproof his independence and ability to stay at home. He went on to see further combat in malta before returning to the uk to fly spitfires over the channel and elsewhere during 1943. Wing commander thomas ginger neil dfc, afc, ae is a battle of britain ace with 14 confirmed kills downed planes to his name, but the first thing he does is shoot down some myths. Raf pilots scramble their aircraft during the battle of britain. As well as raf service during the siege of malta, wing commander neil, who is now in his late nineties, also served with the americans during the dday. Both pilots had newly been awarded the dfc, neil on 8 and lock on 1 october, with the former 19yearold airman often being roped in by the am because of his height and bankable looks. He is due to be there that day signing his wonderful book scramble and copies of the kent battle of britain muse um magazine. Freedom flight was written by mercedes lackey and ellen guon. Neil flew during the battle of britain, and shot down 14 enemy aircraft during the second world war. It was late in the afternoon of sunday, 18 august 1940. Neil achieved fighter ace status during world war ii and scored a total of 14 victories during the war. During memorial day of the 73rd anniversary of the battle of britain on july 14, 20, i met tom neil who served during world war two in.
Undeterred, he continued his enquires and obtained information which enabled the desperate situation to be rectified. What was the secret to winning the battle of britain. Case study how equipment helped wing commander thomas francis ginger neil. This is a fighter pilots story of eight memorable months from may to december 1940. Just eight brave men remain of the near 3,000strong aircrew who served with the raf fighter command during the main battle of britain. Po thomas f ginger neil of no 249 squadron raf was. The battle of britain commenced at the beginning of june 1940, and for almost three gruelling months the young men of raf fighter command, duelled with the cream of goerings luftwaffe over the skies of southern england. In addition to the silver spitfire, neil s books about his adventures included scramble. The dramatic story of a young fighter pilot s experiences during the battle of britain, by tom neil, is published by amberley. Wing commander neil, who is now in his late nineties, also served with the americans during the dday landings. Wing commander yeothomas undertook a second mission on the 17th september 1943. Wing commander tom neil, who has died aged 97, was one of the last two surviving battle of britain fighter aces.
This mainly came through the research for my book which centred on one of these gallant men, sqnldr kenneth mcglashan afc. He then became liaison officer to the us 9th air forces 100th fighter wing. The amazing story of one of the few, fighter ace tom neil who shot down enemy aircraft during the battle of britain. Size1 wing commander thomas francis neil, dfc, afc, 249 squadron, yorkshire, hurricanes. The definition of ace is that he had five confirmed kills on one day. Wing commander tom neil dfc afc ae group captain billy drake dso dfc. Robert taylors masterful new painting, hornchurch scramble, portrays the moment as 54 squadrons commanding officer, squadron leader james leathart, taxis out at hornchurch to prepare for takeoff. In 1948 in went to wrightpatterson afb, dayton, ohio. I, gnf v73 was tom neil s hurricane whilst flying with 249 squadron during 1940 you can read more about this in toms book scramble. Thomas francis ginger neil, 14 july 1920 11 july 2018 was a british aviator and a fighter pilot and flying ace in the royal air force. Wing commander tom neil dfc, afc hardback edition, 2015. Wing commander thomas francis ginger neil is an ace fighter pilot raf squadron no. Po thomas f ginger neil of no 249 squadron raf was among the pilots used in a bbc radio broadcast in 1940, the other being po eric s sawn off lock of no 41 squadron raf. Tom neil facts, bio, family, life, updates 2020 sticky.
Wing commander tom neil autographica 14 showmasters. Soon after his arrival in france, many patriots were arrested. This is a fighter pilots memoir of four tumultuous years, 19381942, when he was first trained, then fought and survive. I would place this alongside geoffrey wellums first light as the best way to relive flying a spitfire, or in neil s case, a hurricane, aged 19, pitchforked into ariel combat after a relatively short and equally hazardous training stint. This is tom neils memoir, covering the years 1938 to 1942, when he went from a trainee pilot in the royal air force raf to a fullfledged fighter pilot who saw action in 2 of the most crucial, decisive battles of the second world war. The battle was crucial in stopping a nazi invasion. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.