Bidspirit auction | Shooting Down Enemy Aircraft Catapult

Shooting Down Enemy Aircraft Catapult Ship cover signed M A Birrell rare Battle of Britain and ace Capt G C Baldwin, WW11 Pilots. 3 Aug 81 BFPS 1751 40th Anniv. of the 1st Shooting Down of an Enemy Aircraft from Catapult Ship Maplin by Hurricane Fighter Cdr M A. Birrell. Personally signed by Cdr M A. Birrell 79 Sqn, Battle of Britain Pilot, Later 1st pilot shot from Catapult Ship 1941 shooting down Enemy Aircraft. In response to Churchill's request to the Admiralty for pilots Birrell was one of those loaned to the RAF in Mid - June 1940. After conversion to Hurricanes he joined 79 Sqn at Biggin Hill. When the Squadron was rested he was posted to 804 ( FAA ) Squadron at Hatston. After a short spell with 802 Squadron he returned to 804 Sqn when it became a Catapult Fighter unit. Birrell was the first pilot to be catapulted from a CAM ship. He sailed in the Michael E on 28th 1941 bound for New York. Five days out from Belfast they were torpedoed by a U Boat and Birrell was among the survivors picked up after 20 hours in the boats. His next ship was the Ariganuam. On 26th August he was shot off in a Fulmar to deal with a FW Condor. He fired one burst before it vanished into cloud. Later the Ariganuam was sunk by U Boat. also Signed by Capt G C Baldwin, CBE DSC RN Hurricane pilot Fleet Air Arm. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99