North American P-51B RAF Mustang Mk.III - Raymond Hearn / Derrick Westenra

Výrobce: Kits-World
Záruční lhůta: 2 roky

A farmer, born in Christchurch on 29 April 1918, Westenra joined the
RNZAF in February 1940, and transferred into the RAF late in 1940.
Westenra joined 112 Squadron in Greece in early 1941 to fly Gladiators
against the Italian invaders. On 17 March he destroyed a Fiat G50. After
the Germans joined in, the military situation deteriorated and the British
forces were withdrawn. Westenra was one of the few pilots who survived to
cover the evacuation. The unit moved to Crete in May 1941 and in one of
the few combats which took place Westenra, flying a Hurricane, shot down
a Bf 110 on the 15th. Soon afterwards 112 Squadron retired to Palestine
and then moved to the Canal Zone in Egypt where it re-equipped with
Curtiss Tomahawks.

As the campaign in the Western Desert developed the squadron took part
in the defence of Tobruk and later flew in support of the Eighth Army,
carrying out sweeps over enemy airfields. Westenra probably destroyed a
CR 42 on 25 November and while escorting Blenheims bombing enemy
columns on the Capuzzo road on 4 December he shot down two Fiat G50s.
Later in the month he shared in the destruction of a Ju 87 and was leading
the squadron when it destroyed or damaged fifteen German and Italian
aircraft on the enemy airfield at Magrun. Westenra was awarded the DFC
about this time.

In January 1942 the Tomahawks were replaced by Kittyhawks and shortly
afterwards Westenra led an attack against German armour during the
Eighth Army retreat to Gazala in the course of which six vehicles and a
tank were destroyed or damaged. On 8 March 1942 he led his flight on a
patrol of the forward area and encountered 15 Ju 87s, escorted by Bf 109s
and Macchi 200s. Westenra shot down one of the Italian fighters.

In early January 1943 he joined 601 Squadron, then pursuing Rommel’s
retreating troops.

He damaged a Bf 109 on 14 January, probably destroyed another on 1 May
and had another confirmed four days later.

In September 1943 Westenra took command of 93 Squadron in Sicily. He
later led it across to Italy and remained with it until February 1944, when
he returned to the United Kingdom and was given command of 65
Squadron in March 1944.

Equipped with Mustangs, 65 carried out long-range sweeps and bomber-
escorts. From May 1944 the unit began to carry out bombing sorties in
addition to its other activities. Westenra shot down an FW 190 on 3 June
1944 during a ’Ranger’ sortie over Denmark. Near the German airfield at
Aalborg they met German fighters and engaged in a battle which began at
high level and finished at low altitude. Eight enemy aircraft were claimed
as destroyed for the loss of two squadron pilots.

When he handed over command in July 1944 Westenra was awarded a Bar
to the DFC.

At the war’s end he was credited with eleven victories.

Ceník

Kód produktu	Popis	Dostupnost	Naše cena	bez DPH
KW32009		do 14 dnů	195 Kč	163 Kč

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