Flying Suit. A WWII Battle of Britain period 1930 pattern "Sidcot" flying suit belonging to Sergeant Thomas William Townshend, 601 Squadron, who served in Blenheims before moving to Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain, the lightweight waterproofed green cotton, with lined lining, full length diagonal zip front, zip sleeves and legs, large flap collar and detachable fleece collar, large map pocket to the left breast, two large fleece lined pockets to each thigh, the inner collar stamped in black in FP 10 39 and the hanging strap inscribed Townshend 801555, the detachable collar also inscribed 801555, and stamped in black ink A.I.D. I.P2, A.M. 3, 148cm long The 1930 pattern flying suit was a direct development of the WWI Sidcot suit and could be worn with full service uniform. It was used throughout WWII. 801555 Sergeant Thomas William Townshend was born in Edmonton, Middlesex in 1918, he was educated at St James School before joining 601 Squadron, Auxiliary Air (Aircraftsman). He was recalled for service on the outbreak of WWII and advanced to an Air Gunner. In February 1940 the squadron exchanged its Blenheims for Hurricanes and its Air Gunners were posted away. Townshend joined 600 Squadron in May when it was replacing aircrew killed on a raid on Waalhaven on 10 May. He served with 600 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. Townshend shot down a Me110 on 14 August 1940. The enemy aircraft had been part of Erprobungsgruppe 210, a specialist fighter-bomber unit that was tasked for raids on Ramsgate and Manston airfields. In an interview, Townshend recalled "I grabbed the mounting with the four Brownings fixed to it and had the leader of the nearest formation to me in my sights. Both lines of the formation swept past between myself and the hangars. They were that close that I still think today that I could have thrown a stone and hit one or other of them. As it was, I opened fire and to my utter amazement watched a row of bullet holes ripping through the port wing right along the aileron section, the bullet holes travelling towards the fuselage... I had fired in the region of 250-300 rounds. Vasco (John J) 'Bombsights Over England: A History of Eprobungsgruppe 210' refers.
Flying Suit. A WWII Battle of Britain period 1930 pattern "Sidcot" flying suit belonging to Sergeant Thomas William Townshend, 601 Squadron, who served in Blenheims before moving to Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain, the lightweight waterproofed green cotton, with lined lining, full length diagonal zip front, zip sleeves and legs, large flap collar and detachable fleece collar, large map pocket to the left breast, two large fleece lined pockets to each thigh, the inner collar stamped in black in FP 10 39 and the hanging strap inscribed Townshend 801555, the detachable collar also inscribed 801555, and stamped in black ink A.I.D. I.P2, A.M. 3, 148cm long The 1930 pattern flying suit was a direct development of the WWI Sidcot suit and could be worn with full service uniform. It was used throughout WWII. 801555 Sergeant Thomas William Townshend was born in Edmonton, Middlesex in 1918, he was educated at St James School before joining 601 Squadron, Auxiliary Air (Aircraftsman). He was recalled for service on the outbreak of WWII and advanced to an Air Gunner. In February 1940 the squadron exchanged its Blenheims for Hurricanes and its Air Gunners were posted away. Townshend joined 600 Squadron in May when it was replacing aircrew killed on a raid on Waalhaven on 10 May. He served with 600 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. Townshend shot down a Me110 on 14 August 1940. The enemy aircraft had been part of Erprobungsgruppe 210, a specialist fighter-bomber unit that was tasked for raids on Ramsgate and Manston airfields. In an interview, Townshend recalled "I grabbed the mounting with the four Brownings fixed to it and had the leader of the nearest formation to me in my sights. Both lines of the formation swept past between myself and the hangars. They were that close that I still think today that I could have thrown a stone and hit one or other of them. As it was, I opened fire and to my utter amazement watched a row of bullet holes ripping through the port wing right along the aileron section, the bullet holes travelling towards the fuselage... I had fired in the region of 250-300 rounds. Vasco (John J) 'Bombsights Over England: A History of Eprobungsgruppe 210' refers.
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