Polish Air Force Presentation Piece to a Night Fighter DFC. Originally obtained directly from the family of Squadron Leader R Robinson DFC this Polish presentation piece was given to him during his time as an instructor at 51 OTU by grateful Polish pilots. Leader Robinson was a night fighter pilot on Beaufighters and Mosquitoes with two German bombers confirmed as destroyed. Formed on board backing trimmed with cord it shows two RAF roundels surmounted with the Polish Air Force emblem on which sits a pair or original pre was Polish pilots wings by Nedler. On the back of the board is a paper label which once bore a dedication but this has long since faded away. Overall condition is very good with fading and shrinking to the coloured felt and very light rust to the wreath held by the eagle. Unlike the wartime wings made in England in silver, the pre war wings were white metal. Brief details of Sqd. RAF Number 742216 NCO, 78849 Officer. Enlisted RAFVR October 1938, Sgt Pilot. Called Up September 1939. Commissioned 1 April 1940. Flt Lt 29 Squadron Blenheim 1 at West Malling in Kent on Night Fighters, 1 claim, 2/3 June. He moved to Night Fighting instruction at 51 OTU then posted to 157 Squadron as a flight Commander 28 Dec 42, DO217 claimed over Dusseldorf 3/4 Nov 43. 157 Squadron was the first squadron to use the Mosquito as a night fighter, reforming on 13 December 1941 specifically to operate the type. As the threat from German bombers faded, No. In November 1943 the squadron moved to Cornwall and increasingly concentrated on the intruder role. After a brief interlude flying defensive patrols over the Irish Sea, in May 1944 the squadron moved to East Anglia, where it joined No. 100 Group and carried out intruder missions to support the heavy bombers. DFC Citation gazeted 31st Dec 43 Acting Squadron Leader Richmond Fothergill ROBINSON (78849), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. Squadron Leader Robinson is a skilful and courageous pilot, who has achieved much success in fighting operations at night. During his second tour of operations he has destroyed 2 enemy aircraft and damaged 16 locomotives, 8 of which were damaged during one sortie. Throughout his operational career he has displayed courage and determination worthy of high praise. During the post war years he joined British European Airways based in Jersey and died in 1970. The item “Polish Air Force Presentation Piece to a Night Fighter DFC” is in sale since Sunday, February 10, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War II (1939-1945)\RAF”. The seller is “lanners55″ and is located in Waterlooville. This item can be shipped worldwide.
