As the NCO Pilots of No.1 Squadron did not feature in the famous Squadron Photograph nor in the previous post on Pilots Portraits, they clearly deserved their very own post:
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| Sgt A.V. Clowes, Vassincourt, late November 1939. On 23rd November 1939, Clowes was flying "T" and engaged in the destruction of an He.111 when a French Hawk 75A collided with his tail. Notwithstanding significant loss of control, Clowes managed to navigate back to Vassincourt airfield...... |
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| ...where some reports have him "making a successful landing". The photographic evidence rather suggest "a controlled crash" would be a better description. Clowes can also be seen, about a month earlier, in this colourised photograph. Note no Squadron letters on Hurricane and tricolour on tail. |
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| Back home to Tangmere, summer 1940. Now commissioned as Flt. Lt., and awarded a DFM, Clowes fought throughout the Battle of Britain. Note pre war white flying suit and unique nose art on Hurricane "JX-B". |
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| A close up of Flt. Lt. Clowes DFM with "wasp" nose art. |
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| Good friends and fellow F/Sgts. F.G Berry and R.A. Albonico, 1939. |
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| and a nicely colourised version... |
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| After the battles of France and of Britain, former F/Sgt. F.J.Soper in 1941. By this time, he had been promoted first to P/O and then Acting Squadron Leader of 257 Squadron (in succession to the famous Robert Stanford-Tuck). The moustaches seem to have become more luxuriant as the war went on... |
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| Acting Squadron Leader Soper, 1941. S/Ldr Soper did not return from a convoy protection mission on 5/10/41. |
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