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Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb - Art prints and originals signed by Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb

Alistair Lamb

Alistair Lamb

Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb

Alistair Lamb, born in Stirling, Scotland, joined the Royal Air Force in March 1944 and went to No.7 Gunnery School at Stormydown in Wales. In August 1944 he went to Market Harborough and started training in Ansons before moving on to Wellingtons. Alistair went to H1654 heavy conversion unit at Wigsley flying in Stirlings and Lancasters. In March he joined No.15 Squadron at Mildenhall and participated in amongst other operations Operation Manna dropping food supplies to the Dutch, on the 30th April 1945 over Rotterdam, 2nd May 1945 over The Hague and 7th May 1945 at Valkenburg. Sgt Alistair lamb and the rest of the crew also took part in Operation Harken Project, photography of U-Boat Pens at Farge. After the war Sgt Alistair Lamb stayed with 15 Squadron at RAF Wyton on Lincolns until August 1947 when he left the RAF and joined the Civil Service. Alistair Lamb still lives in his home town of Stirling.

Latest Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb Signed Artwork Releases !
 A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944.

Last One Away by Ivan Berryman. (C)
 During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Royal Air Force began the first of 2,835 sorties, dropping 6,672 tons of food, to relieve the crisis in the Netherlands.  These humanitarian missions continued until 8th May, saving many thousands of civilians from certain death by starvation and malnutrition.  Here, Lancaster 4K765, LS-Z of 15 Sqn piloted by Flying Officer Jack Darlow, releases its precious cargo over a sports field north of The Hague.  Also in the crew was Alistair Lamb the Rear Gunner.

Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman. (AP)
 Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few bursts of cannon fire before it passed through the British formation. The episode was witnessed by navigator Cecil Keys in the leading Lancaster QR/Y from 61 squadron on his last raid of the war. Lt. Schall, an ace with 117 kills, and 2nd highest jet ace of the war with 14 victories was killed the following day when his aircraft hit a bomb crater on landing at his base of Parchim.

Jet Attack by David Pentland. (H)
 Short Stirling N6086 <i>MacRobert's Reply</i> of 15 Sqn is shown during the bombing raid on the French Harbour of Brest on 18th December 1941.  British bombers had been dispatched to bomb the German battleships <i>Gneisenau</i> and <i>Scharnhorst</i> that were docked there, an action that earned N6086's skipper Fl Off Peter Boggis a DFC.  Stirling W7428 is also shown with her port wing ablaze, one of two Stirlings lost on this operation.  The subject of the RAF's attention can be seen amid the smoke - <i>Gneisenau</i> in drydock and <i>Sharnhorst</i> alongside.

MacRobert's Reply by Ivan Berryman. (AP)


Items Signed by Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb

Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wit......
The Attack on Villers Bocage by Ivan Berryman.
Price : £75.00
Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wit......

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 Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wi......
The Attack on Villers Bocage by Ivan Berryman. (AP)
Price : £90.00
Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wi......

Quantity:
 Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wi......
The Attack on Villers Bocage by Ivan Berryman. (XX)
SOLD OUT
Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background wi......NOT
AVAILABLE
 Short Stirling N6086 <i>MacRobert's Reply</i> of 15 Sqn is shown during the bombing raid on the French Harbour of Brest on 18th December 1941.  British bombers had been dispatched to bomb the German battleships <i>Gneisenau</i> and <i>Scharnhors......
MacRobert's Reply by Ivan Berryman.
Price : £75.00
Short Stirling N6086 MacRobert's Reply of 15 Sqn is shown during the bombing raid on the French Harbour of Brest on 18th December 1941. British bombers had been dispatched to bomb the German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhors......

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 Short Stirling N6086 <i>MacRobert's Reply</i> of 15 Sqn is shown during the bombing raid on the French Harbour of Brest on 18th December 1941.  British bombers had been dispatched to bomb the German battleships <i>Gneisenau</i> and <i>Scharnhors......
MacRobert's Reply by Ivan Berryman. (AP)
Price : £90.00
Short Stirling N6086 MacRobert's Reply of 15 Sqn is shown during the bombing raid on the French Harbour of Brest on 18th December 1941. British bombers had been dispatched to bomb the German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhors......

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 A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......
Last One Away by Ivan Berryman.
Price : £80.00
A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......

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 A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......
Last One Away by Ivan Berryman. (AP)
Price : £90.00
A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......

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 A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......
Last One Away by Ivan Berryman. (C)
Price : £290.00
A Lancaster of No.15 Squadron takes to the air at the start of a night sortie from Mildenhall in June 1944. ......

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 During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roya......
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.
Price : £45.00
During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roya......

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 During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roya......
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman. (AP)
Price : £60.00
During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roya......

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  During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roy......
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman. (XX)
Price : £40.00
During the years of the German occupation of Holland in World War II, more than 20,000 Dutch civilians perished through starvation and lack of basic provisions. Operation Manna was set in motion on Sunday, 29th April 1945 when Lancasters of the Roy......

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<b>The final 25 remaining prints in this edition now have pilot / aircrew signatures</b>......
Under Cover of the Night by Simon Smith (AP)
Price : £120.00
The final 25 remaining prints in this edition now have pilot / aircrew signatures......

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Depicts a 103 squadron Lancaster returning from a night-time bombing mission. ......
Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (B)
Price : £75.00
Depicts a 103 squadron Lancaster returning from a night-time bombing mission. ......

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 Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)
Price : £100.00
Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......

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 Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (H)
Price : £115.00
Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......

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 Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (XX)
Price : £90.00
Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few ......

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On an RAF airfield in the early evening, a squadron of Lancaster bombers of Bomber Command prepare for another bombing sortie against targets of the German war machine.  A fitting tribute to all Bomber Command aircrew who flew in the Avro Lancatser.......
Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (E)
Price : £70.00
On an RAF airfield in the early evening, a squadron of Lancaster bombers of Bomber Command prepare for another bombing sortie against targets of the German war machine. A fitting tribute to all Bomber Command aircrew who flew in the Avro Lancatser.......

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With the sun setting behind them, fully loaded Lancaster bombers from 57 Sqn, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, make their way out over the English Channel on route to target. Each crew member knew the dangers ahead but bravely gave of their best at all tim......
Outward Bound by Philip West (AP)
SOLD OUT
With the sun setting behind them, fully loaded Lancaster bombers from 57 Sqn, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, make their way out over the English Channel on route to target. Each crew member knew the dangers ahead but bravely gave of their best at all tim......NOT
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 The Lancaster and Mosquito became legends in their own time during the Second World War. Both performed vital roles in support of the allied cause roaming far and wide over occupied Europe. ......Twos Company by Philip West. (AP)
Price : £135.00
The Lancaster and Mosquito became legends in their own time during the Second World War. Both performed vital roles in support of the allied cause roaming far and wide over occupied Europe. ......

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Packs with at least one item featuring the signature of Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb


4 pack of Avro Lancaster prints.
Pack Price : £430.00
Saving : £135
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (D)
Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (E)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)

Quantity:

Pack of 4 aircrew-signed Lancaster art prints.
Pack Price : £350.00
Saving : £185
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (E)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)
Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (E)
Chadwick's Masterpiece by Ivan Berryman. (B)

Quantity:

Pack of four Walter Schuck signed Me262 aviation prints.
Pack Price : £420.00
Saving : £245
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Defenders of the Reich by Graeme Lothian. (C)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)
Alpine Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. (H)
Alpine Thunder by Nicolas Trudgian.

Quantity:



Me262 Aviation Print Trade Pack.
Pack Price : £820.00
Saving : £670
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

In Defense of the Reich by Nicolas Trudgian. (C)
Alpine Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. (F)
End Game by Nicolas Trudgian.
Defenders of the Reich by Graeme Lothian. (B)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (H)
Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman.
Jet Legend by Gerald Coulson.
Squadron Leader Schuck, Germany, Spring 1945 by David Pentland.

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Bomber Command Lancaster Art Prints by Gerald Coulson and Ivan Berryman Massive Discount Pack.
Pack Price : £580.00
Saving : £680
Aviation Print Pack - available for purchase by our customers and the art trade. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.
Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson. (C)
Lancaster Lift-Off by Gerald Coulson. (C)
Gunner's Moon by Ivan Berryman.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.
Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Incident over Mannheim by Ivan Berryman.
The Dambusters by Ivan Berryman.
Dambusters - Moment of Truth by Ivan Berryman.

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Pack 243. Pack of two RAF WW2 Spitfire and Lancaster prints by Simon Atack.
Pack Price : £220.00
Saving : £270
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

August Victory by Simon Atack.
One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

RAF Lancaster Bomber Print Pack.
Pack Price : £340.00
Saving : £315
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Target Peenemunde by Robert Taylor.
One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

Aircrew Signed Lancaster Aviation Prints.
Pack Price : £240.00
Saving : £210
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (C)
One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

WW2 Signed Avro Lancaster Prints.
Pack Price : £220.00
Saving : £245
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (F)
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

Lancaster Bomber Print Pack.
Pack Price : £200.00
Saving : £220
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

Aircrew Signature Avro Lancaster Prints.
Pack Price : £290.00
Saving : £220
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

WW2 Lancaster Aircraft Print Pack.
Pack Price : £200.00
Saving : £185
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Enemy Coast Ahead by Simon Atack.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:


Special Sale Pack of 5 Prints - 4 FREE!
Pack Price : £135.00
Saving : £205
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)
The Struggle for Malta by Ivan Berryman. (F)
LCT 312 by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Typhoons Over Normandy by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Dinah Might by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

Walter Schuck and Hugo Broch Signed Me262 Aviation Art.
Pack Price : £200.00
Saving : £165
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

The End by David Pentland. (D)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)
Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:
Pack 887. Pack of two Avro Lancaster signed prints by David Pentland and Anthony Saunders.
Pack Price : £235.00
Saving : £70
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (E)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)

Quantity:
Pack 889. Pack of two pilot-signed Me262 prints by Graeme Lothian and David Pentland.
Pack Price : £225.00
Saving : £80
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Defenders of the Reich by Graeme Lothian. (C)
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)

Quantity:
Crew Signed Lancaster Prints by Anthony Saunders and Ivan Berryman.
Pack Price : £170.00
Saving : £80
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (B)
Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (E)

Quantity:
WW2 Avro Lancaster Prints by Graeme Lothian and Anthony Saunders.
Pack Price : £180.00
Saving : £150
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders. (F)
Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (E)

Quantity:
Bomber Command Signed Prints by Graeme Lothian.
Pack Price : £180.00
Saving : £110
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Crewing Up by Graeme Lothian.
Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (E)

Quantity:
Stirling Bomber Aircrew Signed Artwork by Ivan Berryman and Graeme Lothian.
Pack Price : £180.00
Saving : £55
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

MacRobert's Reply by Ivan Berryman.
Tribute to the Crews of the Stirling by Graeme Lothian. (B)

Quantity:
Stirling Heavy Bomber Aviation Art Prints by Ivan Berryman.
Pack Price : £135.00
Saving : £70
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

MacRobert's Reply by Ivan Berryman.
Tugs of War (Stirling & Gliders) by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:
Me262 Luftwaffe Ace and Lancaster Bomber Crew Signed Aviation Art by David Pentland and Nicolas Trudgian.
Pack Price : £250.00
Saving : £195
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Jet Attack by David Pentland. (H)
Alpine Thunder by Nicolas Trudgian.

Quantity:
Me262 Jet Fighter Aviation art Prints by Brian Bateman and David Pentland.
Pack Price : £220.00
Saving : £50
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Thunder from the Heavens by Brian Bateman.
Jet Attack by David Pentland. (C)

Quantity:
Lancaster Bomber Aviation Art Prints.
Pack Price : £210.00
Saving : £160
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Welcome Home by Stephen Brown.
Last One Away by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:
RAF Lancaster Bomber Aviation Art Prints.
Pack Price : £210.00
Saving : £180
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Welcome Home by Stephen Brown.
Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (E)

Quantity:
Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb

Squadrons for : Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
SquadronInfo

No.15 Sqn RAF


Country : UK
Founded : 1st March 1915

Aim sure

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.15 Sqn RAF

No.15 Sqn RAF

On 1st March 1915, the officers and men who made up No.1 Reserve Squadron and the Recruits Depot, all of whom were based at South Farnborough, Hampshire, were brought together to form No.15 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Initially, the new squadron was equipped with a diverse range of flying machines, including Henri and Maurice Farmans, Avros, Bleriots, Moranes and BE2c aircraft. Having relocated to an airfield at Hounslow, west of London, where the squadron was allowed time to work up to operational status, it was, on 11th May, relocated to another airfield at Swingate Down, to the east of Dover, on the Kent coast. On 23rd December 1915, No.15 Squadron, RFC, deployed to France for operational duties. Throughout its time on the Western Front, during the First World War, the squadron was engaged in observation and reconnaissance duties, initially using BE2c aircraft but later, during June 1916, upgrading to R.E.8s. The work undertaken by the squadron, in its reconnaissance role, was recognised by higher authority, on a number of occasions, in the form of telegrams or communiqués. On 1st April 1918, No.15 Squadron became part of the newly formed Royal Air Force, which came into being with the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. With the end of hostilities in November 1918, came a reduction in the fighting strength of the RAF and, although not disbanded as a number of squadrons were, No.15 was reduced to a cadre. The axe finally fell on the final day of December 1919, when No.15 Squadron was disbanded.

It was to be approximately five years before No.15s number plate was to be resurrected when, on 20th March 1924, No.15 Squadron was reformed as part of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE), at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. Over a period of ten years, No.15 Squadron completed 12,100 flying hours on over seventy-five different types of airframe. Over that same period, it also saw five changes of commanding officer.

On 1st June 1934, No.15 was re-designated as a new unit, equipped with Hawker Hart Mk.I aircraft, undertaking daylight operations flying as part of Bomber Command. The new C.O. was Squadron Leader Thomas Elmhirst, who secured permission for his squadron to change the number plate to Roman numerals and have the XV applied to the fuselage on all the squadrons aircraft. This decision was to have a lasting effect and was only interrupted by the Second World War. Thomas Elmhirst also gave thought to the fact the squadron should have its own badge and motto, both of which were approved, during 1935. In early 1936, the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hind bomber aircraft. These machines remained in service with No.XV until 13th July 1938, when the unit converted to Fairey Battle bomber aircraft. It was with the latter aircraft that the squadron prepared for war when, on 27th August 1939, a state of emergency was declared.

History repeated itself when the Squadron returned to France on a war footing, but it was forced to return to England in order to re-equip with the Bristol Blenheim bomber. The new aircraft was initially seen as a wonder aircraft, but No.XV Squadron was virtually decimated in strength following the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940. With the Blenheim being designated unsuitable for the task, the squadron began converting to the Vickers Wellington bomber, designed by Barnes Wallace, on 7th November 1940. This was really a stop-gap measure as on 30th April 1941 No.XV began converting to the Short Stirling, four-engine, heavy bomber. During the next couple of years, night after night, the squadron carried the fight back to the enemy, enduring many losses and exploits of valour in the process. It participated in all the 1,000 bomber raids against Germany.

As 1943 drew to a close, No.XV prepared to continue the fight with new equipment. Having converted to the Avro Lancaster bomber in late December 1943, the squadron went operational in mid-January 1944 with its new aircraft. By the time the war came to an end, No.XV was flying Lancaster B.1 Specials, which were specially adapted to carry 22,000lb Grand Slam bombs. February 1947 saw another change of equipment when the squadron converted to the Avro Lincoln bomber, whilst based at RAF Wyton in Huntingdonshire. However, by the end of that same year, No.XV found itself deploying aircraft to Shallufa, Egypt, as part of Operation Sunrise.

Another change of occurred at the end of November 1950, when No.XV Squadron was disbanded but immediately reformed with Boeing B29 Washington bomber aircraft. It was during the Washington period, in March 1951, that the squadrons code letters ‘LS’, which it had been adopted during late 1939, were removed from the aircraft fuselages. The new scheme called for a natural metal finish, adorned with only the RAF roundel, fin flash and aircraft serial. With technology advancing all the time, No.XV entered a new phase in its history in June 1953, when it was declared fully operational flying English Electric Canberra bombers. During the next couple of years, the squadron continued to train and undertook many navigational and bombing exercises, which proved fruitful in 1956 when the Suez crises erupted. No.XV was deployed to Nicosia, as part of Operation Accumulate, on 23rd October. During the short period of fighting that followed, No.XV dropped a higher concentration of bombs than any other squadron. Following a cease-fire, the squadron returned to England where, on 15th April 1957, it was disbanded.

The 1st of September 1958 saw the re-formation of No.XV as a V-Bomber squadron, equipped with Handley Page Victor B.I bombers. These aircraft were not only adorned with the official RAF insignia described above, but were also permitted to carry the squadron badge, together with the Roman XV numerals. The squadron retained these aircraft until 1964 when it was again disbanded. For a period of five years No.XV Squadron ceased to exist. However, this changed on 1st October 1970, when the squadron number plate and badge were resurrected and No.XV was reformed at RAF Honnington, in Suffolk. Equipped with Blackburn S.2B Buccaneer aircraft, the squadron departed for RAF Laarbruch, where, during January 1971, it officially became part of Royal Air Force Germany. After thirteen years service with the squadron, the Buccaneers were replaced with Panavia Tornado, swing-wing, bombers. On 1st September 1983, No.XV became the first RAF Squadron in Germany to be equipped with this type of aircraft. During the latter quarter of 1990, No.XV had deployed two flights, totalling twelve crews, to Muharraq Air Base, on Bahrain Island, in readiness for operations against the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. During the following conflict, two aircraft crewed by XV Squadron personnel were shot down, resulting in the loss of Flt Lt Stephen Hicks and the capture of Flt Lts John Peters, John Nichol and Rupert Clark.

The squadron returned to RAF Laarbruch at the end of March 1991, where a number of awards, for service in the Gulf War were announced. Wing Commander John Broardbent was awarded a Distinguished Service Order, whilst Sqn Ldr Gordon Buckley and Sqn Ldr Nigel Risdale were both awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses. Senior Engineering Officer S/L Rob Torrence was awarded the Member of the British Empire. Following disbandment in January 1992, No.XV was reformed a few months later on 1st April, at RAF Honnington, where it took on the role of the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit. It was also granted the status of a Reserve Squadron. No.XV (R) Squadron remained at Honnington until 1st November 1993, when it re-located to RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland. During January 1998, it was re-designated as the Tornado GR1 Operational Conversion Unit and equipped with the up-graded Tornado GR4 variant. In 2011, just four years away from its 100th anniversary, No.XV (R) Squadron still operates from RAF Lossiemouth, providing refresher crews and new crews to the front line squadrons.


Text by kind permission of Martyn Ford Jones
Aircraft for : Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb
A list of all aircraft associated with Gunnery Leader Sgt Alistair Lamb. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
SquadronInfo

Anson


Click the name above to see prints featuring Anson aircraft.

Manufacturer : Avro
Production Began : 1935
Retired : 1968
Number Built : 11020

Anson

he Avro Anson originated from the Avro 652 commercial aircraft which first flew on 7th January 1935. It was a twin-engine British-built multi-role aircraft which saw distinctive service with both the Royal Air Force and The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as well as The Royal Canadian Air Force during and after the Second World War. The prototype 652A first flew at Woodford on 7th January 1935 and was developed from an initial airliner design and named after Admiral George Anson. The adaptation for a coastal reconnaissance role resulted in the production variant, the Avro 652a, which flew at Woodford on New Years Eve 1935 with the type entering service in March 1936 as the Anson Mk1. Initially it was flown with a 3-man crew but later developments in its reconnaissance role required a 4th crew member. The Anson entered service on 6 March 1936 with 48 Squadron equipped with the Anson. At the start of the Second World War, the RAF had received 824 Ansons and there were 26 RAF squadrons operating the Anson I: 10 with Coastal Command and 16 with Bomber Command. All of the squadrons in Bomber Command in 1939 with Anson Is were operational training squadrons that prepared crews for frontline service. 12 of the squadrons were in No. 6 (Operational Training) Group. Newly formed crews having completed individual flying and technical training were first trained as bomber crews in Ansons and then advanced to the various frontline aircraft types, which were also in the same squadrons with the Ansons. After training in the frontline aircraft type, crews would advance to the frontline bomber squadrons with those aircraft types (Fairey Battle, Bristol Blenheim, Vickers Wellington, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, and Handley-Page Hampden). At the start of the war, the Lockheed Hudson was beginning to replace the Ansons in Coastal Command with one squadron of Hudsons and one with both Ansons and Hudsons. Limited numbers of Ansons continued to serve in operational roles such as coastal patrols and air/sea rescue. Early in the war, an Anson scored a probable hit on a German U-boat. In June 1940, a flight of three Ansons was attacked by nine Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109s. Remarkably, before the dogfight ended, without losing any of their own, one of the Ansons destroyed two German aircraft and damaged a third. The aircraft's true role, however, was to train pilots for flying multi-engined bombers such as the Avro Lancaster. The Anson was also used to train the other members of a bomber's aircrew, such as navigators, wireless operators, bomb aimers and air gunners. Postwar, the Anson continued in the training and light transport roles. The last Ansons were withdrawn from RAF service with communications units on 28 June 1968. The Royal Australian Air Force operated 1,028 Ansons, mainly Mk Is, until 1955

Lancaster




Click the name above to see prints featuring Lancaster aircraft.

Manufacturer : Avro
Production Began : 1942
Retired : 1963
Number Built : 7377

Lancaster

The Avro Lancaster arose from the avro Manchester and the first prototype Lancaster was a converted Manchester with four engines. The Lancaster was first flown in January 1941, and started operations in March 1942. By March 1945 The Royal Air Force had 56 squadrons of Lancasters with the first squadron equipped being No.44 Squadron. During World War Two the Avro Lancaster flew 156,000 sorties and dropped 618,378 tonnes of bombs between 1942 and 1945. Lancaster Bomberss took part in the devastating round-the-clock raids on Hamburg during Air Marshall Harris' Operation Gomorrah in July 1943. Just 35 Lancasters completed more than 100 successful operations each, and 3,249 were lost in action. The most successful survivor completed 139 operations, and the Lancaster was scrapped after the war in 1947. A few Lancasters were converted into tankers and the two tanker aircraft were joined by another converted Lancaster and were used in the Berlin Airlift, achieving 757 tanker sorties. A famous Lancaster bombing raid was the 1943 mission, codenamed Operation Chastise, to destroy the dams of the Ruhr Valley. The operation was carried out by 617 Squadron in modified Mk IIIs carrying special drum shaped bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis. Also famous was a series of Lancaster attacks using Tallboy bombs against the German battleship Tirpitz, which first disabled and later sank the ship. The Lancaster bomber was the basis of the new Avro Lincoln bomber, initially known as the Lancaster IV and Lancaster V. (Becoming Lincoln B1 and B2 respectively.) Their Lancastrian airliner was also based on the Lancaster but was not very successful. Other developments were the Avro York and the successful Shackleton which continued in airborne early warning service up to 1992.

Stirling




Click the name above to see prints featuring Stirling aircraft.

Manufacturer : Short
Production Began : 1939
Number Built : 2381

Stirling

The Royal Air Force's first four engined monoplane Bomber, the Short Stirling first flew in May 1939 and entered front line service in August 1940 with no. 7 squadron. Due to its poor operational ceiling the aircraft sustained heavy losses and by mid 1942 the Stirling was beginning to be replaced by the Lancaster. Improved versions of the Short Stirling were built for Glider towing, paratroopers and heavy transport. also from 1943 many of the Stirling's were used for mine laying. A total of 2381 Stirling's were built for the Royal air Force and from this total 641 Stirling bombers were lost to enemy action. Crew 7 or 8: Speed: 260 mph (MK1) 275mph (MKIII) and 280mph (MKV)Service ceiling 17,000 feet Range: 2330 miles. (MK1) 2010 miles (MKIII) and 3,000 miles (MKV) Armament: two .303 Vickers machine guns. in nose turret, two .303 in browning machine guns in dorsal turret , Four .303 Browning machine guns in tail turret. Bomb Load 14,000 Lbs Engines: four 1150 Hp Bristol Hercules II (MK1) four 1650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI (MK111 and MKV)

Wellington




Click the name above to see prints featuring Wellington aircraft.

Manufacturer : Vickers
Production Began : 1938
Retired : 1953

Wellington

The Vickers Wellington was a Bomber aircraft and also used for maritime reconnaissance. and had a normal crew of six except in the MKV and VI where a crew of three was used. Maximum speed was 235 mph (MK1c) 255 mph (MK III, X) and 299 mph (MK IIII), normal operating range of 1805 miles (except MK III which was 1470miles) The Wellington or Wimpy as it was known, was the major bomber of the Royal Air Force between 1939 and 1943. The Royal Air Force received its first Wellingtons in October 1938 to 99 squadron. and by the outbreak of World war two there were 6 squadrons equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Due to heavy losses on daylight raids, the Wellington became a night bomber and from 1940 was also used as a long range bomber in North Africa. and in 1942 also became a long range bomber for the royal Air Force in India. It was well used by Coastal Command as a U-Boat Hunter. The Wellington remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1953. Probably due to its versatile use, The aircraft was also used for experimental work including the fitting of a pressure cabin for High altitude tests. The Vickers Wellington could sustain major damage and still fly, probably due to its construction of its geodesic structure and practical application of geodesic lines. Designed by Sir Barnes Wallis

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