Flying Officer Campbell (pilot) and Pilot Officer Muir (Navigator) [which is which?] inspecting the front windscreen of No. 14 Squadron Canberra NZ6102 after a bird strike during Exercise Reflex 2. RNZAF Station Ohakea.
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
"Mounting a 12,000 lb bomb on a Lanc."
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads "The R.A.Fs new bomb. The R.A.F. is using a new bomb which is torpedo in shape and weighs 12,000 lbs. Lancasters of Bomber Command have been "delivering" this bomb with great success. Picture shors. Loading the 12,000 lb. on to a Lancaster II."
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
"A Lanc' which completed 100 raids over enemy territory."
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads "Lancaster "N for Nan" completes her 100th operation. The Lancaster III "N for Nan" has just completed her 100th operational trip for RAF Bomber Command. She is the second heavy bombers [sic] to complete a century of operations, and in doing so has won a race with another Lancaster on the same station. This was "G for George" making her 97th trip. The record-breaking Lancaster "S for Sugar" topped the 108 mark in the same operation. The pilot of "N for Nan' is Flight Lt. E.S. Turner, of Guildford, and this was his 48th operation. Picture shows:- A member of the ground crew painting the 100th symbol on the fuselage of "N for Nan" after the aircraft had returned from her 100th operation."
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
"Bully mans the guns of a 'Boston' "
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads "Butch mans the guns. "Butch" is the bulldog mascot of an R.A.F. light bomber squadron and is four years old. Picture shows:- Successful attack. "Butch" smiles for the camera. Picture issued June 1944."
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
"Cleaning the cannons of a Spitfire."
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads "R.A.F. ground crews help to fight the flying bomb. R.A.F. ground crews of the Air Defence of Great Britain have been thoroughly tested since the flying bombs were launched against Britain. They have worked hard servicing the fighter aircraft, refuelling and rearming them, and after putting in long hours. Many of the men are working in front line stations and wear steel helmets for protection while servicing the aircraft. Picture shows:- A ground crew cleaning the cannon of a fighter."
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
"All that was left of a Ju88"
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads "Ju.88 destroyed on the night of 18/19th April. Pilot Officer J. Allen and his Observer Flight Sergeant W.M. Patterson shot down a Ju.88 during the Luftwaffe's raids on the night of 18/19th April. These pictures show them examining the wreckage of their 'kill'. Picture shows:- Pilot Officer J. Allen (right) and Flight Sergeant W.M. Patterson, examining the engine of the Ju.88 which they shot down during the night's raid."
Image from the M Muir personal album collection.
" "Ten Ton Tess" Largest bomb used by the R.A.F."
Original RAF Official caption on the reverse reads " R.A.F.'s "Grand Slam". In March 1945 it was announced that the R.A.F. were using against specially-selected targets, a 22,000 lb bomb - nearly twice the size of its predecessor a 12,000 lb missile. This massive bomb - known as the "Grand Slam" is 35 ft 5 ins long with a diameter of 3 ft 10 ins and is of the streamlined, deep penetration type, being a scaled up version of the six-tonner with a tail unit approximately 13 ft 6 ins long. Its primary role was against underground structures and precision targets requiring deep penetration with maximum destruction, and it was first used against the railway viaduct at Bielefeld on March 14th 1945. The "Grand Slam" can break down almost any building or fortification; it makes craters 120 ft in diameter and more than 35 ft deep. (See A.M.B. no 190?4 of 18.6.45).
Photograph shows - a "Grand Slam" being hoisted from the bomb dump. P.N.A. June 16th 45. Tel. No. Ceb 7831. For publication in Monday's Dailies. June 18th 45. Not to be released until 00.30 hours 18.6.45."
