MAKERS' SKILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 9

MAKERS' SKILL.

BRITISH TLANES

Many R.A.F. Pilots Owe Lives To Quality Of Machines.

British Official Wireless. (Reed. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 13. Many pilots who are fighting again to-day iu the fierce air battles over England owe their lives to the skill of the men who made the Spitfires and Hurricanes which carry • them home although battered by enemy shells and bullets.

After destroying a Mcssersclimitt 109, a Spitfire pilot had his aircraft severely damaged by shells from another Messerschmitt. He said: "My fuselage and one wing were hit, severing the rudder controls completely. The elevator cables and the wireless were also hit. I managed, however, to return to my base and make a forced landing with very little additional damage to the wing tips."

A squadron leader shot down a Junkers 88 ant! had to break away from the fight as the cooling mixture in the pipe of his Hurricane was hit. The cockpit filled with 6moke and fumes.

He had also been hit in the sole of his shoe, in the hood behind >.is head, in the air screw and in each main plane. Three ignition leads to the starboard block wore shattered as well. The pilot merely reported difficulty in getting back to his base.