Never under estimate the power of a BSA MP

[Jerry Cornelius]

I think this pic was painted to commemorate the bravery of a farmer who was a member of the Local Defence Volunteers. One day he was buzzed by Nazi plane being hotly pursued by an RAF fighter, when doing target practice with the Force's Military Pattern, donated by a local landowner.

According to crash investigators the farmer took a potshot and the pellet went up through the light canvas fuselage, causing a nasty welt on the pilot's right hand. He snatched his hand off the rudder and crashed, dying instantly.

There's some confusion over what exactly happened because the RAF pilot was also shooting at the time and claimed the kill, but we know who to beiieve.

I imagine that’s a story to boost morale. The ME 109 had an all metal stressed skin construction. AFAIK the only canvas skinned fighter in the Battle of Britain was the Hurricane, and I hope he didn’t shoot one of those down.

[Binners]

I imagine that’s a story to boost morale. The ME 109 had an all metal stressed skin construction. AFAIK the only canvas skinned fighter in the Battle of Britain was the Hurricane, and I hope he didn’t shoot one of those down.

No, Not listening to that JC.

That Military Pattern .177 claimed the kill, finding a small gap in the cockpit widow, he took the headshot, allowing a lead of 20yards, with a slight westerly.

Who do you think you are kidding......

[coburn]

That stories up there with the elephant hunting one with a .25 Improved Model D Airgun World ran years ago.

Wasn't there a similar story about a Webley pistol shooting down the R101.

[loiner1965]

No, Not listening to that JC.

That Military Pattern .177 claimed the kill, finding a small gap in the cockpit widow, he took the headshot, allowing a lead of 20yards, with a slight westerly.

Who do you think you are kidding......

forgive my ignorance but were they bolt action ?

[edbear2]

forgive my ignorance but were they bolt action ?

No, it was a BSA Improved Model air rifle action similar in most respects to the normal 1905-1981 patterns but had the following mods;

An extended cast steel breech / trigger block assembly complete with non working fixed bolt, a Service rifle stock, service type sights (sightbar is interchangeble with the Service rifle with the upright having different graduations ), a unique trigger guard that is close to the service one plus extended trigger to clear the woodwork, wooden fore end to replicate the look and feel of the service rifle to an extent that they were advertised and sold / given to some regiments / cadet forces as training aids.

Pics here of one in bits shows the unique to the model parts;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/312284...57627403551588

The hinged trigger shown is a one off (by possibly a military forces amourer) to replicate a 2 stage trigger, normal Milpats have a solid trigger.

ATB, Ed

[steve medlock]

I think I would have been too worried about friendly fire from the Spit.....

[WebleyWombler]

I think I would have been too worried about friendly fire from the Spit.....

Blue on Blue is NEVER friendly no matter how many politically correct terms there are for it.

[Garvin]

Blue on Blue is NEVER friendly no matter how many politically correct terms there are for it.

Oh I don't know. His last thought, as consciousness was replaced by permanent darkness, might have been "well at least it wasn't personal..."

[edbear2]

I think I would have been too worried about friendly fire from the Spit.....

This is an unfriendly fire story;

Back in the 1980's I worked at Brooklands, and an old panel beater (the legendary Nobby Clarke ex of both Mo Gomms and Alan Mann Racing) said he was returning to work on his push bike during the war, there were aircraft flying around , and there was smoke coming from near his works (Vickers) but the place was a live airfield, He said it just did not occur to him it was a raid (even though the Battle of Britain was on at the time!).

He saw some people on the ground waving at him and heard a faint rattling noise...It transpired it was a "parting shot" burst from the rear of a ME110 and the people could see the bullets hitting the ground behind Nobby

He said he was more angry than scared at the time, but once he got home his mum had to put some extra suger in his tea as he got a shake on.

Different times, I think near 100 were killed that day on the ground as a suprise attack with no sirens initially.

ATB, Ed

[keith66]

Only way that you could bring an aeroplane down with any airgun would be with a Lanes bango bullet!

[Jerry Cornelius]

No, Not listening to that JC.

That Military Pattern .177 claimed the kill, finding a small gap in the cockpit widow, he took the headshot, allowing a lead of 20yards, with a slight westerly.

Who do you think you are kidding......

Another possibility is Jerry was a collector, spotted the legendary Milpat BSA, and became so excited and distracted he forgot what he was doing and flew into the ground.

A recognised anti air technique later known as the “Barbara Windsor” though of course I have no idea why.

[Geezer]

I imagine that’s a story to boost morale. The ME 109 had an all metal stressed skin construction. AFAIK the only canvas skinned fighter in the Battle of Britain was the Hurricane, and I hope he didn’t shoot one of those down.

That was my reaction too.

And, from my little time years ago in the cockpit, the rudder is normally controlled by foot pedals.

Sorry.

[Lakey]

As a lover of all things vintage BSA, I think the story is perfectly believable.

There are a few things that people need to remember

1) The Mil Patt is a legendary gun, and really does possess legendary power

2) the .177 pellet would have been needed, as it flies straighter, and is smaller to sneak in between the metal panels of the 109

3) It probably had a full length Titan Spring in it

4) No Chronographs in those days

5) With a Spit on his tail, the Jerry pilot would have been nervous and hot, so is almost certainly gonna have his side window open for more ventilation. That will be where the pellet got in to the cockpit.

6) The ME109 looks well within the published 60 yd range.

I rest my case !

[micky2]

Just looked out my window and there is a load of pigs flying around. (in formation).

[Powderfinger]

I remember Mr D on BBS. Was he the one who eliminated all the rogue elephants in Surbiton using his Airsporter? He must have done a good job because I never hear about the people of Surbiton being terrorised by rampaging pachyderms.