Rhubarb Over Somerset 1943
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Bruce HuxtableA very interesting event, with tragic outcome. Good to keep the memory alive.
Jonathan AutoreYes, Bruce … I'm even wrestling with this subject myself. There's so little published on this incident of which even the facts are sketchy if not disputed amongst those who have tried to research it. However, the whole scene has now captured my imagination and my course is set, whatever.
Gary KitchenGreat topic defo following. That moment of impact will be interesting is the Spit supported from the train carriage?
Jonathan AutoreHi Gary, thank you.
I was able to remove the carriage roof to install passengers and add broken glass. This enabled also access to the bogie wheel rivet into which I was able to glue a clear plastic rod. Into the end of this, when heated and bent, I drilled and secured a piece of thick fuse wire which I did likewise into the end of the Spitfire's wing to hold it in place between window and roof. I then replaced the roof and added a bit of "bang" (cotton wool) to cover the join.
Живко ДжаковInteresting idea. Where did this event take place? Town names or Google Maps? I really want to look at what's there now. maps.app.goo.gl/P39kgi8jerxCcpBn7
Jonathan AutoreZhivko Dzhakov, the location was the railway (between bridge and level crossing) and a farmer's field just north of the village of Bradford-on-Tone, and south of Taunton in Somerset. There is nothing there now ... just a field. The passing of 80 years has removed any evidence of the crash site. But it must have been quite a scene in 1943.
Jan TichýFollowing this one as well - interesting, I was not aware of this incident, involving my fellow countrymen!
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This, my second scale model build of an aircraft and train, is inspired by a local story I recently came upon of which there is much supposition - thus any inaccuracies in my understanding or retelling are solely my own!
The Story as I understand it …
Between June 1942 - June 1943 No.313 Squadron, the third Czechoslovakian fighter squadron to be formed within the RAF, was stationed at Church Stanton, near Wellington in Somerset. During this time the squadron, flying the Spitfire Mk Vb and Vc, took part in 'Operation Rhubarb', the offensive low-level sweeps over northern France to destroy ground targets.
Having escaped the advancing German army a 26 year old Czech pilot, Jaroslav Čermák, joined the RAF on 26th February 1941. Over a year later he earned his RAF wings, was promoted to Flying Officer and on 12th April 1943 assigned to No. 313 (Czech) Squadron RAF.
On 4th June 1943, at 10:05 hours, Čermák and three other pilots took-off on a training flight. While their original intent is not documented it is believed they may have decided on practicing a low-level attack on a train. When they came across a GWR locomotive and carriages en route from Plymouth to Liverpool near Bradford-on-Tone, Somerset, it is suggested they made a successful pass. On a second approach, however , Čermák flying his Spitfire Mk.Vc serial AR512 this time applied insufficient power, got too close and when his Spitfire lost stability, clipped the roof of one of the carriages with a tip of port wing. The aircraft rolled over and crashed approximately 100 metres from the line, in a field at Langs Farm, Bradford on Tone, just to the east of what is known today as Three Chimneys. Čermák was instantly killed in the crash and at least one Wren aboard the train was reportedly injured by flying glass.
This is my attempt to recreate this historical local event in 1:72/OO Scale.
