Subject: Re: RCAF Spitfire Mk Vb - 401 Sqn. (Corps of Imperial Frontiersmen)
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "John Smalbrugge" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 17:41:37 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Smalbrugge 
  To: Steve Bamford 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 10:10 PM
  Subject: RCAF Spitfire Mk Vb - 401 Sqn. (Corps of Imperial Frontiersmen)

  Hi Steve:
  Time for another submission from "Plastic John" (call sign given by the people from One Stop Hobbies here in Abbotsford, BC)  Enough has been said about this old 1/24th scale Airfix kit even though I enjoyed the build  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. The model was built out of the box and hand painted for a change of pace. All the paints used were from the Humbrol line.

  Now for a bit of the squadron history:

  MOTTO :

    MORS CELERRIMA HOSTIBUS  ( Very swift death for the enemy )

  BADGE:

    A Rocky Mountain sheep's head Sable horned

  BATTLE HONOURS: 

  Battle of Britain 1940, Defence of Britain 1940-44, English Channel and North Sea 1942, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe,France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem and Rhine.

  HISTORY:

  The squadron was originally known as No. 1 Fighter Squadron, formed at Trenton on May 17, 1937. The squadron mobilized for war in September 1939 and moved to England on June 9, 1940. In England , they were renumbered as 401 Fighter Squadron on March 1,1941. 401 Squadron was disbanded in Germany on July 10, 1945 and then reformed at RCAF Station St. Hubert as 401 Fighter Squadron (Auxiliary) on April 15, 1946. On September 4, 1952 the title "City of Westmount" was bestowed upon the Squadron. In 1968, the unit was renamed to 401 "City of Westmount" Air Reserve Squadron and in the 1980's was renamed again to its most recent title 401 Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron.  401 Squadron was disbanded on June 23, 1996.  (borrowed from RCAF Squadrons - 400 Series)

  " IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO SERVE -- PAST AND PRESENT"

  Steve, there is a second submission of a photograph of the "Ram" Squadron that I would like you to add to this article if possible.  Also this would be niece to posted on or just before November 11th if possible

  Thank you very much and keep up the good work.  I'll be in Sidney this Saturday.

  Cheers ... "PLASTIC  JOHN"    John Smalbrugge

  ps:  Just for your information:  I was born in Holland on December 1940. Came to Canada in 1953.   

  Steve: please add this photograph and the following information to my submission of the Squadron's Spitfire Mk Vb  submitted on the same day . Picture was taken at Staplehurst  1943.

  Standing in the rear:       

  1)  Don Kelly,  2) Jack Sheppard, 3) Bill Klersy, 4) Bob Hayward, 5) Art Bishop, 6) Bob Buckles
  7) LAC Pudge, 8) Jeep Neal

  Sitting in front:

  1) F/O Evans, 2) F/S Stevens, 3) F/O Bill Tew, 4) Al Studholme, 5) Norman Maybee, 6) Bill McRae
  7) Keith Hodson, 8) Tex Sanders