Sunday, 6 April 2025

A Watch With An Odd Bod Pilot Connection



 The watch shown in our photo is a modern tribute to one of the most famous aviation events of WW2 and it has a very strong connection to an Australian pilot hero.


Watch brand, AVI-8 (see what they did there), manufacture a collection of WWII and modern military aviation inspired timepieces. The watches are of generally good quality, made of stainless steel and include many of the features found in wartime timepieces. The watch is quite large for easy reading in tough conditions. It has a large knurled crown so that it can be wound while wearing gloves, and luminescent hands for night time reading. These days the watches are powered by battery operated quartz movements.

The watch was owned by FOTOBAI member, Peter Smith, who sadly passed away last year. Peter had a strong interest in WW2 aviation and once built a comprehensive model of Dunsfold Airfield in the UK as it looked during WW2.

This watch is dedicated to Lancaster Bombers, and in fact, one particular aircraft. It is inscribed on the bezel with “DAMBUSTERS” and “617 SQUADRON”. If you look at the dial adjacent to 9 ‘o’clock position you will see the designation AJ-N. AJ-N was the Lancaster that dropped the bomb that successfully breached the Eder Dam in the famous DamBusters raids, and the pilot of that aircraft was none other than Australian Pilot Les Knight (DSO). 

Les Knight was killed a few months later during an operation in Holland which earned him hero status. His low flying aircraft was damaged after clipping a tree. He brought the Lancaster up to a height that allowed all the crew to parachute to safety.  Knight stayed with the aircraft to avoid hitting a nearby village, and unfortunately perished in a crash landing.

This is an interesting story of bravery in WW2 and a lot more detail can found by searching Dambusters and Les Knight online.





Thursday, 3 April 2025

Incoming - Last Battle of Britain Pilot, Avalon Airshow, and more.....

 Last Surviving Battle of Britain Pilot -

The BBC have reported that the last surviving Battle of Britain Pilot, John "Paddy" Hemingway, has passed away at the age of 105.

Group Captain John Allman Hemingway, DFC, AE (17 July 1919 – 17 March 2025), known as Paddy Hemingway, was an Irish fighter pilot who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War in the Battle of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Allied invasion of Italy and the Invasion of Normandy. 

From April to December 1945 he commanded No. 43 Squadron RAF, flying Spitfires. The squadron served in Italy, and it was there that Hemingway was shot down for a fourth time.


Wesley College ANZAC Commemoration Service - Thursday 24th April

The Wesley service and the presentation of the George V.Smith Award will take place at the Wesley Glen Waverley campus on Thursday 24th April commencing with morning tea, in the Alex Room at 10.45am, prior to a service at 11.45am in the Prest Quad. Please let us know if you wish to attend.

The George V.Smith Award is presented by the Odd Bods and the Smith Family to the student who has written the best essay about the Spirit of ANZAC. This year the award will be presented by George's Grandaughter, Kirsty Costa.


ANZAC Day Form Up - 25th April 2025

It looks like we will be forming up at about the same place on Flinders St. this year for the ANZAC Day march to The Shrine on 25th April. Form up time is 0945. 

Following the March there will be an informal gathering at Amora Riverwalk Hotel, 649 Bridge Rd. Richmond. We will gather in the general lounge area for a casual drop in and catch up after the march with attendees paying for their own food & drinks. 

Immediate Past President, Bruce Waxman, has offered to transport a veteran or widow of a veteran in the ANZAC march. This would involve a pick up at the veterans home, in-vehicle participation in the march, and then transport home. Please contact us if you are interested in Bruce's kind offer.



Avalon Air Show - 2025

Our esteemed Secretary and Vice-President, Peter Randell, joined in the wonder of this year's Avalon Air Show, and has been good enough to send us a visual record. May we suggest you pour a tea, coffee, or something stronger, sit back, and enjoy.









Photos of Spitfire & Mustang followed by F16, F35, Canberra, and Drone