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World War Two / Re Donald Mckay, RAF hurricane pilot
« on: Thursday 04 November 10 18:41 GMT (UK) »
Hi - Not sure if my original message made it through earlier today as was posted in a public library, so have typed out a similar message again. Sorry if it's a repeat!
Have just joined RootsChat and I'm looking for some info. re Donald Mckay as he used to correspond with my grandfather Alfred J. Holladay about the model planes called Skybirds that were made by my grandfather's company (Mr Holladay was the MD the company).
I notice that RandomElectron is a nephew of Donald McKay from previous messages earlier this year but I'm unable to contact him personally as I've just signed up today. He mentions that he has a photo of his uncle outside Buckingham Palace.
Part of at least one of Mr. McKay's letters was printed in a Skybird newsletter during the course of the early 1940's - I believe he mentions a change in the painting scheme on a real ME 109 and how this might be applied to future models of that particular aircraft. I think he was shot down over Kent during the Battle of Britain but managed to bale out successfully and went on to score more victories againgst the Lutfwaffe.
I never knew my grandfather but I'm very proud of the fact that he instilled a great interest in aircraft and aviation in general into the youth of the early 1930's.
I now own a large selection of Skybirds model aircraft and their accessories - these kits were the original 1/72 model planes on which many other companies based their own designs.
I'm planning a large display of Skybirds planes at an exhibition for models and hobbies later this month at Southend-on-Sea in Essex, and hope to include a section on former RAF pilots who were inspired into the world of aviation partly by virtue of building these model planes. As well as Donald McKay, other notable RAF pilots were Neville Duke (author of 'Test Pilot') and Geoffrey Wellum (author of 'First Light'). No doubt many other youngsters back in the 1930's and early 40's were inspired in a similar way, some working in the aircraft industry, and others working in related office jobs or as ground crew, with a select few going on join the elite in the RAF.
Any further info. re Donald McKay would therefore be most welcome, esp. any correspondence between him and the firm of A.J. Holladay & Co. Ltd..
Many thanks,
Graham Bailey - Essex
Have just joined RootsChat and I'm looking for some info. re Donald Mckay as he used to correspond with my grandfather Alfred J. Holladay about the model planes called Skybirds that were made by my grandfather's company (Mr Holladay was the MD the company).
I notice that RandomElectron is a nephew of Donald McKay from previous messages earlier this year but I'm unable to contact him personally as I've just signed up today. He mentions that he has a photo of his uncle outside Buckingham Palace.
Part of at least one of Mr. McKay's letters was printed in a Skybird newsletter during the course of the early 1940's - I believe he mentions a change in the painting scheme on a real ME 109 and how this might be applied to future models of that particular aircraft. I think he was shot down over Kent during the Battle of Britain but managed to bale out successfully and went on to score more victories againgst the Lutfwaffe.
I never knew my grandfather but I'm very proud of the fact that he instilled a great interest in aircraft and aviation in general into the youth of the early 1930's.
I now own a large selection of Skybirds model aircraft and their accessories - these kits were the original 1/72 model planes on which many other companies based their own designs.
I'm planning a large display of Skybirds planes at an exhibition for models and hobbies later this month at Southend-on-Sea in Essex, and hope to include a section on former RAF pilots who were inspired into the world of aviation partly by virtue of building these model planes. As well as Donald McKay, other notable RAF pilots were Neville Duke (author of 'Test Pilot') and Geoffrey Wellum (author of 'First Light'). No doubt many other youngsters back in the 1930's and early 40's were inspired in a similar way, some working in the aircraft industry, and others working in related office jobs or as ground crew, with a select few going on join the elite in the RAF.
Any further info. re Donald McKay would therefore be most welcome, esp. any correspondence between him and the firm of A.J. Holladay & Co. Ltd..
Many thanks,
Graham Bailey - Essex