SUNSET RANGERS

Description

The operational roles of “Day Ranger” and “Intruder” were to define
the outstanding capabilities of both the deHavilland Mosquito fighter
bomber and its courageous aircrews. Often as either a single
Mosquito or in a pair, they flew at low level under enemy radar across
the north sea to locate enemy airfields and other targets over occupied
France, Holland as far afield as Poland and the Balkans. Destroying
Luftwaffe fighters and bombers both on the ground and in the air.

418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron RCAF were among the pioneers of
2nd TAF. Mosquito Ranger and Intruder operations and the painting
illustrates two of this squadron’s outstanding Mosquito Aces flying a
sunset Ranger mission in support of Overlord June 1944.

FBV1 NS850/TH-M “Black Rufe” is flown by Flt lt, (acting Sqn
Leader) Robert Allan Kipp DFC RCAF and his Navigator Fg.Off.
Peter Huletsky DFC and Bar. RCAF. At this stage their score stood at
17 victories.

Behind them is FBV1 “Hairless Joe” HR147/TH-Z flown by Sqn Ldr
Russ Bannock DFC RCAF and his Navigator Fg Off. Bobbie Bruce
DFC RCAF. Both these aircraft and their gallant crews saw much
action. Russ Bannock ended the war as a Wing Commander and
Canada’s 2nd highest scoring ace with a score of 11 enemy aircraft
destroyed, 4 damaged and 19 V-1 flying bombs destroyed.
He passed away in 2020 aged 100.

Sqn Ldr Robert Kipp DFC RCAF remained in the service. Tragically
he was killed in an accident in a deHavilland Vampire in 1949.

© Copyright image and text Simon W Atack AGAvA 2024

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