Offered is a rare 1938′experimental catapult flying’ A. Group of three awarded to Commander I. Izzy’ Grant, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, who won his award for two years of dangerous work as a Test Pilot in pioneering deck launches and sea landings. Air Force Cross, G. Undated; British War and Victory Medals, impressed named MID. Swing mounted for wear, comes with large amount of copied research, service records, medal roll, seniority list, London Gazettes & A. This officer during the past 2 years has been engaged on experimental flying from catapults. He has frequently carried out aircraft launching tests under extremely hazardous conditions, and on at least two occasions his aircraft has hit the sea on launching. The slow landing speed achieved by this officer features prominently in the success of the recent trials of landing L/R and Walrus aircraft in rough waters. He has displayed outstanding skill and courage at all times. Commander Ian’Izzy’ Ross Grant was born on the 6/6/1899 at Cape Town, South Africa. His father was a Scots accountant and his mother a South African. He was living in London by 1911, he entered the Royal Navy on 7/9/1917. Appointed a Midshipman aboard Centurion from 16 February 1918, he was advanced Sub-Lieutenant on 15 July 1919, was noted as a’good Officer of the Watch’ in 1920 and made Lieutenant, 15 July 1921. His Service Records reflect a generally positive outlook by his senior officers, including his skill as a hockey player and a golf handicap of 4, besides being a good rifle shot and a keen motor cyclist. 21/5/1924 a note in his file Wants Fleet air Arm and was attached to the Royal Air Force in June 1924, qualifying as a Pilot on 2/7/1925. It might be considered that he was lucky to gain his’Wings’, for he was cautioned for disobeying orders which caused the wreck of a Fairey Flycatcher whilst carrying out aerobatics at Kaletta when flying below the specified altitude on 28/6/1925. Nonetheless Grant joined No. 403 Flight, moving onto No. He gained high praise for his work in testing the Walrus, 1936-37, as recalled by G. Nicholl in The Supermarine Walrus. One of the test pilots was Lieut. The maximum average height of waves in which it was found the Walrus could be landed was twelve feet (the highest running up to fifteen feet). He also took part in a special flight. Brown, capping that, flew nine up all told on a similar ferrying flight before the war from Lee to Ternhill and doubtless some of the old Walrus hands like H. Clarke, Izzy Grant and Henry Wright, who were dug out for the trip, will remember the game of solo played on the camera hatch to while away the time. That overload, however, was prudently recorded in Brown’s logbook in pencil subsequently, for squadron commanders took a less lenient view of such things in those days. He was placed on the Retired List at the rank of Commander on 6 June 1944, with it suggesting the further award of the O. Although this has not been traced and appears to be in error. He would also be entitled to the British War Medal 1939 45 & possibly the Defence Medal. His final posting was at the Ministry of Aircraft Production later that year. All international items/combined orders will be sent via registered post international, via Australia Post, without exception. We list militaria and coins weekly. We provide quality mounted medals, badges and historical research. We can mount your miniature or full size medals, ribbon bars or supply replacement ribbons or badges. We can also conduct military research on your behalf and value cherished objects with a current market or insured value. We run two specialist military auctions per year. Items are accurately described & photographed. Additional costs for this standard service will be added for this service based on publicly available Australia Post rates. Please note, these items are located and will be posted from Australia. We appreciate fair feedback from you once you receive the item. We aim to give you, the customer our best customer service. The item “TEST PILOT RN & RAF COMMANDER’IZZY’ GRANT 1938 AIR CROSS AFC WW1 MEDAL GROUP” is in sale since Wednesday, June 23, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\1914 – 1918 (WWI)”. The seller is “jb_military_antiques_14″ and is located in 2/135 Russell St, Morley, Perth, WA. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Modified Item: No
- Campaign: World War I
- Theme: Militaria
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Country: Britain
- Product Type: Medals
- Era: 1930s
