Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, 'Rod' Smith initially served with No. 126 Sqn. RAF before transferring to the RCAF later in the war. While with 126 Sqn. in the defense of Malta, he destroyed 6 1/2 enemy aircraft. Later while serving with Nos. 412 and 401 Sqns RCAF, he added 7 more kills to his tally and also shared in the first recorded kill of an ME-262 jet. He survived the war as a Squadron Leader.
Rod's brother Jerry had arrived in Malta shortly before him. During 'Operation Calendar', Jerry landed back aboard the U.S.S. Wasp (no arresting hook!) after his ferry tank refused to feed. The U.S. Navy pilots of VF-71 were so impressed they presented Jerry with a pair of Navy wings. In fact, the LSO that day was none other than Lt. Cdr David McCampbell, later to be known as the highest scoring US Navy ace in the Pacific.
Rod and Jerry flew together often while with 126 Sqn. On August 10, 1942 Jerry was scrambled and failed to return. Rod took off and searched for him but no trace of his brother was ever found.
Rod Smith died in 2005. His last wishes included that he wanted his ashes scattered in the Mediterranean to be near Jerry. His sister Wendy travelled to Malta, and as fate would have it met up with members of the Historic Aircraft Collection who were there to honour veterans of the siege ('Merlins Over Malta' event, Sept. 2005). It was arranged to have Charlie Brown, display pilot for the Spitfire, scatter Rod's ashes personally while in flight. So it was that Rod logged a 'final Spitfire flight' and was finally reunited with his brother.
Spitfire Mk Vb BR471, coded MK-P. Dark Earth/Dark Green over Azure Blue. Red spinner, codes in Yellow.
Available for DL here:
http://www.ah-skins.com/download/skin486.html
