VC winning Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8

[Dave W]

This is the Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Late Production aircraft C8602 in which Captain Ferdinand “Freddie” West of 8 Squadron Royal Air Force won the Victoria Cross on 10 August 1918.
He was one of two RFC/RAF VC winners in WW1 who flew F.K. 8’s
In August 1918, the British Army was planning to start a major offensive, the Battle of Amiens, but needed information about enemy positions. On 10 August 1918, 22 year old Captain West and his observer Lt John Haslam of No. 8 Squadron- flying an Armstrong-Whitworth F.K. 8- set off at Dawn and were undertaking a low-level reconnaissance when they observed through a gap in the mist, German forces in a wood near Amiens. West’s aircraft drew heavy ground fire and was then attacked by seven enemy aircraft.
Determined to get accurate and clear intelligence and despite the ground fire, West made a repeat run over the wood, coming down to 1000ft to pinpoint the enemy position and using clouds for cover when he could. But during the attack by German fighters, he was hit multiple times in the leg and his radio transmission equipment was destroyed.
Despite excruciating pain from his injuries, West was careful to identify his location, and manoeuvred his F.K. 8 so that his observer was able to get several bursts into the enemy machines, which drove them off. West only broke off and headed for his own lines when he was sure of the enemy’s position.
He had suffered at least five wounds, the most serious saw his left leg partially severed in the action but despite the shock and enormous blood loss, West struggled to remain conscious and keep control of his aircraft.
He improvised a tourniquet from the leg of his pants and despite his horrific injuries managed to steer his aircraft eastwards and crash-land near the Allied forward lines.
He came down near some Canadian troops who rescued him and Haslam (who was wounded in the foot and ankle) from the wreckage.
After landing, despite his injuries, he insisted on making his report before undergoing surgery to amputate his leg. For his courage and determination, Captain West was awarded the Victoria Cross from the King at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1919.
He retired as an Air Commodore at the end of WW2 and died in 1988, aged 92. he was the oldest surviving holder of the VC. The Imperial War Museum now holds his VC.
The Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 is the latest model kit release by Copper State Models and has initially been released in its Mid and Late production versions. It is the first plastic model kit of this aircraft in 1/48 scale. The Late Production model includes markings for Captain West VC’s aircraft.

[dr 1 ace]

Thanks for posting Dave, the other VC winner is for Mid Production F.k.8 # B-5773 flown by Alan McLeod.  I believe that profile and info is on the Copperstate Facebook page.

[Dave W]

This is the Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Mid Production aircraft B5773 in which Second Lieutenant Alan McLeod of 2 Squadron Royal Flying Corps won the Victoria Cross on 27 March 1918.
He was one of two RFC/RAF VC winners in WW1 who flew F.K. 8’s.
Alan McLeod was a Canadian pilot, aged only 15 when WW1 broke out in 1914. He tried to enlist under age but was rejected. He was finally able to join the RFC in 1917 aged 18 and after flight training went to France. Eventually he wound up with No. 2 Squadron in Northern France, flying the sturdy and dependable A-W F.K. 8. He flew his first operational mission in December 1917.
McLeod was just 18 and a Second Lieutenant when he took off with his observer, Lt Arthur Hammond, on a flight over Albert, France, on 27 March 1918. McLeod already had two kills to his credit but the purpose of this flight was to perform a low level bombing attack on advancing German troops. He became separated from his squadron and refuelled at another squadron’s airfield before resuming his mission.
Soon after, a Fokker Triplane attacked them and McLeod managed to shoot it down but moments later seven more enemy aircraft dived and McLeod and Hammond found themselves in a desperate fight for their lives at 5000ft.
McLeod and Hammond managed to fight off wave after wave of attacking fighters, Hammond shooting down two more machines and damaging another. But the German pilots pushed their attacks home and a bullet hit the F.K. 8’s petrol tank and set the aircraft alight- every airman’s worst nightmare.
Alan McLeod suffered five wounds in his side while Hammond’s legs were hit six times. The pair were in agony but they faced an even worse terror as flames engulfed their F.K. 8. McLeod, though injured and burnt, heroically climbed out of his aircraft on to the port lower wing and managed to tilt the aircraft upwards, side-splitting the aircraft and forcing the flames toward the right side of the F.K. 8. This allowed he and Hammond to lean away from the fire and avoid the flames.
Hammond clung to the cockpit edge as the cockpit floor was destroyed by fire and collapsed, taking his seat with it.
Alan McLeod miraculously managed to crash land in no man’s land and despite his own injuries, dragged the unconscious Hammond clear of the burning cockpit under heavy enemy machine gun fire and dragged him to the safety of a nearby shell hole. Just then the F.K. 8’s bomb load ignited in the burning wreckage.
Astonishingly McLeod and Hammond were rescued by Allied troops that night. McLeod spent six months in hospital where he learnt he had been awarded the VC for his bravery. Tragically, after returning to Canada he contracted Spanish Influenza and died in the 1918 global flu epidemic. He was only 19. Arthur Hammond survived but lost a leg and later emigrated to Canada.
The Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 is the latest model kit release by Copper State Models and has initially been released in its Mid and Late production versions. It is the first plastic model kit of this aircraft in 1/48 scale. The Mid Production model includes markings for 2/Lt McLeod’s VC’s aircraft.