Spitfire Mk.IIa Flight Leutnant Walter Lawson

Walter John Lawson, nicknamed Jack, was born in January 1913 in Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom. The Son of a British Army Officer and his wife, Lawson Attended Hastings Grammar School. In January 1929, he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an apprentice and Trained as an Aircraft Mechanic, completing his Training at the end of 1931. He, then decided to Train as a Pilot and began Flight Training at No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School in Yatesbury in March 1936. He, then Transferred to No. 10 Flying Training School in Ternhill and Received his Wings.

At the Out break of World War II, Lawson was serving as a Sergeant in No. 46 Squadron. His new unit was based at Digby as part of No. 12 Group and operated the Hawker Hurricane Fighter. They were Tasked with Patrols along the East Coast, which mostly passed without incident. Im April 1940, Lawson was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Later that Month, he was Transferred to No. 19 Squadron, where he soon earned the Nickname "Farmer," as this, was his intended Profession After the war.

Based at Duxford, No. 19 Squadron was Equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire Fighter, having been the first RAF unit to receive the type in 1938. At the time Lawson joined the Squadron, it was primarily engaged in Convoy Patrols, but by Late May it was involved in Air Cover over the Dunkirk Beaches during Operation Dynamo. The Following Month, it was involved in Trials of Cannon-Equipped Spitfires.

In July, Lawson was Promoted to Squadron Leader and given Command of No. 19 Squadron. On August 28, the Squadron was part of a Fighter Sweep led by No. 12 Group to Rotterdam. They were surprised by Messerschmitt Bf 109 Fighters of 53rd Fighter Squadron, and during the Resulting Engagement, Lawson was Shot down off the Dutch Coast. Although his Squadron Conducted an Aerial Search the Following day, No trace of him was Found, and he was presumed to have been Shot down.

With no Know grave, Lawson is Commemorated at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Air Forces Memorial near Egham in Surrey, England. At the time of his presumed Death, he was Credited with Shooting down Seven German Aircraft, one Shared with Three other Pilot, and Three probably Destroyed. He is also Credited with Damaging one Aircraft.

"Flight Lieutenant Lawson consistently led his Flight, and often his Squadron, with Great Skill and Courage, destroying at least Five enemy Aircraft. His Exceptional coolness inspires great confidence in his fellow Pilots. Twice he refused to Abandon his Aircraft when the Damage caused would have clearly justified such Action." «London Gazette 26.November 1940»

Kit: Revell 1:32

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