Allan Wright facts for kids

In 1999 Allan Wright sits in Spitfire V BM597 at Calais, France, during the filming of a Time Team archaeological dig of a Spitfire

Allan Richard Wright (born 12 February 1920, died 16 September 2015) was a brave Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot. He was a fighter pilot during the Second World War. He was known as a flying ace because he shot down many enemy planes. He destroyed 11 enemy aircraft, shared in destroying three others, and likely destroyed five more. He also damaged seven enemy planes. Allan Wright was one of the last surviving pilots known as The Few. This name was given to the pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain.

Early Life

Allan Wright was born in Devon, England, on 12 February 1920. His father was also a pilot, serving in the Royal Flying Corps from 1916. He later retired from the RAF in 1943. Allan followed in his father's footsteps. He joined the Royal Air Force College Cranwell in April 1938 to train as a pilot.

RAF Career

After his training, Allan Wright joined No. 92 Squadron RAF on 29 October 1939. His squadron was based at RAF Tangmere. At first, they flew Bristol Blenheim night fighters. But on 8 March 1940, they switched to the famous Spitfires.

Allan Wright flew his first combat mission on 23 May 1940, over Dunkirk. During this mission, he probably destroyed one Messerschmitt Bf 110 and damaged two others. The next day, he confirmed one Bf 110 destroyed and probably another. On 2 June, he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109.

During the intense Battle of Britain, Allan Wright continued to fight bravely.

• On 14 August, he helped destroy a Heinkel He 111.
• On 29 August, he helped destroy another Heinkel He 111 at night over Bristol.
• On 11 September, he probably destroyed a Heinkel He 111 and a Messerschmitt Bf 109.
• He damaged a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on 14 September.
• He probably destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on 15 September.
• He probably destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 on 19 September.
• He destroyed a Dornier Do 17 on 26 September.
• He destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 on 27 September.
• He destroyed two Messerschmitt Bf 109s on 30 September.

On 30 September, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 shot down Allan Wright near Brighton. He was wounded and had to go to the hospital. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 22 October 1940. This award is given for courage in air combat.

The award said: "On a night in August 1940, this officer showed great determination and skill. He destroyed a Heinkel 111 even though conditions were difficult. Pilot Officer Wright always wanted to fight the enemy. He has shot down four enemy aircraft and badly damaged four more."

On 6 December 1940, Wright destroyed another Messerschmitt Bf 109. By July 1941, he received a Bar to his DFC. This meant he had earned the award a second time. He then became an instructor, teaching other pilots.

In March 1943, he joined No. 29 Squadron RAF at RAF West Malling. As a night fighter pilot, he had his last confirmed kill. He shot down a Junkers Ju 88 on 3 April.

For the rest of the war, Allan Wright focused on training and improving fighter tactics. He became the chief instructor at the Central Gunnery School. Later, he led the Air Fighting Development Unit at RAF Wittering. In early 1945, he moved to Egypt. There, he commanded the fighter wing of the Middle East Advanced Bombing and Gunnery School.

Allan Wright stayed in the RAF after the war. He retired as a group captain on 12 February 1967.

Later Life

In 1999, Allan Wright visited a Time Team archaeological dig in France. The TV show was looking for a Mark 1 Spitfire (P9373). This was a plane flown by another pilot from his old squadron, Paul Klipsch. Allan Wright had been the first pilot to fly that very Spitfire when it joined the squadron in 1940. He flew it to make sure everything was working correctly.