James Rankin (pilot)
Encyclopedia
James E. Rankin was a British
RAF flying ace
of the Second World War.
Rankin was born in Portobello, Edinburgh
on 7 May 1913 although his family later moved to Lancashire. He joined the RAF in 1935 and following training at No 2 FTS, he joined No 25 Squadron and later flew with the Fleet Air Arm with No 825 Sqn on HMS Glorious. After service with the Fleet Air Arm
he became an instructor with No. 5 OTU.
Early in 1941 he was promoted to Squadron Leader and attached to No. 64 Squadron to gain operational experience. He claimed a third of a Junkers Ju 88 shot down and 2 damaged in his short spell with the Squadron. In February 1941 he then took command of No. 92 Squadron, then equipping with the new Mark V model of Spitfire.
During the fighter sweeps of the summer, his score mounted rapidly. In June 1941 he was awarded the DFC for 9 victories. On 14 June he shot down and killed 18-kill ace Obfw Robert Menge of III./ JG 26. In September 1941 he became Wing leader at Biggin Hill
and received the DSO in October.
In December 1941 Rankin was posted to HQ Fighter Command, and in April 1942 returned to lead the Biggin Hill Wing for a second time until December 1942. After a spell at the Central Gunnery School, in August 1943 he commanded No. 15 Fighter Wing, and then 125 Wing during the Normandy landings of June 1944.
Rankin scored 17 victories against enemy aircraft, as well as five shared kills, three probable and two shared probable kills, 16 damaged and three shared damaged and the destruction of a V-1 flying bomb
. With the exception of one shared destroyed, one damaged and two shared damaged, the rest of his total score was achieved while flying the Spitfire Mark V
.
In 1948 he was Air Attache, Dublin. and in 1954 was Officer Commanding, RAF Duxford.
He retired from the RAF in 1958.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
RAF flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the Second World War.
Rankin was born in Portobello, Edinburgh
Portobello, Edinburgh
Portobello is a beach resort located three miles to the east of the city centre of Edinburgh, along the coast of the Firth of Forth, in Scotland. It is now a suburb of Edinburgh, with a promenade fronting on to the wide sand beach....
on 7 May 1913 although his family later moved to Lancashire. He joined the RAF in 1935 and following training at No 2 FTS, he joined No 25 Squadron and later flew with the Fleet Air Arm with No 825 Sqn on HMS Glorious. After service with the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
he became an instructor with No. 5 OTU.
Early in 1941 he was promoted to Squadron Leader and attached to No. 64 Squadron to gain operational experience. He claimed a third of a Junkers Ju 88 shot down and 2 damaged in his short spell with the Squadron. In February 1941 he then took command of No. 92 Squadron, then equipping with the new Mark V model of Spitfire.
During the fighter sweeps of the summer, his score mounted rapidly. In June 1941 he was awarded the DFC for 9 victories. On 14 June he shot down and killed 18-kill ace Obfw Robert Menge of III./ JG 26. In September 1941 he became Wing leader at Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill is an area and electoral ward in the outskirts of the London Borough of Bromley in southeast London, United Kingdom.-History:Historically the settlement was known as Aperfield and formed part of the parish of Cudham...
and received the DSO in October.
In December 1941 Rankin was posted to HQ Fighter Command, and in April 1942 returned to lead the Biggin Hill Wing for a second time until December 1942. After a spell at the Central Gunnery School, in August 1943 he commanded No. 15 Fighter Wing, and then 125 Wing during the Normandy landings of June 1944.
Rankin scored 17 victories against enemy aircraft, as well as five shared kills, three probable and two shared probable kills, 16 damaged and three shared damaged and the destruction of a V-1 flying bomb
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
. With the exception of one shared destroyed, one damaged and two shared damaged, the rest of his total score was achieved while flying the Spitfire Mark V
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
.
In 1948 he was Air Attache, Dublin. and in 1954 was Officer Commanding, RAF Duxford.
He retired from the RAF in 1958.