Duncan, Colin 'Col'
Colin (Col) Ronald DUNCAN
RAAF, 452 Squadron
401778, Flight Lieutenant
Colin Ronald Duncan was born 4th August 1919, a Victorian, he enlisted 29/3/1941.
In issue #57 of the Spitfire News magazine (The Spitfire Association magazine), Col Duncan gave us 'Fiery Exit', a graphic account of his escape from his burning aircraft and ultimate rescue following an enemy interception in the N.W. Area. Here are some excerpts from his thrilling story:-
'I started my dive to attack the bomber on the left-hand end of the formation, attacking from 7 o'clock in a 35 degree dive. The 'Betty' was a long cigar-shaped, aircraft, having a tail-gunner armed with a 20mm cannon, and two blister gunners, one each side of the fuselage, towards the tail. The 'Betty' was holding its' line-abreast position, with both engines running. As far as I could see, it was undamaged.
I aimed at the centre-line of the fuselage; just on the blister gunner position anticipating the deflection would take the rear gunner. Using both cannon and machine guns together, I moved my aiming point steadily along the centre line of the fuselage, all armament operating with no stoppages.
Because of the long nose of the Spitfire and my angle of dive, the 'Betty' was disappearing under my nose but I was able to keep the bomb aimers position in sight over my spinner, I kept firing until very close then broke away over the top of the 'Betty's' port mainplane.
Though I could not see the result, the attack was good and I was certain I had a 'destroyed'. My engine sounded awful and, although it was still running, black smoke was issuing from my cowling.
I was not aware of being hit by return fire although the gunners of both the adjacent bombers would have had a clear shot. I had normal flying control but there was no time to look back to see how the bomber had fared or if the Zeros were following, but I jinked about just in case and to make a difficult target.
The engine and cockpit were now intensely hot - IT WAS TIME TO GET OUT, I pressed the air/sea rescue button 'D' and called 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, DUNCAN CALLING - BAILING OUT'.
The MKV Spitfire had a solid black rubber ball about the size of a golf ball to jettison the canopy but, to my complete horror, when I tugged it came away in my hand, leaving two useless little wires hanging down but leaving the canopy firmly in place. I threw the ball down in the cockpit and tried to release the canopy by using the normal pulling lugs. It would not budge. At anything above 150mph it becomes impossible to jettison the hood manually - I was diving at around 300mph. I realised then I had a battle on my hands - a red hot engine, a stuck canopy and the possibility of one or more Zeros following me.
I turned off the petrol, pulled the nose up and with my left foot hooked in the 'G' pedal - so I could steer by pushing or pulling - I got my right boot up on the Instrument panel to try to get more leverage. Still the canopy would not budge. Grabbing the pinch bar from the trap door, I tried to lever the canopy back but there was nothing to get a purchase on. I hit out at the rear of the canopy but lost my grip on the bar which fell down behind the seat armour plating - impossible to retrieve. My aircraft was on fire and it was getting more than worrying.
Eventually I was able to free myself. I am unsure of the height when I bailed out but think it was about 24,000 feet; I tumbled slowly, over and over, revelling in the icy air, away from the fury of the fire at last. I had to do a delayed drop to get to a lower altitude for breathable air but also to fall as far as possible below the combat area. I wasn't that keen to be shot at!
Although I knew it took 1½ minutes to 'free fall' to the ground from 19,000 feet, I had both hands on the ripcord handle, and tried to judge a one minute delay. It must have been much less as I opened the parachute at about 15,000 feet according to Ross Richardson, another 452 pilot who followed me all the way down. Col was discharged from the RAAF on the 29/8/1945.
Photo: Col Duncan left and Harry Utber on right
Col Duncan's "Fiery Exit" bail out story bears a striking resemblance to Ross Williams' previously published article, especially the bail out and the leading up to the struggle to hit the silk.
Together with his father and brother, Colin ran a successful building company in Melbourne. Colin was a great sportsman, sailing catamarans competitively and playing first grade cricket for his home state.
Of Dromana Vic. Died on 21st September, 1992 aged 73yrs. He died peacefully after battling cancer for several months and will be missed by his many friends in the Spitfire Association.
Amongst the S.A. Members attending his funeral were Jim Tevlin, Ray Job, Peter Bullock and Ken Robertson.
Edited: Bruce Read, Paul Carter
