AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

260 Squadron Crest
28.06.1942 No. 260 Squadron P-40 Kittyhawk III ET574 HS-B Fl/Sgt. Dennis Copping

Operation: Ferry flight

Date: 28th June 1942 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 260 Squadron

Type: P.40 Kittyhawk III

Serial: ET574

Code: HS-B

Location: Al Wadi al Jadid, Egypt

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Dennis Charles Hughmore Copping 785025 RAFVR Age 24. Missing.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off to deliver the aircraft to have repairs to the undercarriage. It is understood that this had a problem as it could not be retracted.

Not a great deal of information to date as to what happened as there have been many conflicting reports.

Fl/Sgt. Dennis Copping looking down from the cockpit of the P40.


Left: Outside the mess in Egypt (courtesy John McLellan)

In March 2012, a Polish worker for an oil exploration company, Mr Jacub Perka, discovered the aircraft and revealed the photographs to the world.


It seems that since the discovery the aircraft has been either vandalised or suffered from very inexperienced researchers/locals.

The pilot's remains were not in the aircraft which leads to the theory that he survived and decided to try and reach some form of safety. His body has never been recovered.



Some describe the aircraft receiving damage from combat (photos of the recently recovered aircraft seem to confirm this - probably another reason that it was going in for repairs)

It is understood that efforts are being made to recover the aircraft back to England. Appreciate any further news on this by readers?

Burial Details:

None - missing. It is hoped that his remains may possibly be recovered since the location of his aircraft had been found.

Fl/Sgt. Dennis Charles Hughmore Copping. Alamein Memorial. Panel 249. Son of Sydney Omer Copping and Adelaide Copping, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England.

Researched for relatives of the pilot in the hope that they may contact us. Acknowledgments: Mr Jacub Perka. IWM, John McLellan, Daily Mail, Aircrew Remembered archives.

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 16 March 2021, 14:55

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor