RAF 61 (B) Squadron Presentation Samavar

This is the second example of an RAF presentation samovar of this design we have had in. This one is finely engraved 'No 61 (B) Squadron Presented by Squadron Leader J.G.Macintyre 1939'. No. 61 Squadron was reformed in 1937 as a bomber squadron. In the two years before the war it was equipped with four different types of aircraft, starting with the Hawker Audax, then the Avro Anson, followed by the Bristol Blenheim and finally the Handley Page Hampden, the same aircraft flown by my late Father. The squadron went to war with the Hampden, with the first operation over Germany coming on 24 February 1940. The squadron would spend the rest of the war operating as a night bomber squadron with Bomber Command. We suspect Macintyre presented this item when he left the squadron having been posted to 44 Squadron at Helmswell. Sadly on an Op to Hamburg on 29 July 1940 his aircraft was flying at 8, 000 ft over Hamburg and collided with a barrage balloon cable crashing in the target area. Whilst his crew got out and were captured he died in the crash and it is likely by staying with his crippled aircraft he enabled the crew to live;we will never know. The samovar is made from silver plate and whilst this shows a little wear it is generally in very nice condition and is complete with spirit burner and interior fittings. Measures 12" high (31 cm)