Spitfire Paddy - The Ace Irish Pilot of The RAF

[@burkey548]

omg what a moving brilliant story as a english man thank you paddy i know the RAF will never ever for get you rip my dear wonderful man xxxx

[@andrewhutchins2750]

Thanks for posting this tribute to Squadron Leader Finucane, a proper hero. We know it's 80 or so years since, but as we have Services people in our family for four generations then we can't ignore the sheer effort, bravery and guts of all of these people. We love Ireland as a family and the world needs to stick together to make things better for all and subdue Covid, as well as prejudices. Peace and best wishes from Alison, Margaret and us

[@Shay-bp7yt]

So proud of him, love from Donegal man. 🇮🇪🇬🇧

[@ramroddrone5449]

Dave Australia here.ex Royal Australian Air Force groundstaff. I just came across this great vid. As we know, a few Australians we’re under his command, namely, Keith Truscott, who later, saved my fathers life, In Milne Bay Papua New Guinea, before he was killed at the age of 23. Rest in peace, Paddy and Keith

[@peggyh4805]

Rest In Peace dear brave Irishman. 🇺🇸❤️🇮🇪

[@tjobrien8436]

What a hero. Along with many Irish who fought proudly for Britian in world war 2. Heroes one and all, who haven't been propelly recognised in their own country. ☘️ 🇬🇧

[@johnhorse5551]

A fishing captain from Cork is sorting out to go out in the summer and find his plane,in June of next year,all the luck in finding it mate

[@raypurchase801]

This brave man's remains will still be inside. His Spitfire is his war grave, his coffin. Perhaps his remains should be allowed to remain undisturbed. I don't know.

[@idleonlooker1078]

I think if he and his Spitfore are found, his family should be allowed to decide if he should remain in the Channel, or to have him interred in a cemetery with full military honours.

[@raypurchase801]

@@idleonlooker1078 Agreed. Allow his closest next of kin to decide. Otherwise leave his remains at peace. Mount a stone monument somewhere.

[@garymcmanus9946]

He s were he is meant to be...let him rest unless you can bury him with the spitfire...but by all means please locate him so we can pay our up most respects.

[@nialldoyle8206]

My grandfather , a proud Irish man and Canadian fought at Ypres and went on to join the RFC.

[@MysteriousMarsupial]

80 years but never forgotten. 'Some are bound to die young, by dying young a person stays young in people's memory. If he burns brightly before he dies, his brightness shines for all time.'

[@patrickflynn8989]

He was on a "ramrod" raid over France. His plane was hit by AA fire and he tried to limp home but could'nt make it. He was too low at that stage to bail out and instead tried to ditch into the sea. In common with a lot of expeienced pilots of the time ,he did not wear his seat harness and his mates who circled about thought that he hit his head off the front panel of the plane when he hit the sea. He did'nt get out and went down with the plane......or so the story goes.

[@Marlondurran]

A marvelous chap indeed..

[@dscoufobattleship9381]

Very good videos...greetings from long beach, ca

[@wheresthegovernance4350]

"This it it boys.....Looks like I'm foocked!" Was told these were his last words to fellow flight members before having to ditch (too low to parachute out)

[@kitsilanomusician2669]

Only 21 years old. RIP

[@markellis796]

Just read the excellent book on him by Doug Stokes, a real gentleman and a real hero, his plane was hit by small arms fire in the radiator causing it to overheat, he tried to limp home but never made it.

[@gilbertdavies]

He was no age, but a real fighter, like so many of those boys were. Damned good chaps. Thank you

[@zezet0ni594]

God Bless Wg Cdr 'Paddy' Finucane ☘️🇮🇪🇬🇧☘️ He fought and died for the freedom we should all hold dear. His soul soars with the angels RIP 🇮🇪

[@jonathansteadman7935]

As soon as I saw Spitfire, and Pilot called Paddy, my brain went 'Finnucane' ! Didn't even know I knew of this man (if you know what I mean). The Mick Mannock of WW2.

[@martinwalsh3228]

Great history for flying.

[@irelanda8440]

Very proud paddy . Love from Derry City 🇮🇪

[@warrenmilford1329]

The second squadron Paddy served with was 452 RAAF (Australian), along side Aussie ace Keith 'Bluey' Truscott. It was while in this unit that one of it's members, painted the shamrock on to the first of Paddy's planes, that ended up carrying the design. He served as a flight commander, and was apparently well liked, because he encouraged a relaxed atmosphere, which suited the Aussie pilots.

[@ALA-uv7jq]

The Aussies liked him because he wasnt a British RAF snob.

[@longshotkdb]

jajaaa 'spitfire paddy' go on son ...

[@inh92]

Three generations from rebel to QC!

[@radiosnail]

Many Irishmen fought against Hitler. Not necessarily for the British Empire, obviously, but enlightened self interest as who would be next if Britain fell. 'Remember reading about him as a child. A Hero of Ireland and (forgive me) the UK and RAF. His name liveth forever more.

[@Lizmurphy-x6h]

Very interesting.

[@johnhorse5551]

died age 21 over occupied France in 1942

[@ronniemurtagh1786]

Thank you Paddy, as a proud Irishman, I can't thank you enough for my freedom. As your nephew said correctly, it would only have been a matter of time the Nazis invaded Ireland after invading Britain. RIP

[@garymcmanus9946]

Can you let me know if they find him..I'm assuming covid stopped the find?

[@kgs42]

Johnny Johnson was bitter about his death on a 'stupid, pointless Ramrod' mission.

[@haitolawrence5986]

Yes quite a few of the RAFs most experienced pilots were killed needlessly flying 'ramrod' sorties thanks to the idiocy of Fighter Command.

[@markpower9081]

I didn't know that. A good man, Johnny Johnson.

[@imedi]

think if i remember from the documentry he was standing in for another pilot who took ill

[@johnhorse5551]

He was hit by anti aircraft fire

[@johnmccarthy7360]

My