Museum battle to save VC

A CAMPAIGN has been launched by the RAF Museum to keep a unique Victoria Cross in the UK.

The rare medal – Britain’s top award for extreme valour in the face of the enemy – is the only one won by the Air Force fighting in the Far East in World War II.

It was awarded to Sqn Ldr Arthur Scarf for a single-handed assault on a Japanese airfield after an enemy attack wiped out his unit.

On December 9, 1941 he had just taken off to lead a formation of 62 Sqn Bristol Blenheims in a daylight attack on Japanese airfields in Burma when enemy bombers swept over the base destroying every British aircraft on the ground.

Alone and determined to complete the mission, Scarf flew low for 30 miles evading attacks by Japanese Zeros and released his bombs before heading home with enemy fighters attacking at close range.

Outnumbered, outgunned and in a slower aircraft he flew at tree top height desperately seeking protection.

Mortally wounded, Scarf continued to fly while being held upright by his crewmates and made a controlled crash landing at a British airfield, saving his comrades but dying from his wounds shortly afterwards.

The VC, one of only 22 won by the RAF in WWII, was awarded posthumously in 1946 and presented to his widow, Elizabeth, by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

The Museum has just months to raise £660,000 to match an

He said: “The ISTAR Force and the Air Wing are running at pace –whether it be in the skies and over the seas of Nato’s northern and eastern flanks, conducting remotelycrewed air system operations in the Middle East, or providing specialist intelligence analysis in support of current operations.

“Meanwhile, we have an ambitious programme of change, from progressing P-8 Poseidon to bringing in exciting new platforms such as Protector, Shadow Mk 2 and E-7 Wedgetail.”