Chantry Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Due to wartime rationing there was a severe shortage of birdseed for parakeets and other pet birds in Great Britain during WWII. So some enterprising pilots (and others) on the England to Canada convoy run decided to make some money. They would take ashore alcohol, of which they had plenty and trade it for birdseed, silk stocking and other small hard to get items. The price of birdseed was 1 English pound for 1 pound of birdseed in England. Once they got close to England, the pilots would put 2-3 duffel bags full of birdseed in the gunner's cockpit of their Fairey Swordfish, take off and land in England and by the time Customs got to the airfield the birdseed was safely hidden away. The pilots would make between 200-300 British pounds per trip. In today's money that is 9600 - 14,500 British pounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Falcon, SASS # 46139 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Most airplanes, including the tactical fighters and attack aircraft have places where you can hide things from prying eyes. I had total disdain for customs agents; it was none of their business what we were toting for personal use. Lots of guys found Cuban cigars in Puerto Rico. PF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 if id been in the blitze the bird would have been dinner early on , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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