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MGBGTV8 with an extraordinary previous owner

From a posting on Facebook a previous owner of one of the V8s is revealed and what a man!

Keith Belcher is one of our MGV8 Pricewatch team duo with Andy Goves. They spot adverts, cars listed at auction and chase down results for our MGBGTV8 and RV8 Pricewatch webpages.

Posted: 160814

Ken Belcher at the controls circa 1944/5

The Flying Heppells

Above: at Westhampnett (Goodwood aerodrome) 616 Squadron (South Yorkshire) are Flight Lieutenat Colin McFie, Flying Officer "Cocky" Dundas, Pilot Officer Philip "Nip" Heppell and Pilot Officer "Jonnie" Johnson.

Tim Southall posted a photo on the V8 Register Facebook Group on 10th Augsut of "a little gathering this evening". The photo was of his car - Tahiti Blue 2371 - and the MGBGTV8 of Keith Belcher - Damask 1949. - only six from the last chrome bumpered V8, Citron 1956.

Keith Belcher mentioned that "after buying his V8 in July 1991 I wrote to the DVLA asking for the ownership history of the car. The report came back detailing the first owner as Lamb & Edge (Estate Agents), 36, Blackett Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7UG with the registration number “X 232”. This was obviously a cherished number. My enquiries to a long serving secretary at the the company revealed that the owner was the previous senior partner Mr. Phillip Whaley Ellis “Nip” Heppell D.F.C.& Bar. Croix de Guerre with three palms - a former RAF Squadron Leader. He had kept the reg “X 232” which was a reference to a Spitfire number from his service days. He had been a “Flying Ace” in WW2 and was known for his service in Malta. He had passed away in 1987, but had kept the car from July 1975 to March 1978.

My father Ken Belcher, on hearing this from me, told me that he had met “Nip” Heppell in Malta sometime in 1942/3 at RAF Luqa. Ken had flown in Bomber Command and flew many times to Gibraltar and Malta and was senior NCO Warrant Officer. Somehow this car was destined for me!"

WW2 Fighter Pilot Phillip "Nip" Heppell
Flying training was carried out at Brough, Cranwell and Number 7 Operational Training Unit (OTU). In September 1940, Whaley Heppell was commissioned and posted to 616 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey. His career on 616 Squadron did not have a great beginning. Now known as ‘Nip’, Heppell landed Spitfire X 4330 down wind on 28th October 1940, causing damage to the Spitfire as it overshot the runway. It earned Heppell a notation from Wing Cmdr Hartley to the effect that the accident occurred due to ‘Gross Carelessness’ on behalf of the pilot, Heppell. Throughout 1941, Heppell was to fly with The Tangmere Wing under the command of Douglas Bader. Heppell was flying with the Wing on 16th August 1941, when Douglas Bader was shot down. Heppell was one of the pilots flying in an escort on 19th August to a bomber mission that also dropped Bader’s new tin leg. Heppell was to remain with the Tangmere Wing until the end of 1941 and was awarded the DFC on 30th September 1941.