Squadron Leader Archibald Ashmore McKellar,[1] DSO, DFC & Bar (10 April 1912 – 1 November 1940) was a flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

McKellar's first victory earned him the distinction of being the first pilot to shoot down a German aircraft over the British Isles during the war.

[2][3] McKellar, along with Ronald Hamlyn and Brian Carbury, were the only British pilots to achieve the feat of "Ace in a Day" during the Battle of Britain.

He took off and engaged a formation of German fighters, one of which he possibly shot down for his 22nd, albeit uncredited, and final victory.

Keen to leave, but unsure of what direction to take in life, he joined his father's general contractor and construction business as a plasterer.

He joined at his own expense the Scottish Flying Club,[8] which had been founded in 1927; it leased and managed Renfrew Airport from 1933 until it was requisitioned during the Second World War.

Based at RAF Abbotsinch near Paisley, the squadron operated the Hawker Hind light bomber.

The members of squadron—both pilots and ground staff—were reservists and completed their service on a part-time basis, in the evenings, weekends and an annual two–week summer camp.

[11][12] Upon completing training McKellar was deemed to have exceptional eyesight which earned him a reputation as a good marksman in air-to-air combat.

Aggressive and instinctive, his fighting spirit was an inspiration to his squadron but according to one biographer, he was highly strung, vociferous and blunt with members of his unit.

His dedication to his job as a fighter pilot and leader led him to refuse any leave from his Squadron while the Battle of Britain lasted.

While intensely loyal to anyone he considered a friend, McKellar's attitude to others outside the squadron was either of utmost friendliness or utter dislike.

Pohl tried to fly northwards to take an observation position, but the aircraft was hit by the fire of Spitfires piloted by George Pinkerton and McKellar.

Thus, McKellar is officially credited with the downing the first enemy aircraft to fall in British waters during the war.

[11][17][18][19][20] Following the 16 October success, Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command, Air Marshal Hugh Dowding sent word to 602 Squadron; "Well done, first blood to the auxiliaries.

[23] On 28 October 1939 McKellar intercepted a Heinkel He 111H-2 of Stab./Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG 26—Bomber Wing 26), code 1H+JA piloted by Unteroffizier Lehmkuhl.

Their gunners were killed, Lehmkul was hit in the back by machine gun fire and was wounded while Niehoff suffered a fractured spine during the crash-landing.

605 intercepted a German raid against Tyneside mounted by He 111s based in Norway with Luftflotte 5 (Air Fleet 5).

For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and was gazetted on 13 September 1940 and made reference to the "outstanding leadership and courage" displayed by McKellar.

[31] McKellar attacked with the sun at his back with his squadron, save for one section which was left to provide top cover against Bf 109s.

A Medal bar to the DFC followed which cited his "excellent fighting spirit ... particularly brilliant tactician, and has led his Squadron with skill and resource".

[33] On 3 October McKellar became one of the select few pilots of Fighter Command to sit for one of Cuthbert Orde's charcoal portraits.

I gave him a burst from dead astern and at once his radiator appeared to be hit as dense white vapour came back at me and my windscreen fogged up.

[44] Historians Christopher Shores and Clive Williams credit him with 21 air victories, three probably destroyed and three damaged as does E.C.R Baker.

[45] Chaz Bowyer, another prolific historian and writer on RAF personnel, credits McKellar with at least 20 victories.

[14] During the period he flew Hurricane P3308, McKellar scored 13 victories and shared one more destroyed, four probable and one damaged, between 15 August and 7 October 1940.

2 Staffel lost Werknummer 1606, pilot Staffelkapitän (Squadron Leader) Oberleutnant Helmuth Reumschüssel missing.

In the first crew, Oberleutnant Staib, Unteroffizier Hoppe were killed, Gefreiter Zierer and Hoffman posted missing.

Unteroffizier Lederer posted missing, captured wounded (Bedgebury Wood, SW of Cranbrook, Kent, England).

Also lost that day was a 2 Staffel Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51—Fighter Wing 51) Bf 109, Werknummer 5805, which crash–landed near Calais after combat and was 65% destroyed.