Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

In answer to 'Question 7', the Seafire XV was never operated by the RAN or RAAF. You could check yourself at www.adf-gallery.com.au

Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

Hello,

Possible ex-Implacable Seafire (from RNAS Bankstown Storage):

8-8-1945
RNAS, Bankstown
Seafire L.III PR228

Whilst on return flight from RAAF Laverton to RAAF Bankstown, fatal accident occurred when PR228 struck a hill near Barnawatha, 15m NE of Chiltern, North Eastern Victoria. F/L Schaffer RAAF, (posted to ADHQ, Sydney), had been at RAAF Laverton conducting drop tank trials.

400837 F/L (Pilot) Geoffrey William SCHAFFER RAAF + (att. RNAS Bankstown, as Senior Test Pilot)

Col.

Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

Guys,

Thanks for all the answers and comments.

Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

Crossley's book is undoubtedly good, but David Brown's more recent work on the BPF should be the best more general source.

A quick look at Sturtivant's FAA Aircraft gives me eight Mk.XV serials plus Norton's crash with the serial unknown. It should be possible to find most if not all of the Mk.IIIs but excuse me not having the spare time at the moment.

Replacement aircraft were delivered to Australia then taken up to the fleet on escort carriers. I doubt that this intermediate stage is recorded in Sturtivant, so you'd have to cross-refer sailing dates of Implacable and the delivery dates at Archerfield and then with 801 Sq.

Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

Hello,
Thank you all for your replies,

It is only the serial numbers of 801 Sqdn's first 18 Seafire XV's that I seek.
The answer to question 1 is 48 aircraft, not 36.
The answer to Question 3 is that 880 Sqdn increased its number of Seafire F.III's to 24 in January 45 as did 801 . So from then on there would have been 48 a/c.

To clear up my oversight, It now comes to me that I overlooked the fact that 801 Sqdn received the 18 Spitfires in/from September 45 see my question 5.

When Implacable returned to British waters I assume that it brought back the remaining XV's along with all the other Squadrons aircraft ?

Col, re PR228, all "FAA aircraft 1939-1945" has is - AID check 24.11.44;Bankstown, returned from drop tank trials hit hill Barnawatha, Cat ZZ 8.8.45 (Pilot OK ).
Also
re PP949, "FAA aircrat 1939-1945" has - 801 Sqn Stbd u/c collapsed, into barrier, ditched, Cat ZZ 6.6.45 (S/L MH Payne OK).
re PP975, "FAA aircrat 1939-1945" has - 801 Sqn Implacable FTR strafing attack Truk island, Cat ZZ 14.6.45 ( S/L MH Payne Killed).http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...ERVYN%20HAROLD

However "Naval History .net" has Payne as MPK 24/6/45 http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1945-06JUN.htm ???
"FAA Aircraft 1939-1945" has NN613 880 Sqn struck rounddown, crashed Implacable Cat ZZ 14.6.45 (Lt. IKL Banyard OK).
And
PR124 - 880 Sqn Floated into barrier 14.6.45 (S/L DM Gunson of 880 Sqn).
PR126 - Practice DB exercise, lost one wing pulling out of steep dive, hit sea, caught fire, Cat ZZ 29.6.45 (S/L FA Dane killed) BUT 880 Sqn Implacable, heavy landing, floated into barrier 17.7.45 (S/L JE Letham).

So not these a/c for Scholfield."Naval History.net" has him as serving with 828 Sqn.

"FAA aircraft 1939-1945" has Avenger II serial JZ439 828 Sqn Implacable loss of power shortly after TO for shipping strike, ditched, Cat ZZ 14.6.45 (S/l RS Scholefield killed; S/L L Kalinauckas & LA RE Dollimore OK).

I could only find two (PP949 & PP975) losses for 801 in June 45 and possibly three ( NN613, PR124 & possibly PR126 )for 880.

Of interest, What became of all the surviving Seafire III's of 801 and 880 Were they left in Australia ?

Alex

Re: HMS Implacable and its Seafire's, 1945
 

Alex,

Apologies about the glitch on Scholfield. 400337 F/L G W Schaffer RAAF, definitely killed on 8-8-1945 aboard Seafire PR228,

Col.