Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thanks Bertrand and Nick.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Ed a little trivia on Photo 11 if I may. Hunter was CG VIIIAF FC (HQ Bushey Hall) but flew on the 381BG first mission 22 June 43 (VIIIBC no.65); also first for the 384BG so a short one to Antwerp (1st. Bomb Wing). 3 P-47 Groups escorted the Wing. This is a few days before the Group officially moved to Ridgwell from Bovingdon.
The B-17F in back has a yellow tail letter "B", for a short time in 1943 the Group used single letters before the order to apply Wing symbols and letter ( 30 June) ie. Triangle "L"; many letters were set at an angle for some reason.
Hunter's distinctive moustache may be noted.


Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Nick,


Much appreciated and very informative. Such individuals are generally unknown to me since my focus is the Luftwaffe.


Best,
Ed

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

https://www.ebay.de/itm/316889013316...Bk9SR-Sm08zlZQ
https://www.ebay.de/itm/365637434385...Bk9SR-am08zlZQ
https://www.ebay.de/itm/357014250253...Bk9SR-im08zlZQ

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

One of the FFI photo's

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205453603

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Post 3444 Photo no.3. There was a very interesting article on this action in the May 1962 "Flying Review" by Finn Arnesen; this is April 9 1940 after the German invasion of Norway. There were 9 Gladiators (2-blade wood props) at Fornebu near Oslo, 2 were unserviceable and the other 7 were in action. 429 was flown by the Deputy Leader Lt. Rolf Tradin; only 1 survived the day (no. 421 Lt. Krohn)) and it was wrecked on the 21st. 429 went through the ice landing on Lake Mjosa and was recovered by the Germans. The red-white-blue rudder is on the right.
Tradin was killed in 1943 in a Norwegian Spitfire squadron.


Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Battle P2357 seems to be uncoded.
I thought I would look for it in your site Martin, but the search function brings no hits.
Lost from 103 Sqn according to the relevant Air-Britain serials book.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

The article gives no aircraft serial numbers Nick....
In fact on April 9th, 11 Gladiators (out of 12) were still in service. The following flew missions during the day.
No 413 1/Lt Arve Braathen > captured later intact
No 419 Sgt Oskar Lütken > shot down by Bf 110 C
No 423 1/Lt Dag Krohn > flown to Vangsmjösa April 19th
No 425 1/Lt Arve Braathen and Sgt Per Waaler > shot down by Bf 110 C
No 427 Sgt Kristian Schye damaged by Bf 110 C and force landed near Kolsås
No 429 Sgt Per Waaler and Lt Rolf Tradin > force landed during the afternoon outside the steamship dock at Hamar
No 433 2/Lt Finn Thorsager > left behind at Lake Mjaervann in Enebakk

No 415 was parked all day, no missions
No 417 had been w/o 15 March 1940 where Lt Rolf Tradin managed to bail out
No 421 was parked all day, no missions
No 431 seriously damaged 3 Jan 1940 and on April 9th was waiting to be repaired
No 435 seriously damaged 1 March 1940 and on April 9th was waiting to be repaired.

Source: Fornebu 9. April by Cato Guhnfeldt

B Rgds
Stig

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thanks Stig. Well it WAS an old article! There's a photo of 429 and 421 though. Incidentally the magazine cost me 1/9 in 1962 (about 8p I think).


Regards
Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Yes I know Nick

Incidentally I was introduced to Flying Review back in 1967 (I was 16 years old)

There were some specialist shops in Gothenburg at the time, but it was not every month
they sold anything British.

When I was 17 I had made some financial progress and managed a subscription.

I owe Bill Green a lot. FR opened up a new world and with later visits to the Aviation Bookshop
I became an addict.
Lovely memories.....:D

Cheers
Stig

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33601323122...Bk9SR87Xw9vuZQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33601480820...Bk9SR87Xw9vuZQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/33601481249...Bk9SR87Xw9vuZQ

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Hi all,

Dewoitine D.520 or different type ? Thank you for help

https://www.ebay.de/itm/376234824711...kAAOSwEq1nwJLC

Faenor

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

D.520 for me, the square wing inspection hatches match.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Post 3456.
Photo 1. B-24J 44-28181 scheduled for RAAF ( marked "AUSTRALIA" and Tulsa contractor no. 117 on nose) but not finished modifications at the Centre and never delivered. Scrapped at Kingman post-war.


Photo 2. B-17F 42-3316 "Betty Boom" alias "Big Stinky" , 385BG; lost on VIIIBC Mission 78, 28/7/43 (Oschersleben). The Group's 5th mission in bad weather and many aborted; she collided with 42-30257 "Lady Susie II" and 42-30285 "Round Trip Ticket" and came down in the N. Sea. MACRs 189B/C/D.


Photo 3. B-17F 42-5897 also 385BG as SG-A, she had a 20mm cannon fitted in the nose 14/8/43 (not a success) apparently blew up on her hardstand 3/9/43 and salvaged.


Regards
Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Outstanding Nick. Thank you.


Best,
Ed

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Ed. Strictly speaking 316 didn't collide with the other 2; 257 was hit by flak (or possibly an air-to-air rocket) and blew up, the debris bringing the others down.
MACRs 189B (316), 189C (257) and 189D (285). Location was off Heligoland.


Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Nick,


It's worth pointing out that the Germans did field air to air rockets.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Ed. Not really my subject but this could be N2453 (245 Sqn.) lost in France in May 1940; they put their "DX" code behind the cocarde covering part of the serial. Possibly DX-O or Q. "Fighter Command losses 1939-41" lists N2453 and N2491 as lost in France but no details. N2453 was on scrambles on 13 / 14 May in their ORB, flying from Hawkinge.
Maybe someone has more on her ?

Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

POST 3466. All 503FS / 339FG Fowlmere.


Photo 1. D7-C 44-14671 Lt. Col. Dale Shafer c/o. He had 4 claims with 31FG in the MTO (Spitfires).
D7-J-bar 44-15074 "Big Noise" Maj. Bill Bryan, OPS officer. Written-off on take-off 15 March 45 before escort mission (1/Lt. Rawls OK).


Photo 2. D7-U 44-72333 1/Lt. John Campbell. Finished tour. Note label on 75 Gal. tank.....
"CAPY. 75 U.S. GAL.--62.5 IMP. GAL.
SUITABLE FOR AROMATIC FUEL".


Photo 4. 44-73**2 ? not known, looks like 502 but can't be.
The hardstands are the 503rd's on west side of airfield, wooden planking fixed in place but there were also pierced steel.


Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

As always, outstanding.


Best,
Ed

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Post 3469.
Spitfire Vc 185 Sqn. on the beach at Scoglitti near Comiso 9 Sept. 1942 following a sweep over Sicily (7 a/c led by W/C Thompson) from Hal Far Malta; pilot was Sgt. Claude Weaver RCAF (American) POW, shot down by an Mc.202. He escaped later.
On 10 July 1943 the US. 45th Div. landed here in the invasion of Sicily.
There's been much discussion about her colours; the serial has been re-marked as non-standard so presumably overpainted.


Regards
Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thank you Nick. The serial does appear to be non-standard. I wonder if instructions regarding the size and style of markings exist.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

The Air Ministry and Ministry of Aircraft Production had regulations for everything. These are the authorised styles in the relevant Air Publication; "marking B" is for Day Fighters at home and abroard, 8" high with rounded numbers / letters, minimum of 6" from the tailplane leading edge. As painted in the factory but in service many (particularly in N. Africa, Malta and Italy) were re-marked smaller with re-paints. They should have been marked with original size and style but obviously not always followed.
The 2 subsequent Mk.Vc s BR113 (601 Sqn.) and BR114 (a special modification in Egypt) had correct style but smaller sizes. "C" was for Naval and amphibian aircraft, "D" for trainers. Colour was Night except for night bombers (Dull Red) and Coastal Command (Light Slate Grey).
Nick


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...06c29272_c.jpgraf-serials by Nicholas King, on Flickr

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thanks Nick.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

POST 3474.
Photo 1. B-17F 41-24418 "Special Delivery" 301BG , was with Group in England 1942 as "Mickey Finn" then to N. Africa (Twelfth AF) Nov. 42. Survived 90 missions.
2. B-24M 44-50997 "State Side Stuff" 380Bg / 5AF; the GI's case reads "Flying Circus SWPA" ( Group had animal emblems).Survived.
3. B-24H 42-64486 "The Piece Maker" (both sides) 456BG / 15AF. A/c 50, survived.
4.B-17G 44-6939 "Mizpah" (a religious meaning); 34BG / 8AF named by pilot's wife. Yellow squadron prop hubs and nose band. Survived.
5. B-24J 44-40518 named from the comic strip " The Katzenjammer Kids" ; 30BG / 7AF with squadron black tail bar. Survived.
6. B-24D (Mod.) name both sides; 5BG / 13AF. Not sure on serial.
7. B-24J 42-73142 5BG / 13AF; Solomon Is.The wolf is in a "Zoot Suit"; missing 2 April 44 on a mission to Dublon (Truk).
8. B-17F 42-5131 with 301BG / Eighth AF in England 1942 then Twelfth AF Nov. 42. With 2nd. and 99BGs Fifteenth AF 1943-4; artwork a bomb-throwing chicken. Battle-damaged then returned UK Air Depot, then home ( must have been very lucky).

Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thanks Nick.

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13527518385...WS4JVM0R5YYGXD
https://www.ebay.com/itm/37623730957...ZSX6ESGJKBM6K8

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

POST 3477.
Hi Ed. Can't help with the B-25 ( I believe the name is "Love" or "Kiss" in Serbo-Croat).
The target photo was taken from 26,000 ft. on 8AF Mission 901 (100BG mission 284) at their secondary target a tank factory at Plauen; the primary target, an oil plant at Ruhland was cloud so bombed visual at Plauen. The 100th had 1 loss, B-17G 44-8613 LN--T shot down by Me262s (other Groups were assigned jet airfields) possibly Fritz Mueller JG7 (from 100th history). MACR is 13572.
Regards
Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest
 

Thanks Nick. I realize that due to their sheer volume, it is not known today regarding why some targets were hit and what they were.

I am reminded of a funeral with a framed letter from the War Department. It was to inform the parents that their son's aircraft was shot down on a mission over Austria.