sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

A friend of mine was a SAS member during WWII: he was parachuted in France behind the frontline in August 1944 and he showed me the picture herewith attached dating from this period.

You can see a Halifax with the SAS teams boarding.

Its left wing has something painted underneath: can anybody explain what was this marking ?

thanks & good evening

GC

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Hello,

Looks like it reads 'NAID4'....can't find any reference to that acronym relating to 297 sqn or the Halifax generally.

Regards,

Ian

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

I think it is the serial. NA104 was a Halifax B.III built by Rootes.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

I think Bill is correct and the requirement to paint serial numbers under the wing in this manner was introduced in July 1945 after the war to deter low-flying.

Steve

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

That date matches nicely with a B.III having been converted to paratroop transport.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Air Britain RAF serial books say NA104 was with 297 then 21 HGCU and SOC 26-9-47

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Thanks gentlemen.

GC

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Any BTW - the Code L5 was used by 297 Sqn on its Halifax a/c when it was re-equipped with the Halifax in Nov 1944.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Do the marks above the roundels suggest that this aircraft was with the Airborne forces in late 1944, when black and white stripes were carried in this position? That would make it an early A Mk.III conversion.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

:D September - March 1945, so the use of 'D-Day stripes' would be possible for Arnhem
err.... bit late for Arnhem?
The tanks only stopped for teas, not a whole year!! lol!!!!

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

I think he meant September 44 to March 45.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Whoops - thats what I meant to say - Sept 44- March 45 though havng said that it would be quite something to go from production line to Arnhem in first few weeks of Sept 1944 - assuming it was built on 1st Sept 1944.

PS - Its not the best time to post a reply when your Ps'ed

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

I've found a few examples of British produced aircraft going from first flight to operational unit in the UK in less than a week.

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

And yet every aircraft I want to research seems to have been at MU's for months before being released

Re: sharing a Halifax picture .... and a question about it
 

Depends on the aircraft maturity, and the operational need. In late 1941 and early 1942 new Spitfires Vs were going to fighter squadrons within a few days of first flight, for use over the Continent. When the Lancasters first came out there were a lot of mods and updates to be done at the MUs, and they would be there for months. I would think a Halifax III in fall of 1944 would be a mature design, with regular losses at Bomber Command, plus the new airborne squadrons being formed.