Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Hey guys...

I was curious if anyone has info on this bird?

Loss was probably over Germany or France...

TIA

Mike

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Serial makes no sense-should be two letters and three digits?

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Hey Chris...

Ahhhhhhhhh! I think what I have is a modification plate....

I assumed that because it is black (outside skin), and "EEP" was written, then it was an English Electric Main Plate...

See below:

https://axis-militaria.com/wp-conten...2023/04/iu.jpg

https://axis-militaria.com/wp-conten...3/04/87655.jpg


I assume there is really no way to ID the Bird this came from?

TIA

Mike

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Chris is right, a Halifax would either be two letters and three digits or otherwise a single letter and 4 digits (earlier production types).

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

EEP 23959 would be what is often called the manufacturer's serial number, or construction number. It is not linked to the aircraft serial number.
Other than knowing that this aircraft was built by English Electric (Salmesbury), I cannot offer any more as to its likely identity.
This system was used cumulatively by English Electric for years, eg:

EEP 42232 was Vampire F3 VF323

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

There is a heritage group at Warton, headed (I think) by Tony Wilson, who may well have production records of the EE Halifaxes. Although the construction numbers may not follow in exact sequence with the serials, they will have been linked in the records, and certainly you should be able to refine the search to a fairly small number of possibilities. Another useful piece of information is that Mod.194 was the last incorporated on the production at that time.

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Thanks Graham!

Do you happen to have a link or can point me in a direction....cannot seem to find anything online... :(

Mike

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

I found i by looking "Heritage Group BAES Warton". Try https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/our-company/heritage

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Hey Graham!

Sadly, I never heard back from them...but I did get this info from the person I acquired it from:

He said he cannot give me the crash location...but he did provide me this info:

Lost March 24, 1944
Halifax MK. III
640 Squadron
Shot down by Karl Heinz Seele of 5/JG302.

P/O McLeod
Sgt. Burdett
Sgt. Boston
Sgt. Cooper
Sgt. Webb

That should be enough to pinpoint the exact bird, but I cannot find anything on the webb...

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

LM430 but the crew from this are all still missing as opposed to buried? If this piece has come from this crash, have the remains crew been recovered?

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

I have LW430 crashing 22km N of Torgau

Would that coincide with where the vendor comes from?

Martin

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

remains must have been recovered...as there was an article in Germany about the crash site.

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

See link

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/07402.php

There was a BBC news item on it but it is no longer on their website

Martin

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Thanks Martin...

Very sad...but glad the crew was finally laid to rest...

Mike

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

I'm sorry you didn't get any help from my ex-colleagues, but is three days really long enough to count as "never"? This is not a business nor public service, but a collection of ex-employees given space and access to old files, attending whenever they can find the time. Possibly the person with knowledge of the Halifax production data simply hasn't been in on those days to pick up the request. I'm afraid I haven't been involved personally, but I have seen photos published that I know were requested by external individuals.

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Hello Mike,

are you searching for that Halifax?

640. Sqn. (RAF) / Handley Page Halifax Mk. III / # LW430 / Operation Berlin / Shot by Bf 109 - Oberleutnant Seeler - 5./JG 302 / Attempted emergency landing / Contact with trees / Crashed near the “Gerbismühle” near Gerbisbach, south of Jessen (Elster - Sachsen-Anhalt) - Germany / Pilot Officer William Collins McLeod / 7 KIA
(In 2003, the working group "Missing Persons Research Saxony-Thuringia" found the crash site. The crew members were rescued and now rest in the military cemetery in Berlin)

Cheers

Fred

Re: Info needed on RAF Halifax EEP 23959...
 

Thanks for all the info Fred!!!

:)

Mike