418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

I would like to know the serial numbers of the Mosquitoes that Luma flew in gaining his 5 victories between Jan. 22nd and Mar. 21st 1944. According to Christopher Shores Aces High Vol.2 the code letters were:
21 Jan "TH-D"
13 Feb "TH-X"
6 Mar "TH-Y"
21 Mar "TH-U"

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

Lou Luma s/n for his Mosquito claims were:

Jan 21st-HJ715
Feb 13th-HJ764
Mar 6th-HX816
Mar 21st-HJ719

HTH

Mark Proulx

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

Many thanks for that Mark.

Was any of these a "named" aircraft? I have it in my mind that the aircraft used for the January claim was Daisy Mae.

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

MarK;

The named planes of 418 have caused me the most grief in my research. Photos of the nose art invariably don't show the serial number on the tail. A picture of the tail doesn't reveal the nose art as it is blocked by the wings! I just can't win.

The primary records don't mention any given aircraft by its name. Only by serial number. Consequently, it has been difficult to match s/n to art work through primary sources.

Of the list above, my records show the only named aircraft to be Moonbeam McSwine HJ719. To date I have not been able to identify which aircraft was Daisy Mae. I would appreciate any input on the identity if some comes up.

Mark Proulx

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

Mark,

Great info on the serials. What is your source? Another group I've been looking for is for Charles Scherf as follows:

TH-R Nov.43-Feb.44
TH-Y 2/20/44
TH-J 2/21/44
TH-F 2/26/44
TH-F 4/5/44
TH-X 5/2/44
TH-T 5/16/44

As far as the named aircraft I have the following noted:

HAIRLESS JOE (HR147) TH-Z Russell Bannock
Li'l Abner (MM421) H.D. Cleveland
Earthquake McGoun TH-K C.M. Jasper
"Black Rufe" (NS850) TH-M R.A. Kipp

Tom

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

I maintain a number of original documents and photos on file with the long term goal of publication on 418 and its WW 2 history.

As to the named aircraft above, I have no information for Jaspers THK and can't confirm the codes with named artwork. The other three match my records.

HTH

Mark Proulx

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

Thanks, Mark. I look forward to your history of 418 Sqn. some day. Do you happen to know the serials matching the codes for Scherf's Mossies as noted in my previous post?

Tom

Re: 418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma
 

I have in front of me a pic of Luna/Finlayson and Cleveland/Day standing infront of the 418 Sqn Mosquito named Moonbeam Mcswine on 3 April 44 in Holmsley South . I don't know if this helps there are no visible numbers