Sideshow Stars
 

Hi,

This my first post here, so I hope I'm putting this in right place.

Two stars from Haken's Aviation page and associated Biplane pages (brilliant place if you've not been there yet), are:

1. Fl/Lt. A B Mitchell, 430 Flight, who claimed a Caproni CaA133 over Metemma Airfield (Sudan, or thereabouts?) on 07.09.40 while flying K5355 - a Gloster Gauntlet of all things!

2. Lt. Blake, 1 Sqn SAAF, who got a Caproni Ca 133 on 03.08.40 flying Hawker FURY (ye Gods!) '203'. He was based at Wajir in Kenya.

I want to build models of both the the Gauntlet and the Fury involved. So it's question time:

Does anyone know whether either aircraft carried squadron codes or other distinguishing marks, and if so what were they?

The Gauntlet might have carried 47 Sqn markings (KU?), as 430 Flight was formed from a nucleus of 'D' Flight 47 Sqn. But is that fact or surmise, and would it have carried a third letter?

As to 1 sqn SAAF, I've no ideas as to markings. Was the '203' on the Fury a serial number in the usual place, or a larger identification number on the fuselage behind the roundal, or even on the wings? What colour were the numbers?

Any help really, really appreciated.

Bob

Re: Sideshow Stars
 

Bob,

There's a drawing of a SAAF Fury with serial 217 on this link: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...=3946&page=106

Perhaps this gives you an idea?

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Sideshow Stars
 

Bob,

More of the Gauntlet here? See http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/re..._bulldog.shtml

Author Alex Crawford may very well be the distinguished senior member on this website!

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Sideshow Stars
 

Leendert,

Many thanks for your help. The pic of Fury '217' is very helpful, and I'll find me a copy of the Gauntlet/Bulldog book somewhere.

The sites are also new to me, as I've mainly been into WW1 aviation until recently, so I'll be spending some time exploring them.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Bob