US serial for RAF Boston
 

What was the US serial for the RAF 18 Sqn Boston Mk.III serial AL 494, crashed on take-off Maison Blanche, 2-8-1943.
Also welcome the serial for 18 Sqn AL 497, collided with AL 747 while changing formation and crashed 2 miles SE of Teboursouk, Tunisia, 25-4-1943.
Regards,
Henk.

Re: US serial for RAF Boston
 

I do not believe these had USAAF Serials as they were direct purchase from US not Lend Lease

To be more accurate... Actually ex French Air Force ordered aircraft diverted to RAF

Re: US serial for RAF Boston
 

Thanks Paul. The reason I asked for was the crash of a DB-7B (A-20 ?) on 30th July 1944, based at airfield 107. A US Lt.Col (Pilot), a Major and 2 Sgts survived. Must have been a Staff kite. Also a serial AL491 was mentioned but this never entered service with the RAF. I asked for my friend Jan Hey who is working on Vol. 4 of US Losses 8th and 9th USAAF WW2 eto NW Europe.
Regards,
Henk.

Re: US serial for RAF Boston
 

Found this,
http://www.303rdbg.com/ac-aircraft.html See Douglas A-20 Havoc

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/s...730&Submit2=Go
See third from bottom

Re: US serial for RAF Boston
 

Hello Henk,

Details from AB's "The British Air Commission and Lend-Lease".
Boston III (DB-7B) Boeing - Contract - F-672
240 a/c accepted, 165 diverted to US. AL491;494;497 were from these a/c.
32 shipped to USSR.
Net British 43 a/c.
5 crashed in the US.AL382;471;473;476;477.
3 Sunk en route to UK.AL273;274;277.
35 to UK.
AL263;264;266;268-272;275;276;278;280;284-286;288-291;293;296;425;458;463;466-470;475;479-481;500.(34 ?).
Originally contracted for Armée de l'Air
RAF Serials.......... Manufacturer's Serials
AL263 - 336.............. 2130 - 2203
AL337 - 502.............. 2718 - 2883

AB's "RAF Aircraft AA100-AZ999" has
AL263;264;266;268;269;270;271;275;276;278;280;284; 285;286;288;289;290;291;293;296;425;458;459;463;466;467;468;469;470;474;475;479;480;481;494;497;500.(37 ?)
AL272 to 274 - Lost at sea en route, 21.12.41.
AL277 - Lost at sea 21.12.41.
( 4 lost at sea en route ?).

AL747 one of 76 to the UK, was a Douglas built Boston III (DB-7B) Contract F-719 manufacturer's serial 3679.
again 240 a/c in total, Manufacturer's serials 3600-3839.

All the best
Alex

Re: US serial for RAF Boston
 

Thanks friends, will inform my friend Jan.
Regards,
Henk.