Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Hi All,

Who can help me indentify this Hampder bomber.

I think this plane flow with the 408 Squadron (EQ-A)

If you can help,

Michel

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Going by the date on the photograph which is wrong as that Date, Year in the Hampden Files has AE438 EQ-N

Step into 1942 and you've: The Crew of Hampden 1 AT191,EQ-A of 408 Squadron left their base at Balderton at 22:58 on June 1, 1942. It is claimed that they were shot down by a night-fighter (Lt Karl-Heinz Vollkopf),11,/NJG2).

Link to: http://www.bombercrew.com/408/marlandtrib.htm

Regards

Andy Bird

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

My notes show AT191 crashed into the Ijsselmeer, with the wreckage being discovered in 1961 when this part of the Ijsselmeer was drained. That doesn't match the photo.

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

If we take the date as correct then the most likely candidate is AE433 of 408 Sqn that took off on the night of 08/09.11.41 for Essen piloted by P/O E L Houghton RNZAF and was shot down at Renkensfort near Maasbree by Oblt Dimter of Stab I/NJG1. The crew were taken prisoner.

The photo would have been taken in daylight the next day.

Chorley gives it the code EQ-D, but it is possible he is wrong

The last 408 Sqn loss before 08/11/41 was on 22/10/41 so is unlikely

Obviously if the day is wrong...

Martin

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

No leaves on the trees would indicate early Winter which could favour AE433 not AE438

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Hello,

Here is the rear fuselage of AE433 http://www.rafweb.org/images/Hampden%20tail.jpg

Looks like a "D" to me!

See also: http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn400-410.htm

Col

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your info,
The date was written on the backside of the picture, I think its wrong..
I did also research after AE433 which crashed on Maasbree.
Bill is right, The AT191 crashed into the IJselmeer.
Hampden AT224 also code (EQ-A) was hit May 15th 1942 It exploded in the air and, burning, crashed into the sea west of Samsø.
AT113 also code EQ-A, while flying a air test, crashed in a field cropped with oats 2 Miles of the airfield.(July 29th 1942)
I don't know how many planes flow with the EQ-A code

Michel

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Hello Michel,
For what its worth,

Hampden file has AE433 as EQ-S

As for a few "A's"
25/26-1-1942
AD782 - Op Brest -EQ-A
27/28-3-1942
AT176 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
15/16-5-1942
AT224 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
1/2-6/1942
AT191 - Op Essen - EQ-A
21/22-7-1942
AT139 - Op Duisburg - EQ-A
29-7-1942
AT113 - Op Air Test - EQ-A

Details from Chorley BCL vol3 and AB's Hampden File.

Others that no letter seems to be known -
AD754 - 21/22-1-1942
AD842 - 8/9-3-1942
AE139 - 25/26-3-1942
AT186 - 11-4-1942
AT120 - 12/13-4-1942
AT141 - 14/15-4-1942
AE426 - 28/29-4-1942
P5334 - 26/27-7-1942
AE177 - 28/29-8-1942
AT143 - 28/29-8-1942
AE385 - 12-9-1942

Alex

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Some additions/corrections to Alex's list:

AD754 was EQ*Y
AE177 was not used, part of a black our block
AE385 was with 420 Sdn when lost, PT*L
P5334 was EQ*Q

Re: Indentify this Hampden Bomber
 

Hello Bill,

Thanks for correction AE177, should have read AE197, my typo error -again :(

Re AE385,
Hampden file has -
44/420/408 - 12.9.42- Stalled dived into ground Balderton.

Choreley BCLvol3 has -
12 Sep 1942 - 408 Sqn - Hampden I - AE385 - EQ- - Training
Sgt G M Frame RCAF +
F/S W G Keogh RCAF +
T/o Balderton for circuit practice, stalled and crashed 2123, bursting into flames, just over 2 miles NE of the airfield. Both airmen are buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery.
Note: This was the last Hampden written off by an operational Bomber Command squadron.

Also both crewmen are recorded as 408 Sqn in CWGC lists.

All the best
Alex