Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi,

I have recently come into the possesion of two photos that show an abandoned 615 Sqn Gladiator in France. The code is KW-F. Would anyone know the serial for this aircraft?

I have seen a couple of other photos of this aircraft both taken in France by 615 Sqn personnel, but no serial is visible. Does anyone have any other serial/code tie ups for 615 Sqn? I have the following;

K7949/RR-E, N2308/KW-T, N2312/KW-M, N5581/RR-C

Regards,

Alex

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

From MJF Bowyer Fighting Colours 1937-1969 p.26: Jan. 1940 KW-A K7976.

Photos in this book indicate serials painted-out. That makes things a bit awkward...

K7949 and K7976 were Mk1s; N2308, N2312 and N5581 were MkIIs ( ref: Bruce Robertson British Military Aicraft Serials 1911-1979.

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the serial/code. Trying to tie up the serial/codes for 615 and 607 Sqn for that matter has become a bit of a challenge, but I'll get there in the end, hopefully.

Alex

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hello Alex,
have you the old F.K Mason book ?

If not then the folowing may be of use.

615 Kenley 9/38
K5266,5269,5294,5300,5313,5326,5338.5340,5341,5357 .
K7823,7824,7825,7826,7837,7841,7846,7854,7857.
615 Kenley 7/39
K7946,7949,7961,7987,8044,7951,7956,7957,7958,7960 ,7965,7984,7979,8004.
615 Croydon 10/39
N2303,2304,2306,2310,2312,2314,
N5577,5578,5580,5581,5582,5583,5585,5586,5587.
615 Merville & Vitry, France 10-12/39
N2303,2304,2306,2308,2309,2310,2312.
615Merville France 11/39
N5577,N5578,5580,5581,5582,5583,5585.
515 Vitry 1/40
N5586,5587,5590.
615 Vitry 1939-1940
N5717,N5899,N5900.

Hope this is of use to your search.
Alex

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi Alex

I can offer K7938 KW-T (April 1940); N2304 KW-R (April 1940-May, returned to UK). Not much, I'm afraid.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi Alex, Brian

Thanks for the additonal info. I have the Mason book, with all the serials. I hoping that someone somewhere may have access to 615 Sqn pilot logs that may have the details I am looking for.

It's a long shot but that's how I was able to tie up all the Tsetse Mosquito serials to their code/letter.

Alex

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi Alex

As you are well aware, not many of these veterans still around - main hope is that logbooks have been donated to Hendon, or that offspring can be located who may have the logs. Probably many were lost in the evacuation from France. Tony Eyre's logbook is at Kew - have you seen it? Of course you know that Mason was incorrect in his assertion that 607/615 Gladiators shot down aircraft in France after 10 May. Anyway, I will keep an eye open for you. The North-East Air Museum (? Sunderland) has a collection of material relating to 607 Squadron including photographs - maybe they can be of help.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Some serials

D - N5578
KW:H - N5580
KW:J - N5587
KW:K - N5581
KW:M - N2314
KW:S - N5582

Taken from night flying detail dated 20/9/39 held at Sutton Library

Re: Looking for Gladiator serial
 

Hi Thunderbird,

Many thanks for the serial/code tie ups.

Alex