272 sqn. beau trouble
 

Hi all.

http://www.marinefoundation.org/beaufighter-1.jpg
This picture appears in Chaz Bowyer's "Beaufighter at war".

The text states that it is a Mk VIc serialed V8638.

Now here is the problem. V8638 was VIF. Furthermore in the photo it looks like it has the strait tail plans of the early mark.
Also in "beaufighter in action" by jerry scott there is a drawing of this aircraft, this time with the dihedral tailplans and serialed T9068, a serial that acording to Victor Bingham's "Bristol Beaufighter" appendix 2 was not given to any Beau.

Any help apreciated.

Cheer nick

Re: 272 sqn. beau trouble
 

Hi colour profile in Warpaint series No.1 has this a/c as T9068. with angled tail unit. But again photo shows flat tail unit.
Caption for same photo in Jerry Scutts book has it as T5043 of 252 Sqdn.
Have looked at this with magnifying glass and can make out the "T" and a "5" and a "4" also could be the other two numbers but not very clear.
Air Britain T1000 - V9999
Has
For V8638
301 FTU/ 1 OADU/ 600/ 414 US...to USAAF 30-11-1943.

For T9068
NOTHING between Sunderland T9050 and Sunderland T9070

For T5043
272/252...U/c retracted in error after landing, Magrun, 16/7/43. DBR.
Alex

Re: 272 sqn. beau trouble
 

Hi alex

Thanks for the fast reply.
This means that T5043 is a Mk Ic. But 353 sqn. did not opperate beaus. Could it be 252 sqn.

Still interested to know what planes the other two serial belonged to.

Cheers Nick

Re: 272 sqn. beau trouble
 

Hi Alex

And thank you one more time.
Just have two more questions.
1. Is it possibly that T5043 was upgrated to the dihedral tail section.
2. What other a/c of 272 sqn. had the individual code letter V.

Cheers Nick