625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Dear all,

I have recently acquired a photo of the 625 Squadron strength at RAF Kelstern in 1944. Depicted in the photo is 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'. Who can give me the serial number of this Lancaster, and who can tell me when in 1944 the photo was taken?

Cheers and thanks, Theo

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Hello Theo,
From what I have, 625 Sqn
1944
Lancaster III - LM546 - 28/29-07-1944.
Lancaster III - LM691 - 23/10/1944.
1945
Lancaster I PB815 - 23/24-02/1945.
These three at least were coded "CF-O" when lost on ops.
Alex

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Hello,

At least two other No.625 Sqn Lancasters were coded "O":

III - ND636 - Lost 10/11-4-1944 -Aulnoye - coded CF-O when lost.
III - ND863 - 35/460/300/625/170 - coded "O2" some time when at 625 Sqn. S.O.C. 22/5/47.

See:
Avro Lancaster The Definite Record
Holmes,Harry
Shrewsbury:Airlife Publishing,2001 (2nd.ed.).
p.102

Col.

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Hello,
ND863 "O2" for Olivia, she carried this nickname on its nose with a nice nose art, flown by F/Lt John Marks DFC with SDF Binbrook. He came back to 625 Squadron with this kite after SDF was disbanded ….

Alain

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Thanks chaps for your replies -much appreciated! We can only narrow the aircraft down then if there's a date known when the Squadron strength/group photo was taken ..

Cheers, Theo

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Hello Theo

I think I have the same original photo in my Collection.

It is an unusual size of 20cm x 8cm - is yours the same ??

Fortunately, my photo has a caption !!

It says - 625 Squadron Aircrew, Kelstern April 1945 - I guess this Lanc survived the War...

Would also like to confirm its serial number.

Gerry

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Hi there,
If the picture was taken at Kelstern in April 1945, the Lancaster in the picture is ME524.She flew her first sortie 13-14/3/45 on Erin, and then a further eight to the end of March 1945 coded 'O'.On 5/4/45 625 Squadron relocated to Scampton,'C' Flight aircrew were posted to 576 Squadron and the remaining aircraft were all recoded as 'Squared', ME524 becoming 'O2'.As 'O2' she flew 13 more sorties, one abortive, to the end of May 1945.She is also listed as flying one 'Post Mortem' sortie in June 1945.

Re: 625 Squadron strength photo Kelstern 1944 & identity 625 Squadron Lancaster 'O'
 

Thanks for your interesting additional details chaps and for identifying the photo. Gerry; I'll PM you shortly.

Cheers, Theo