Hello,
Thank you all for your replies,
It is only the serial numbers of 801 Sqdn's first 18 Seafire XV's that I seek.
The answer to question 1 is 48 aircraft, not 36.
The answer to Question 3 is that 880 Sqdn increased its number of Seafire F.III's to 24 in January 45 as did 801 . So from then on there would have been 48 a/c.
To clear up my oversight, It now comes to me that I overlooked the fact that 801 Sqdn received the 18 Spitfires in/from
September 45 see my question 5.
When Implacable returned to British waters I assume that it brought back the remaining XV's along with all the other Squadrons aircraft ?
Col, re PR228, all "FAA aircraft 1939-1945" has is - AID check 24.11.44;Bankstown, returned from drop tank trials hit hill Barnawatha, Cat ZZ 8.8.45 (Pilot OK ).
Also
re PP949, "FAA aircrat 1939-1945" has - 801 Sqn Stbd u/c collapsed, into barrier, ditched, Cat ZZ 6.6.45 (S/L MH Payne OK).
re PP975, "FAA aircrat 1939-1945" has - 801 Sqn Implacable FTR strafing attack Truk island, Cat ZZ 14.6.45 ( S/L MH Payne Killed).
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...ERVYN%20HAROLD
However "Naval History .net" has Payne as MPK 24/6/45
http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1945-06JUN.htm ???
"FAA Aircraft 1939-1945" has NN613 880 Sqn struck rounddown, crashed Implacable Cat ZZ 14.6.45 (Lt. IKL Banyard OK).
And
PR124 - 880 Sqn Floated into barrier 14.6.45 (S/L DM Gunson of 880 Sqn).
PR126 - Practice DB exercise, lost one wing pulling out of steep dive, hit sea, caught fire, Cat ZZ 29.6.45 (S/L FA Dane killed) BUT 880 Sqn Implacable, heavy landing, floated into barrier 17.7.45 (S/L JE Letham).
So not these a/c for Scholfield."Naval History.net" has him as serving with 828 Sqn.
"FAA aircraft 1939-1945" has Avenger II serial JZ439 828 Sqn Implacable loss of power shortly after TO for shipping strike, ditched, Cat ZZ 14.6.45 (S/l RS Scholefield killed; S/L L Kalinauckas & LA RE Dollimore OK).
I could only find two (PP949 & PP975) losses for 801 in June 45 and possibly three ( NN613, PR124 & possibly PR126 )for 880.
Of interest, What became of all the surviving Seafire III's of 801 and 880 Were they left in Australia ?
Alex