[niallc]

Hi Jerry

I've never seen a photo or logbook entry to support this, but, for what it's worth, a 1990 article in Aeromilitaria on the subject of personal codes says "AHD: Whirlwind 1 at Colerne 3.42 recorded as P7001, but more likely P7007 of 263 Squadron. Flown by Wing Commander AH Donaldson, the Wing Commander Flying." The use of the word "recorded" implies there's some sort of documentary evidence - possibly a spotter's notebook!

As you know the practice of allowing personal codes started in late 41 and was supposedly for officers of Wing Commander rank or higher. Donaldson was promoted to the (acting?) rank of Wing Commander in August and was due to be posted as Wing Commander (Flying) at Portreath. He seems not to have taken up this appointment, but continued flying with 263 Squadron on occasion - flying his usual P7001 until it was lost with another pilot on September 10th. His final operational flight with the squadron was to Morlaix airfield on September 28th, flying P7044. He was injured by flak shrapnel during this attack and the Colerne ORB records him returning to duty on 27 October from "leave after injuries received on ops over northern France."

Is it possible that after his promotion he had his "usual" aircraft P7001 re-coded with the personal codes he was now entitled to carry. This would fit with the orginally-recorded serial, but not the date.

If the 3.42 date is correct P7001 is obviously not a candidate, but P7007 might be. At this point Donaldson was still at Colerne but 263 Squadron and its Whirlwinds were only there from 26 Jan to 11 Feb on which date they moved to Fairwood Common. Although P7007 was on the squadron's strength it does not appear to have flown on any operations with them during this period. So did Donaldson retain it as a "hack" (and have it painted with his codes) at Colerne until he too was posted to Fairwood Common on 16 April.

Not really an answer, but HTH
NiallC