418 Squadron Mosquitoes, Lt. Lou Luma

[Garth Didlick]

I would like to know the serial numbers of the Mosquitoes that Luma flew in gaining his 5 victories between Jan. 22nd and Mar. 21st 1944. According to Christopher Shores Aces High Vol.2 the code letters were:
21 Jan "TH-D"
13 Feb "TH-X"
6 Mar "TH-Y"
21 Mar "TH-U"

[Mark Proulx]

Lou Luma s/n for his Mosquito claims were:

Jan 21st-HJ715
Feb 13th-HJ764
Mar 6th-HX816
Mar 21st-HJ719

HTH

Mark Proulx

[mhuxt]

Many thanks for that Mark.

Was any of these a "named" aircraft? I have it in my mind that the aircraft used for the January claim was Daisy Mae.

[Mark Proulx]

MarK;

The named planes of 418 have caused me the most grief in my research. Photos of the nose art invariably don't show the serial number on the tail. A picture of the tail doesn't reveal the nose art as it is blocked by the wings! I just can't win.

The primary records don't mention any given aircraft by its name. Only by serial number. Consequently, it has been difficult to match s/n to art work through primary sources.

Of the list above, my records show the only named aircraft to be Moonbeam McSwine HJ719. To date I have not been able to identify which aircraft was Daisy Mae. I would appreciate any input on the identity if some comes up.

Mark Proulx

[Tom Semenza]

Mark,

Great info on the serials. What is your source? Another group I've been looking for is for Charles Scherf as follows:

TH-R Nov.43-Feb.44
TH-Y 2/20/44
TH-J 2/21/44
TH-F 2/26/44
TH-F 4/5/44
TH-X 5/2/44
TH-T 5/16/44

As far as the named aircraft I have the following noted:

HAIRLESS JOE (HR147) TH-Z Russell Bannock
Li'l Abner (MM421) H.D. Cleveland
Earthquake McGoun TH-K C.M. Jasper
"Black Rufe" (NS850) TH-M R.A. Kipp

Tom

[Mark Proulx]

I maintain a number of original documents and photos on file with the long term goal of publication on 418 and its WW 2 history.

As to the named aircraft above, I have no information for Jaspers THK and can't confirm the codes with named artwork. The other three match my records.

HTH

Mark Proulx

[Tom Semenza]

Thanks, Mark. I look forward to your history of 418 Sqn. some day. Do you happen to know the serials matching the codes for Scherf's Mossies as noted in my previous post?

Tom

[pbfoot]

I have in front of me a pic of Luna/Finlayson and Cleveland/Day standing infront of the 418 Sqn Mosquito named Moonbeam Mcswine on 3 April 44 in Holmsley South . I don't know if this helps there are no visible numbers