Aircraft coding

[BIG TYKE]

DOes anyone know how Bombers recieved their codes?

I will explain my dilema: Halifax V coded DK267 NA-H according to sources was lost 23-24 Aug 1943 Sweden.
On the same OP DK267 NA-E.

But then DK267 NA-H is on a raid to Nurmburg 27-28 Aug 1943.

Given that it could be a clerical error on the 23-24 Aug or did several a/c have the same coding?

Any help would be appreciated.

Nick

[Graham Boak]

DK267 is the serial: each aircraft has its own, and they are not duplicated.
NA is the squadron code
H or E are individual aircraft codes: the squadron will only have one of each at any one time, but when aircraft H (say) is lost or returned to a maintenance unit for major servicing, another aircraft will be given the same individual code.

So DK267 could have been coded NA-H. At another time it could have been coded NA-E, but changing of the individual codes within a unit is not too common. Once DK267 had been lost, another aircraft would beome NA-H (or NA-E, as appropriate).

This appears to be a clerical error (or two), but on which day? What sources are you using?

[BIG TYKE]

Hi Graham

Thanks for the reply and clearing my query up. I will put it down to a typing error until I find anything different.

Source was 428 Sqn ORB

Op Berlin

Nick

[Graham Boak]

Halifax File gives the loss as 24 August at Annelov, Sweden.

[Icare9]

Big Tyke: As per Grahams explanation it seems likely that as DK267 "H" was lost on 24th August, by 23rd September LK635 was NA H when lost attacking Hannover, so either it or another aircraft was NA-H in time for their next operation. For what it's worth, LK635 was the last NA-H code lost on operations (although obviously other aircraft could have been "H" temporarily, but not at the time of their loss).
Most Squadrons had 3 Flights of 6 or 8 aircraft each, so the alpha code worked out nicely, but individual aircraft could have different letters depending on circumstances such as loss or repair as outlined by Graham As new aircraft came in to replace losses so they would be painted with any "missing" code and take that aircrafts place in the dispersal bay. If you look at aerial photos of bomber bases you can see these dispersal areas off the taxiways, keeping safe distance between each aircraft in case of explosion while bombing up etc...
Hope that helps!!

[BIG TYKE]

Many thanks to you both.

DK267 NA-H loss Sweden was piloted by READ.
DK267 NA-H appears again 4 days later piloted by McRae. it is believed that this a/c was damaged after Munich.
LK635 NA-H piloted by McRae lost as you stated 22/23/9/1943 Hanover. it is the McRae crew I am researching.

So this follows the rules you both set out, but I am then correct in the typing error as there could not have been 3 DK267's. Only the NA (428's code) & H is interchangable.

Nick

[Bill Walker]

Nick;

I have seen this type of error before in ORBs. Some ORBs only reported codes, not serials. I suspect in some units the author of the ORB received only codes, and may have kept an informal list to add matching serial numbers. If they weren't informed of the loss of one aircraft and substitution of another serial with the same code, they might keep using the old serial.

Some ORBs have an end of month list of serials versus codes. This can help you narrow down when a code was re-assigned to a new serial number, and might help you figure out the correct serial for NA-H on 27/28 August.

[Larry]

My father who served as a pilot on many Squadrons in his 43 year service with the RAF, used to joke with me that the Sqn ORB was always completed by the 'thickest' person on the Sqn (ie the person with least intelligence)!!!

As for record books and ORBs they are as Bill says quite unreliable and sometimes having a 'visually complete record' was more important to the person than its accuracy. Even my Dad's log books have just the codes for Wellingtons he flew with 1 ANS and later some serials were made up. He even has the serial for the prototype Westland Wyvern in his log book which I don't think served on an RAF Transport Command unit!!!!

[Bill Walker]

To be fair Larry, I have seen a few ORBs and squadron diaries written by someone who was obviously just dying to become a great author. Not saying they deserved to be, but they wanted to be.

Also, I think ORB writing was never any one's full time job. They probably had something else waiting for them while typing up the daily log.

[BIG TYKE]

May be the ORB's were not written up on the day or even week of the entries. And I can well imagine many sqn records are not as complete as they should have been. Later in 1943 the ORB's for 428 Sqn do get better. But it is 18 Aug to 23 Sept that I am researching and sods law says "we will just make it a bit harder for you to find what you want".
I have some ORB's for 101 Sqn same period and they are more detailed. So it was not all records, just the ones I need.

I will see if the monthly appendix have any further info thanks Bill.

Regards

Nick