Russian use of Handley Page Hampdens

[Larry]

I have seen references and a few photos concerning the Hampden used by the Russians with the Third Squadron of The 24th Mine and Torpedo Aviation Regiment, Northern Fleet (after the RAF / RAAF had left Northern Russia), but did they make much use of them? Did any other Russian units use them and as a type did they last only a few weeks in Russian service?

Any info greatly appreciated

[Fanair]

Hello Larry,

In Red Stars 4 lend -lease aircraft in Russia by Guest and Petrov it's said that Hampden were only used by 24 MTAP elevated to Guard status on 31 May 1943 becoming 9 GMTAP.

Alain

[Fanair]

Hampden were operated by Soviet from Vayenga from oct 1942 to July 1943

Alain

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Larry

I have seen references and a few photos concerning the Hampden used by the Russians with the Third Squadron of The 24th Mine and Torpedo Aviation Regiment, Northern Fleet (after the RAF / RAAF had left Northern Russia), but did they make much use of them? Did any other Russian units use them and as a type did they last only a few weeks in Russian service?

Any info greatly appreciated

Hello Larry,

The brief version is as follows. They were used by the whole regiment, which received 20 in October 1942. The last were taken out of service in July 1943, after most were lost in combat or accidents. So they did see quite a bit of action. No other units flew the type, because there were no flyable aircraft left after July.

I've sent you a PM.

Regards,

Paul

[Juha]

Hello Larry

Maybe still not impossible to get is the Flypast October 2012. In it there is Vladimir KOTELNIKOV’s and Yuriy RYBIN’s article 'Balalaika' on the use of Hampdens by the 24 MTAP.

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Juha

Maybe still not impossible to get is the Flypast October 2012. In it there is Vladimir KOTELNIKOV’s and Yuriy RYBIN’s article 'Balalaika' on the use of Hampdens by the 24 MTAP.

Hello Juha,

Thank you for the source. Do you know whether FlyPast issues indexes of published articles? Their website search function is reasonably good, but an index would be even better. I am not a frequent reader of FlyPast, so I apologise if the answer to my question should be obvious.

Regards,

Paul

[Juha]

Originally Posted by Paul Thompson

Hello Juha,

Thank you for the source. Do you know whether FlyPast issues indexes of published articles? Their website search function is reasonably good, but an index would be even better. I am not a frequent reader of FlyPast, so I apologise if the answer to my question should be obvious.

Regards,

Paul

No I don't. I'm also an infrequent reader of FlyPast. Sorry that I cannot help on this.

Juha

[markjsheppard]

Larry

Two squadrons went out - Operation Orator-Ham.

455 and 144Sqn. Off the top of my head it was 38 off Hampdens that flew from Scotland/over Shetland/sweden/norway and to land in northern Russia. They were sent as a deterant against the Tirpitz after PQ16. 1942

A number were lost in Sweden/Finl;and and norway or crashing in Russia. After remaining there for a cmonth or so (along with Recon Spitfires).

P1344 is being restored at Cosford. (Ex-144Sqn). One or two tried to land at Kitkenes (Luftwaffe base).

regards

Mark

[Juha]

Yes, there was also a Catalina sqn for searches, altogether 32 Hampdens, 13 Catalinas and 4 Spitfires to protect PQ-18 and QP-14. Hampdens flew only one mission searching Tirpitz for an attack but found nothing. Then it was decided that flight back to GB against prevailing winds would be too foolhardy, so it was decided to turn over the surviving Hampdens to the Russians and the crews returned on warship(s). One of the Hampdens flown by a Sqn/Ldr on way to the SU landed in Norway and Germans got important papers from it on the PQ 18, IIRC also its timetable, but that was also picked off by the Finnish radio-intelligence who had intercepted and decoded a low-level VVS message which also gave away the timetable of the PQ 18.

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Juha

Yes, there was also a Catalina sqn for searches, altogether 32 Hampdens, 13 Catalinas and 4 Spitfires to protect PQ-18 and QP-14. Hampdens flew only one mission searching Tirpitz for an attack but found nothing. Then it was decided that flight back to GB against prevailing winds would be too foolhardy

Juha,

Do you know anything about the fate of the Catalinas? The Hampdens and Spitfires have been written about in Russian sources, but I've never seen anything on the Catalinas.

For reference, the 3 links below have data relevant to the transfer flights:

1. Brief mention of the operation
http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/histo...pden-AE436.htm

2. List of Hampdens lost on the way to the USSR
http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/tsatsa.html

3. Mention of one of the lost Hampden aircrew murdered during the Great Escape
http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gt_esc/

Regards,

Paul