Banquet plane

[karaya1.bf109]

Hello,

I've recently came across a term which I don't understand — "banquet plane". It was used in official Air Staff document dated 14th September 1940. Although I've been trying to find out what it means for past few days, I couldn't get its meaning. Probably, it may have been some slang, but I wonder why it was used in official RAF document?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Best regards

[Bruce Dennis]

I am perfectly prepared to be corrected, but I think this refers to a presentation aircraft, ie one paid for with money raised by public donations or fund-raising (hence the reference to banquets).


Hope this helps,

Bruce Dennis

[karaya1.bf109]

Well, the precise quotation is as follows:

Fighter cover to be given to the Bomber and 'Banquet' aircraft which will be attacking enemy's convoys and landing craft.

As far as I'm concerned, I can't imagine any concrete aircraft type which would fit in the 'Banquet' category. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought that the public donations enabled "only" fighters to be funded?

Best regards

[Bruce Dennis]

Hmmm....
I got the use of the phrase 'Banquet aircraft' from a man who was involved in wartime fundraising, but it clearly doesn't fit your example.

I believe the answer is that there was an Operation Banquet, which was a 1940 plan to mobilise training aircraft in the defence of the UK around the time of the invasion scare. The timescale fits.

Bruce

[karaya1.bf109]

Thanks a lot, Bruce, that would be the case.

Best regards