122 Squadron information help!

[smokie]

Hello All,

Sorry to be a pain but does any kind Soul have any answers to these Questions please concerning 122 Sqn Mustang III's at Andrewsfield circa December 1945 onwards?

I do have the ORB's but they do not marry the Individual Code Letters to the Serial Numbers - Any Idea what Codes go with these Serials please:

FX871/SR429/FZ177(Y?)/FB164/FX989/FB195/FX942/FB199/FZ126/FZ165/
FZ184

And lastly does anyone have any Images of any Late war Mustangs from this Squadron (January 1945-Onwards) with type "C" upper wing Roundels (Order 03/01/1945) and/or Silver Finished (Camouflage Removed - Order 08/03/1945) Aeroplanes?
The Polish Squadron Images are infinitely more prolific than any other Mustang Squadrons in RAF Service but sadly 122 Sqn seem to be very elusive?

Many Thanks - Keith.

[SteveB]

Hi Keith I assume you mean from December 1944?

I have the following some are more certain than others.

FB164 G
FB195 L?
FB199 N?
FX871 N?
FX942 X
FX989 Z?
FZ126 Z?
FZ165 M?
FZ177 Y
FZ184 P
SR429 L

I would be interested to know what you are referring to when you write "...Silver Finished (Camouflage Removed - Order 08/03/1945)" What Order is that?

From my experience photos of 122Sqn Mustangs at any time are as rare as rocking horse do-do!

Steve

[gedburke3]

Hi Smokie,
Slightly off topic but I have an oil painting of 122 squadron and their Mustangs.

It covers the period that they were in France after D day but is only about 10-15 years old.

I could post a picture of it if you want to see it.

Gerry

[smokie]

Hello Steve & Gerry,

Extreme thanks for replying & putting me out of my misery! - At least I now have some Codes to Serials

(Trying to build a Model Replica of a 122 Sqn Mustang flown by W/O Gordon Watkins RAAF)

And yes I did mean December 1944 (Senior Moment!) - The Order that I was referring to as regards the "removal of Camouflage Paint from all Mustangs as from 08/03/1945" came from an excellent little Book entitled "Camouflage & Markings - N.A. Mustang - RAF Northern Europe 1936-45 - page 47".

I must admit that most end of War pictures that I have seen of Mustang III's still show Camouflage Aeroplanes but in some Polish squadrons they seem to have followed this order? - Attached are two Images of 309 Sqn & one of 306 Sqn both at Andrewsfield circa 1945.

And yes please Gerry I would love to see your Picture of a 122 Sqn Machine

Once again Many thanks -Best Regards Keith.

[gedburke3]

Hi Smokie,
Here it is.
Doesn't really help with your quest for serial numbers though.
regards
Gerry

[smokie]

Smashing Jerry - Many thanks

A Picture speaks a Thousand Words! - Now has anybody got any Images of a 122 Sqn Mustang from 01/01/1945 - 01/08/1945 at all? (It seems only the Poles had Cameras at Andrewsfield?) - I know the Holy Grail!

Many Thanks - Keith.

[SteveB]

Hi Keith

I think the photo of 309Sqn including WCX was taken on 5/4/45 but the other two are post war. I don't think there is much evidence that many Mustang III were stripped during hostilities - there was a great deal of work involved.

I look forward to seeing the product of your appeal for more 122Sqn photos!

Steve

[smokie]

Many thanks for all of your help Steve with the Code Numbers - A Really big help there (May I ask how you obtained them if at all possible - Source/Reference etc? ).

And yes I do hope that a request for any 122 Sqn Mustang Images will bear fruit -I have searched for quite a while now & have only found perhaps only half a Dozen & most if not all are around June 1944 & none Post December 1944 - But we live in hope

All the best - Keith.

[SteveB]

Keith

Most of the code letters come from entries in pilot logbooks cross referenced to the ORB.

Thanks for the book reference I had forgotten about that. It would be good to find the document that the authors were looking at.

Do you have a particular link to W/O Watkins?

Steve

[smokie]

Hello Steve ,

I traced Gordon a while ago through some family Documents after my Gran unfortunately passed away & paid the "Unlock" fee to release his RAAF Records so they would be able to view for all in.pdf Format.

Sadly I have never been able to source his Logbook so an awful lot of his Service/Flying Time is still shrouded in Mystery & all I have to go on is the Squadron ORB's .

Here is his link for his Service Records though:
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameS...arcode=5241858

If this Link has timed out there should be attached a Screen shot of the Search Information.

It seems at the end of his RAAF Service he was made up to F/O from W/O.
Perhaps this helped his Pension Payout?

He certainily had a varied Career flying different Aircraft mainly in Canada it seems?

Anyway many thanks for the Linking Information - I will have a go at that myself!

Best Regards - Keith.