Late war NMF 65 sqn Mustang operations over Norway?

[runeha]

Hi!

Are there any chance that some of the Mustangs used in late-war raids over Norway were in Natural Metal Finish. I've seen pictures of NMF planes both from 65 and 315 (Polish) sqn. and I know that both squadrons operated over Norway.

Any help appreciated

Best regards
Rune
Norway

[Terry McGrady]

Originally Posted by runeha

Hi!

Are there any chance that some of the Mustangs used in late-war raids over Norway were in Natural Metal Finish. I've seen pictures of NMF planes both from 65 and 315 (Polish) sqn. and I know that both squadrons operated over Norway.

Any help appreciated

Best regards
Rune
Norway

Yes there were > In fact the Squadron flew both camouflaged and uncamouflaged MKIV/ IVA as did 19 Squadron. 315 only operated MKIII .None of these were uncamouflaged during the period of operations
over Norway from the info I have . Contact me at terry.jackie@btopenworld.com
over the weekend and I'll dig out some photo's of 65 taking off at Peterhead.
Cheers
Terry McGrady

[atckyrre]

As Terry said 315 Sqn did not strip their Mustang III's until after the war. But 65, 19 and possibly 234 Sqn flew their Mustang IV Silver Birds over Norway in the last months of the war.
If you get Halvor Sperbund's "Brennpunkt Westküste" there are a couple of 19 sqn QV-marked Mustang IV's. The book comes highly recommended. And if you don't want to get the book just contact me by PM or offline

Kyrre

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

You are probably already aware of the order of 8th March 1945 that declaired that all RAF Mustangs were to drop their coloured camouflage schemes.[Ref: Camouflage & Markings N A Mustang].

If the Attacks you are looking at is before the 8th March then I would doubt that any RAF Mustang was un-camouflaged.

Indeed, the 65 Sqdn a/c that came down in Sweden were both camouflaged. FZ110 YT-S in May 1944 and KH695 YT-E in April 1945.

'695 still wore the fuselage Sky band .
Also IIRC both these a/c had the fin fillet.
Hope this helps

Alex

[Terry McGrady]

Alex
65 as did 19 flew both camouflaged and uncamouflaged MKIV over Norway KH695 YT-E certainly had a fin-fillet It was a MKIVA -P51K
So far have managed to identify 42 MKIV/IVA which serves on 65 , the Majority of which were un camouflaged . Mustang at war has a photo line upof 65 Sq
which both camoed and "Silver" Mustang MKIV/IVA purportedly at Peterhead.

[atckyrre]

Originally Posted by Terry McGrady

Alex
65 as did 19 flew both camouflaged and uncamouflaged MKIV over Norway KH695 YT-E certainly had a fin-fillet It was a MKIVA -P51K
So far have managed to identify 42 MKIV/IVA which serves on 65 , the Majority of which were un camouflaged . Mustang at war has a photo line upof 65 Sq
which both camoed and "Silver" Mustang MKIV/IVA purportedly at Peterhead.

Veeeery interesting information Terry. Is this something you're planning to have available for the general public at some point?
I trust you've seen the Modelling Aircraft Monthly covering quite extensively the III's and IV's of the RAF? If not let me know...
Also have you got Nyerøds book covering his time with 65 Sqn? Admittedly he flew the III's only, but there are quite a few interesting photos

Kyrre