100 Squadron beaufort's

[Alex Smart]

Hello Geoff,

Many thanks.
I did not think to use the NAA
Great for you to provide the cards , and the photo of T9540.
If the photo was taken while with 100 Sqn then it looks like the RAAF serial numbers must have been applied on their return to Australia and entered service there in RAAF service.

Thank you again,
Alex

[bearoutwest]

Hi Alex,

I just had a quick look through my battered copy of the Beaufort File....and I think I see a possible avenue for your confusion.

100 Squadron R-Australian-AF operated Beauforts in New Guinea, circa late-1942 onwards (I think).

100 Squadron RAF operated Vilderbeeste biplanes out of Kota Bharu in 1941, until their heroic slaughter on the Endau mission. I'm not sure if they had Beauforts on their official records for any significant period of time.

From my very-hazy memory, I recall a number of Beauforts being photographed in Singapore. There was some conjecture as to whether they were considered battle-worthy (armour, self-sealing tanks, etc). I can't find the relevant notes, or recall where I read this, so I may be mixing things up. The service cards for the aircraft T9540 don't indicate any overseas service in late 1941/early 1942 (before fall of Singapore).

The photo of T9540 comes from the EdCoates Collection via google (as noted on the link) but there is no "providence" as to the circumstance of the photo....i.e. pre-delivery flight in UK before broken down for shipment to Australia; or as assembled in Australia from components (which may have been pre-painted?).....

Do you recall which pages in "Bloody Shambles" note the mention of Beauforts in Malaya/Singapore?

Afterthought:
http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Publ...ks.aspx?page=3

Here you go Alex. Courtesy of the RAAF and Australian Government Publications - who make e-copies of some of their books free. The link is to the page with the book "Song of the Beauforts" about 100 Sqn RAAF - so named because of the close association to 100 Sqn RAF. The first chapter details the delivery flight of the first 6 DAP (Dept of Air Production) Beauforts to Singapore in Dec 1941 and the subsequent recall/return of all except one.


Regards,
...geoff

[udf_00]

http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au
Keywords operations record book squadron 100
Date from 1939 to 1945
view digital copy
jump to page 21
RAF serials to 14 June 1942
RAAF serials from 22 June 1942