3 Squadron Tempests 1944

[Chris Thomas]

Hello Brian and Hans
Regret I have no record of EJ525's code letters - nor reason to believe it was another R-B.

I have not come across reference to any other Monica-equipped Tempests other than EJ535. It went from 20 MU to the Telecommunications Research Establishment on or about 29 June 44 and then on to FIU (not recorded on the Form 78. It was issued to 486 Sqn, presumably without Monica, on 8 September 44, becoming SA-L and was shot down by flak on 7 October 44.

Hans, I am sorry to say I have no information at all on JN822's codes. Circumstantial evidence suggests EJ557 was JF-Z. F/L Van Lierde (top V-1 scorer by day) flew JF-Z JN862 until 4 August 44 when its undercarriage collapsed on landing. EJ557 arrived with 3 Sqn the next day and is recorded in the ORB being flown by Van Lierde until he was posted to command 164 Sqn later in the month. After repair JN862 returned to 3 sqn but was coded JF-Q, suggesting something else had been given its 'Z' - more than likely EJ557 I would think.

Yes JN817 was JF-H, 'Spike' Umbers' aircraft but I can only prove it was that at Volkel when it was returned to the squadron after repair by Hawker. Brian, I do not have the ORB to hand but if Umbers flew JN817 regularly during the anti-Diver campaign it is likely it was 'H' then too.

Chris