RAF Ferry Command deliveries - begin of July 1942

[cz_raf]

Hi all,

I am trying to establish aircraft delivery (serial + crew) from Canada to the UK which would fit the following timetable:

arrived Gander (1 July) - left Gander for Reykjavik (3 July) - left Reykjavik for the UK (4 July)

So far I was able to check the book "Ocean Bridge" (not helpful in this particular case) and RCAF Station Gander ORB which stated:

1 July
Arrivals:
2 Venturas
2 B-25s
2 Liberators
all en route tho the UK

Departures:
3 B-25s, 1 Ventura and 3 Liberators for UK
2 Venturas for Iceland (1 returned)

3 July
Departures:
3 B-25s and 3 B-17s for UK
1 Ventura for Iceland

So my preliminary conclusion is that I am looking for a Ventura, probably of AE or AJ series (?).

Is there any source which would help to establish the serial(s) at least?
I was thinking also about TNA:

AIR 28/653
PRESTWICK
1940 Dec. 1941 Feb. -1945 Dec

but I am not sure if the serials of delivered aircraft are stated there.

Any help much appreciated.

TIA

Pavel

[dp_burke]

You need to check with the DHH in Canada, they might have this.

Have you gotten the men your looking for their Ferry card records? DHH have them. Only problem is you need to show proof they are dead at least 20 years.

[cz_raf]

Hi Dennis,
I have tried to contact the DHH already more than half a year ago without any reply (even if the person in question has been killed already during WWII so no problem to provide a proof).
So I have asked one of Canadian friends for help who was able to check the card you have mentioned - there are only the dates + places - no serial.



Pavel

[Alex Smart]

Hello Pavel,
are you seeking a/c that crossed and got to Great Britain OR for those that went down in the Atlantic ?
Alex

[edwest2]

Perhaps this historian can help.


http://www.canadahistoryproject.ca/1...y-command.html

[twocee]

Tom Macfadyen of Air-Britain has done extensive research on ferry flights via Prestwick. He shows the following Venturas as arriving there ex-Reykjavik on 4 July 1942:
AE794, 846, 848, and 910, AJ169 and 213.

There were also two US Army B-17s, 19043 and 19098

[Stig Jarlevik]

So did Peter Berry

An extract of his notes from early July 1942

Jul 1 Liberator Gander-Prestwick. AL587
B307 Prestwick-Reykjavik. NC19907
B307 Prestwick-Reykjavik. NC19908
B307 Prestwick-Reykjavik. NC19905
7 x Mitchell Gander-Pk. FL681/684/676/680/710/705/193
USAAF C-47 Reykjavik-Stornoway-RK 17833
Jul 1/2 Liberator Gander-Prestwick. RFS AM258
B-24 Gander-Prestwick. "Arnold" 02369
Liberator Prestwick-Gander. RFS AM259
2 x Mitchell Gander-Prestwick. FL710/705
Mitchell Gander-Ballykelly. FL193
USAAF B-17 Reykjavik-Prestwick.First combat a/c.19085
Jul 2 Ventura Gander-Prestwick AE937
Liberator Gander-Prestwick. RFS AM920
Liberator Gander-Prestwick. RFS AL627
Jul 2/3 Mitchell Reykjavik-Prestwick. FL197
Mitchell Gander-Ballykelly/Prestwick FL699
Jul 3 USAAF C-47 Stornoway-Pwk. (Northeast Airlines) 17833
Liberator Prestwick-Montreal. RFS AM920
Liberator Prestwick-Montreal. RFS AM262
Jul 3/4 Ventura Gander-Ballykelly AJ193
2 x Mitchell Gander-Prestwick. FL216/194
Jul 4 Fortress Gander-Prestwick FK201
5 x Mitchell Reykjavik-Prestwick. FL194/195/214/216/687
6 x Ventura Reykjavik-Pwk. AE794/846/910/848/AJ169/213
B-24 Prestwick-Reykjavik. *02369
Liberator Prestwick-Reykjavik. RFS AL587
Jul 4 USAAF C-47 Prestwick-Reykjavik 17833
USAAF 2 x B-17Reykjavik-Prestwick. 19098/19043
Jul 4/5 Liberator Gander-Prestwick."Commando" AL504
Liberator Gander-Prestwick. RFS AM259
Liberator Gander-Prestwick. RFS AL514
Mitchell Gander-Prestwick. FL687
Mitchell Gander-Prestwick. Forced landed Eire. *****

It is probably incomplete, but at least it gives an idea of the build up of aircraft sent over to England.
I hope the columns show up OK....

Cheers
Stig

[cz_raf]

Hi Stig, thank you for very interesting source.


Pavel

[Mikkel Plannthin]

AJ213 was piloted by a Danish pilot

25.06.42 Gander-Montral
29.06.42 Montreal-Goose
01-02.07.42 Goose-Reykjavik
04.07.42 Reykjavik-UK

He was flying AE782 on the same route from 9.6.42-24.6.42.

Information from his crew card at DHH.

Mikkel

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting Mikkel

You mean August and not July for your final two lines.
Strangely enough, my information says it was AJ231 and not 213 which arrived.
Can you just check the finger trouble is not on your side, please

With regard to Ventura AE782 it is not in my lists at all and checking where it went it was to SAAF. As far as I know all their aircraft delivered by air went via the mid-Atlantic route into Accra and from there south bound. Seems very odd that AE782 should have gone via Prestwick.

Can you check please??

Cheers
Stig