Branse Burbridge's Havoc II and other Havoc stuff

[PMoz99]

I'd like to build a Havoc II using the MPM Turbinlite kit as a starting point. The sprue shots show the kit comes with the standard solid nose as well as the turbinlite nose.
Can anyone tell me the serial number for the Havoc II coded VYoC Burbridge flew in June 1942?
Also, I understand these aircraft were converted and had 12 .303's in the nose. I haven't been able to find any pics showing the layout. Can anyone help with this? I assume his a/c would have been plain night (black)?
Finally, from what I could find on the 'net, a Canadian by the name of Gordon Learmonth Raphael was the only pilot to achieve ace status in Havocs. Is this correct? Can anyone tell me the codes and serial of the Havoc II he flew with 85Sq in July-Aug 1942? The Ciel de Gloire site also has him flying one in Sep 1941, but I don't know if that's a typo or not. I assume the a/c would also have been black?
Thanks

[kurlannaiskos]

please stop calling it a havoc ; correct name is Boston
those modified as night intruders are correctly called Havoc.

[PMoz99]

Sorry kurlannaiskos, but everything I have read and seen refers to the Bostons converted to Intruders OR Night Fighters as Havocs. I have seen nothing which refers to one converted to a Night Fighter as a Boston.
If you have something which supports your view, please let me know and I will stand corrected.
Does anyone else out there have anything definitive on this?

[MW Giles]

I can confirm that 85 Sqn record their aircraft as either Havoc I or II - in mid 1942 they were on Mk IIs

Unfortunately I cannot identify the aircraft Burbridge flew beyond letter C; the ORB only lists aircraft letters, not full codes.

Raphael flew VY-V in the period you ask about. Interestingly in August Mosquito IIs start to appear, he also flew a Mosquito coded V

Regards

Martin

[Kutscha]

Have you seen this link?
http://militaria.forum-xl.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=825

[PMoz99]

Thanks for the confirmation, Martin.
I was madly flicking through the few books I have and found a rough drawing profile of VYoV in the back of Aces High. That agrees with what you say, but did you get this from the same source?
No, Kutscha, I hadn't found that page. Thanks.
I did find a MDC 1/48 conversion set for the Boulton-Paul 12 gun Havoc nose (poop, I'm in 1/72), but unfortunately it only has a view from the side, so it only shows part of the puzzle.
Cheers
Peter

[MW Giles]

My source was the operations record book for 85 Sqn which contains the diary (Form F540) and list of sorties (Form F541) for the squadron, compiled on a monthly basis

Copies are available from the UK National Archives

Martin

[PMoz99]

Thanks all for the input.
So the only thing I really still need is the layout for the 12 .303's ...........

[bearoutwest]

RAF Havoc II 12-gun nose layouts are available here:

http://www.albentley-drawings.com/dr...evised-format/

Although the free-to-view versions are in small resolution, they probably give you sufficient detail in amongst the 4-5 drawings.

Havoc Mark I (Night Fighter), BL228 VY-Y, of No. 85 Squadron RAF
from Imperial War Museum files:
http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/185/67...at=photographs

Regards,
...geoff

[PMoz99]

Thank you Geoff. Exactly what I needed. You're right though - a bit hard on the eyes .......
Cheers
Peter