Identity shot down RAF bomber 17-8-1942?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

A friend of mine recently bought a photo of part of the tail unit of a shot down RAF bomber, which -according to the caption text- was a 4-engined aircraft brought down by Flak on 17 August 1942.

I have difficulty identifying the aircraft (close up of the tail wheel enclosed), who can help?

Cheers and thanks, Theo

[Revi16]

Your photo resembles the tail wheel of the Handley Page Halifax.

This photo includes the attachment for towing gliders.
https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictur...-page-halifax/
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/_...fax_bomber.jpg

Here's a list of Date of Death on Aug. 17, 1942 and the aircraft S/N they were in (assuming someone perished in the aircraft).
https://losses.internationalbcc.co.u...name&order=asc

Here's a list of Halifax S/N's.
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/index.php

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Revi16 for posting these details, and yes, my first thought too was the tail wheel of a Halifax. But then, there were no Halifaxes losses on 17 August 1942.. Let alone a Main Force Halifax brought down by Flak on this date as the caption on the back of this photo states..

Cheers, Theo

[Icare9]

Pardon my intrusion, but if that is a glider towing hook, then surely it has to be dated AFTER the first use by the British of gliders during Operation Husky (Sicily) in July 1943, NOT 1942?
It's also therefore not likely to be a Bomber Command (Main Force) aircraft - but that's just my guess....

[alieneyes1]

1942.


https://www.assaultglidertrust.co.uk/freshman/

[Revi16]

Originally Posted by Icare9

Pardon my intrusion, but if that is a glider towing hook, then surely it has to be dated AFTER the first use by the British of gliders during Operation Husky (Sicily) in July 1943, NOT 1942?
It's also therefore not likely to be a Bomber Command (Main Force) aircraft - but that's just my guess....

The posters original b&w photo shows an aircraft shot down in WWII, with out a towing hook.
The color photo I provided is from a surviving Halifax to show the tail wheel similaritiesand does have a glider towing hook. It's two completely different aircraft, one shot down in WWII and one a current survivor.