400 (RCAF) Sqn operating as OTU

[SteveB]

I would be grateful if any board members can help with this issue.

In the 1970 Ducimus book "Camouflage and Markings" in the section on the Mustang (page 34) there are two puzzling photos. One is clearly AG367 (stbd side) and has codes applied "Xo63" and it is captioned “AG367 at 400 Sqn RCAF OTU." This photo appeared again in Air Enthusiast Qly 1976 with the caption "Mustang I AG367 serving with 400 (RCAF) Sqn in 1942, when the unit was serving as an OTU.” Below AG367 in the Ducimus book there is another photo (stbd side) which is captioned "AG484 of 400 Sqn coded 42 in yellow." but in this photo the codes are not visible. In a series of articles on the Allison Mustang by Chris Shores that appeared in Air Classics in the 1970s there is another photo (port side) captioned “Mustang I AG484 serving with 400Sqn RCAF when the unit was being used as an OTU during 1942." and this photo clearly shows a code 42 in front of the roundel but the serial is not visible.

On Form 78 there is no record that either of these aircraft were on charge to 400Sqn.


I cannot find any other confirmation/corroboration that 400 (RCAF) Sqn operated as an OTU for any part of its time on Mustangs. There is nothing that confirms this in the 400 Sqn ORB and nothing in the ACC HQ ORB. There is a history of 400 Sqn published in Canada "On watch to strike" but there is no mention/confirmation in there. I have not yet researched in Wing or Group ORBs.

Does anybody know of any additional information that might help confirm or explain this?

Steve

[Bill Walker]

A Flight of 400 Squadron was detached to Middle Wallop from 27 October to 28 December 1942 for "training and operations in fighter tactics" (from "RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft"). I have no information on the markings of this flight at this time, but they would have been flying Mustangs.

Was there another OTU at Middle Wallop at this time?

[SteveB]

Thanks Bill

I have wondered whether these photos actually show aircraft from No 41 (Army Co-operation Command) OTU. This unit employed Mustangs and during 1942 (up to November 1942) was based at Old Sarum and Oatlands Hill. Both these airfields are probably within 10 to 12 miles to the West of Middle Wallop.

Steve

[Atcham Tower]

I agree with Steve on this, they are more likely to be 41 OTU aircraft. Sadly, the man who could confirm this and any 400 Sqn involvement, Wing Commander (Retd) David Annand, is no longer with us. He was Chief Instructor at 41 OTU at that time and later moved with the unit to Hawarden. A great character, much missed.

[terry mac]

Originally Posted by SteveB

Thanks Bill

I have wondered whether these photos actually show aircraft from No 41 (Army Co-operation Command) OTU. This unit employed Mustangs and during 1942 (up to November 1942) was based at Old Sarum and Oatlands Hill. Both these airfields are probably within 10 to 12 miles to the West of Middle Wallop.

Steve

Hi Steve ,
I've just looked through list of serials. A total of 135 Mustang I were used by 41 OTU plus one MKIA. AG 484 is shown as serving with 41
OTU after previous service with 268 Sq
The only A/C I've found that is listed as serving with 400 Sq prior to service with 41 OTU is AG404. AG367 is listed as having served on 26 Squadron prior to serving on 41 OTU
Cheers
Terry

[SteveB]

Gentlemen

Thanks for your contributions and tentative confirmation of my theory. I was hoping for chapter and verse from Canada but I think I am sticking with the 41 OTU interpretation at the moment.

"Atcham Tower"

I have got a copy of David Annand's logbook from the RAFM and he did in fact fly AG484 at 41OTU on 6/7/42 but he does not record AG367.

Steve

[Bill Walker]

I had been leaning towards these being OTU aircraft operated by 400 Squadron pilots, but couldn't prove it. Partly this resulted from conversations with post war British Army pilots, who talked about Old Sarum and Middle Wallop as being basically two parts of the same facility (at least in the 1960s).

[SteveB]

Thanks again Bill when I get the chance I will try to research the airfields in more detail to see if that adds any helpful detail/confirmation.

Steve