Fairey Battle P21.., 103 Squadron RAF.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo all,

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=110337666012

This recent Fairey Battle photo found by Ed West (Photos 14-1) raises some questions.
As is often the case the image is partial and the serial obscure. I am looking for help to identify this aircraft more precisely.

It is PM-K of 103 Squadron RAF. The serial number seems to be 'P21..'. As far as I can tell 103 Squadron only used 3 Battles in the 'P21..' range from September 1939 to 15 June 1940; P2163, P2191 and P2193. At first I thought it might be P2163 but the more I look at it the more I think it might be P2191.

Can anyone please determine whether it is P2191 or not ?
If it is P2191 then that perhaps causes problems with the codes and/or fates of several other 103 Squadron Battles.

I also believe the unidentified (by serial) Battle, PM-K, on page 181 of Peter Cornwell's THE BATTLE OF FRANCE, THEN & NOW is the same aircraft as in the photo above, though taken at a later date (missing tailwheel and grass is longer under the wings).

Any help welcome.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.