Charlie Curnow Scherf 418 Squadron RCAF

[Coors 54]

First post so be gentle.
I've also posted this request elsewhere but I'm looking for aircraft codes ans serial of the aircraft Charlie Scherf was piloting in February, April or May 1944 when he was supposed to be flying a desk at HQ. Photos would be a huge bonus!
I'm keen to finish my 1/24 Mossy FBIV as one of these aircraft.

[Icare9]

Hi and welcome coors 54 (is that your weekly allowance?!!)
I assume you have tried Googling for Charlie Scherf and 418 Squadron histories?
You may already have this book, but in case not.....
The story of Charles Scherf who, despite serving with a Canadian Squadron, was a top-scoring Australian Ace, is handled in-depth in Six Aces, from Banner Books.
Hope that helps!

[Coors 54]

Yes Googling produces loads of stuff that describes both Charlie and his exploits but nothing that pins down which aircraft he borrowed to go roaming over the Reich. The internet is a huge pool of information but it is only one inch deep!
I have ordered the Six Aces book but again I don't think it will give me serial and codes.
I'm also seeking information on the equipment fit of these aircraft - IFF, passive or active sensors etc.
Thanks for your reply, I don't drink Coors - wishy washy stuff, I thought it was a good call sign from GW1.

[pfP7063]

Hi there.

In the appendix to Charles Scherf's story on pages 283 and 284 in Six Aces it does list the dates and aircraft he flew by their letter code, but not serial number, for the occasions when he destroyed or damaged enemy aircraft. Perhaps you can match these with the serial numbers in the squadron's ORB.

I hope that this helps.

Paul

[Bill Walker]

Originally Posted by pfP7063

Hi there.

In the appendix to Charles Scherf's story on pages 283 and 284 in Six Aces it does list the dates and aircraft he flew by their letter code, but not serial number, for the occasions when he destroyed or damaged enemy aircraft. Perhaps you can match these with the serial numbers in the squadron's ORB.

I hope that this helps.

Paul

If you can provide the codes and dates Paul, I have a fairly complete list of 418 serials versus codes.

[Coors 54]

Thank you both Paul & Bill. This information will push things forward if you can match serials and codes up. My book won't arrive for a week or so yet so I can't help with the listings.
I understand that Charles may have flown the famous "Black Rufe" NS850 on at least one of these missions but I'm hoping that something less well known was used for the others.
I await your info.

[pfP7063]

Here are the id's and dates from 'Six Aces' that you were after.

28/11/43 "R"
27/01/44 "R"
19/02/44 "R"
21/02/44 "J"
24/02/44 "R"
26/02/44 "F"
05/04/44 "F"
02/05/44 "X"
16/05/44 "T"

The author Lex McAulay, I believe, is still living in Queensland. When I spoke with him a few years ago he was more than helpful in trying to answer my inquiries. My interest was in Max Cotton - also in 'Six Aces'. You may find, as I did, that the RAAF Museum at Pt. Cook holds copies of the reference material that Lex used for his book.

I hope all of this helps you with your project.

Paul

[Bill Walker]

I have one definite, a strong probable, a few possibles and one total miss. The info I have is only snap shots on specific dates, mostly from notes in the ORB, and from info found by Hugh Halliday. We sometimes have to connect these dots to come up with educated guesses for other dates.

28/11/43 "R" was HX807 in September 1943; this aircraft on strength July 43 to April 44
27/01/44 "R" probably still HX807
19/02/44 "R" probably still HX807
21/02/44 "J" was LR270 on 3 Feb 44, and when lost on 9 March 44
24/02/44 "R" probably still HX807
26/02/44 "F" Maybe HJ821, see below
05/04/44 "F" Maybe HJ821, see below
02/05/44 "X" possibly HJ674, which was X in September 44, had been with unit on and off from June 43; note that HR155 was also X from 22 May 44 to at least August 44; several other X in 1945
16/05/44 "T" see below

For "F" I have some gaps. HJ762 in mid 1943, HJ821 in September 43, then HF151 from 1 June 44. HJ821 was still around till January 45, as S by 14 May 44 and as W, no dates.

For "T" I also have a gap. HJ743 was T from June to August 43; HX812 was T from September 43 till lost on 22 March 44; several other aircraft were T from August 44.

NS850 was on strength from Feb 44, was M in August 44, and was written off in November 44.

[Coors 54]

Outstanding! I will winnow these down and see what my options are. Very many thanks. I'll report back.

[pfP7063]

You're welcome. Good luck with your modeling project.

Paul