Sunderland Squadrons

4X-X is listed as PP155 (a Mk V) in the book Hunt Like aTiger (230 Sqn history).

I’m surprised the RAAF didn’t want to take on 230 Sqdn (or at least its Code!!)
I think the group photo shows aircraft “P” i.e. 4X-P, and not indicating a PP serial number.

Hiya,

I don’t have a lot of info in my files on 230 sqdn at that time but a speed read through Chaz Bowyers lists found three Sunderland’s which carried 4X-X codes:
PP164 July 46 to October 47 (then to 57 MU)
VB887 June 47 to Oct 49 (then back to makers)
PP115 from Aug 48 to Jan 49 (then to 201)

Oh, and he lists a lot of Sunderlands with serials starting with PP at 230 around that time.

First post here so I aught to admit to knowing almost nothing about airplanes! :rolleyes:, but here goes!

I’m trying to find out as much as possible about the fate of PP118, a Sunderland based at Calshot. It sank there on the 3rd of Feb 1950, and had a memorable salvage attempt on the 23rd when two guys almost died. A report on the salvage in ‘FLIGHT’ and a mention on ‘AVIATION-SAFETY’ are all that I can find so far.

If I mention that I’m a diver you’ll see where I’m heading with this enquiry! 🙂

Chat soon.

It would be remarkable – but I’ve spent far too many years chasing down stories of sunken aircraft and have got cynical!
If you do search look for info in squadron/unit record books, aircraft accident reports rather than believing rumour. We’re all human – we’d love to believe a good tale rather than dull facts.
Good luck

thanks mate just the job it would be a real suprise if there was anything at the bottom of the mere

In Sunderland times (WWII) the flying boat bases were generally located for operations out into the Atlantic, Bay of Biscay etc so were mostly western and south coast UK – eg Plymouth, Pembroke Dock, N Ireland, Oban. Some flew from the north + NE of Scotland towards Norway to cover the Arctic convoys.

But from memory there were some flying boat operations over the North Sea in World War One – I met the son of a pilot who shot down a Zeppelin after an epic chase.

Oh, I’ve found this: http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/238to248.html

Scroll down to 248 squadron. They were formed from flights operating from a seaplane base at Hornsea Mere.

All the best

was there a flying boat sqn on hornsea mere?

Thanks EN830 and Pondskater for you help, much appreciated. I have blown it right up, however, the serial number falls right on the shadow line, well it would, making it unreadable. The group one: I can see the P P but nothing else.
Thanks once again. Robert.

Really lovely photo of 4X-X 😎 Made my evening.

I don’t have a lot of info in my files on 230 sqdn at that time but a speed read through Chaz Bowyers lists found three Sunderland’s which carried 4X-X codes:
PP164 July 46 to October 47 (then to 57 MU)
VB887 June 47 to Oct 49 (then back to makers)
PP115 from Aug 48 to Jan 49 (then to 201)

If you can read the serial on the orig print it might help narrow the date – but I’d bet the serial isn’t any of these!

Oh, and he lists a lot of Sunderlands with serials starting with PP at 230 around that time – it’d be tough to ID the second aircraft.

4x 230 Sqn based Calshot from April 1946 though to February 1949. It’s aircraft carried the 4X Sqn code until 1951.