Curtiss Cleveland I, RAF, 24 Sqn.

The RAF Clevelands were serialed AS467 – AS471 having been NXC48 – 51 and NXC53 to 54 in the US. Three received “M” serials – AS467 (2668M), AS469 (2669M) and AS470 (2785M). So I guess it was either AS648 or AS671 destroyed in the raid.

There’s a very nice shot on the attached link that seems to show a Cleveland in flight in RAF markings, though interestingly the aircraft seems to show the maintenance serial 2669M

http://www.geocities.com/aircraft42/Trainers/curtisscleveland1.htm

Thanks for the fast answer!

Floooood? Do you know the serial of one destroyed during the raid?

The Clevelands were ordered for the French Air Force but a small number were diverted to the RAF after the Fall of France. The machine was clearly obsolete and was never used in action by the RAF, most being used as ground based instructional airframes.

24 Sq was a communications unit so presumbably they had some Clevelands in use as hacks hence the yellow undersides denoting second line aircraft.

I recall reading that these five aircraft, being accepted as the final aircraft from a French contract, were delivered August 1940 in French camouflage (although they are noted as being from US Navy stocks, so maybe not?. Air Britain has them as communications aircraft and since they all appear to have eventual gone to ground instruction use (bar one that was destroyed in an air raid 8/10/1940) from 11/41 onwards I suspect they saw little use; certainly none as dive bombers.

Flood