Came across this photo on eBay. Went past it a number of times but kept going back thinking the experts here might be able to ID it. Taken at a 9th Air Force field on the continent in the Fall of 1944. What struck me as odd was it still has the nose turret in place instead of the usual look of the target tug Stirlings. Can’t make out an ID number and your guess is as good as mine on the code letters on the tail. I cropped and enlarged both the nose and tail just in case
Nose
Tail
By: 12jaguar - 22nd June 2017 at 07:41
On reflection, the OPs photograph looks to be a Mk I judging by the nacelle and window configuration. If it is indeed 1944 dated then that would explain the very tired look to the airframe!
John
By: 12jaguar - 21st June 2017 at 09:02
Hi James
It also looks like the aircraft in the photo has an FN4 turret as opposed to the usual FN20 for a Mk III:confused:
John
By: jamesinnewcastl - 21st June 2017 at 08:12
Take a look at no 20 of the pics on the worldwarphotos site – The Stirling has an upper turret but also has what looks like the fin of the FN25 ventral turret. A very odd mix if it is a lower turret.
Also it has no squadron or serial number.
James
By: 12jaguar - 21st June 2017 at 07:11
An CU aircraft would be a likely candidate and it looks pretty well used, surprised to see it on a continental airfield although it could have diverted. XT would make it 1657 CU at Stradishall/Shepherds Grove, surprised to see it in a dip with the Stbd u/c still intact! The towing equipment was a role fit and could be dismounted when not in use btw.
John
By: lanc35 - 21st June 2017 at 02:55
Looks like it had XT-Y on it.
Similar to this XT-M which is from a HCU.
http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/uk/raf/short-stirling/short-stirling-bomber-mt-x-on-airfield-3/
http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/uk/raf/short-stirling/short-stirling-bomber-mt-x-on-airfield-4/
By: jamesinnewcastl - 20th June 2017 at 23:15
Hi
I’m no expert but if it had been a tug on D-Day would it not have the white stripes? Also it would need the tug adapter stuff on the back?
I’m sure that there were many Stirlings of all Marks around pretty much all through the war, not all became tugs.
The lettering is odd though, was that a tug thing? I can’t actually see any smudges where the number might be, are there any? Down a ditch, no standard markings? Is it actually ‘in-service’?
Nice to see a new Stirling pic whatever the situation, thanks for posting it.
James
By: 12jaguar - 20th June 2017 at 22:40
Many MkIIIs had the capability of towing gliders, so it’s quite possible this was pressed into service to supplement the more dedicated MkIVs. Autumn of 1944 would have seen the glider/para re-supply services extremely busy
John
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June 20, 2017 at 10:03 pm