Hi to all,
I am kitting my RAF Jeep out for a display within the mueumand wondered what sort of stuff might have been used by RAF Ground Crews, I have considered basing it on an armorer with ammo crates and 303 guns in the back etc. But wondered what other specialist crews would have done what to let’s say a Spit or Hurri? for all major work they would have been dragged to the nearest blister hanger but what sort of repairs or servicing would have been done within the surrounds of a blast pen? Anyone with any ideas on how all this feel into place and what specialists would have done what I would be glad to hear from you.
Thanks
Dan
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th March 2009 at 08:55
Thanks chaps, I was thinking 2nd TAF, there are quite enough Jeeps in US Markings and whilst I have nothing against the US side of things, I felt that the RAF needed to be given a boost. Perhaps I will go for the flight crew gear in the back then.
If anyone does find any reference to original photos of RAF 2nd TAF Jeeps then please share them on this site. I have seen a few restored examples but just because someone has painted them up in those markings doesn’t always make them correct! I agree though RAF Jeeps were “mainly” standard green with a roundel on the bonnet, windscreen and rear wheel arches etc. although I stand to be corrected on that one.
Thanks again, always best to ask before ploughing into something.
Dan
By: John Aeroclub - 18th March 2009 at 21:50
It’s possible that the RAF servicing commandos used them after the invasion at the B strips.
John
By: Rlangham - 18th March 2009 at 19:23
I don’t think Jeeps would have been used by ground crew either, but have seen them used for getting flight crew around as austernj673 says (a green Jeep in 2TAF markings would look very nice).
For working on aircraft at dispersal points, i’ve seen photos of 15cwt trucks (Bedford, Fordson etc) with workshop body’s on the back, this was on Bomber Command bases but i’d imagine the same would be seen at Fighter ones
By: Resmoroh - 18th March 2009 at 18:08
Dan, Hi,
If you want to give yr ‘Wheels’ some WW2 ground-crew authenticity just make sure there’s a half-eaten bully-beef sandwich, and an old, chipped, pint pot half-full of (cold!) NAAFI tea!
HTH
Resmoroh
By: austernj673 - 18th March 2009 at 09:46
There are plenty of pictures of Jeeps in Normandy operating with the 2nd TAF, as Moggy says, i’d also imagine that they would have been used for liason duties and running aircrew out to their machines. Some aerial pictures show aircraft dispersed over about 1/2- 1 mile away from the main operations site.
By: Moggy C - 18th March 2009 at 09:22
I’m not convinced that a Jeep would have been used by ground crew.
There were a wealth of lorries of all shapes and sizes available for carting heavy stuff around the airfields. The Jeep was more likely used for taking officers around and off base.
This is based on a feeling, rather than knowledge.
Moggy
Sign In
March 18, 2009 at 9:10 am