Hello,
I’m doing some research for a family project, which involves tracing the fate of a number of RAF aircraft from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.
I’ve used the usual sources; the published lists, Ken’s Wrecks and Relics and other info found on the web.
However I still have quite a few blanks. I was wondering if anyone could help to fill them in? I’ve very much enjoyed trawling through the threads here – and was prompted to ask for help following the scrapyard photos discussion.
I simply want to know what happened to the aircraft, ie: when & were it was scrapped or if any part of it exists (less likely as I suspect there would be some trace on the web).
I realise this is a big ask, but it’s a worthwhile project I promise! Any help is much appreciated.
I’ll start with the Harvards and Canberras. It is of course possible that the log book I am using as source has some recording errors in.
Harvards:
FS853
FT281
FT351
KF182
KF188
KF281
KF343
KF388 – Mentioned in a recent scrapyard photos thread as possibly being scrapped Sandhurst circa 1957/58?
KF427
KF476
KF491
KF705
KF753
KF757 Possibly transferred to RNZAF as NZ1102, but other records state that a/c was KF410.
KF773
KF978
Canberras:
WH121 Listed as Meteor in UK Serials books
WH134 Listed as Meteor in UK Serials books
WH164 Listed as Meteor in UK Serials books
WH210
WH347
WH374
WJ173 Listed as Firefly
WJ174 Listed as Firelfy
WJ611
XK121
XK164 Listed as Hunter
Many thanks,
Trumble.
By: zoot horn rollo - 28th February 2009 at 12:48
Still struggling. I’ve photographed some of the relevant entries, as you will see not too much ambiguity about what was recorded – just impossible to match up with the serials lists.
The recorded a/c Mark doesn’t match the suggested alternates. It seems unlikely to me that a pilot would get the aircraft type wrong, although mixing up numbers and letters is a possibility.
WE173 and WE174 were Canberra PR3
By: WP840 - 28th February 2009 at 12:19
Harvard KF183 is currently (still) being used by the ETPS at Boscombe Down. KF314 which crashed on 22/2/82 and FT375 which has been withdrawn from service were also operated by ETPS.
By: Trumble - 28th February 2009 at 11:00
Still struggling. I’ve photographed some of the relevant entries, as you will see not too much ambiguity about what was recorded – just impossible to match up with the serials lists.
The recorded a/c Mark doesn’t match the suggested alternates. It seems unlikely to me that a pilot would get the aircraft type wrong, although mixing up numbers and letters is a possibility.
By: zoot horn rollo - 23rd February 2009 at 23:06
Thanks – I’ll go back to the log book on these. The original entries are written in fountain pen and quite small so this sort of reading error is very possible.
Likewise WH347 and WH374 will be WH847 and WH874 more than likely
By: flyernzl - 23rd February 2009 at 19:09
. . . from the late 1950s to the late 1960s.
KF757 Possibly transferred to RNZAF as NZ1102, but other records state that a/c was KF410.
NZ1102 was active in NZ from October 1944 to 1965 (still extant in store at Christchurch), so if your looking at aircraft present in the UK 1950s – 1960 there would be no connection with this particular airframe.
By: Trumble - 23rd February 2009 at 16:51
I think your WJ173 and WJ174 will be WJ773 and WJ774
Thanks – I’ll go back to the log book on these. The original entries are written in fountain pen and quite small so this sort of reading error is very possible.
By: Trumble - 23rd February 2009 at 16:50
Make a start here for the Canberra stuff 🙂
Jon
Hi – I’ve been through UK serials and these are the numbers I’m still looking for. Some are listed as other aircraft or not at all.
Trumble.
By: zoot horn rollo - 23rd February 2009 at 16:25
I think your WJ173 and WJ174 will be WJ773 and WJ774
By: Jon H - 23rd February 2009 at 16:00
Make a start here for the Canberra stuff 🙂
Jon
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February 23, 2009 at 3:52 pm