Good evening all,
Does anyone have any links to pictures of the Mosquito FB VI aircraft used by 204 Advanced Flying School operating from specifically, RAF Swinderby circa 1951/52? (They were also based at Cottesmore, Driffield, Brize Norton and Bassingbourne).
The only picture I have so far found on the web is of T3 VA927.
I am particularly interested in RF966 that crashed at Sparkford, Somerset in February 1952. I was involved in the recovery of what was left of this aircraft a few years ago.
I would be be very interested in at least trying to identify the individual code letter for this particular aircraft.
Thanks in advance,
Martyn
GYD
By: Gin Ye Daur - 5th June 2021 at 21:27
Cheers Alan,
I too had that link from my other sources but, I think it needs a physical trip to Kew then!
My next line of investigation lies with the two aircrew who successfully abandoned RF966, it might be interesting to know how their individual careers moved on?
GYD
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th June 2021 at 16:14
I just checked for you and the Operations Record Book is at TNA but unfortunately, it isn’t one that’s been digitized yet!
By: Gin Ye Daur - 4th June 2021 at 17:47
Hi welkin,
Apologies for the late reply!
I will try and find a copy of that book then, cheers for the ‘heads up’.
When 966 crashed in 1952, 204 AFS had done away with the ‘FMO’ codes (July 1951) and just had a single individual code letter. I have been in contact with a few other erudite individuals and now have quite a list of over 60 identified aircraft and in some instances, their fates.
From this list it seems that it could be one of 4 options, U, W, Y or, Z. (The unit’s T3’s were coded A-P and the FBVI’s coded Q-Z).
I am ruling out Y (previous A/C TE657, on unit June 1950 & crashed 12/1951) or, Z (previous A/C RS677, on unit June 1950 crashed 11/1951).
RF966 was allocated to 204 in July 1951, from my list, only two aircraft were allocated or, more precisely identified as U or, W (U – RS595, PZ307 both arrived 1949 and W – LR308 in 1948 and HR242 in 1947, the latter crashing in 1949).
My inner gut feeling is thinking ‘U’ but, knowing my luck, its ‘W’
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Martyn
GYD
By: welkin - 26th May 2021 at 07:48
Hi Gin. Do you know the book ?
“de Havilland Mosquito an illustrated history Vol.2” by Ian Thirsk, Crecy Publishing Ltd .
There are some photos of No.204AFS Mosquito in this book.
HR242 FB.6 FMO-W
HR252 FB.6 FMO-X
NT203 FB.6 FMO-_
PZ307 FB.6 FMO-_
RF890 FB.6 FMO-T
RF936 FB.6 FMO-V
RR297 T.3 FMO-D
RR299 T.3 FMO-B
RR308 T.3 FMO-A
RS625 FB.6 FMO-V
TV967 T.3 FMO-A
VA927 T.3 FMO-B
VL730 FB.6 FMO-Z .
Sign In
April 21, 2021 at 9:39 pm