Aircraft ID

avion ancien: I sent you an email.

I find the 75 Sqdn link posted without much much comment by ‘Wieesso’ makes a compelling case to be the likely answer to the Squadron, as asked in the initial post. The last photo on the link shows 7 dwarfs art work very much in the same style as ‘doc’, complete with lettering too – to me it seems that at least part of the answer has been found.

J.J.Halley, in ‘Squadrons of the R.A.F’ 1980 lists 75 Sqdn as operating Wellington III aircraft between January and October 1942 (earlier on Wellington I, IA and IC, then later on Stirling, Lancaster and Lincoln. An example Wellington III operated is X3595 coded AA-A. 75 Sqdn was based at Feltwell from 4th April 1940, then Mildenhall from 13 August 1940 (text), 13th August 1942 (table) before Newmarket from 1st November 1942. Typing error doesn’t help.

I do hope that in 2-3 months time (from what I hear), once the full service history has been disclosed to the family on request (should they do so), ‘peppermint-jam’ will follow-up as to whether 75 Sqdn fits the service record, or if ‘slipstream’s’ observation that the stained state of the fuselage shows it to be an instructional airframe at a training school.

I do enjoy this type of thread for the wealth and depth of knowledge uncovered. Must get around to posting my dad’s course photos and see if they can be sequenced, as not all are placed or dated.

Wellington. No aircrew badges, so those guys are probably ground crew?

John

Thank you, Brian. I’ll let my wife know. It’s her late father’s military service records which she’d like to see. Hitherto she’d been led to believe that only her elder sister could apply for copies of those as his Next of Kin.

Somewhat late in the day and not really adding much to what’s already been established, but another reason for it definitely NOT being a Halifax is the ground clearance of the propeller blade. In the pic it comes down to below the guy’s waist-level. If you look at photos of Halifaxes on the ground with personnel around them, the tips of the prop blades only come down to about head height.

Ian

Two things – I agree it looks like a Wellington with one of the Seven Dwarves.

Avion Ancien – I am the third child – I applied for my grandfathers records – took several months to receive – I needed his Death Certificate and to complete a form saying I was next of kin and it went through without any problems.

My grandfather had one child and as she was already deceased – it was Ok for me to apply.

….. you can trace RAF service histories ….. you will need to ….. be the next of kin …..

An easier to follow, step-by-step version: https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

Can anyone tell me precisely how Next of Kin is defined by the MoD for the purposes of obtaining a copy of the military service records of a deceased parent? The suggestion seems to be – although at this point I might be reading too much into the text of the online guide – that there cannot be more than one Next of Kin so that, for example, if the serviceman and his wife both are deceased, but more than one child survives, the Next of Kin is the oldest surviving child and he/she alone is entitled to apply for his/her parent’s military service records. Does anyone know – ideally from experience – whether this is so or whether it is the case that all surviving children equally are entitled to apply for a copy of their parent’s military service records? If no-one knows, I’ll ask the MoD. However if someone does know, I suspect that I’ll get an answer somewhat sooner than if I ask the MoD.

Maybe of help…
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/9724/75-nz-squadron-wellington-dopey

Martin

Yup, looks like “Doc” to me too!

Sorry, can’t see any bears here. But I do see Doc, one of the Seven Dwarfs dropping little bombs. Doc was I believe a mascotte of 300 Squadron who operated Wellingtons? Could be wrong here, but maybe somebody more knowledgable could correct me.

As an observation, none of them appear to have any rank badges or aircrew brevets. Could they be in training as mechanics and the old Wimpy have been retired as a training airframe ?

Is the bear (if that is what it is) cartoon based on a Koala Bear? If so it could point to an Australian squadron or partially crewed by Australians. Is that a four (or five?) letter word beside it, however the more I stare at it, the longer the list of possible words becomes!

Does the fact the Wellington III has survived 26 (at least) missions help? Certainly the external condition of the aircraft shows it has been around for some time since it left the factory.

Make sure your friend is clear as to which source to get the RAF service information from. There are a number of websites that give the impression for a joining fee you can trace RAF service histories – there is just the one, non-web source which supplies full and authoritive details for WWII RAF personnel. Cost £30, you will need to fill in two forms, be the next of kin, provide a death certificate, and best have his DoB. NI number, and service number too, oh and alot of patience as the wait for the results can take several months.

Info and printable forms: https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

An easier to follow, step-by-step version: https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

If you have the details, the forms are quite straight forward to fill in. I know, I’ve done so only a few days ago for my father’s records.

A few in here that help confirm the type http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nose_art_on_Vickers_Wellington but no nose art match!

Have spent the latter part of the afternoon going boss eyed looking at t’interweb in an effort to spot a Wimpey with the same nose art. No success but is that a cartoon bear of some sort? It would appear to be the only other obvious clue.

Gents, thanks for your replies. My initial thought was Halifax, but am happily corrected. I’ll pass the information on. I actually know hte guy that posted the photo, so I’ll point him in the direction of RAF Disclosures. Should anything else be found out about the man or aircraft in question, I’ll update the thread.

Fascinating glimpse into the past though.

Halifax not a chance, Wimpy with radials for sure.
Nice pic.
Cheers
Cees

Definitely Wellington. Had it been a Halifax (I thought that at first too) the angle of the shot would definitely have captured the glazing below the cockpit. Not that this brings us any closer to the actual identity of the machine in question.

I’d say Wellington too, compare with http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albums/466-Wellington/P03860_001.jpg

Certainly not Halifax.

Certainly a Wellington and a Hercules Mk III powered one judjing by the intake just visible behind the prop.

I’d say Wellington too, compare with http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albums/466-Wellington/P03860_001.jpg

Certainly not Halifax for the reasons stated above.

Jack Bingham’s service record would be available for a fee from the MoD and would indicate units posted to. AIR 78/15 at The National Archives will give the service number.

If I had to make a call, I’d agree that it’s a Wimpey. Thought Halifax for an instant but it sits too low I think for that. And the ribbing on the fuselage looks Wellington- ish. Also I would have supposed that if ’twere a Halifax we would see the windows below the cockpit. As always though, am happy to be corrected. It’s a tantalising picture!