Calling all Mosquito experts

Hi Alex,
Found the following if it’s any help
http://http://www.rafcommands.com/dcforum/DCForumID6/Data/5628.txt
http://http://www.mossie.org/production/results.php?&series=MM&returnsperpage=5&mode=1&offset=251
http://http://www.hrmtech.com/SIG/uboats.asp (In particular the other reg’s along side MM425) may be of some relevance.
Geoff.

MM424L

Hi Alex,

Did you ever get an answer to your question about MM425L, my friend is a niece of Doug Turner. I am also curious as his log book doesn’t have op in it apart from “OPS” as in operations.

Kind regards
Robert

Hi,

I have been sent some info by a forum member concerning some details in a pilots log book.

On the 25 March 1944 Fly Off Turner took part in an anti-submarine sortie. According to his log book he was flying Tse-tse Mosquito MM425 OP-L. Most of the other serials/codes in his loogbook tie up with the Tse-tse, except OP-D. Through careful checking I have been able to complie a list of all serial/letters for the Tse-tse. That is until this OP code appeared.

Now my research indicates that the Tse-tse didn’t wear any codes with 618 Sqn Special Detachment/248 Sqn, just individual letters. The only codes I have seen them wear are those of 254 Sqn which were QM.

The OP code was used by 3 Sqn, 11 OTU and 32 OTU. I have a friend in Norway who has an interest in Mosquitoes but doesn’t know anything about these codes.

Can anyone throw some light on the OP code?

Thanks,

Alex

Hi Ian,

Thanks. This is one of a series of photos taken of PZ468 while with 254 Squadron. Not sure if they were taken during or just after the War. The RAF Museum has some of these photos, but getting copies is rather difficult these days as they do not have a photographic person just now.

Alex

Alex,

I suspect you’ve probably seen this photo before, but just in case you’ve not, I thought I’d post it. It’s of PZ468 QM-D of 254 Squadron. It comes from this site on the Mosquito: http://www.vflintham.demon.co.uk/aircraft/mos/mosquito.htm and is, I note, included in J J Halley’s The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988.

No, its very clear on the original, but has lost something in the compression.

That’ll be the filter – ask Voy Tech. 🙂

Mark

and just for fun

The original picture is so good, that you can even read the serial number chalked on the lower engine cowling!

Definitely MM424!

Just to prove it!

No, its very clear on the original, but has lost something in the compression.

Aircraft ‘MM424’

I may be nit-picking here but the code on the photograph looks more like ‘MV424’ or even ‘NV424’. Was it a typo on the code?

Dave

PM me your address, and I will send you a HQ scan as a TIFF file on a CD.

Cheers

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for posting the photo. As this was the 4th or 5th Tse-tse to be produced it’s interesting to see it still retains all four machine guns.

Do you know hwere I can get a copy of this photo?

Alex

As promised…

Here is a shot of MM424. It is an official MAP photo, marked ‘Secret’ on the back!

Cheers

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I look forward to seeing the photo. I don’t think I’ve seen any of MM424 before.

Alex

Just found a pic of MM424; I will post next week!

Bruce

Hi Alex,

Apologies, I was doing some 618 Sqd. stuff for someone else & I got carried away.

Neilly

Hi Neilly,

Thanks, it’s just something else to figure out now……..

I have just checked the 618 Sqn ORB and it does not say much about the Tse-tse operations. However the 248 Sqn ORB mentions the Tse-tse from January onwards by serial/letter. The Tse-tse weren’t officially handed over to 248 Sqn until May 1944.

The PRO does not have 248 Sqn ORB from Sept-Dece 1943, which is unfortunate as I would like to know more about the Tse-tse ops during thiis period.

Alex

Hi Alex,

Just checked all my books- no mention of OP codes on Mosquitoes. As you say the only listing I can find is for 11 OTU & they used Wellingtons. The other 2 OP units were 3 Squadron RCAF (codes not taken up) & 32 OTU RCAF.

I would add, (although I’m sure you know) 618 Squadron didn’t have codes letters allocated to it.

Cheers,
Neilly