Engine serial number

Hi,

Thanks for everyones input.

I’ll order up a number of 263 Sqn Glad movement cards and see what they have on them.

A few years ago I compiled a list of the Gladiators that went to Norway. On looking through it a couple of days ago and comparing it to what I have been able to find out since then, I found some questionable serials. I guess I’ll have to start over and redo it.

Alex

Four multi-engined aircraft in a single sortie – in a gladiator! Blimey!

Hi,

The problem is the engine was found at Bodo and may be from Flt Lt Hull’s Gladiator. So far all references indicate that N5635 was lost at Lake Lesjaskog in April 1940..

Alex

I suppose you are trying to verify what is stated on this web site?

http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_hull.htm

Alex

I would take into account the stress of combat situations and the impact this might have on the keeping of paperwork. It is quite possible the records are wrong. This said, maybe your bird was taken to Bodo for spares?

Hi,

Is it possible to trace an aircrafts serial number through the engines serial number?

Would the engine serial number be on the aircrafts movement card?
Thanks,

Alex

Alex,

Looking through my photocopied Movement Card collection, all the K, L, & N series cards I have do have the engine number filled in. Only from the Ps onwards is the engine number omitted.

So I would say it’s certainly worth ordering a copy of the Movement Card from Hendon.

Geoff.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I have been in touch with the curator of the Norwegian Aviation Museum at Bodo. They have the Mercury engine from a 263 Sqn Gladiator. Along with the engine they found a small piece of aluminium with the serial N5635. This is the serial of a Gladiator MkII.

The problem is the engine was found at Bodo and may be from Flt Lt Hull’s Gladiator. So far all references indicate that N5635 was lost at Lake Lesjaskog in April 1940. 263 Sqn didn’t operate from Bodo until May 1940, hence my question about the engine serial/aircraft serial tie up.

If we can tie together engine serial to aircraft serial then it may be a way to identify which aircraft took part in the Norwegian Campaign.

Alex

Hi Alex,

The AM Form 78 cards that I’ve seen have a space for recording the engine no’s but it never seems to be filled in.