Some years ago I acquired some components from a French Fighter which arrived at Jersey Airport just prior to the German Occupation. The Pilot abandoned the aircraft and jumped on a transport leaving for England. The Airport authorities were ordered to break it up and this fuselage section, with other items, were kept hidden away in an attic until I acquired them in the mid 80’s. I can’t decide if it’s from a Caudron Renault or a Dewoitine. Does anyone have any knowledge of the event and can anyone identify the aircraft? I understand at least two RAF Pilots may have arrived in French aircraft. Many thanks, Simon [email]lannoy@btopenworld.com[/email]
By: avion ancien - 1st August 2011 at 15:04
At least my memory, of having had correspondence on the subject, seems reliable. Have a look at post #14 on http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=97009. Whether anything in that thread is of use to you, vis a vis leads, I don’t know. For my part, I appear to have deleted the e-mail correspondence and a year later cannot remember more about it than I have indicated already. Sorry.
By: avion ancien - 1st August 2011 at 13:22
That rings very faint bells. But if they’re not false bells ringing, I seem to think that he put me onto someone on Jersey (or vice versa) who, he said, was more knowledgeable that him as to the aviation history of that island.
By: lanners55 - 1st August 2011 at 07:52
No to worry and thankyou so much for checking. Was it by any chance a chap called John Goodwin in Guernsey?
Many thanks again to everyone for their input and help.
Regards, Simon
By: avion ancien - 31st July 2011 at 23:32
Sorry, Simon. I’ve checked my e-mail inbox and sent box – I’m rather slack when it comes to filing – and my filed research e-mails and there’s no trace of the chap I mentioned. I fear that it’s because the line of research appeared unprofitable and so, I suspect, I deleted all the e-mails pertaining to it. Désolé!
By: antoni - 29th July 2011 at 20:39
The only operational unit equipped with the CR 714 C1 was GC 1/145. They were originally supposed to go to Finland to aid the Finns. On 25th May the French Minister of Aviation visited the squadron and was informed of the “deficiencies and defects in the design of the Caudron aircraft, and due to this, the planes were suspended from combat flights.” Because of the shortage of any other fighting equipment, the next day flights resumed at the pilots’ own risk. They ended up at Rochefort on 17th June. On 19th June personnel left eleven Caudrons and two Bloch 152s in flying condition at the airfield and embarked on a British ship. The world’s greatest living expert on the Polish Air Force in France must be Bartlomiej Belcarz who has a PhD on the subject. I do not recall him making any mention of anyone flying to the Channel Islands in a CR 714 or any other aircraft. Anyway if it were a CR 714 from 1/145 it would not have roundels on the fuselage, just a chessboard under the rear quarter light.
The most famous escapee must be Zdzislaw Henneberg who flew Bloch MB 152 C1 c/n 656 to an airfield in England. The Air Ministry told him it was French property and he had to take it back. (I made the last bit up.)
By: lanners55 - 29th July 2011 at 18:04
That would be excellent. Yes, please do let me have the contact details, or even a name if you have one. Best regards, Simon [email]lannoy@btopenworld.com[/email]
By: avion ancien - 29th July 2011 at 16:58
Some time ago, when researching civil aircraft in the Channel Islands at the time of the German invasion, I was referred to and had a brief exchange of correspondence with someone of whom I was told that what he didn’t know of aviation history on Jersey during WW2 was not worth knowing. I don’t know if I still have his contact details. I will look into this after the weekend. If I can find them and you want them, Simon, I’ll send you a PM.
By: lanners55 - 29th July 2011 at 12:15
I agree Jon, it must have been a nightmare. There were variants such as the CR 714 but even those were quickly withdrawn from service. Wikipedia tells me the Poles did however continue to fly them in France, with some success . Interestingly the fuselage does show signs of a red/brown and green camouflage and a clear half French roundel. However, it looks as though the 714 did have a different side window so I think a C690 is still the best bet. Thanks to everyone for your interest and input. Anyone have any further thoughts on this one’s history? Regards, Simon
By: Jon Petersen - 29th July 2011 at 11:27
No wonder the pilot wouldn´t take up the fight versus ein staffel Messerschmitts in that little beauty….
Jon
By: John Aeroclub - 28th July 2011 at 22:18
Yes I too had just come to the conclusion it was a C690.
John
By: lanners55 - 28th July 2011 at 22:13
Thank you Peter, looks good to me. Regards, Simon
By: Al - 28th July 2011 at 22:06
Looks like the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit of a Caudron C-690…
By: Peter D Evans - 28th July 2011 at 22:02
Perhaps something along the lines of a Caudron C.690?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/mikermurphy/Beuteflugzeug/CaudronC690c.jpg
Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator
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July 28, 2011 at 9:47 pm