Information sought on crashed aircraft.

Or the kickstand that is just visible extending below the pedal.

Strong winds in those parts…;o)

Not trying to drift the thread but what is keeping the bicycle upright? Can it be the invisible man?

Is this picture any more clear?

A good quality scan of the rear from the ‘C’ aft would be great – all I can still make out is that the serial ends in 5. Probably.

What insignia would the aircraft wear after transfer to the Indian Air Force?

David, it would have had a “Checkerboard” pattern /band on the rear fuselage – like this one.

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Is this picture any more clear?

What insignia would the aircraft wear after transfer to the Indian Air Force?

These photos are probably from its career earlier with the RAF. And that black band (or red) suggests 5 Sqn?

I failed to note that there were two black bands (both narrow).. So I will go with Paul McMillan’s original assertion that this is from 31 Squadron.

Thanks Jagan and snafu

Wonderful Pictures. Having finished a book on the Westland Wapiti (Due to be out soon) , i have a special entry in it for the Wapiti K1289.

These photos are probably from its career earlier with the RAF. And that black band (or red) suggests 5 Sqn?

It ended up with the Indian Air Force No.1 Squadron in 1939..

Though it was forcelanded at Pushtakara in that 1941 incident, the aircraft was recovered the very next day by the Flight Commander , who flew it back Peshawar. I assume the aircraft was SOC soon after .

I should add, I have one photos of the ac in the book. from its days of No.27 Sqn RAF where it has ‘H’ code on the forward fuselage and dark band.. Based on info I have – in its no.1 Squadron IAF , it had the checkerboard markings (instead of the band) and carried the code W on the nose in Red. so the photo in this thread predates both these periods

I cant make out the serial in the second photo.. will try and see what comes up..

It looks like 31 Sqn North West Frontier to me The incident to K1289 would be an earlier one than 1941 to me

Guess such information didn’t always make it back to get attached to the AM records – full info is: Deld to PD (Packing Depot) 9/12/30; AD (Aircraft Depot) Drigh Road 1/5/31; 31 Sqn; 5 Sqn; 27 Sqn coded ‘H’; 1 IAF – then the information I gave earlier and I forgot to add SOC 17/7/42. No dates for any of the squadrons and, from the picture, it is obviously not coded ‘H’…!

I am not experienced enough to say that it is written off in the photo and since The K File has an image of a rather smashed up K1130 which crashed at Sulaimania 9/8/32 and was returned to service after rebuild by the Aircraft Depot at Hinaidi, maybe it was a little premature of me to assume that the first photo signalled its demise.

David do you know where those photos were taken ? It looks like 31 Sqn North West Frontier to me The incident to K1289 would be an earlier one than 1941 to me

Unfortunately no Paul, the photos came from a friend whose father (Frederick Frost) was in the R.A.F., I am trying to find out more information about them. Frost was shot down with 620 Squadron and was held by the Gestapo and the photographs were in his effects. I am endeavouring to find out more about Frost.

Navigation light

Ah yes, didn’t consider that 🙂

What is that on top of the wing, in the first picture ?

Navigation light

David do you know where those photos were taken ? It looks like 31 Sqn North West Frontier to me The incident to K1289 would be an earlier one than 1941 to me

What is that on top of the wing, in the first picture ?
A bit early for a camera.

Thank you snafu. Would that have been an R.A.F. pilot or an Indian pilot as it’s 1 IAF?

K1289: 1 IAF Squadron, engine cut, forcelanded in field, Pushtakhara, near Peshawar, 30/6/41, according to Air Britain’s The K File.

Can’t make out the serial for the other one.

Hi David,

yes I believe they are both Wapitis

Cheers
Paul F

Thanks, are they both Wapitis?