Sunderlands…. but where??

Bit of a wild guess, but that pier in the background looks very much like the one there was at Kalafrana, Malta. However I cannot recognise the buildings.

Airart

That’s ‘cos they were in Bathurst 😉

Bit of a wild guess, but that pier in the background looks very much like the one there was at Kalafrana, Malta. However I cannot recognise the buildings.

The place was renown for its maintenance workshops and Sunderlands were a frequent sight in those days.

Airart

I’ve been having a look at that photo!! I’ll have a word with my friends mom and see if she knows any more about her uncle.
Thanks for the links btw.
Ivan

Ivan, there is a photo here of the crew of 95/P (DV973), and dated January 1944.

http://www.95squadron.webs.com/P-95.html

There is a list of the names on the back of the photo, one of which is “A/G Sgt Davies”

Apparently, this Sunderland crashed in April of that year, and three of the crew were lost.

I’ve been having a look at that photo!! I’ll have a word with my friends mom and see if she knows any more about her uncle.
Thanks for the links btw.
Ivan

240 Gardner. His name was Joseph Davies, known as Joe.
Thanks.

Your pal might see if he can spot him here:

http://www.95squadron.webs.com/Photos/Album_3/index.htm

Funnily enough, there was a Davies in my Dad’s crew. I’m arranging to meet one of them soon, so I’ll ask him to see if he recognises the photo.

240 Gardner. His name was Joseph Davies, known as Joe.
Thanks.

His last names was Davies, just trying to find out his first name!
This is him. He went to Canada after the war and was never heard from again!

Yes. Appears to have been carried in someone’s wallet for several decades. Must have been dear to him…95 at Bathurst 1944 with Sunderland IIIs.
see below for a nice clean photo. Will be happy to email you scan of it, if you wish. (and send me your email)
Mine may be fresher and cleaner, but yours has more “character!”
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1120051#post1120051

For more on 95 Squadron in West Africa, have a look at www.95Squadron.webs.com

🙂

All original 😉

Mark

And the aircraft at the back on the right appears to be 95/D (W6076) which was my father’s aircraft from June 1944 until May 1945.
(Barnstormer was kind enough to send me this same photo a couple of years ago)

Perhaps Ivan’s mate’s uncle was with 95 – may I ask his name?

Wow, the speed at which this forum uncovers information never ceases to amaze

Lovely photograph, I can only agree with the above. I did notice that there are two different camouflage schemes on the aircraft – two in white with camouflage upper surfaces, one in all over Extra Dark Sea Grey/Dark Slate Grey. The change to the white scheme was on aircraft leaving the factory in about April 1943. Given the shortages of equipment and spares in West Africa, I suppose it is not surprising that one was still in those colours in 1944, but possibly early 44.

Intriguing that the squadron had three aircraft down without props at once, but tales of difficulties keeping the Bristol Pegasus engines working overseas are legendary.

The group in white – does anybody know what uniform the French Aeronavale wore in W Africa?

Ah yes… but how much of the original photograph would remain…? Would it still be an authentic reminder of the times, or merely a digital reconstruction incorporating some original pixels…?
Zeb

🙂

All original 😉

Mark

Thanks everyone!! Knew I could rely on the best historic forum on the net!!
Barnstormer… cheers mate. that tells us it must have been my friends great uncle. Must have been there when the photo was taken. Like you say, must have had a special meaning to him.

Thanks all.

Ivan (and Mike!)

Yes. Appears to have been carried in someone’s wallet for several decades. Must have been dear to him…95 at Bathurst 1944 with Sunderland IIIs.
see below for a nice clean photo. Will be happy to email you scan of it, if you wish. (and send me your email)
Mine may be fresher and cleaner, but yours has more “character!”
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1120051#post1120051

It looks like one of them had the photo in his back pocket for most of that time.

45 minutes with photo-shop would fix it. I am volunteering. 🙂

Great to see shots like this. Thanks for posting.

Mark

Ah yes… but how much of the original photograph would remain…? Would it still be an authentic reminder of the times, or merely a digital reconstruction incorporating some original pixels…?

😀

Sorry couldn’t resist…! fabulous photo…!

Zeb

Apart from “Closing down sale” I have the following observation. The airmen are formed up in “Square” which is usually when there is to be some major anouncement, Also they are at, either Royal Salute or General Salute position, Officers at the salute and other ranks at attention. There is also a party of “dignitaries” in ‘Whites’ (not-RAF) and there are no Sqn colours on parade. If you can find a clue or code on the original pic we need someone to recognise the base.

John

45 minutes with photo-shop would fix it. I am volunteering. 🙂

Knock yourself out Mark!!! 😀

. I do know that his Grand-father served in Europe/India 45-48 and his Great Uncle served in Egypt/West Africa 43-48ish.

It looks like one of them had the photo in his back pocket for most of that time.

45 minutes with photo-shop would fix it. I am volunteering. 🙂

Great to see shots like this. Thanks for posting.

Mark

Given that none of the aircraft have props fitted I would say it a Maintenance Unit and the personnel are in tropical uniforms.

Other than that I haven’t the foggiest.