The Merseyside Aviation Society’s (at the time) ground-breaking books on US military serials included ‘United States Navy Serials 1941-1976’, Peter Danby. While now considerably out of date, it is still THE paper guide to older US Navy (Bureau of Aeronautics or Bu Aer) numbers.

55554 is a little too early, being a General Motors FM-2 Wildcat, supplied to the RN as Wildcat IVs.
155554 is too recent, being a McDonnell F-4J Phantom II

Bit puzzled in your request. Do the ‘?’ represent a missing number, or the previous number shown as being dubious interpretation?

So trying 5*55* as the Bu Aer, then the possible types are Corsair, Texan, Kaydet, Avenger, Dauntless, Wildcat, Skymaster, Corsair, Hellcat, Privateer, where the first * is replaced by 0, 1 , 2 etc. Seems that the 5*55* range is allocated a little early for a Neptune, while the 15*55* is well to late as Orions, Sabreliners and helicopters are some of the types wearing that range of Bu Aer numbers.

On a whim, widened the search into ‘United States Air Force Serials 1946 to 1977, also Peter Danby, MAS. Looked at fiscal serial 55-555*, and each year in 50s eg 50-55*, 51-55*, 52-55* etc, but again drew a blank.

On my interpretation of the request, looks like a false trail for the tail number! Come up with another 6-figure number, I’ll be glad to look it up.

Conveniently in support of the argument overlooks the likes of Boeing, Consolidated (incl Vultee), Martin, North American, Lockheed, Cessna, Piper etc. as major producers.

While I have no supporting facts, in very generalised terms, I would state that the East coast pre-War, in particular New York State was the industrial powerhouse for whole Union, it was where the finance originated for industrial enterprise (having survived the New York Stock market crash a decade earlier). New York State was where modern enterprise was funded from pre-War. While the West Coast had the space and supported innovators (even then); the Great Lakes the output of raw materials, especially steel. Over simplified, yes – but so too was the original hypothesis.

Now, if the hypothesis had been why were failing, dated and mis-managed (if that was indeed the case) aircraft manufacturers in New York State given so much support in the face of successful innovation from elsewhere within the Union, then I too would wonder on political influence. I feel the percentage thing in the title is misleading – but have no figures to either support or refute.

Interesting hypothesis or troll comment, I trust that it is the former.

There are reports each summer for a few years now of a German registered Bell used in the UK for lifting supplies to conservation projects rebuilding eroded mountain pathways.

Don’t seem to be able to go back into my post on ‘edit’ to add info.

105 Sqdn moved to RAF Khormaskar, Aden June 1962, so just before XP413 was delivered to the unit July 1962.

Agree XP413 is the biggest clue, hangar doors looking fairly similar!

July 1962 – March 1964 based Khormaskar, Aden with 105 Sqdn
June 1964 – May 1965 with HSA, likely at Bitteswell
May 1966 – December 1968 based Thorney Island with 242 OCU
January 1969 – mid ’70s based Cottesmore with 115 Sqdn
SOC May 1976 at Fairford. Scrap date ?

Pity there is no unit badge on the fin!

A photo very similar to that here of G-ARJY at Dublin has appeared on nwan forum and provoked discussion a year or two back. I’ve been back, looked at the thread and find the post with a link to short movie clip of the aircraft shortly after the landing appears to have been deleted. Some confusion as to whether it was an under- or over-shoot of the Dublin runway. Look closely and there is a fence behind the aircraft and no ‘witness’ marks on the ground. If I recall correctly the film clip showed the aircraft having come to rest blocking a road – by the time the still photo was taken ‘JY had been moved, and the ‘Starways’ titles painted out.

I also recall a magazine article a good few years ago stating that the fuel system of the Canadair Argonaut was so complex as the C-54/DC-4 fuel system had been extensively adapted to cater for the different demands of the Merlin powerplant against the P&W radial. Could have been that the Merlin’s had superchargers – or maybe I’m stretching the ‘grey cell’ too far? Knowing this forum someone who really knows will be along shortly.

Members of the Merseyside based ‘North West Air News’ (nwan) forum have been out and using ‘Scouse’s’ clues have got a better look (and photos) of the Wessex – and photo confirmation that is indeed XS885/512:DD.

http://derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/24360/wessex-sighted-industrial-premises-liverpool

Mods, please delete, it seems I can’t’.

Photos on this forum, on another thread within the past two weeks, show the aircraft apparently with large side section cut out on one side.