Interestingly, the BT-67, C-GAWI, which landed at Wick yesterday, has a D-Day history. As 42-100764, it was with the 438TCG, 8thAF, then 89th TCS, 9thAF, named “Georgia Jane II “.
The Joe Baugher website has a more detailed history of 42-100764 here :-

100764 (MSN 19227) to USAAF Dec 7, 1943. 89th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop
Carrier Group, I Troop Carrier Command, Baer Field, Fort Wayne, IN Jan44. Morrison Field, West Palm
Beach, FL 30Jan44. Ferried overseas via the South Atlantic/African route departing Morrison Field 7Feb44.
Routed via Borinquen Field, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico; Atkinson Field, Georgetown, British Guyana; Val de Caes
Field, Belém; Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil; Eknes Field, Rufisque, Dakar, Senegal; Menara Field,
Marrakech, French Morocco; Port Lyautey, French Morocco; England. Ninth Air Force, Langar (Station 490)
16Feb44. Greenham Common (Station 486) Mar44. 89th Troop Carrier Squadron. Transported paratroopers
of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division to a drop zone near Sainte-Mère-Église,
Normandy, France on Mission ‘Albany’, 5/6Jun44. Prosnes (A-79), Reims, France Feb45. Transported
paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division to a drop zone at the
southern edge of the Diersfordt, three mile northwest of Wesel, Germany on Operation ‘Varsity’ 24Mar45.
Returned to USA Aug 5, 1945.
To RFC at Walnut Ridge Nov 16, 1945. Became NC79017, then N79017.
7/15/98: Saber Cargo Airlines, Charlotte, NC with c/r N79017.
At various times N1968K and N212FF were reserved, but NTU.
1/4/05: Basler Turbo Conversions, Oshkosh, WI. Converted to BT-67 turbo-prop.
7/3/07: To Triumph Airways Ltd of Oshawa, ON as C-GAWI.
12/13/07: Alci Aviation Ltd, Oshawa.
9/22/09: Kenn Borek Air Ltd, Calgary, AB.
1/7/10: C-GAWI cancelled.
7/14/12: Noted in Svalbard, Norway still marked as C-GAWI.
With its fascinating history, wouldn’t it be a fitting addition to ” Daks Over Normandy “.
Iain

As regards Bothas with a code behind the roundel, I have attached a relevant image, apparently taken at West Freugh, 1939/1940. The photo is in my photographic collection and I am unfortunately unable to determine the source of the image. [ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:”none”,”data-size”:”full”,”data-attachmentid”:3855807}[/ATTACH]

Got it. At 8.17 , what I thought was a Comet to the left of the Ashton does, indeed, look like the Sperrin. What put me off was the dihedral tailplane and what looked like the lowered flaps of a Comet. Well spotted. Could the Hastings/Tudor at 8:13 possibly be Hermes VX234 ?

EQD Crest

Hi Inkworm,
Here’s the crest. Hope this works.
Iain

Meddle,
The Classic Air Force Twin Pioneer spares ship was G-AZHJ, purchased from the Prestwick Pioneer Preservation Society. I don’t know its present status, or even if it still exists.
I took this shot of it at the 1992 Prestwick Air Show. Hope the link works.
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1106135
Regards,
Iain

If only we could turn the clock back. KE442, a genuine, wartime FAA Avenger, photographed in the fire pits at RNAS Abbotsinch in 1958. I hope that this link works –
http://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1097199

Take a look at the wheel chocks – they are marked “A S Mamba”. This would make it KJ839, which made its first flight with Mambas at Bitteswell on 27th August 1949.

In the early 70s I “rescued” a Jupiter engine from the scrapyard at Wig Bay. I notified an RAF detachment at West Freugh and they collected the engine, the plan being to deliver it to the RAF Museum. Whether it ever reached its intended destination I know not. Incidentally, the manufacturer’s plate gave the engine type as a “Jupiter VI FT”. What it was doing at Wig Bay and what type of aircraft it was fitted to has puzzled me ever since.