If you scroll down this page (http://www.nms.ac.uk/explore/stories/science-and-technology/messerschmitt-komet/), you’ll see an image of the log book entry for the flight, with Me 163 191659 shown. Plus he told me himself!

Dave,

Thanks, that’s brilliant and just what I was looking for. The Nieuport clearly wasn’t the first British aircraft downed by the Germans, despite what the caption to the image claims!

Thanks again.

Thanks Alan, I’ll give them a try.

AgCat,

Thanks, but the photos are not of an FDP, I’m pretty sure of that. The radar equipment is incorrect for it to be an FDP alone, as it includes a Type 6 Light Warning Set and other equipment that would not be part of an FDP. This is why I’ve had difficulty identifying the unit, because it’s not a Type 70 or an FDP or an MRCP. However, it’s possible that the images show a combination of the units, perhaps travelling together en route before setting up at different sites?

Alan,

Sorry if I’ve not been clear, but AMES 114 has nothing to do with this enquiry. I merely mentioned it because the images I have of 114 show that its vehicles did carry the unit number on them, contrary to what I had previously claimed. However, it has nothing to do with the AJ Drake photos.

AgCat,

Thanks very much indeed for this which is very interesting. I don’t know a great deal about he Type 70, but the radar types shown in the photos seem to include the height-finder and plan position indicator sets (Types 13 and 14 respectively) that comprised a Type 70, but with additional equipment over and above. I had therefore originally ruled out a Type 70. However, I do wonder if in fact what we are seeing is a Type 70 plus other associated units. If it’s not a single radar unit, but several on a single site, that would certainly explain why it didn’t match my expectations for what a single unit would comprise. I’ll need to do a bit more reading on his, but this certainly looks like a possibility. Thanks!

Incidentally, Alan I owe you an apology. I was wrong when I said I’ve never seen photos of radar units with the unit number on the vehicle. I didn’t think I had been looking through some photos I found images of AMES 114 vehicles showing both “BAFO/60 114” and “TAF/60 114.” Clearly radar units did sometimes show the unit number on the vehicles, although not in the case of the unit about which I have been enquiring. Anyway, apologies for my error and any confusion caused as a result.

Alan,

Thanks, I wish I could. Unfortunately, I don’t know the number or other identity of the unit in question. All I have is the album and a hand-drawn map showing the route the unit took from The Hague through the Netherlands to Stade. From other units he served with (which have dates) I believe these photos were taken in 1946, but I don’t even know this for certain. Hence, I’m appealing for any clues that might identify the unit or provide other information.