I’m quite certain that Mosquitos were not used on this flight. Most probably one of the four-engined types mentioned.

Nils

Here is a description of the BOAC Mosquitos’ bomb bays.

The bomb-bays of the Mosquitos were lined with plywood and padded with felt, petrol pipes diverted, and equipped with safety-belts to prevent the unfortunate inmate being thrown about too much.

Passengers accommodated in the bomb bay were wearing a lined flying suit to protect them from the cold temperature of the higher stratum of air, and they were equipped with an oxygen flask. There was no direct connection between the pilots in the cockpit and the passenger. The communication link was through the crew’s intercom system. In some occasions the passenger, not familiar with how to operate this system, failed to receive messages from the pilot such as using the oxygen mask at high altitude. An electric light was been rigged inside the bomb-bays which provided for light so that they could do some reading during the flight. Each passenger was given a packet of sandwiches and a thermos flask with coffee or tea, and told to hope for the best.

This compartment was barely large enough for a man to lie down inside, and not high enough for him to sit upright. The hydraulic jacks for closing the bomb doors were inside the bay, and folded into the compartment as they closed the doors. In order to avoid having his legs trapped, the long-suffering passenger had to perform further gymnastics by raising his knees right up under his chin. When the bomb doors were shut on him, he could stretch out his legs underneath the jacks and “relax”.

Nils

There are a couple of photos of a passenger in the bomb bay that have been published in several books, magazines etc. I have copies somewhere. I also have a description on the modifications that were done to the bomb bay to carry passenger. Give me a few days, and I will find it.

I am currently writing a book on the BOAC, ABA and ATC flights between Britain ans Sweden during WWII. There is so much material out there that need to be processed….

Nils

The servicing echelons were just sub units within the squadrons they served. E.g. No 6331 (Norwegian) Servicing Echelon was part of 331 Squadron. The dates (22 – 31 Mar 1944, 7 – 12 May 1945) don’t seem correct though, as 331 Squadron left North Weald summer 1944.

Nils

G-AGDD was the second Norwegian Lodestar acquired, G-AGDE being the first. These were painted in the standard scheme.

My book will be about the flights between Britain and Sweden during WWII, both British, Norwegian, Swedish and American operations. Much is of course covered in Nilsson’s and Sandberg’s book “Blockade Runners”, but my research have revealed new information and I will also describe colours and markings. I still have some work to do though (I’m travelling to London next month to do more reseach at the National Archives and the RAF Museum).

Nils

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

While we are talking about Kastrup in May 1945, I am looking for information, and hopefully a photo, of Spitfire Mk.V EP770 that was visiting between 11 and 15 May. The aircraft was flown by Erik Håbjørn who was assigned to the Central Fighter Establishment at Tangmere. He made a flight on 11 May, via Celle in Germany, to see his friends of No. 124 Wing at Kastrup. The next day he flew to Bromma (Stockholm) to see his mother, before continuing to Fornebu (Oslo) on the 13th, back to Kastrup on the 14th and returning to Britain on the 15th.

There is a photo taken at Fornebu, but unfortunately details like code letters are not visible.

The aircraft was probably the personal aircraft of Tangmere’s Station Commander or the C.O. CFE.

Nils