Bomber Identification

[Kieron Hill]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me what these bombers
are from the silhouettes? Maybe you've
got one of those plane identification
books you could look in.

Regards
Kieron

[Chris Basey]

I used to know them off by heart from every angle all those years ago! I wonder how the old memory performs without recourse to a book.

The four engined bomber must be a Lancaster and the other a Wellington.

[Kieron Hill]

Cheers Chris,

I was 99.5% with the Wellington but
not too sure with the other.

Cheers
Kieron

[Pte1643]

2 Engine Bomber, definitely Wellington.

4 Engine bomber, NOT Lancaster.

The wings aren't "Broad" enough, also not "Round" enough at the wingtips.

This shape wing, Long, Thin and slightly square on the tips is more related to the style used by Handley Page.

Halifax's were more associated with having Square looking "Uprights" on the tailplane.

But the Mk II had "Rounder" ones, and was also equiped with Merlin Engines, rather than the later Mk's Bristol Hercules engines.

For me the 4 Engine bomber is a Halifax II.

Mark.

[Kieron Hill]

Cheers Mark,

I had a quick look at a book
I forgot I had (blew the dust
off) and found a line drawing
of a Lancaster and a photo
of a Halifax. Your right what
you said about the wing so I
am happy to say its a Halifax.

Thanks again Mark

So now I know that, what about
the markings on the Halifax, from
what I can work out it's ZA (O) Z
there could be something behind
the last Z, but its shielded by
tailplane. Can anyone tell me it's
squadron?

Regards
Kieron

1st picture the Lancaster
2nd picture Halifax

[Pte1643]

Crikey Kieron, you've done well to see ZA Z.

I could only just make it out, and that's using your guess.

If it is indeed ZA "Z" then it's definitley a Halifax, as ZA was the code for No. 10 Sqdn.

No. 10 Sqdn flew Halifax's out of Leeming from Dec' 1941 to Aug' 1942.

Then out of Melbourne from Aug' 1942 to Aug' 1945.

During their time 10 Sqdn flew the Mk I, II and III versions.

Using the info' (ZA "Z") I will try (Hopefully) and find out the actual registration of the aircraft.

All the best.

Mark.

[Kieron Hill]

Cheers Mark,

As these photos have come from an
Officer with the A.I.F. I should imagine
its from the time they flew out of
Melbourne.

My eyes...let you into a little secret
the kids microscope

Cheers
Kieron

[Pte1643]

Originally posted by kieron hill@Apr 16 2005, 06:01 PM
As these photos have come from an
Officer with the A.I.F. I should imagine
its from the time they flew out of
Melbourne.

Quoted post

Kieron.

Slight mis-understanding maybe...
Melbourne, Yorkshire (Approx 10m SE of York).

Anyhow...

Halifax II, Sqdn code ZA "Z", Aircraft Registration DT789.

Now for the rest.

Unforunately shot down by "Oberstleutnant" Helmut Lent. Approx 40Km west of Egmond, Holland on 24th May 1943.

The "Kill" was given at 02:16 in the morning, and was credited to Lent as his 68th.

Lent was nicknamed the "Moonlight Hunter". He reached a total of 113 night fighter "Victories", flying (mostly) BF110's, and was later promoted posthumously to Oberst.

OOppss... A little "Off topic" there for a mo'.

Hope this is OK.

Mark.

[Kieron Hill]

Cheers for that Mark

Would the following be the same Halifax?
The details were taken from the following
website.

RAF 10 Squadron

If it is the same what an interesting story, just
a bit strange how it found its way into this
collection <_<

Thanks everyone for your help

Regards
Kieron

=================================================

W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron

On 27th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron took off at 2057 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.
On arriving at the target, Tirpitz, they attacked through the smoke screen from 600 feet reporting that other than the smoke screen visibility was excellent. Severe flak was encountered from the sides of the fjord during the run up to the target. The crew also reported having seen a small ship, possibly a tanker, burning in Trondheimfjord just off Trondheim.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0540 hrs on 28th April 1942.

On 28th April 1942, the crew of Halifax W1055 ZA-Z from 10 Squadron took off at 2032 hrs from RAF Lossiemouth on the North East coast of Scotland to participate in an attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was moored at the time in Fættenfjord in Norway.
Visibility was recorded as having been excellent over the target area. The Tirpitz was clearly seen and a low level attack was delivered from 800 feet at 0051 hrs. No results of the attack were observed. Severe and accurate flak was encountered from both sides of the fjord during the bombing run up. One 1,000 lb mine hung up. The port outer engine started to overheat on the journey home and had to be shut down, and the aircraft was brought back on three engines.

The aircraft and crew returned safely to RAF Lossiemouth landing at 0535 hrs on 29th April 1942.

[Pte1643]

Hi again Kieron.

DOH...

To be honest, I didn't even consider the fact that a number of aircraft, at different times of course, would have used the same "Sqn Code".

In answer to your question, NO, the 2 aircraft (DT789 & W1055) were not the same. As aircraft registrations are unique (much in the same way as cars). DT789 would have replaced W1055 and "Taken Over" the Sqn designation.

DT789 was lost during a raid on Dortmund 23/5/43-24/5/43, as per detailed above.

I kind of concentrate on the details of "Losses" rather than "history", except in some cases, so my sources have W1055 down as belonging to 102 Sqn.

This aircraft was lost during a raid on Flensburg 23rd Sept' 42, whilst serving with 102 Sqn.

So sometime between Apr' 42 and Sept' 42 it made the "Switch" from 10 to 102. Possibly to "Fill some gaps"???

Sadly, however, it's nigh on impossible to know which of these 2 aircraft it is that appears in your photo.

And YES, as you say it's quite an interesting case.

Hope I've been of some help.

Speak to you again sometime.

Mark.