Ray Collishaw's Aircraft

Good day all,

I'm new to this list but someone on HyperScale suggested I give you a try. Very nice site!

Anyway, on to my question. Looking at my collection recently, I realized that I have just about everything I need to do a 1/48 collection of Sopwith/Hawker fighters from the Baby to the Harrier. Upon looking closer at the WWI stuff, I found that one of the great Sopwith exponents, if not the greatest, was Ray Collishaw. He flew Strutters, Pups, Tripes and Camels and got a load of kills. Cool, says I, I'll do four of his airplanes! Alas, upon checking my somewhat meger sources, I could only find clear markings for his Strutter when flying with 3 Wing and his Triplanes when with 10 Sqn. His Pup and Camel from 3 (203) Sqn. were no where to be found.

Does anyone have any info on his markings for these airplanes? A photo in his book Air Command shows a Camel he says was his, D.3417, but it's hard to make out exactly what the markings are and I can't see where the serial is at all. I have nothing on the Pup.

If anyone could help me out, or point me to a source, I would very much appreciate it! Thanks very much!

Sincerely,

Michael Satin

[Graeme]

Collishaw scored his victoriss in Strutter 9407, Pup N6160, Triplane N5490, Triplane N5492, Triplane N533, Camel B6390 and Camel D3417. I've seen pictures of Collishaw in various machines but can't recall any showing more than him sitting in the cockpit.

I sent you some page links that may help.
let me know if you did not get them.

D'3417 was indeed Collishaw's Camel while with 203 Sq. There is a photo of it in "Royal Naval Aircraft Serial and Units 1914-1919" by Ray Sturtivant and Gordon Page. I unfortunately do not have a scanner to post it. It is generally unreamrkable though, PC 10 finish with natural alum cowl. Front front to rear - Roundel, white band and unit insignia - the white "doughnut". No serial is evident in the photo. Wheel covers appear to be gray. It was powered by a 150HP Bentley Br I and built by Shuttleworth under license from Sopwith. Hope this helps.
-Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the info! Can you tell if the white ring marking appeared anywhere on the top of the airplane, or only on the fuselage sides?

Michael

Don't forget the Camel he flew in Russia following WWI. I don't know what the SN was, and have forgotten the squadron, but he had two kills in it, both against Albatros DVs. His book should have more details.

[MikeW]

His Pup flown with Naval 3 bore the usual Black Maria Logo, the other "Black" aircraft in this flight Black Tulip, Black Arrow, and I think Black Cat.

His Naval 10 triplanes were all "Black Maria", the only absolutely certain colour scheme is of N533, a twin vickers gun tripe.

Then the one that everyone forgets, the Seaplane Defence Flight (became Naval 13). This was another camel, and yet again "Black Maria". I can look you out a serial tomorrow if you like. The only other member of this flight that I know of is "Black Prince".

Then Naval 3/203 squadron, there are quite a few published shots of Collishaw's camel. He'd obviously got over the "Black maria" kick by this time!!!!

[Graeme]

One of Collishaw's mounts in Russia was Camel F6396 in which he scored a victory over an Albatros DV that crashed on the banks of the Voga on 9 October 1919.