54 Squadron and Camel B7407

tangowhiskey · 2 November 2009, 01:53 AM

A member has kindly sent me the following information regarding my grandfather 2nd Lieut RTT Waring

He flew with No 54 Sqn and while with that unit crashed on landing in Camel B7407 on 22 April 1918. He was unhurt and after repair the Camel went to the 17th US Aero Squadron

Does anyone have any photos or sources for 54 Squadron Camel photos? Or, also, 54 Squadron photos of flight crews etc. from France 1918. Any photos with B7407 in view?

Finally, does anyone have any further insights for me into where this crash took place?

Thank you all for your help,
Tom

ADDITIONAL INFO: thanks to another kind individual, the following info adds to the above

On 22 April 1918, No 54 Sqn RAF was based at Clairmarais North aerodrome; it had moved there from Conteville on 7 April, and stayed until 29 April, when it moved to Caffiers.

B7407 was a remarkable aeroplane, in that it was used by three separate air services. First by No 4 Sqn Australian Flying Corps, then No 54 Sqn RAF, then the 17th Aero Sqn USAS.

No 54 Sqn's marking from late January 1918 was a thin white vertical bar on the fuselage side ahead of the roundel, located where the wooden decking on the fuselage top ends - the rear of the bar continued the line of the decking, and the front of the bar was just behind the trailing edge of the lower wing. The squadron was ordered to change to a sloping 'N" after the roundel during the re-allocation of unit markings on 22 March 1918, but for some reason this didn't occur, and the vertical bar was used until June. The individual number of the aircraft ('A' Flight used 1-6; 'B' Flight used 7-12; and 'C' Flight used 13-18) was painted in white to the rear of the roundel.

tangowhiskey · 3 November 2009, 05:04 AM

Found that B7407 went on to do good things after my grandfather crashed it!

Cornell University have History of 17th Squadron online and combat report 32 details action on 26 8 1918 with Lieut WW Goodnow flying B7407 and engaging EA. Report 103 details Goodnow in same aircraft bombing a balloon that was on the ground nr Bapaume.

bristol scout · 3 November 2009, 05:40 AM

RUSTON, PROCTOR built 'em well

Dave.

Lufbery · 3 November 2009, 07:59 AM

Hey, that's really neat information about the plane!

What can you tell us about your grandfather and his service?

Regards,

tangowhiskey · 3 November 2009, 11:55 AM

Thanks Drew, just trying to put whatever pieces I can together. It's a long time ago and my father died without passing on much in the way of real detail about my grandfather's flying career in 1917/18. My aunt (83 now) survives and has a lot of anecdotal stories but they're not facts until I can verify them.
My grandfather was, he himself admitted, luckier than many better men as he survived the war. He thought himself incredibly fortunate to be a pilot and always mentioned his pity for the 'Poor Bloody infantry'. He was troubled by a long running depression which he tried very hard to keep in check. I sometimes wonder if he was carrying some guilt for actually having survived.....

Best, Tom

Raineranton · 3 November 2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangowhiskey

Does anyone have any photos or sources for 54 Squadron Camel photos? Or, also, 54 Squadron photos of flight crews etc. from France 1918. Any photos with B7407 in view?

Hello Tom,

there are two pictures of 54 Squadron Camels in the Book: Sopwith Camel - King of Combat. If you want a scan of it, send me a PM with your email-adress and I´ll send it to you.

Regards

Rainer (romeoalfa)

RobW · 3 November 2009, 04:40 PM

Tom,
I'd like to know more about your Grandfather... where was he from... stuff like that.

Rob Waring

Lufbery · 4 November 2009, 07:01 AM

Tom,

Your grandfather is probably like the vast majority of WWI pilots. Most of them never achieved ace status or any fame, but they did their duty to the best of their ability. I've read a lot of statements from pilots' memoirs or diaries where they express sympathy for the infantry and sometimes guilt over not sharing their fate.

Regards,

tangowhiskey · 4 November 2009, 10:30 AM

Hey, Lufbery.... since you found the plane info interesting:

Squadron 54's records show that two days BEFORE my grandfather crashed B7407 (i.e on 20th April 1918) the same aircraft, piloted by T. Lt. CS Bowen downed one German Pfalz scout over Vieux Berquin at 5.30 p.m.. Lt Bowen was with a patrol of 4 Camels when they spotted 10 EA at 2,000 feet. Lt Bowen drove one down to 200 feet, firing "10 or 12 good bursts" on the way, and the EA was observed to crash north of Neuf Berquin and he was credited with the kill.

best
Tom

bristol scout · 4 November 2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raineranton

Hello Tom,

there are two pictures of 54 Squadron Camels in the Book: Sopwith Camel - King of Combat. If you want a scan of it, send me a PM with your email-adress and I´ll send it to you.

Regards

Rainer (romeoalfa)

And six in 'Sopwith Camel Squadrons by L.A. Rogers --Windsock Special----same offer Tom.

Dave.