Number on flap

Taz · 10 November 2006, 09:32 PM

wolf- There was a B4637, but it crashed in England so is no help. Rick's idea makes sense, except there wa no subcontractor E.C.. If it was a Dr.I half the people on the Forum (me included) could tell you what every stencil on the aircraft meant. Kind of sad we cannot do that with an airplane flown by the Brits and Yanks in the war.

Hopefully someone will pipe in here eventually. I would like to know.

Taz
Terry Phillips

11 November 2006, 06:23 AM

Forgive my total ignorance on this subject... I would assume there would be a limited number of units flying the Camel in Oct 1918. It there anyway to search for who was shot down on Oct 5th or May 10th? Were there good enough records kept for this?

Bayo-Wolf

Taz · 11 November 2006, 10:19 AM

wolf- Sure is. More research tonight at home.

Taz

Taz · 11 November 2006, 10:27 PM

wolf- From Henshaw The Sky Their Battlefield, on 4 Oct 1918 Sopwith Camel D8244 was last seen out of control near Rotzo at 7:50 am. Lt A Latimer was killed. Only thing I can see which matches. Nothing around 10 May.

Taz
Terry Phillips

12 November 2006, 05:43 AM

Great information Taz and it fits with the photo too. A quick bit of research this morning shows that there is an ossuary in this region with the bones of about 20,000 Austrian WWI soldiers. I will dig into it a bit more. Very interesting stuff for a beginner like me.

Bayo-wolf

Taz · 17 November 2006, 09:46 PM

wolf- Just a bit more background info. I just picked up a photo of a captured Sopwith Pup A6183 with W.R. 4021 on the upper starboard aileron and and W.R. 4025 on the lower starboard aileron. Rick's surmise of a part number is undoubtedly correct.

Taz
Terry Phillips

18 November 2006, 06:08 AM

Thanks Taz. Seems the number mystery is put to bed. I am still hoping their may be some further clues in the message written on the back of the card. With so many international members, I'm hoping someone will recognize the language.

Bayo-wolf

Dan_San_Abbott · 19 November 2006, 09:38 PM

Bayo-wolf:
It certainly is a Sopwith Camel and which looks like 130hp Clerget engine. This machine is most likely from No.45 Squadron Camel, RFC. I believe the number may be the part number for the right upper aileron. E.C. might be the doping code.
blue skies,
Dan-San

austin08 · 19 November 2006, 10:42 PM

Hey Bayo-wolf, just an aside - the photographer seems to be taking a picture of the guy in the cockpit as opposed to the number discussed. Can anyone identify the uniform of this individual? A bit of a souvenir perhaps? It intrigues me that somewhere there may be a corresponding photograph from the angle of the photographer in the picture - wouldn't that be something as a matching pair!

austin08 · 19 November 2006, 11:06 PM

In the appendices to

Norman Macmillans book "offensive patrol" there is listed - Oct 4 Lt A Latimer flying camel D.8244 flying a "special close offensive patrol" hit by anti aircraft fire. KIA. the plane reported to have been lost in enemy controlled area - this seems to be confirming the source listed by Taz. The squadron listed is however 28 squadron as opposed to 45.