Number on flap

20 November 2006, 03:13 PM

Glad to see some new life on this thread.

To Dan- Is there something about the plane that makes you think the 45 squadron instead of the 28?

To Austin- I believe you are right, he is pointing the camera toward the cockpit. The guy in the cockpit seems to be wearing the same hat as some of the Austrian soldiers in the background. So I am assuming the uniform is Austrian.

Bayo-wolf and Buckaroo

Dan_San_Abbott · 20 November 2006, 07:05 PM

Bayo-wolf:
It just as well could be No.28 Squadron, Camel,(RFC), they were also stationed in Italy in the same Group as No.45 Squadron,Camel(RFC). It reminds me of a Fighter Squadron I was in for bit. One of our fighter pilots tried to fly between two stout oak trees, twenty feet apart.with 37 ft wing span of his P-51D. It damaged the trees, but he destroyed the P-51.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

kynance · 12 January 2007, 09:41 AM

I seem to recall seeing this photo in Chaz Bowyers book dedicated to the Sopwith Camel. I have a copy of this book, but unfortunately not with me at the moment, l will follow it up and get back to you in a few days.

kynance · 15 January 2007, 07:06 AM

Bayo-Wolf,

I have had a dig around regarding your photo and can offer the following information:

The aircraft was Sopwith Camel B5648 completed on 4 Dec 1917 by the firm of Ruston, Proctor & Co Ltd Lincoln England. The contract number was A. S. 1809/17.

The crash is dated 30 March 1918. Following a fight with Albatrosses of Flik 51J Lieutenant

Alan Jerrard of 66 Sqn was shot down by Oberleutnant Benno Fiala, Ritter von Fernbrugg, and made a prisoner of war. The crash was near Ponte di Piave, Northern Italy. For his part in this action Lt Jerrard was awarded the VC, the only one awarded to a Camel pilot during WW1.

The aircraft carried the colours of 66 Sqn, a single white vertical bar ahead of the fuselage cockade and a single horizontal bar between the individual aircraft letter and the tail. The aircraft letter was immediately behind the fuselage cockade, in the case of this aircraft an 'E'. This letter was also carried on the upper wing surface slightly to the right of the upper wing cut-out. Sources also indicate that there was a vertical white bar immediately behind the cowling of this aircraft. As a point of interest, initially this aircraft came to rest on it's nose and left wings, I have a photo to support this and will try and post it later, too large a file size at the moment!

Hope this helps,

Kynance

kynance · 16 January 2007, 05:34 AM

Bayo - Wolf,

Here is the other photo I mentioned. Close study of the surrounding trees and aircraft damage point towards it being the same incident, well at least that is my humble opinion...

Now for that serial number you first asked about, I shall see what I can find !

Regards,

Kynance

davecww1 · 17 January 2007, 05:47 PM

That's a great photo! shows that they overpainted the white rondels with probably PC-10!
Dave

mustang · 18 January 2007, 03:36 AM

Kynance et. al.

You are totally correct. I have Bowyer's book, it covers the incident in detail and in addition shows the last photograph in your post. It also shows a photo of Jerrard sitting on a log, obviously dazed, and another of him being led away into captivity.

He retired from the RAF in 1933 and died on 14th May 1968.

Regards, Mustang

kynance · 24 January 2007, 01:17 AM

All

From what I can gather the number on the aileron is simply a part number, these numbers can be seen on other parts of the aircraft, the fin and ruder for instance.

Hope this helps,

Kynance

Dan_San_Abbott · 24 January 2007, 01:18 PM

Gentlemen:
The number is, a part number, R defines the right aileron and E.C. is the doping code, British Emaillite, (4 coats)
Blue skies,
Dan-San