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bobward
30th Oct 2018, 13:17
All,
I'm researching a Hampden crash in North Norfolk as I plan to build a model of the aircraft for a mate. He lost his uncle in the crash.
The aircraft went down at Cawston, North Norfolk on 10 Feb 41 whilst operating with 61 squadron, RAF Hemswell. It had ben tasked with raiding Whilhelmshaven in Germany, and was lost attempting a forced landing.
Thus far I've narrowed the airframe number down to P4409, with squadron codes QR.
What I'm trying to ascertain are:
1 The individual code letter allocated, and
2 Whether the camouflage demarcation was high, or low on the fuselage.

Can anyone in the Prunosphere help me with these?

Thanks in advance.

DaveReidUK
30th Oct 2018, 14:25
I think you may be mistaken about the aircraft ID.

Hampden P4405 (not P4409) crashed at Oulton (a couple of miles from Cawston) on 10th February 1941, with the loss of the following crew:

Sgt John Edward Hill
Sgt Robert Arthur Chanin
Flt Sgt Robert Alfred Gapp
Flt Lt Walter Eric Frutiger

Do any of those names ring a bell ?

Can't help with the markings, I'm afraid.

Icare9
30th Oct 2018, 15:03
Chorleys Bomber Command Losses confirms serial as P4405, Squadron Code QR but individual aircraft letter not known.
Took off 0220 from Hemswell, crashed 0650, after calling for assistance, into Bluestone Plantation, between Heydon and Cawston.
Frutiger was the pilot.

Cawston Local History Society may have more
See Handley Page Hampden 61 Squadron crashed Norfolk February 1941 (http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?23246-Handley-Page-Hampden-61-Squadron-crashed-Norfolk-February-1941)
Airmen will be remembered at World War II memorial at Cawston in north Norfolk | Cromer, Sheringham and North Walsham News - North Norfolk News (http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/four-airmen-whose-plane-crashed-in-norfolk-during-the-war-will-be-remembered-on-memorial-1-5619759)
https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/memorial-to-be-unveiled-for-heroic-raf-flight-sergeant/

Frutiger was promoted as Flying Officer on July 17 1940 https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1940/1940%20-%202375.PDF
Frutiger had previously served in No 49 Squadron 49 Squadron Association : Update Log (http://www.49squadron.co.uk/updatelog)

That took 10 minutes on Google....

bobward
30th Oct 2018, 19:59
Dave / Icare,
Thanks for the prompt replies.
My apologies. What I didn't mention in my post was that I had already done a little bit of research, that was how I found the unit and serial number. However, having had a brainf*rt I logged this wrongly in my initial post. Thanks for the correction.
This aircraft is only two down the production line from P4403. This was flown by Sqn Ldr Learoyd when he won his VC for bombing the Dortmund-Emms canal. This machine is one of the options in the re-issued Airfix kit. I'm going to assume that the colour schemes and demarcations on the Learoyd machine, and P4405 were the same. Now all I need to find out is whatever code letter she had at the time.

Thanks again for the assist - I'll pass the info on to my mate.

Regards
Bob