Request for help: ID'ing a crashed US Beau
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Request for help: ID'ing a crashed US Beau
Folks,
Here's a good one: I was recently contacted by a French gent who is overseeing the archeological recovery of a US Beaufighter in the Mediterranean under the French government's auspices.
He contacted me due to my book, "Beaufighters in the Night: 417 Night Fighter Squadron USAAF."
Putting a description I have of a crash with the wreckage he's found, we are trying to find definitive proof of the aircraft's identity.
All I have in my records/research is the RAF serial number ND 204. As time and the sea have done quite a number of the wreck, the gent may not be able to find any trace of the external serial.
Are there data plates on the engines or elsewhere in the fuselage that might help with the identity?
If so, where are they? Also, if so, where in wartime RAF records could one find out if the wreck is indeed ND 204? As the American Beaus were acquired under 'reverse' Lend-Lease, the aircraft maintained RAF serials and were returned to the RAF upon damage or the need for major overhaul.
I will be checking with the USAF History Office during the coming business week, but am hoping that the expertise here can help with this mystery.
Further details as to where the wreck is and the results of the excavation will be forthcoming once the gent has finished his work. As the work is part of his professional and academic advancement, I intend to honor his request for anonymity until he has published.
My thanks and gratitude in advance,
brick
Here's a good one: I was recently contacted by a French gent who is overseeing the archeological recovery of a US Beaufighter in the Mediterranean under the French government's auspices.
He contacted me due to my book, "Beaufighters in the Night: 417 Night Fighter Squadron USAAF."
Putting a description I have of a crash with the wreckage he's found, we are trying to find definitive proof of the aircraft's identity.
All I have in my records/research is the RAF serial number ND 204. As time and the sea have done quite a number of the wreck, the gent may not be able to find any trace of the external serial.
Are there data plates on the engines or elsewhere in the fuselage that might help with the identity?
If so, where are they? Also, if so, where in wartime RAF records could one find out if the wreck is indeed ND 204? As the American Beaus were acquired under 'reverse' Lend-Lease, the aircraft maintained RAF serials and were returned to the RAF upon damage or the need for major overhaul.
I will be checking with the USAF History Office during the coming business week, but am hoping that the expertise here can help with this mystery.
Further details as to where the wreck is and the results of the excavation will be forthcoming once the gent has finished his work. As the work is part of his professional and academic advancement, I intend to honor his request for anonymity until he has published.
My thanks and gratitude in advance,
brick
Brick:
I'm sure you know that large components (cockpit, rear fuselage, tailplane and centre section) of the aircraft had their own serial number plates as well as the general plate for the complete airframe.
These Bristol websites might be useful for information on location of said plates:
http://www.bristolaero.com/
http://bristolaircraft.*************...-identity.html
Hmmm - the second one doesn't work. Try this one: Bristol Aircraft Worldwide Survey
I'm sure you know that large components (cockpit, rear fuselage, tailplane and centre section) of the aircraft had their own serial number plates as well as the general plate for the complete airframe.
These Bristol websites might be useful for information on location of said plates:
http://www.bristolaero.com/
http://bristolaircraft.*************...-identity.html
Hmmm - the second one doesn't work. Try this one: Bristol Aircraft Worldwide Survey
Last edited by stevef; 24th Aug 2008 at 15:48. Reason: Broken Link
You could try `The Fighter Collection` web ,as they`re rebuilding one...
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The Herc engines have a Plate fastened to the uppermost part of the crankcase, (They do on mine) my engine was loaned to TFC for them to work out the engine mounts on the one they are rebuilding, and now is on loan to the York Air Museum to be fitted to their Halifax.
Peter R-B
Vfr
Peter R-B
Vfr
