Boeing Washington with the RAF
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Boeing Washington with the RAF
Firstly can I thank the powers that be for setting up a wonderful forum, it has had me captivated since day one.
For some time now I have had a (some may say unhealthy) interest in the B-29 Washington in RAF service. I have visited the PRO at KEW a number of times and have what I think are definitive histories of most of the airframes whilst they were with the RAF gleaned from Squadron record cards. I also have copies of the Form 700's.
I have a copy of the Washington File by Air Britain (this was published before many of the records at Kew were de-classified) and other articles about the aircraft, but what I am really missing in my research is hands on memories about the aircraft, what it was like to fly and maintain.
The aircraft was way ahead of anything the RAF had when they got it, but was superseded very quickly when the Canberra came along.
Three areas are of particular interest to me. 1.What happened to the airframes kept in reserve at Aldergrove.
2. The use to which the two aircraft transferred to the RAAF at Woomera were put.
3. Operations carried out from Watton by the predecessors to 51 Sqn.
Any snippet of information, no matter how small, would be interesting.
My interest started when I met an uncle of an ex girlfriend (now sadly departed - the girlfirend and the uncle) who did his national service at Waddington - he was really impressed by the fact that he worked on a "Nuclear Bomber"
For some time now I have had a (some may say unhealthy) interest in the B-29 Washington in RAF service. I have visited the PRO at KEW a number of times and have what I think are definitive histories of most of the airframes whilst they were with the RAF gleaned from Squadron record cards. I also have copies of the Form 700's.
I have a copy of the Washington File by Air Britain (this was published before many of the records at Kew were de-classified) and other articles about the aircraft, but what I am really missing in my research is hands on memories about the aircraft, what it was like to fly and maintain.
The aircraft was way ahead of anything the RAF had when they got it, but was superseded very quickly when the Canberra came along.
Three areas are of particular interest to me. 1.What happened to the airframes kept in reserve at Aldergrove.
2. The use to which the two aircraft transferred to the RAAF at Woomera were put.
3. Operations carried out from Watton by the predecessors to 51 Sqn.
Any snippet of information, no matter how small, would be interesting.
My interest started when I met an uncle of an ex girlfriend (now sadly departed - the girlfirend and the uncle) who did his national service at Waddington - he was really impressed by the fact that he worked on a "Nuclear Bomber"
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
No 192 Sqn refromed at Watton on 15 July 51 for Elint duties. Initially they had a mixture of Mosquito PR34s and Lincoln B2s, but the Lincolns were phased out and replaced by 4 x RB-29As/Washington B-1s between April 52 and Feb 53. The B-29s were eventually phased out in Feb 58, being replaced by two Canberra B2s specialised in ELINT duties fitted with a specialised tape recorder in the bomb bay
Tasks included monitoring Russian radar/signal traffic off the North Cape, Baltic, Black Sea, Iranian border etc.
The Sqn renumbered as 51 Sqn on 21 Aug 58.
Tasks included monitoring Russian radar/signal traffic off the North Cape, Baltic, Black Sea, Iranian border etc.
The Sqn renumbered as 51 Sqn on 21 Aug 58.
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Thanks ORAC
Most of the operational missions were listed as either Air Ministry Operation Noxx or "radio proving flights"
All very (and still??) hush hush.
Most of the operational missions were listed as either Air Ministry Operation Noxx or "radio proving flights"
All very (and still??) hush hush.
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Thanks Stan
The first one to be delivered arrived on three. They did appear to have massive problems with the engines (overhauled by RR - Bristol?? - at Filton).
A major problem appeared to be supply of spare parts from the US. We got ours just as they started using them in Korea. Guess who got priority??
The first one to be delivered arrived on three. They did appear to have massive problems with the engines (overhauled by RR - Bristol?? - at Filton).
A major problem appeared to be supply of spare parts from the US. We got ours just as they started using them in Korea. Guess who got priority??
