This Mosquito was flown a number of times by Flt/Lt Eric E .Fenning, and his navigator, P/O. Hargreaves, and their final Operational flight was undertaken in PF510, when they flew to Schleiszheim / Munich on the night of April 24th, 1945, returning to Downham Market, Norfolk, UK, after 4 hours 20 minutes flight time.
Eric Fenning joined the RAFVR as a Sergeant, in July 1937, and did his first "solo" flight on 30th September that year, after just 8 hours 25 minutes "dual" instruction. During his RAF career, he flew a number of different aircraft types, including Ansons, Whitleys, Lysanders and Wellingtons, and served on four other Squadrons, as well as some time instructing, before joining 608 Sqn in March, 1945.
He ended his RAF career with the rank of Flt/Lt ( equivalent to Captain in the British Army and USAAF ), with 2,070 hours and 40 minutes flying time recorded in his Log Books.
Part of the Light Night Striking Force, 608 Sqn operated both as independent bombers, and Pathfinder "markers", and had the distinction of being the Squadron to drop the very last bomb on Germany during World War II, something I re-discovered during my research for this build.
However, although I was aware of this, I missed the connection between this event and the actual aircraft to be depicted by the model, until, during e-mail exchanges between myself and Andy ( Crimea River ) some info was supplied by Andy, along with a photo ( second pic below ) which also revealed something I was previously unaware of.
Although 608 Sqn carried out the final raid on Germany, on the night of 2nd / 3rd May, 1945 , Main Force having been "stood down" two days earlier, it was the subject of this build, Serial No PF510, Code 6T-D which dropped the
very last bomb, when, flown by a different crew, it unloaded its 4,000 lb "cookie" on Keil, shortly after midnight.
Photos of 608 Sqn Mossies are rare, but there is a series of photos taken by the Downham Market Station photographer, purportedly on 2nd May, 1945, when individual Squadron crews posed in front of a Mosquito B.XVI, with a suitably inscribed 4,000 lb "cookie" in the foreground. This Mosquito is
not PF510, and may not even be from 608 Sqn, but perhaps from the other Sqn on the Station, and I suspect it was chosen as a "background" because of the markings on the nose, which show a large letter "V", along with an impressive "bomb log" and an inscription. (The letter "V" was used extensively at this period, shown on posters, daubed on walls, in newspapers etc, and indicated "V for Victory".).
The Mosquito in this series of photos
may be 6T-V of 608 Sqn, but as the code letters are not clearly enough defined in the images seen so far, it has not yet been possible to positively identify the aircraft.
The second point of interest came with the photo Andy sent me, showing a line-up of brand new Mosquito B.XVI's, in the PF5XX serial range, built by Percival Aircraft at Luton.
A very nice shot, was my first thought, until I looked closer, and noticed the difference in the camouflage application. The demarcation between the upper surface and lower surface colours is lower down the fuselage than the "normal" pattern, and the upper surface colour extends part way down the sides of the engine cowlings, whereas the "normal" pattern had the demarcation at the joint of the upper and side cowling panels. I had noticed the cowling colour in the "Keil" photo, but hadn't taken much notice, thinking it was shadow and / or staining.
I also noticed the slight differences in the actual application of the pattern itself, between the various aircraft, as well as the darker colour (black ? ) on the tail wheel yoke, which is normally seen in silver paint.
These differences can be clearly seen in the photo below, and I must thank Andy for this, as it will allow me to present a more accurate finish on the model.
Now that I've finally had the Ritixumab infusion, after a year's delay due to Covid precautions,, I'm beginning to feel the benefit already, and I hope that, within the next few days, the effects will allow more articulation in my fingers, hands and wrists, when I can start work on the model.
Pic 1. One of the series of pics taken on May 2nd, 1945, mentioned in the text above. The aircraft is
not PF510. (Credit as per image).
Pic 2. Line up of factory fresh, Percival-built B.XVI's in the PF5xx serial range, showing the different colour demarcation to normal, thought to be unique to Percival-built Mossies. Note also the slight differences in the actual pattern between the various aircraft. (Percival / MAP photo, public domain).