Fiat Falco CR42 in Burma or Singapore?

[GHWW2]

Yes, that would fit. Also, apparently two did serve with RAF in WW2 - ZVN-8 and ZGC-7. If you look very carefully at the underwing area on the original photos it is possible to make out the tops of some large lettering which does fit "VN"

 

[Wurger]

I agree. For sure not the Fiat CR.42. That's the Waco EQC-6 or YQC-6

 

[Wurger]

That's a pity you didn't post the larger scans of the pics of the better quality. The "ZVN-8 and ZGC-7" indicate series ( models ) of the WACO kites and aren't the plane registrations. The enlarged ones show the letters of the registration started with the "VT" but not the "VN" at the starboard wing underside. The second part of the registration is also seen in the two first pics but the scans are of very poor quality. The "VT" code may indicate the India.

 

[GHWW2]

Thanks for that - just also been digging around on the internet and it seems the RAF Wacos were only used in North Africa in support of LRDG so your suggestion of it being an Indian Waco might be possible.

 

[Wurger]

Here are the registration for the Waco kits from India ...

Reg.............Type.................c/n........History........Owners..............Date..........CoR........Fate
VT-AHZ Waco YQC-6 4484 VT-AHZ Tata Sons Ltd 05.08.36 293 Canc 6.44
VT-AIB Waco YQC-6 4476 VT-AIB Dr SG Galstaun /Calcutta >INAC 31.08.36 295 Canc 24.8.44
VT-AII Waco YQC-6 4491 VT-AII Tata Sons 15.10.36 302
VT-AIN Waco YQC-6 4542 VT-AIN Tata Sons 12.01.37 307 Canc 3.7.52
VT-AIX Waco YQC-6 4644 VT-AIX Tata Sons 02.07.37 317 Canc 12.6.45
VT-AIY Waco YQC-6 4645 VT-AIY Tata Sons 02.07.37 318 Crashed 60ml from Madras 4.1.39 Canc 11.1.39
VT-AJI Waco ZQC-6 4647 VT-AJI Tata Sons 29.09.37 328 Canc 4.3.48
VT-AJJ Waco YQC-6 4642 VT-AJJ Tata Sons 29.09.37 329 Canc 13.6.45 (ZQC-6 per Juptner)
VT-AJK Waco YQC-6 4649 VT-AJK Tata Sons 29.09.37 330 Canc 11.11.42
VT-AJL Waco YQC-6 4648 VT-AJL Tata Sons 28.09.37 331 Canc
VT-AKI Waco ZVN-8 5026 VT-AKI Lt.Col Sir DN Field 05.08.38 354 Canc 30.6.41

the info : Civil Aircraft Register - India

 

[GHWW2]

Thanks - that does seem a likely hypothesis.

I also discovered that the Australian Air Force had a Waco in WW2 but can't find any more info.

 

[Wurger]

Yes but the Australian registration started with VH.

GEOFF GOODALL'S AVIATION HISTORY SITE

Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force

Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force tells the story of the RAAFâs first one hundred years by describing the acquisition, operation, and service record of the multitude of aircraft types flown by the RAAF. The 176 aircraft types include the flimsy wood and canvas aircraft typical of World...

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RAAF Museum: RAAF Aircraft Series 2 A54 Waco YQC-6

 

[al49]

She could also be an IMAM Ro 41, but in this case the cowling has specific features, see picture.
Also it's not known if this kind was never sold to Far East

 

[Wurger]

In the case the engine cowling is not the only one hint. Also the landing gear with the two quite characteristic struts going from the side and back of the main landing leg. But the main feature is the fuselage that is of the limusine type. The fuselage of the IMAM Ro.41 wasn't of that kind. Additionally the wing struts are different for both of the planes.
Anyway I agree with Snautzer01's opinion that's the Waco plane. The only trouble is to find out of whose the kite was. There is the registration on the undersides. The pics of a qood quality may help to work out that.

 

[GHWW2]

Can confirm it is VT-AHZ - reg is just about visible under the wings on one of the images.

 

[fubar57]

Well done gents

 

[Wurger]

Can confirm it is VT-AHZ - reg is just about visible under the wings on one of the images.

And now all is clear.

 

[FMATAS]

OK I finally got the photos. On closer examination, it is not a CR42 - but I have no idea what it is. It is a radial engined sesquiplane, and wing struts resemble CR42 hence my original wrong guess. But looking closer, the aircraft is smaller, the undercrarriage leg are on the fuselage and not on the lower wing as CR42, and it only has a small fixed pitch two blade prop.

The other aircraft is an Auster, probably of 656 Squadron who were in Burma at the time

View attachment 664339

Here's some more photos with a more side on view of the mystery aircraft showing a "humpback" fuselage which is also made me think CR42 at first glance.

Also, anybody like to guess where the photos were taken? I don't think Singapore, given hills in background. Burma more likely.

View attachment 664340

I think it is a Waco Cabin Biplane

 

[Big Jake]

Waco AQC-6 ?

Looks like it

 

[Snautzer01]

FMATAS and B Big Jake did you read the thread?

 

[peperez]

Waco AQC-6 ?

Probably, yes! It's not a CR42 neither a fighter. It's a liaison plane.

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www.historynet.com

 

[Admiral Beez]

So the question on my mind… how does the Brewster Buffalo compare to the Falco?