Lancaster LL807

[Orzel]

I recently looked at photos of my great great uncles plane and I noticed that LL807 has both the designation BH-K and BH-N.Can someone please elaborate on this please.

 

[Airframes]

Aircraft within squadrons often changed their individual code letter, for various reasons. It may be, for example, that BH-K went in for deep service or repair, and a new aircraft became the new BH-K. When the original ( BH-K ) emerged from the hangar, it may have then been allocated "N" as it's individual code letter, becoming BH-N, possibly replacing former "N" lost on operations or damaged beyond repair etc.

 

[Wurger]

To be honest, there were three Lancasters of the BH-N code used by the 300 Squadron at least ...

- ED814 Lancaster III
- LL807 Lancaster I
- NN746

the info source: http://www.forum.modelarstwo.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=18579

while the Lancaster BH-K as well ...

- PB171 Lancaster III
- PB846 Lancaster I
- NG269 Lancaster Mk.I

the info sourcec: 300. peruť RAF [1940-1947] : 300-399. peruť RAF

 

[JDCAVE]

Aircraft within squadrons often changed their individual code letter, for various reasons. It may be, for example, that BH-K went in for deep service or repair, and a new aircraft became the new BH-K. When the original ( BH-K ) emerged from the hangar, it may have then been allocated "N" as it's individual code letter, becoming BH-N, possibly replacing former "N" lost on operations or damaged beyond repair etc.

Yes. This was the case with KB.721, Coded VR-E. It was badly shot up on a raid to Bochum, November 4/5 1944. When it was next operational and flown by my father on a raid to Duisburg, 18 December 1944, it was coded VR-B. The aircraft survived the war and returned to Canada. The key on all of this is to follow the aircraft serial number, not the code letters. I realize the aircraft serial number is not always visible.

Jim