Back2TheBike
Airman
- 19
- Oct 21, 2024
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There were twelve seperate Lancasters that carried the OL-F code during the course of the war.
R5667 1657 Conversion Unit crashed 19-8-43 (341 hours on airframe)
R5671 to maintenance unit scrapped 1-47
R5857 crashed on take off Mildenhall 7-11-42
W4981 missing 14-5-43 (17 hours on airframe)
ED312 crashed at Stettin, Sweden 21-4-43
ED602 619 Sqdn lost Karlsruhe 27-9-44
JB453 lost Berlin 3-1-44
ND333 to maintenance unit scrapped 11-46
ND824 to maintenance unit struck off charge 28-11-46
ND854 lost Brest 14-8-44
PB376 went to maintenance unit and scrapped 11-46
PB470 became instructional airframe
Your knowledge is encyclopedic, amazing.The code OL identifies no. 83 Squadron. I found this ...
The code letters are of the white so it indicates the August 1945 or later. It is quite intersting because in the pics you posted for the PB376 , the ND824 is standing next to the PB376.
Your knowledge is encyclopedic, amazing.
So it seems ND824 with half finished 83 Sqn badge was re-desigated as OL-F.
I think you've just solved a 30 year mystery.
Thank you very much.
OK, understood.According to the service history the ND824 was with the no. 83 Squadron from 11.04.1944. While the PB376 was servicing in the no. 97 Squadron from 06.08.1944 to 14.03.1946 when was moved to the no.83. The PB376 was coded OF-S while servicing in the no.97 Squadron. But what one was when served in no.83 Squadron it is difficult to find.
The no.97 Squadron based:
18 April 1943-18 April 1944: Bourn
18 April 1944-5 November 1946: Coningsby
So if you compare the bases and the time frame for both squadrons it looks like both were based in the RAF Coningsby at the same time. Both the bombers were scrapped in November 1946.
To sum up ... the only locations these Lancs could be found together is either at the RAF Coningsby or the no. 15 MU in July 1946. Because the crew members in all pictures are weraing the uniforms I would say the Coningsby. IMHO all images ( both here and in the another thread, were taken at the same location.
View attachment 802468
Impressive. Well done.My pleasure.
Following the light shed by Wurger yesterday, I delved into 83 Sqn's ORBs and discovered dad was posted to Coningsby from Bruntingthorpe 23rd April 1946, then back to Bruntingthorpe 30th July. The ORB cites various ops inc Dodge (repatriation of troops from Bari, Italy), training, cross country flying etc. Interestingly, the Lancasters were disposed of to Maintenance Units in July, to be replaced by Lincolns.
I've attached the ORB (makes an interesting read), but also a selection of dad's airborne images. Whether these were 83 or his stint at 227 or 582 Sqns (roughly June '45 to April '46) I have no idea. Note both the Spitfires formating, also the bomb disposal run over the North Sea (bomb doors open).
Also attached is the Nijmegen Bridge (presumably from a Cook's tour ride), scene of a major fight.
If anyone has any thoughts that further reveal the story, please fire away ...
Post war? So, indicating the photo is 83 Sqn Coningsby rather than his 1945 227 and 582 postings.
Interesting. I wonder why?For model finishing purposes, note the port spinners are solid color while starboard spinners have white caps.
For model finishing purposes, note the port spinners are solid color while starboard spinners have white caps.
Interesting. I wonder why?