Mystery aircraft

[prworksnow]

Does anyone know what aircraft this is and where the photo could have been taken? The date is probably between 1942 and 1945. Is the aircrart on a carrier?

 

[herman1rg]

It appears to have RAF Far East roundels on it.

 

[Wurger]

I have enlarged the image. Now it should be better to notice more details...

 

[herman1rg]

It could be a Beechcraft Expeditor II as supplied to the Royal navy

 

[pbfoot]

Beech18 Bugsmasher or Expeditor

 

[Wurger]

I think you both are right. It's the Beechcraft plane.

 

[Crimea_River]

I agree. Looks like it's tied to a carrier deck so it could be anywhere.

 

[GrauGeist]

The aircraft in the background (off the port wing) is marked "Royal Navy" and you can almost make out numbers below the text...

 

[herman1rg]

I wonder whether it's shown near to Gibraltar prior to leaving port?

 

[vikingBerserker]

Gibraltar popped in my mind as well.

 

[prworksnow]

Is that a SEAC roundel?
Could a plane like the Beech land on a carrier?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Is that a SEAC roundel?
Could a plane like the Beech land on a carrier?

No - it would be loaded by crane at a port somewhere and delivered.

 

[ccheese]

Looks like a C-45 (twin Beech) or a SNB. I agree with Joe. It would have to be hoisted on board, but could take off if they used the whole flight deck. Just like the B-25's on the USS Hornet. Remember the C-130 that landed and took off from the USS Forrestal ?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sg=AFQjCNHICqzUZrTsG1h4RbBqtmzxIxyMng&cad=rja

Charles