WW2 surveillance aircraft South Devon

[beth 123]

Good afternoon.

I am writing a children's novel set in South Devon near Hope Cove. This one involves a WW2 aircraft. I have done some research on Bolt Head and believe there were surveillance runs to search out U Boats off the Devon coast., part of Coastal Command. I would like to know what type of small aircraft would have been involved. In the story the plane does crash losing the pilot. Therefore I need to ascertain would he be able to bail out. Your help would be referenced accordingly. Thank you in advance.

 

[Wurger]

Depending on the time period,

two-engine plane ... Bristol Blenheim, Avro Anson, Lockheed Hudson, Bristol Beaufort, De Havilland Mosquito, Bristol Beaufighter
single engine biplane ... Supermarine Walrus
single engine monoplane ... Fairey Battle

 

[beth 123]

Thank you for your reply. The year would be 1942. Thank you. B

 

[MikeMeech]

Thank you for your reply. The year would be 1942. Thank you. B

Hi
The Coastal Command ORBAT of relevant No.19 Group for June 1942:

And 15 October 1942:

Source 'The Cinderella Service' by Andrew Hendrie.

Mike

 

[Wurger]

So Hadson and Beaufighter would be fine.

 

[brewerjerry]

hi
bolt head was a small airfield, mainly single engined a/c
in 1942 it was spitfires & typhoons

these were mainly escort missions and defence against the ' tip and run' raids by the luftwaffe

only twin i know of that operated from there was the whirlwind but that was in 1943

think you will find a coastal command liberator crashed nearby but that was 13 july 1944 from 311 squadron
a google search should bring it up
cheers
jerry

 

[brewerjerry]

So Hadson and Beaufighter would be fine.

but they were not based there and most likely didn't fly from bolt head
cheers
jerry

 

[Alex Smart]

Units at Bolt Head
257 Squadron detachment from September '42 - Typhoon
276 Squadron detachment - Lysander , Walrus and Spitfire.
310 Squadron detachment - July '42/September '42 - Spitfire
421 Squadron detachment - June '42/July '42 - Spitfire

The airfield was attacked twice, on 7th March's and again on 1st May '42.