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Roald Dahl's Gladiator 102 MU, "YK" codes or none?


mumbles

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I'm about to start building the Gladiator that Roald Dahl crashed in Egypt in 1940 (K7911) and am wondering if it would have had any squadron codes applied. Dahl's logbook for the flight lists only the serial, and it was a ferry flight to 80 Squadron from 102 MU at Abu Sueir.

Now according to this K7911 was with 80 for it's entire operational life so it's reasonable to surmise the "YK" codes were applied at some point.
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_raf_80.htm

According to the same source though K7911 looks to have been non-operational for a couple of months before it's final flight (presumably while at 102 MU).

So code options are:

None

"YK-?" (guess letter)
"YK-" (squadron code assigned but no individual letter.

I've seen it suggested that the codes would have been removed at the MU (as part of a repaint perhaps?), but I'm having trouble finding any sources to confirm this. Does anyone know more about what would have been likely? Would the codes have been removed at the MU to be reapplied on the squadron?

Alternatively I could just build it with no codes as it left the factory :)

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My gut tells me it probably didn't wear codes for Dahl's flight. Aircraft go into MUs for very deep maintenance and major repairs. On a Gladiator, such work would almost certainly involve removing the fabric prior to the work and then re-covering, doping and painting new fabric prior to first test flight. Also, applying unit codes is a squadron-level activity.

The lack of codes makes for a rather boring model but, on the plus side, at least you're not guessing the individual letter for this particular airframe. :)

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Given that it was a ferry flight from an MU, I doubt it would wear squadron codes.

I know that with Spitfires, they would be built to a flyable condition at the factory then sent to an MU for guns, radios, sights etc. After that, theyd be flown to the sqn where theyd get their codes.

Often theyd be sent to MU's for maintainence once they had past their prime. Followign maintainence some of them would be sent to a second line squadron to do less front line fighting.

Ben

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Yes, but this one had been on 80 Squadron, and was now going back to 80 Squadron. (see link in first post) I think it is quite possible that the squadron codes would be applied (assuming that they were generally worn at this time in this place) or "left" if they did NOT have to re-cover the fuselage. Unfortunately I don't KNOW, because I've had this one in mind, too.

bob

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Yes, but this one had been on 80 Squadron, and was now going back to 80 Squadron. (see link in first post) I think it is quite possible that the squadron codes would be applied (assuming that they were generally worn at this time in this place) or "left" if they did NOT have to re-cover the fuselage. Unfortunately I don't KNOW, because I've had this one in mind, too.

bob

The fact that the aircraft went back to 80sqn would probably be just coincidence. Aircraft going to the MU would have been replaced by another airframe, Refurbished aircraft went into a "pool" and were issued to any squadron as required. It was usually the case that the pilot would deliver one aircraft for maintenance and fly back another refubished aircraft.

the Refurbished aircraft would not have Sqn markings, they would be applied on arrival, and it also does not follow that they might recieve the same tail letter. Aircraft "A" might go into maintenance and return to the same sqn and become "F" for instance.

Selwyn

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Bear in mind that aircraft only go to MUs for deep maintenance. Once you've got the thing disassembled, it just makes sense to do as much work on the airframe as possible. I'd be surprised if a fabric-covered airframe like a Gladiator came out of an MU after a major service with its original covering intact.

Per Selwyn's comment, when the aircraft is received by the MU, there's no guarantee of which unit will get it once the work is done.

Taken together, I think it far more likely that the Gladiator flown by Dahl on this occasion wore no code letters. I can't state that categorically with absolute certainty. It is still possible that the aircraft retained its 80 Sqn codes...but only possible, not likely.

Edited by mhaselden
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