RAF P.47 Thunderbolt

[Kallisti]

Well I do know from my researches for my Dad's squadron that when 5 sqn and 123 Sqn converted to Thunderbolts, they both ended up with a mix of Thunderbolt I and IIs whereas the intention was for 5 Sqn to have Is and 123 to have IIs. Eventually when the two squadrons met up again they did swap the aircraft over to keep them consistent.

[Jagan]

This might be relevant here - A Brief history of SEAC Thunderbolts in one table - Every column is a "Quarter Year" . I also invite you to check out http://www.rafcommands.com/database/losses/listing.php?cur=0&qacid=306&qt=TY for Thunderbolt Losses for SEAC. 

 

	1944		1945				1946
	July - Sept 44	Oct - Dec 44	Jan - Mar 45	Apr - June 45	July - Sept 45	Oct - Dec 45	Jan - Mar 46	Apr - June 46	July - Sept 46
5	Sept 44
30	Aug 44
79	Aug 44					disbanded 10/45
123	Sept 44			Renumbered 81
134	Aug 44			disbanded   to 131
135	Aug 44			disbanded  to 615
146	Aug 44			Renumbered 42
258	Sept 44					disbanded 31/12/45
261	Sept 44				disbanded 9/45
34				March 45	disbanded 9/45
42					ex 146 Sqn	disbanded 31/12/45
60					July 45				disbanded Oct 46
81					ex 123 Sqdn
113				April 45		disbanded Oct 45
131					ex 134 Sqdn July 45 - Sept 45
615					ex 135 Sqdn July 45 - Sept 45

[Kallisti]

What a brilliant link!

 

The Thunderbolt losses for 5 Sqn show that the story I'd read about the 5 and 123 Sqn swap over doesn't' appear to hold up as the Sqn was suffering from Thunderbolt I losses from Sep 1944 until Jun 45 where they started having Thunderbolt II losses until the Sqn was disbanded.

[canberra kid]

What a fantastic link, thanks very much @Jagan, when my dad left the OTU in Egypt he was posted to 34 Sqn, but him and 2 other pilots were diverted to 79 Sqn to help make up a pilot shortage he only flew about half a dozen sorties with 79 before going onto 34 when more pilots arrived. I will have to take a look at his log book to cross reference dates.

 

John  

[Graham Boak]

The latest Flypast has an article on RAF Thunderbolts.  Probably not a lot new to those who study them in particular, but there's always the chance of fresh photos.

[canberra kid]

Hello all, thanks to the public records office I now have a almost complete list of my dad's 34 Sqn Thunderbolts and a full one for 79.
79 Sqn
NV-B = KL206
NV-H = KL231
NV-Z = KL338
34 Sqn
EG-A = KL219
EG-B = ?????
EG-R = KL250
EG-W = KJ274
EG-Y = KJ252
EG-Z = KJ332

KJ252 was what he was flying on VJday unfortunately the last one he flew with 34 was EG-B so az yet I don't know that one.

John

[Graham Boak]

I'm still hoping to find M.EG but in Hurricanes.  ( I think Geoff Tomas's book has M.EG on a P-47 but if not, somebody's does.)   Obviously your dad wouldn't have flown them.  Could perhaps drop me a line re how to get the squadron records from the PRO - sorry, National Archives?

[canberra kid]

21 hours ago, Graham Boak said:

I'm still hoping to find M.EG but in Hurricanes.  ( I think Geoff Tomas's book has M.EG on a P-47 but if not, somebody's does.)   Obviously your dad wouldn't have flown them.  Could perhaps drop me a line re how to get the squadron records from the PRO - sorry, National Archives?

Will do @Graham Boak

John