Beaufighter Intruder Camouflage

[Daggsy]

Hi all.

On 17 April 1943 604 Squadron lost its commander, S/Leader Vernon Wood. I wonder if anyone can help with:-

- the Beaufighter mark operated by 604 at the time (1f or 6f possibly);

- possible squadron codes and a/c serial;

- likely camouflage scheme (I believe the squadron was in the process of converting from the overall night scheme to msg/dg.

[rossm]

Fighter Command Losses by Norman Franks lists this as 15th/16th April 1943; Beaufighter If; V8251; Night patrol south of Beachy Head.

Mark If confirmed by Bruce Robertson's serials book.

The Ducimus Camouflage and Markings booklet indicates the MSG/DG finish was applied in production from mid-late Nov 1942. It also seems to say the new scheme was applied during overhauls from September 1942.

RAF Squadrons (Jefford) indicates 604 was converting from If to VIf in April 1943 so I would guess (that's GUESS) the Ifs remained in black with the VIfs in the new scheme,

Ross

Edited September 22, 2012 by rossm

[Daggsy]

Thanks for that info Ross. Greatly appreciated.

That gives me a starting point for my next Tamiya Beau. (And apologies for my regrettable lapse into Arabic numerals rather than the correct Roman - dunno what came over me.)