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Lancaster I 166 Sq PD261 AS-S


sean

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This week in one of our local papers, there is an article about an

exhibit in the local museum regarding some of the local people who

took part in WWII in some way.

One of these people is Charles Malachi Murray, who was born in Acton,

Co Armagh, which is 5 or 6 miles from me. He served as a Flight Engineer

in AS-S, when it was lost during a raid to Stettin,(Szczecin) on the night

of 29/30 of August 1944. All the crew sadly perished and are buried together in

Poznan Collective War Graves.

As he is the first R.A.F. aircrew from my area that I've known of, I'd like to

model is Lancaster, using the Airfix or Revell kit, which ever is more suitable.

While I have some limited knowledge of the aircraft, I have found no photos

as yet, and would really like to find out if his plane carried any nose art, as a few

166 Sq. planes seemed to have at the time.

I'm aware I'll have to buy separate decal sheets to make up the code and registration,

but any other markings are not known to me at this time.

Any information would be greatly appreciated,

Regards,

Sean

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You have probably looked at this, but if not

http://aircrewremembered.com/dunton-frederick.html

Might also be worth registering on here checking this chap out.

http://100548.activeboard.com/t47922570/166-squadron-raf-kirmington-help-available-to-researchers/

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Hi Merlin, been through both and have them bookmarked as well.

Would recommend the second link, the information on it is pretty vast.

Thanks anyway,

Sean

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Hello Sean,

I'm sure that you already have consulted these too, but in case anyone is looking to carry out a similar search:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?1-General-Category

Is also a good place to ask,

And the Squadron Association via:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~dswallow4/

A book to look out for when free from Amazon autopricing!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-War-History-166-Squadron/dp/0952847604

And you could also ask about/go look at any photos the RAF Museum hold of 166 Squadron Lancasters [email protected]

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/visit-our-reading-room.aspx

And if you can't find the answer after all those then you are free to represent it however you choose because the chances are no one will ever be able to prove you wrong!

All the best.

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Cheers V.V, the top two links I've been through, although I never thought of contacting the museum.

A free book? I'll look out for that, many thanks,

Sean

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  • 2 weeks later...

Cheers V.V, the top two links I've been through, although I never thought of contacting the museum.

A free book? I'll look out for that, many thanks,

Sean

Unless Amazon has been hacked BIG time, the 166 book is only GBP600 (yes, SIX HUNDRED POUNDS STERLING) in paperback form, top price almost GBP1,000 (ALMOST ONE THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING). I exited the site VERY carefully!

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I will get back to you as Kirmington is just down the road from me . . .

PD261 of 166 Squadron based at RAF Station Kirmington was coded AS-S.

The aircraft was on 'Squadron Strength' in early August 1944 and sadly was lost at the end of the month, (29/30th August)

I cannot say for sure without the Squadron ORB's but aircraft was likely to have flown around 15 Ops, (based on the number of operations flown by another 1 Group Squadron close by to Kirmington).

Aircraft spec is likely to be as follows

Starboard cockpit blister only

No fuselage windows

Standard B/a nose blister

H2s carried

Revised pitot position

Window chute

Guess at paddle blade props

Rebecca aerials

Below is the style of the letter 'S' seen on kirmington Lancs, more square than rounded on the 'S'

25530147271_2279b34a86_z.jpg

Hope this helps

ian

Edited by Mancunian airman
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B.III ND635/AS*M had the inscription "Fransdens.Frolics" under the drivers sliding window with ops.tally about level with the de-icer spray.

B.I LM289/AS*Y didn't carry nose art of any type

B.III PB153/AS*O does,but is too far distant in the photograph to make it out.

Certainly LM289 and PB153 seem to sport needle bladed propellers.

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I have that photo (Lancaster at War book),

Its going to be extremely difficult to find an actual photo of the aircraft concerned never mind the (if any) nose artwork although one may well imagine a tally of bomb symbols being displayed.

I have seen a photo in a book of AS-T taken in August '44 flying on a daylight Op. which does give some pointers as to the spec.

Edited by Mancunian airman
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