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618 Sqn Barracuda


The wooksta V2.0

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618 had a few of these for deck landing training and took them to Australia with them. Has anyone got the relevant serials?

 

Found a photo of one but the quality is too poor to read the serial.

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/42813419_2240737979300860_6247707926979411968_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=3&_nc_sid=8024bb&efg=eyJpIjoibCJ9&_nc_ohc=hmIJB_zbKWQAX8--1aR&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&tp=14&oh=e6989fc249555830b03756f197d40908&oe=6064F0EC

Edited by The wooksta V2.0
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Wooksta

 

A few from Sturtivant's FAA Aircraft 1939-1945:

 

P9935 - RY [ready for collection by ferry pilot] 31.8.43; RNARY [Repair Yard] Coimbatore 12.43; RNAS China Bay to 618 Sqn 5.1.44; retd RN 12.8.45; PD [papers deposited for SOC] 17.12.45

 

DT857 - RY 28.1.43; 810 Sqn from 12.43; to 847 Sqn ('3F') 1 or 2.44; to 810 Sqn 6.44; Left Sqn 6.44; 618 Sqn from 12.44; Retd RN 9.45; PD 17.12.45

 

LS568 - RY 15.1.44; 829 Sqn 3.44 - 5.44; 831 Sqn 6.44 - 7.44; RNAS China Bay, damaged port flap 14.10.44 (S/L G Adamson); to 618 Sqn 12.44; Retd RN 9.45

 

LS704 - RY 15.4.44; 15 MU to ATA Kirkbride 12.5.44; RNAS China Bay to 618 sqn 12.44; Retd RN 9.45; to RN Sudney 23.10.45; PD1.1.46

 

Regards


Simon

 

 

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618 Sqn aircrew were attached to RNAS Crail from July 1944 to conduct deck landing training in preparation for using Highball equipped Mosquitos out on the Far East. The training was conducted aboard HMS Rajah probably using Barracudas of 768 Sqn that remained under RN charge.

In December 1944 six Barracudas were allotted to 618 Sqn from the RN Air Section at RAF China Bay. Three were loaded aboard HMS Striker and three aboard HMS Fencer on 8 December 1944, ostensibly for liaison duties between the two carriers during their voyage from Trincomalee to Melbourne although the decks were crammed with Mosquitos so it is likely that no ship borne flying occurred. The Barracudas were offloaded at Melbourne and flown from Fishermen’s Bend to RAAF Narromine where 618 Sqn was based until disbanded on 23 June 1945.

The six Barracudas were P9911, P9935, DT857, LS568, LS693 and LS704. All were returned to RN charge during August and September 1945. A photograph of P9911 appears in the book Mosquito Monograph in an overall natural metal finish with a black anti-glare panel wearing SEAC roundels and fin flash and its eight inch serial number in black with no ‘ROYAL NAVY’ titling above the serial.

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5 hours ago, Simon said:

And LS704 should read 'RN Sydney' rather than 'RN Sudney'...!

My cousin in Brisbane says it must have been written down by a Kiwi...

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