Info' on 418 Sqd RCAF Mosquito

[biffer]

I'm seeking information on a specific Mosquito, as flown by 'Sid' Seid and Dave McIntosh, with 418 Squadron RCAF, from mid-1944.

 

Some of you might have read Dave's excellent book on his wartime experiences: Terror in the Right Hand Seat (a.k.a., Mosquito Intruder).  In this, Dave states that their regular aircraft was TH-M.  The problem here is, every reference I've been able to find on TH-M assigns this aircraft to Robert Kipp and Peter Huletsky.  Also, in Martin Bowman's reference work, Mosquito F/F-B Units of World War 2 (which, incidentally, has a striking depiction of TH-M on its cover), there is a photo of Seid leaning out of the cockpit of TH-J, which is said to be 'his' Mosquito.  Again, there is a problem, since other sources attribute TH-J to Australian pilot, Charles Schere.  Personally, I'm doubtful if TH-J was Sid & Dave's aircraft if for no other reason than the photo shows some 25 victory symbols on the nose.  Sid was a great pilot, no question, but official histories don't credit him with that many victories.  I'm aware that individual aircraft were often re-assigned to other crews as circumstances dictated, but knowing this doesn't help much in this case. 🙄

 

So, can anyone help with information, or point me to a good reference source that might have the answer?  I believe that member, Mark Proulx, has done a great deal of research on 418, and was hoping to publish a book on the subject a few years ago (?).  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any trace of his writings (other than on Luftwaffe aces), ... so, if you read this, Mark .... 😇

 

Many thanks for any help or assistance!

 

Andy

[Mark Proulx]

Andy:

 

My research showed Seid and McIntosh in HX819. At the time, it was coded. TH-J. The confusion is likely due to the fact that Australian Ace C. Scherf flew it earlier as TH-F. However, HX819 left for 43 Group in May 1944 while coded as TH-F. Upon its return the next month, HX819 re-coded as TH-J. 

 

I atribute  NS850, THM to Kipp and Huletsky.

 

Know that crews moved between aircraft. For eg, I also show Scherf in NS930.

 

HTH

 

Mark Proulx

Edited May 4, 2021 by Mark Proulx

[rossm]

A quick look in the National Archives https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C2504463 reveals that, at least for June 1944, aircraft were only listed as "Mosquito VI" with no serial or code letter. You can see what missions were flown by each crew but not the aircraft id.

 

Even the combat reports https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=seid+418+squadron&_sd=&_ed=&_hb= don't seem to identify specific aircraft.

 

Aviaeology is a Canadian company specialising in RCAF research and decals https://www.aviaeology.com/#/ and maybe BM member @Terry @ Aviaeology will pop up with some help?

[Paws4thot]

I can't actually help beyond pointing out that (other wing commander codes) a specific code could be worn by more than one aircraft over time, and could even change types. It is fiction (well researched fiction), but at the start of 633 Squadron (original book, not the film) the squadron transition from Bostons to Mosquitoes and retain the same squadron code.

[biffer]

Thanks, everyone!

 

Well, it's all very confusing, isn't it? 🙄  🙃

 

Mark,  after reading your reply, I'm going with HX819/TH-J finished in the same Night Intruder scheme as when it was flown by Charlie Scherf as TH-F.  But ... what nose-art did it carry and would it have kept all those victory tallies ???  Once again, I've spent a few hours scouring the 'interweb' for photos of TH-J but could only find that photo I mentioned earlier, with Sid Seid in its cockpit.

 

Finally, a bit of background: I first read Dave McIntosh's book way back in 1982.  It impressed me very much as being the most honest and accurate account of wartime flying I'd ever read.  I also enjoyed its humour, which made it all the more 'human'.  In fact, it made such an impression that I wrote to Dave, via his publisher, and was delighted to get a reply from him.  Sadly, I never actually met Dave in person, though I wish I could have done so.  He struck me as being a really great bloke, and it would've been a privilege to sink a brown-ale or two with him in the pub.  We had a few things in common;  the same sense of humour; both worked as journalists; both fully paid-up members of 'The Self-Preservation Society' (especially when surrounded by idiotically heroic buggers who would have us emulate them).  On that note, I tried to convince Dave that he was much braver than he made out in the book, but he wouldn't have it.  That's the kind of man he was ... and my kind of 'hero'.    

 

 

[Paws4thot]

1 hour ago, biffer said:

would it have kept all those victory tallies ?

Well, unless P Plum borrowed the aircraft when P Prune was on leave, P Prune's victories would follow him from 246 Sqdn to 303 rather than staying with serial AB123.