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Home , Airspeed Oxford, Air Pictorial, Andrew Cowper, Aviation in the Azores, Avro 504, Avro Anson

The Flown by 24 Squadron

24 Squadron RAF is currently the Operational Training Squadron for the Lockheed C130J Hercules, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Apart from a short period as a cadre in 1919, they have been continuously operating for the RFC & RAF since 1915. They started off as a Scout (Fighter) Squadron, developed into a ground attack unit, became a communications specialist with a subsidiary training role, and in 1940 became a transport squadron.

I have discovered records of 100 different types being allocated or used by the Squadron, some were trial aircraft used for a few days and others served for several years, and in the case of the Lockheed Hercules decades! In addition many different marks of the same type were operated, these include;

 5 Marks of the 504  1 civil and 4 Military marks of the Douglas DC3/ Dakota  All 7 marks of the used by the RAF  4 marks of the Lockheed Hercules  5 marks of the F2B fighter  3 Marks of the

XXIV Squadron has operated aircraft designed by 39 separate concerns, built in Britain, , , Germany, Holland, and the USA. The largest numbers from one maker/ designer are the and DH series totalling 22 types or marks, followed by 12 types or marks from Lockheed, and 11 from Avro.

The total number of aircraft operated if split down into different marks comes to 137no from the Airspeed “Envoy” to the Wicko “Warferry”

Earliest Days

24 Squadron was formed at Hounslow as an offshoot of 17 Squadron on the 1st September 1915 initially under the command of Capt A G Moore. The earliest aircraft were transferred from 17 Squadron stock but as training developed more were allocated. Unlike later training regimes there was no standardization on one aircraft and this was complicated by the dual role the squadron had in its earliest days. The main role of the squadron was to train pilots for “Fighting Duties” in a new scout unit under Captain VC from the 28th September. This was in order to form the first dedicated fighter squadron. The other role they had in the early days was night anti- flights by the squadron instructors using Avro 504D’s and RAF BE2c’s. Hawker was a highly innovative inventor and tactician who had fitted his with an offset , firing outside the arc, and had shot down 2 enemy aircraft on the 25th . For this and other exploits he was awarded the VC, and promoted to command 24 Squadron. He introduced many new techniques in training, new equipment and new tactics and the “Hawker Spirit” to each new recruit. An example of this was the executive order painted on the squadron noticeboard,

“ATTACK EVERYTHING”

Captain Lanoe Hawker VC Bristol Scout C flown by Hawker

The aircraft used by the squadron before they left for France on operational duty were in common with other squadrons at the time a mixed bunch, single type units were in the future. In no particular order the aircraft operated whilst at Hounslow were:-

Avro 504A Sample Serial 777,

This pre-war 2 seat design served in many roles with the RFC and RAF and is principally remembered as a training aircraft used in large numbers up to the 1930’s. Later models were used for joy riding between the wars, and a few survivors of the 504N model were impressed in 1940, and used for experiments during the .

Technical Details 2 bay tractor Crew I pilot Crew 1 pupil Passengers 0 Length 29’ 5’’ Wingspan 36’ Max Speed 95mph Engine Power Range 250miles Gnome Mono Soupape 100hp Ceiling

Avro 504D Sample serial 798

This ex 17 Squadron aircraft was a later model of the original 504 and was used from the 28th September only 6 of these were built as a single seat patrol aircraft fitted with a long range tank and Lewis machine gun for anti-Zeppelin flights.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew Pilot Crew Passengers Length 29’5’’ Wingspan 36’ Max Speed 95mph Engine Power Range Gnome Mono Soupape 100hp Ceiling 18,000ft rotary

Curtis JN3 Sample Serial 5607

Another ex 17 Squadron Aircraft these American designed 2 seat trainers were originally ordered by the , and were later transferred to the RFC. This aircraft was very similar to the JN4, and were manufactured in large numbers for the RFC and RNAS in . These aircraft, known by their unofficial nickname of “Jenny,” were also used by the Army Air Force. These were sold off as surplus after 1919 and became famous as “Barnstormers” performing daring stunts during the 1920’s and beyond. Charles Lindburgh, the first solo flyer across the Atlantic, was one such pilot before becoming a mail pilot and his later fame.

Technical Details 2 seat 2 bay tractor Biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 27’ 4’’ Wingspan 43’ 7.75’’ Max Speed 75mph Engine Power Range 250miles OX5 V8 inline 90 hp Ceiling 6500ft

Caudron GIII Sample Serial 5270

These 2 seat French machines, one of which is in the RAF Museum at Hendon, were widely used for training and were built in France and . They were fairly easy to fly but unsuitable for combat use in the hostile environment caused by the German Eindekker ().

Technical Details 2 seat Sesquiplane Upper wing much larger than lower Crew 1 Instructor Crew I pupil Passengers Length 20’ 7.5’’ Wingspan 43’ 2.5’’ Max Speed 70mph

Engine Power Endurance 3/5 hours Gnome or Le Rhone Rotary 100hp Ceiling

Martinsyde S1

These single seat scout aircraft were an early reconnaissance type built in fairly small numbers three were used were used briefly for training purposes pending the arrival of the Vickers FB5 Gunbus, the proposed initial equipment for the squadron. The S.1 was small and low powered and therefore unsuitable for development into a fighting aircraft.

Technical Details 2 seat single bay biplane Tractor Crew 1 instructor Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 21’ Wingspan 27’8’’ Max Speed 87mph Engine Power Range Gnome rotary 80hp Ceiling 14,000ft

Maurice Farman Se7 Longhorn Sample Serial 556

These French designed 2 seat aircraft were used as trainers by many units of the RFC and were manufactured in France and England. The instructor and trainee were sat in a cupola attached to a large uncovered , which looked very fragile. It was in fact capable of standing up to the sort of handling student pilots were likely to hand out, as well as being slow and safe to fly. The nickname was due to a canard mounted in front of the crew cupola.

Technical Details 2 seat Sesquiplane Upper wing much larger than lower Crew 1 Instructor Crew I pupil Passengers Length 37’ 9.5’’ Wingspan 50’ 11’’ Max Speed 65mph Engine Power Endurance unknown Renault inline 70 or 80hp Ceiling

Maurice Farman Se11 Shorthorn Sample Serial 4726

The Se7 had a forward elevator mounted in front of the crew cupola, this was deleted in the Se11, and the overall design was cleaned up. Hence the change in nickname, this aircraft was another successful trainer whose rugged qualities were much appreciated.

Technical details 2 seat Biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 instructor Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 30’6’’ Wingspan 51’9’’ Max Speed 72mph Engine Power Range Renault inline 70 or 80 hp Ceiling

Bristol Scout C Sample Serial 4665

This type of aircraft had been used by Lanoe Hawker, before joining 24 Squadron, and it is probable that he had one as a personal plane during his time at Hounslow. Four aircraft were used over the next few months and Ace’s had latitude in the types they flew. VC for instance had a preference for types before becoming accustomed to the SE5A.

Technical Details Single seat 1 bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 20’8’’ Wingspan 24’7’’ Max Speed 93mph Engine Power Endurance 2.5 hours Clerget, Le Rhone or 80hp Ceiling 15,000 ft Gnome Rotary

Bleriot XI Parasol Sample Serial 2862 This aircraft was a 2 seat training version of the plane Louis Bleriot first flew across the channel on the 25th July 1909. The parasol wing position was used to improve visibility for reconnaissance and training. This was the last monoplane used by the unit until the Bristol 142 “Britain First” was tested in 05/11/36 nearly 20 years later!

Technical Details Parasol Monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 observer/pupil Passengers Length 27’ 8.5’’ Wingspan 34’1’’ Max Speed 62mph Engine Power Range Gnome Rotary 80 hp Ceiling 3200ft

Vicker FB5 Gun Bus

These 2 seat pusher aircraft had been in service since early 1915 and had suffered from the less than reliable engine. The armament was fired by a gunner, seated, in front of the pilot. This arrangement overcame the need for interrupter gear on the propeller; however the extra weight of the gunner had a major effect on performance. This performance penalty was overcome by the DH2 which superseded the Gunbus in service with the squadron.

Technical Details 2 seat pusher 2 bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 gunner/observer Passengers Length 27’ 2’’ Wingspan 36’6’’ Max Speed 70mph Engine Power Range rotary 100 hp Ceiling 9000ft

RAF BE2c Sample Serial 2085

These 2 seater tractor were used for home defence units operated by the squadron; These were based at Wimbledon, Hainault Farm, and Sutton’s Farm on detachment from Hounslow. These planes were designed to be very stable and so were possibly the best type available for night operations. Technical Details 2 seat Tractor 2 bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil Passengers Length 27’3’’ Wingspan 37’ Max Speed 86mph Engine Power Endurance 3 hours RAF 1a inline 90 hp Ceiling

Airco DH1A

Another 2 seat pusher, these were built in small numbers and only served with one operational unit, 2 were used for training purposes for less than a month. The layout was for the Gunbus and I assume it suffered from the same problems.

Technical Details 2 seat pusher biplane 2 bay Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 gunner/observer Passengers Length 28’11.5’’ Wingspan 41’ Max Speed 90mph Engine Power Range Beardmore inline 120hp Ceiling

Airco DH2a Sample Serial 5918

These single seat pusher aircraft were the first operational equipment used by the squadron. The aircraft was a match for the Fokker E1 which had held air superiority for the Germans, being both faster and with a better rate of climb. In service in Hounslow it was used to work the Squadron up to front line readiness. The Squadron left for France on the 7th February 1916 and was based at Bertangles. To give some idea of the reliability of the aircraft of the time two of the 12 leaving Folkestone failed to make the channel crossing

Technical Details single seat pusher biplane 2 bay Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 25’2.5’’ Wingspan 28’3’’ Max Speed 92mph Engine Power Range Gnome monosoupape or Le 100 or 110hp Ceiling 14,000ft Rhone Rotary

The thirteen aircraft types used by 24 Squadron when based at Hounslow are just the start of the 100 plus types used over the next 90 years. They were initially trained as and became the first single seat “Scout” or Fighter unit in the RFC and helped wrest air superiority from the enemy in the spring of 1916. The operations in France and Belgium up to the end of the war and the types used will be the subject of another article. Finally I would like to thank aviation historian Mick Davis for sending me the serials of all the types used at Hounslow and beyond.

Operational Aircraft used in the Great War by 24 Squadron.

After working up to operational status over the winter of 1915/1916 the squadron was posted to France. The initial equipment was the Airco DH2, and 12 of these machines set off on the 7th February 1916 to St. Omer in northern France, only 10 managing the channel crossing. The remainder of the squadron complement proceeding via , Le Harve, Rouen and . On the 10th February the squadron moved into its permanent base at Bertangles, near , and started operations immediately as the first dedicated Scout or Fighter squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. Almost 3 years to the day on February 11th 1919 the remains of the squadron returned as a Cadre to Colney. In that time three major types formed the equipment, the DH2, the DH5 and the SE5A, and the role changed from Fighter to Ground Attack and then back again. 297 enemy aircraft (including observation balloons) were destroyed, 2277no. 25lb were dropped, and 100,572 rounds were fired at ground targets. In addition 360 reconnaissance flights were made, these being noted as such in the History of 24 Squadron published after WWI, and many more patrols were carried out without resulting in contact with the enemy. The cost of these efforts were 24 pilots were killed in action, 17 were killed in flying accidents, 3 more were listed as missing in late 1918, and 19 wounded. 13 more were taken as prisoners of war, of which 3 were wounded. The high number killed in accidents illustrates the dangerous nature of flying in the early days, as there were many more accidents, which resulted in injuries if not in fatalities.

The Aircraft

Airco DH2

The prototype of the aeroplane was designed by and made is first flight on the 1st June 1915, in appearance it resembled a scaled down DH1A, an earlier type operated as a training craft by XXIV squadron. It was a single seat pusher biplane powered by a variety of Gnome, Le Rhone and Clerget rotary engines, giving a top speed of 93mph. This was relatively high for 1915, and it also had a higher rate of climb, and better manoeuvrability than the enemy's Fokker . These had been causing very high casualties in the spotter aircraft operated by the RFC, since the “” days of 1915.

The DH2 was chosen as the sole initial operational equipment of 24 Squadron, but individual aircraft were allocated to squadrons already operating in France on a trial basis. So they were not the first operators, but they were the first as a wholly equipped unit. Early use in France resulted in 2 deaths caused by failure to recover from a . Techniques for recovery were not taught to service pilots during training at that time, and worries developed about the safety of the aircraft. Major Lanoe Hawker, demonstrated spin recovery to his pilots and then explained the technique, and losses were much reduced, at least to that cause.

Sadly the Gnome 100hp monosoupape engines had tendency to shear tappet rods, which reduced power or sent metal flying into the . Either result would cause problems, but they also were prone to cylinder loss. In a where the whole engine spins around a stationary crankshaft the loss of a cylinder could cause major airframe damage and subsequent loss of life. This problem was never resolved and various other engines were tried to remedy the situation. Another change tried in order to improve performance was the use of a RAF FE2 four blade propeller, this gave a marginal improvement. Some new production machines with Clerget engines were fitted with 4 blade as standard.

The introduction of 24 Squadron and its DH2’s, together with later fighter squadrons Nos 29 & 32, much reduced the aerial supremacy established by the German Air Force’s Fokker monoplanes during 1915. The “” key advantage had lain in its forward facing machine gun armament, which by using interrupter gear fired bullets through the propeller arc. Thus the whole aircraft could be aimed at the opponent, and marksmanship was therefore improved. The British designers had yet to perfect interrupter gear of their own and a simple solution was to have a rear facing pusher engine, so that the bullets did not have pass through the propeller. Initial flights by the squadron had included escort of spotter aircraft and “line” patrols, there were encounters with enemy aircraft but none were shot down. This was attributed to poor gunnery so the squadron had an aircraft shape cut into the chalk subsoil on the airfield at Bertangles for practice purposes. How much use this would be must be debatable but it does show initiative. There were also problems with the Lewis machine gun against recoil, and 24 Squadron introduced a clamp, in spite of official approval of a movable mounting.

The DH2’s introduction, together with tactics developed by 24 Squadron helped to wrest air superiority from the Germans during the summer of 1916. They responded by introducing “Flying Circuses” were large numbers of aircraft were concentrated together. The circus moved from base to base so as to meet threats as they appeared, and were able to combat local air superiority.

The German air force introduced the Albatros D1 during September 1916 and this new aircraft had superior performance to the DH2, and it also carried two machine guns ensuring that the De Havilland’s period of ascendency was to come to a rapid end. Nevertheless 24 Squadron had one notable success on the 28th October 1916 when, in a dog fight, C flights aircraft caused Hptm the famous Ace & commander of Jasta 2 to collide with another aircraft.

Boelcke was succeeded by Manfred von Richtofen, the “Red Baron” who was responsible for many 24 squadron losses, most notably Major Lanoe Hawker VC. After a running battle between the two on the 23rd , which lasted 45 minutes, Hawker was shot down. Upon examination of his downed aircraft the only one bullet had struck the DH2, which had hit Major Hawker in the head!

24 Squadron carried on with the DH2 until May 1917, against more and more superior enemy machines, in that time 44 aircraft were destroyed. Three Aces shot down 5 or more E/A using 24 Squadron DH2’s Captain Alan M Wilkinson 2nd Lt Eric C Pashley 2nd Lt Kelvin Crawford

Trial Aircraft

While researching 24 squadron aircraft over the last few years a number of unusual aircraft have appeared in various records. However I think that I may have solved a small riddle, from information in the 1919 book “A History of 24 Squadron”, (reprinted by the Naval and Military Press). The writer notes five “attached” officers from the 18th , and two of these, 2nd Lt Bayetto and 2nd Lt Prothero, are also in the combat records.

Morane Type N Bullet

On July 1st 2nd Lt Bayetto forced an enemy aircraft to land whilst flying a Morane Type N Bullet monoplane. A photograph showing Morane serial A178 in a line up of DH2s is on the wall in 24 Squadrons current offices, and I had often wondered why it was there.

Technical Details King post braced Fixed undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 22ft Wingspan 27’3’’ Max Speed 102mph Engine Power Range 1.5hrs Le Rhone Rotary 110hp Ceiling 13,000ft

Bristol Scout D

On July 2nd Lt Prothero caused an enemy aircraft to crash while flying a Bristol Scout D serial 5557, I am still looking for a picture of this aircraft, so any help would be gratefully received.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 20’8’’ Wingspan 24’ 7’’ Max Speed 100mph Engine Power Range Clerget, Le Rhone or 80hp Ceiling 15000 ft Gnome Rotary

Bristol Scout C

A Bristol Scout C serial 5308 was attached to 24 Squadron on the 27th May 1916, this aircraft was later used by 2nd Lt Prothero, to shoot down another EA whilst he was with 4 Squadron. Another researcher has listed a Royal Aircraft Factory FE8 with 24 Squadron, a few of these single seat pusher engine scouts were sent to operational squadrons for trials in the summer of 1916, so it may be that one was tried. However I have yet to unearth a serial or other reference so this will have to remain a “possible”.

Airco DH5

Whilst 24 Squadron was reaching its first anniversary, the prototype of the DH5 appeared at Hendon. Its roots were in Geoffrey De Haviland’s initial ideas for a fighting scout aircraft, which predated the DH2. Namely a tractor engine aircraft with fixed forward firing armament and the best possible view.

The development of effective interrupter gear enabled these thoughts to crystallise in the DH5, a single bay biplane with 110hp Le Rhone rotary engine, and a single Vickers gun. The most pronounced feature was the back stagger of its upper wing, which was mounted behind the lower wing. This meant the pilot was positioned ahead of the upper wing , giving an excellent view ahead both above and ahead of the line of flight.

The aircraft’s Vickers gun was mounted off set to port because the chambers had a right hand feed at that time, and this off-setting enabled the largest possible magazine to be installed. Tests of the prototype carried out at Farnborough, and in France (possibly by 24 Squadron pilots) resulted in good reports and 400 were ordered on the 15th January 1917.

Early deliveries came some 10 weeks later but introduction into service was delayed. Both vibration problems, and the need to improve the interrupter gear, held things up. Engine bearers were strengthened, as was the cowling, which helped with the vibration. Originally the interrupter gear specified was the Kauper design, a mechanical system. However as insufficient quantities were available the Constantinesco CC hydraulic operated system was fitted. The refining of this system took some time and the 24 Squadrons first DH5 was delivered on May 1st 1917.

Welcome though this new type was, it should be remembered that the same month the Sopwith Camel (the most successful fighter of WWI) entered service, the and next month the SE5 arrived in France with 56 Squadron. So it was already outdated in terms of armament and performance when introduced. The German were already mounting 2 guns, and the back stagger meant the view rearward was non-existent. In a “Dog Fight” this was a real problem, but added to this, the DH5 was a poor performer at altitude.

Some of 24 Squadron’s achieved success flying their new mounts, on the 25th May Lt S. Cockerell flying A9363 shot down an Albatros DIII, which was following a colleague 2nd Lt H W Woollett . Later 2nd Lt Woollett himself was credited with three victories including two on the 23rd July 1917. A New Zealander, Captain Bernard P G Beanlands, is credited with 6 victories flying the DH 5, by Mick Davis in his book “Airco The Aircraft Manufacturing Company”, published by Crowood in 2001. As such he was the only “ace” who achieved this status flying DH5s with 24 Squadron.

Given the vulnerability of the DH5 in combat, the aircraft needed another role. The Ypres Offensive of late summer 1917 brought the planned use of aircraft in a ground attack role. 32 Squadrons DH5s were initially involved from the 31st July in attacking German troop concentrations with their machine guns. 24 Squadron joined in from mid –August, by which time 32 squadron were also using 20lb bombs carried on under fuselage racks. 24 Squadron continued in the ground attack and ground attack support role, flying as escort to the aircraft actually carrying out the attacks. This included action during the German counter attack after the battle of Cambrai, where the had used tanks for the first time. As 1917 was drawing to a close the DH5 operational role was also coming to an end. The SE5a was issued to squadrons flying the DH5 and as described in “A History of 24 Squadron”, on Christmas day 1917 24 Squadron received the “Best of all Christmas presents”, a new aeroplane the SE5a.

Technical Details Single seat 1bay biplane Back Stagger (top wing aft of bottom) Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 22’ Wingspan 25’ 8’’ Max Speed 110mph Engine Power Endurance 2.75 hours Clerget or Le Rhone Rotary 100 or 110mph Ceiling 16000ft

The Royal Aircraft Factory SE5 & SE5a

This single bay, tractor engine fighter was designed around the 150hp Hispano Suiza V8 inline engine. This engine, designed by Marc Birkigt, had been first built and tested in in 1915. The French had fitted one to a Spad 7C and this demonstrated that it could be used in fighting aircraft. The designer H P Folland, later of the Gloster Aircraft Co and founder of his own company, had overall design responsibility. The aircraft was ordered with a 150hp engine as the SE5, and some were delivered to operational squadrons. However the development of a 200hp version of the Hispano Suiza led to its installation in an improved version, the definitive SE5a.

A number of squadrons were using the SE5 before 24 squadron including nos.56, 60, 87 92 and 93 squadrons. The first aircraft B8262 a SE5a, delivered to 24 Squadron, only lasted a month before an accident during practice killed the pilot 2nd Lt R G M McRae. More aircraft were delivered over the next 2 months, and time was spent practising and generally working up with the new machines.

On the 26th February 1918 the 24 Squadron diarist reports a real red letter day, 7 Fokker and a Pfalz were brought down, the last being captured and displayed in London later. After this effort Maj. General Trenchard, the RFC chief, visited the Squadron. Eight days later this score was surpassed, when on the 6th March 8 enemy aircraft were destroyed. On the 14th March 24 Squadron pilots Capt. Brown and Lts. Nolan and Richardson carried out a bombing attack on and enemy occupied Airfield Mont d’Origny, believed to be the first bombing attack by SE5a.

Later in March the original SE5a models were replaced by, new SE5a model, powered by Wolsesey Viper engines. This engine was a more developed version of the original Hispano Suiza and its better reliability was much appreciated. Between the 30th December 1917 and the 28th March, 24 Squadron moved airfield five times as the front fluctuated back and forth, following the German offensive of early 1918 and the counter attack that followed. These movements meant open air servicing or at best tented hangers through the winter months with the added pressure of an uncertain war position. Some of the airfields used were used by both the allies, and the Germans at different times. The 1919 history refers to an Airfield at Capy, which was occupied on September 8th 1918. This had been one of ’s , and still had notices, with his signature, warning of the danger posed by the gun butts.

During the German spring advance the squadron had operated in a ground attack role. Attacking columns of troops with bombs and machine gun fire. However the air to air fighting continued, whilst flying the SE5a, 24 Squadron had a further 29 pilots who became “Aces”. Two, William Lambert with 18 and Hilbert Blair with 6, were Americans . One Andrew Cowper with 19 was Australian, three were New Zealanders, Conway Farrell 7, George Foster 7, and George Johnson 5. The remainder were British, the highest score coming from Tom Hazell with 23 confirmed victories. These came between the 24th June and the 18th October 1918, when he was promoted and left the squadron. His tally included three shot down on the 8th of August, when he also had an indecisive combat i.e. an unconfirmed victory. He survived the Great War, or at least was still alive when the history of 1919 was published. Flt Lt J M Robb notes flying SE5 “5908” on the 20th May 1920, the last flight with 24 Squadron

SE5

Technical Details Single seat tractor biplane 1 bay Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 20’11’’ Wingspan 27’11’’ Max Speed 128mph Engine Power Endurance 2.5 hours Hispano Suiza inline 150 hp Ceiling 17000ft

SE5a

Technical Details Single seat Biplane 1 bay Crew 1 pilot Crew 0 Passengers 0 Length 20’11’’ Wingspan 26’ 7’’ Max Speed 134 mph Engine Power Range Hispano Suiza or Wolseley 200hp Ceiling 22000ft Viper Inline

.

The other aces can be found on the website www.theaerodrome.com, so I won’t repeat them here. Finally I will salute all of them, together with all the other Officers and Men who served and fought with 24 Squadron in the Great War

Communications Duties 1920 – 1928

Following , 24 Squadron was reduced to a Cadre based at London Colney in , later relocated to in September 1919. The squadron was resurrected in 1920, when the Air Council Inspection Squadron based at airfield, , was re-designated under Sqn Ldr E H Johnston. The official reformation being 1st April 1920 and the squadron based at RAF , on the North Downs in Surrey.

The initial equipment of the comprised a variety of ex wartime aircraft, and a pair of adapted fighting types. These were flown on communications and training duties until the first new post war designs arrived in 1928. The first official use of term “24 Communications Squadron” is in the Air Force List of May 1924.

The RAF in the early 1920’s was a mere shadow of the great forces in place at the end of 1918. However the RAF hierarchy had identified the need for a non-operational squadron. It’s duties were to include transport of mail and persons, type training, and continuation training for pilots on ground based postings. Following the end of hostilities, the RAF had been involved in supporting the large occupation forces in Germany, and the Politicians involved in drafting the Versailles Treaty in . This mainly comprised transport of urgent mail and occasionally passengers, which had been flown in ex such as DH9’s and DH4’s.

The initial equipment of the squadron included ’s, DH9A’s and Bristol F2B Fighters, but as RAF Kenley was also an Aircraft Depot other types were used from time to time. Unusually a United States aircraft a “Le Pere Lusac 11” was assembled by 24 Squadron personnel in September 1920 for use by the US Air Attache. Captain JM Robb test flew it, but it was not used very often. Two aircraft of this type, serials 42130 and 42131, were tested in France before the armistice so it is likely that it was one of these.

Le Pere Lusac 11 assembled & flown by 24 Squadron 1920

Aircraft Types 1920-1928

Avro 504J

Aircraft serial C4451 was inherited from the Air Inspection Squadron, where it had been used at Waddon to teach the Prince Albert, the future King George the VIth, to fly. This aircraft had crashed twice before being used by the Prince, which caused a considerable fuss when discovered by the Royal Family. However this aircraft has the distinction of being the first of many 24 Squadron aircraft to be associated with the Royal Family.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Dual control Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil Passengers Length 29’5’’ Wingspan 36’ Max Speed 95mph Engine Power Range 250miles Gnome Mono Soupape 100hp Ceiling Rotary

Avro 504K

A considerable number, of these aircraft, were used as the principal training aircraft of the RAF throughout the 1920’s. They were a development of the 1913 Avro 504, which had been continuously developed and used as a , trainer and even as an anti Zeppelin . 24 Squadron flew two Avro 504A’s in 1915 as trainers, and two Avro 504D’s in 1915 as home defence aircraft manned by instructors. The Avro 504K was used for training and continuation flying. Aircraft serial H2314 was used by Prince Albert during his flying training, later, in 1948, the control column (suitably mounted) was presented to the King as a souvenir and it remains in the Royal collection. At the RAF Aerial Pageants held at RAF Hendon, 24 Squadron took part in numerous events and at the first, held in July 1920, they won the Avro 504, and the three type relay races. The No1 Group Commander, Group Captain H C T Dowding, having noticed that considerable time was lost during relays when starting the competing aircraft, had 24 squadron’s aircraft started and warmed up prior to the event. This made them easier to start during the race itself and thereby gained an advantage. Dowding, of course, became the leader of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. The three types used in the relay team comprised an Avro 504K, a Bristol F2B Fighter, and a Sopwith Snipe.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 instructor Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 29’5’’ Wingspan 36’ Max Speed 95mph Engine Power Range Le Rhone Rotary or others 110hp Ceiling

Bristol F2B Fighter

This stalwart aircraft was used as a two seat fighter and for reconnaissance duties during WWI, and it was to remain in front line service until 1931. 24 Squadron was issued with their first “Brisfit” in 1920 and their last was withdrawn in February 1931. They were used for continuation training and communications, and the original F2B’s were followed by “J “types, Mk III’s, and Mk IV’s. On the 16th May 1921 the Squadron demonstrated aircraft to the future Emperor Hirohito, when as Crown Prince he visited Kenley. Amongst the aircraft demonstrated was a . Captain James Robb was told off for looping a Bristol Fighter with a Japanese general in the back seat. Two specials the Coupe, and a Mk III serial J8430 especially modified for special service as the Prince of Wales’s personal aircraft in 1928, were also used. In the book “But Not in Anger”, written by R Grant and C Cole published by Ian Allen in 1979 which discusses the RAF’s Transport role up to 1952 there are a number of references to 24 Squadron. One of my favourite stories refers to 24 Squadron, led by Sqn Ldr William H L O’Neill, entering 6 Bristol Fighters in HQ Fighting Area Dive Bombing Competition! This event held in 1926 had preliminary rounds, followed by a final at RAF . 24 Squadron’s Bristol F2Bs won this with a score of 94%, 7% better than the runner up. This won them the coveted Sir Phillip Sassoon Cup, but they were belatedly disqualified as the competition was confined to single seat aircraft.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil or Passenger 1 Length 25’10’’ Wingspan 36’3’’ Max Speed 110mph Engine Power Endurance 3hrs RR Falcon III Inline 275 hp Ceiling

VIP version for Prince of Wales

Bristol FB2 J type with DH9A and Vickers Vimy in background possibly all XXIV Sqn Aircraft

Bristol FB2 in early form of XXIV Sqn markings at RAF Northolt

Bristol Coupe

In order to find a post war use for the Bristol F2B Fighter, the Bristol Aeroplane Company converted an aircraft to a Coupe version. This was a normal F2B with an enclosed rear for a passenger, the idea being to create a more comfortable civil version. Aircraft serial H1460 was converted and sold to the in 1919 for VIP transportation, it was then allocated to 24 Squadron. In the book “RAF Kenley” by author Peter Flint, extracts from the future Air Chief Marshall Sir James Robb’s log include flights in Col. Ludlow-Hewitt’s Bristol “Tourer”. Col Ludlow Hewitt later became Chief of and was at that time a senior figure in the air force. Pictures of this one-off aircraft , were presented to 24 Squadron by Mr Desmond Evans, whose father served as air mechanic with the squadron.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Enclosed passenger cabin Crew 1 Crew Passenger 1 Length 25’10’’ Wingspan 36’3’’ Max Speed 128mph Engine Power Range Rolls Royce Falcon III Inline 275hp Ceiling

Air Mechanic Chic Evans De Havilland DH4

Whilst reading James Milne Robb’s logbook note. He noted that he flew DH4 5782 on 4 occasions in April 1920, this was probably another of the Air Council Inspection Squadron aircraft that that squadron was equipped with when it was re-designated 24 Squadron on April the 1st. The DH4 was a very successful WWI bomber aircraft which equipped a number of RFC and later RAF Squadrons. They were used post war on ferrying delegates to the Versailles peace conference and for delivery of mail to occupation forces in Germany.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers 1 Length 29’8’’ Wingspan 42’6’’ Max Speed 136mph Engine Power Endurance 3.00 hrs RR Eagle VI Inline 375hp Ceiling 10000 ft

De Havilland DH4A

This was another one off, inherited from Air Council Inspection Squadron. A 3 seat conversion of the famous WWI bomber aircraft, the aircraft attributed to 24 Squadron F5764 was originally used for transporting delegates to the Versailles Peace Conference.

At the special request of Mr Bonar Law, a number of Eagle VIII powered D.H.4s were modified to accommodate a Minister and his secretary face to face in a glazed cabin so that work and conversation might be continued in comfort during the flight. This cabin was a light fabric covered wooden structure fitted with sliding Triplex windows, the starboard side and roof being hinged to fold upwards for entry and exit. A curved decking then faired the cabin neatly into the tail unit. Normal D.H.4 fuel tanks were retained behind the pilot and the two familiar wind driven fuel pumps were mounted above them, but to compensate for the weight of the extra passenger so far back, the aircraft was re-rigged with the upper wing 12 inches aft of its usual position. Thus, unlike the D.H.4, the cabin model wings were not staggered and therefore a major variant to which the designation D.H.4A was allotted.

Although a number of authors have stated that DH4A F5764 was operated by the squadron I am trying to obtain confirmation from the remaining official records. The two passengers sat facing each other in the rear fuselage in an enclosed cabin. The pilot, as in the Bristol Coupe, sat up front exposed to the elements.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Enclosed passenger cabin Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers 2 Length 29’8’’ Wingspan 42’6’’ Max Speed 121mph Engine Power Range RR Eagle VI Inline 360hp Ceiling

De Havilland DH9A

These aeroplanes were designed as replacements for the DH4, and were used during the Great War by the , a unit commanded by Trenchard. After the war DH9A were used extensively abroad, in the and elsewhere. 24 Squadron used them for continuation and conversion training, in fact the famous aviator trained on them in 1924. He first went solo on the 9th August 1924 in a DH9A aircraft Serial J567. In the Air Force Lists there are a number of officers with fine names who served with 24 sqn. One of them, described by James Robb as the finest DH9A pilot in the country was F/O Marcel L Trapanga Leroy. In 1920 he was serving as an instructor with F/O Aleth TS Lequen de Lacroix, I can just imagine the difficulty of pronouncing those two names, especially after a couple of drinks!

Technical Details 2 bay Tractor biplane Crew 1 Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 30’ Wingspan 46’ Max Speed 114mph Engine Power Endurance 5.75hrs Liberty 12a inline 400hp Ceiling 16750ft

De Havilland DH9R

On the 10th May 1920 Flt Lt J M Robb collected an aircraft E750 which he described as a DH9R, this was a rebuilt DH9A re-engined with a Napier Lion W arrangement engine. It had been previously operated under a civil registration. I have found the following record G-EAOF Airco DH.9A (E750) British Government operated by Aircraft Transport & Travel 09.10.19 Returned to RAF 6.20

It was allocated for the use of a senior , Robb’s recollection was that he was not impressed.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 Crew Passengers 1 Length 30’ Wingspan 46’ Max Speed unknown Engine Power Range unknown Napier Lion 12 cylinder inline 450hp Ceiling unknown

DH10 Amiens Mk III

These twin engine biplane bombers, powered by Liberty engines, were trialled in France toward the end of WWI. They were then ordered in some numbers to equip the Independent Air Force during 1919, if the war continued. The end of the war resulted in cancellation of the bulk of the orders but sufficient were built to equip 4 squadrons post armistice. One aircraft serial E5459 served with 24 squadron at RAF Kenley it was delivered in 1919, so it was probably at the Aircraft Depot when the unit formed up. I have struggled to find what use this aircraft was put to, but the possibility is that conversion training was carried out. Technical Details Twin engined Biplane Crew 1 Crew 2/3/4 Passengers 2 if 2 crew Length 36’ 7.5’’ Wingspan 65’6’’ Max Speed 112.5mph Engine Power Endurance 6hrs 2 noLiberty Inline . 400hp Ceiling 16500ft

Sopwith 7F1 Snipe

These aeroplanes were designed during WWI and served operationally from September 1918. They continued in service until 1926, and for a while in the early 1920s, one squadron of Snipes was Britain’s entire defence force. One machine F2409 was allocated to 24 Squadron, where flown by F.L Luxmore it formed part of the three type relay team. This team won the Hendon Pageant relay race in 1920, 1921 and 1922. It may have also been used for continuation training during that period. There is a very sad postscript to the Snipe used by the squadron, during practice flying with the No1 School of Technical Training. The pilot Flt Lt Ronald St.Clair McClintock MC met his death when the Snipe collapsed and fell to the ground from a considerable height.

One thing the Sopwith established was the practise of having a current front line fighter aircraft on the strength. This continued with single examples of the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin, & . Later Gloster Gladiators, Hawker Hurricanes, Curtis Mohawks and Spitfires were held right up to 1942.

Technical Details Single bay tractor biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 19’9’’ Wingspan 30’1’’ Max Speed 121mph Engine Power Range BR2 Rotary 230hp Ceiling 19500ft

Vickers Vimy

This twin engine bomber was too late to see service during the Great War, but the type found undying fame as the first aircraft, crewed by Alcock & Brown, to fly the Atlantic. References to use by 24 Squadron at Kenley include demonstrations to the Crown Prince Hirohito the future WWII Japanese Emperor and testing for possible use for newspaper transport during the General Strike of 1926. Two aircraft, serials F8640 and F9152, are noted as being issued to 24 Squadron, Flt Lt J M Robb records F8640 being used for instruction purposes in April 1920. Their use would have involved lots of resources in terms of manpower.

Technical Details 4 bay twin engine biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 2 Passengers Length 43’ 6.5’’ Wingspan 68’ 1’’ Max Speed 100mph Engine Power Range 900 miles RR Eagle VIII 2 no 360hp Ceiling 14000ft

The Northolt Years

On January the 18th 1927 A Flight moved from RAF Kenley to RAF Northolt in Middlesex, where it continued in its role as a communications flight. Meanwhile the HQ and B flights remained at Kenley, continuing in a practice and training role for a few more days. When the whole squadron had completed its move in March, the squadron establishment included DH9As, Bristol F2B Fighters and Avro 504Ns. The DH9As were transferred to the reserves in June of 1927, and the operational component now comprised Bristol F2B fighters and Avro 504s which were still WWI vintage designs.

A new squadron CO, S/Ldr Seaward.N Cole took over on the 26th August 1927 and from January 1928 the first post war designed aircraft were allocated to the squadron, the DH60 Cirrus II Moth. Aircraft serials J-9114, J-9118 arrived in April 1928. In addition to the Cirrus Moths, a specially converted Bristol F2B Mk III J8430 was taken on charge to act as a VIP transport in June 1927.

This aircraft was used by the Prince of Wales to fly between Scarborough race course and Bircham Newton on the 27th May 1928, escorted by another F2B (J6681) . The pilots were S/L J.S. Don, and FO. Stemp respectively, Stemp’s passenger being a Captain Ogilvy. On the 30th May both aircraft were used to fly the Prince and a Brigadier Trotter to Mousehold , near Norwich.

I have a wonderful photograph of this flight showing the modified and highly polished J8430 and a crowd of onlookers in front of the Norfolk & Norwich Aero Club . Although these Bristol aircraft were new build aircraft, it was decided that in the future more modern machines were required and a pair of specially fitted out Westland Wapitis were acquired by the squadron.

The New aircraft:

Avro 504N

The Avro 504N was the replacement for the 504K, the new model being updated with a AW Siskin type undercarriage, replacing the old type with a central skid. Also it was updated with a more modern , the Lynx, which resulted in it semi-official name of the Lynx-Avro

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 instructor Crew 1 pupil Passengers Length 28’6’’ Wingspan 36’ Max Speed 100mph Engine Power Range 250miles Armstrong Siddeley Lynx 215hp Ceiling 14600ft IVC

De Havilland DH60 Cirrus II Moth

These were part of a batch of 20 Moths ordered by the for use by 24 Communications Squadron and the . A development of the DH60 Moth first flown in 1925 powered by the Cirrus I 60hp engine, the Cirrus II referred to the higher power engine of 85 hp fitted. It was also known as the DH60X. These early versions had an airframe made of wood and were effectively Civil aircraft with little in the way of Military equipment. These aircraft were used for continuation training and communications flights.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil Passenger or I Length 23’8’’ Wingspan 30’ Max Speed 95mph Engine Power Range ADC Cirrus II 4 cylinder 85hp Ceiling 17000ft inline

Westland Wapiti 1A Special VIP version

Two specially converted Westland Wapitis were delivered in June 1928, these were for VIP flights and these machines were serialed J.9095 and J.9096. The conversion from the standard Wapiti comprised removal of the armament and Scarfe ring, building up of the rear fuselage to provide a head rest, provision of a seat and windscreen. Some rear panels had their fabric covering replaced with sheet metal, and a Fairey Reed metal propeller was fitted. The finish was as a standard RAF general duties Wapiti, but the Royal Wapitis sported the 24 Squadron Chevron on the tail, and miniature Group Captains rank pennants painted at mid point on the outer pair of interplane struts. These machines were used by a number of VIP’s in addition to the Prince of Wales but to illustrate their use I will relate the details of a journey from Marseilles. On the 22nd April both Wapitis and a Fairey IIIF were flown to Marignane Aerodrome near Marseilles to await the Prince of Wales and his party who were arriving by boat after a trip to Africa. On the 25th of April the Wapiti J.9095 piloted by S/L. Don carrying the Prince of Wales took off at 7.35am accompanied by the other two aircraft. The group landed at Lyons to refuel, and after 25 minutes took off for Le Bourget near Paris. They had lunch with the British Ambassador and officers of the 34th Air Regiment of the French Air Force. Taking off after lunch, accompanied by an escort of 9 French aircraft , the royal party set off for England. The French turned back at Cap Gris Nez, near , and escort duties were performed by an RAF as they crossed the Channel. Reaching the coast an escort, of nine Armstrong Whitworth Siskins IIIA’s, joined them and the whole formation set course for Windsor. The Royal Aircraft landed at Smiths Lawn at 4pm, after a total flying time of 6hrs 10mins, to be greeted by the King & Queen. The above account comes from Flight magazine of May 2nd 1930.

Technical Details 2 bay tractor biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers 1 Length 32’6’’ Wingspan 46’5’’ Max Speed 140mph Engine Power Range 530miles VI 9 cylinder 460hp Ceiling 20,600ft radial

Fairey IIIF VIP Communications Version

The Fairey IIIF was used in a number of versions by both the RAF and and was built in greater numbers than any other aircraft apart from the series in the Inter- war years. This record was superseded when rearmament got underway in the late 1930s. The Fairey IIIF was a development of the Fairey IIIC, and Fairey IIID which had been used by the RAF since 1919, and the prototype N198 first flew on the 19th March 1926. They were flown as Day Bombers, General Duties and Reconnaissance aircraft, and were operated in England and the Middle East. Fairey IIIFs J9160, J9061, K1115 & K1749 were specially fitted out as two seat VIP communications versions, with armament removed a seat fitted in the rear cockpit and a windshield provided. The first Fairey IIIF joined the unit in May 1928, on the 20th August was flown by 24 Squadron for the first time on a trip from Lympe to . K1115 was used by the Prime Minister Ramsey MacDonald on a number of occasions, including a trip from Hendon to Lossiemouth on the 1st April 1931 which took 3hrs 15mins. The return trip 2 weeks later took 3hrs 10 mins, for the times to be recorded shows that they were considered to be very fast at the time. On the 29th July 1931 Ramsey MacDonald was flown from to Hendon in a Fairey IIIF piloted by Flt.Lt. H W Heslop, accompanied by two other IIIFs. This flight being notable as the first time a British military aircraft had landed in Berlin. Indeed flying the Fairey IIIF was described as a gentlemanly pursuit, like most naval aircraft it was very strong with a low landing speed, making it a good deal easier to fly than many of its contemporaries. The aircraft were finished in standard silver with black upper panelling from nose to tail, the Squadron chevron on the tail and the number 24 in large numerals in front of the fuselage roundel, and all metal panels were highly polished.

Technical Details 2 bay Biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers 1 Length 36’6’’ Wingspan 45’9’’ Max Speed 136mph Engine Power Range 400miles Napier Lion XIA 12 cylinder 570hp Ceiling 20600ft inline

De Havilland DH60G and DH60M Gypsy Moth

The DH60G and DH60M were essentially the Cirrus Moth described above re-engined with a De Havilland Gypsy Engine, a slightly smaller wingspan and steerable tail skid. The DH60M had a welded steel tube fuselage replacing the timber construction of the earlier moths, and these were the models operated by 24 Squadron. Serials K-1111, K1214, K-1215 were amongst the 20 aircraft of this type operated by the Squadron, which included MX463 an impressed aircraft used by the Belgian Air Attaché during WWII. Many of these aircraft were used on record breaking flights all over the world . Most famously by who flew a DH60G Gypsy Moth called “Jason”, to in May 1930 and by Francis Chichester who flew from to Australia in 1930. Amy Johnson later married Jim Mollison who was trained on DH9’s with 24 Squadron in 1924 when he was a serving RAF Officer. A Gypsy Moth serial K-1838 was taken on charge by the squadron during November 1930, and on the 24th April 1931 was involved in a mid-air collision with an AW Siskin IIIA J8893 of 43 Squadron. The pilot Flt Lt H M Moody and his passenger AVM F V Holt lost their lives, but the Siskin landed safely with its pilot uninjured. Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot/instructor Crew 1 pupil or Passengers 1 Length 23’11’’ Wingspan 30’ Max Speed 105mph Engine Power Range 320miles DH Gypsy I 4 cylinder inline 100hp Ceiling 17000ft

Hawker Tomtit

In the late 1920s the RAF were looking for to replace the Avro 504 series. The Hawker company produced the Tomtit and it was selected for small scale production and extended trials. The prototype J9772 was issued to 24 Squadron in July 1930 and served until May 1932, it was followed by 3 more production aircraft between April 1931 and August 1932. They were used for training and communications duties, and the Prince of Wales was regularly flown in a Tomtit. The one surviving Tomtit is currently flown at Old Warden by the , but this particular aircraft was not one of those used by 24 Squadron.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil or 1 Passenger Length 23’8’’ Wingspan 38’6’’ Max Speed 124mph Engine Power Range 350miles Armstrong Siddeley 150hp Ceiling 19500ft Mongoose IIIC 5 cylinder radial

Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA

A single aircraft serial J8869 of this fighter aircraft was delivered to 24 Squadron during December 1930 to provided continuation flying for pilots on ground tours in the London area. Aircraft of this type were the main fighter aircraft operated by the RAF at this time and did not differ substantially from the fighter aircraft of WWI. They were still armed with 2 Vickers machine guns firing through interrupter gear. Although their Jaguar engines were more powerful than the Le Rhone and Wolsey engines, of the DH5 and SE5As, used 12 years previously, their low top speed meant they were still slower than the Hawker Hart day bombers then in service. The Siskin was operated for about six months before transferring to the Central Flying School . Technical Details Single Bay Sesquiplane top wing much larger than lower Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 25’4’’ Wingspan 33’2’’ Max Speed 153mph Engine Power endurance 1.2hrs Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar 420hp Ceiling 27100ft IV 14 cylinder two row radial

Avro Trainer

The other aircraft chosen by the RAF for extended trials in competition with the Tomtit was the Avro Trainer. After these trials the Trainer was chosen as the successor to the Avro 504 and eventually 394 aircraft were built for the RAF, as the Tutor with a more powerful Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine. In November 1931 three of the 21 Trainers built were allocated to 24 Squadron, so at the time Avro 504N’s, Tomtits and Avro Trainers were all operated together. Part of 24 Squadrons operations at that time was a flight designated the Air Pilotage School formed on the 26th October 1931 with a notional complement of 6 aircraft, three were actually issued K1236, K1239, and K1791. Air Pilotage training was in navigation, indeed in 1931 there were no specialist navigators in the RAF, only pilots who had been on navigation courses. The School of Air Pilotage was established in April 1932 at Andover, and 24 Squadron relinquished this role. In September 1932 Lord Londonderry, the Secretary of State for Air, was given flying instruction by Squadron Leader Whitford in Avro Trainer K1234, an aircraft which had joined the squadron in February. Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 1 Passenger Length 23’6’’ Wingspan 34’ Max Speed 120mph Engine Power Range 350miles Armstrong Siddeley 150hp Ceiling 16,200ft Mongoose IIIC 5 cylinder radial

Hawker Hart Communications

The Hawker Hart series of aircraft were the most prolific in use by the RAF in the inter war period, they were used as Day Bombers, Trainers, and developed into Fighter, Army Co- operation and Naval General Purpose types. Whilst researching markings carried by Harts, I came across 24 Squadrons own special Hart variant, the Hart (Communications) version.

The rear cockpit had its armament removed and a seat , headrest ,and windscreen installed. The first Hart (Communications) K2456 was delivered on the 3rd March 1933, and it served with the squadron until June 1935 when it hit a tree whilst descending in fog .I am still researching use of the communications Harts, but I have a lovely photograph of Lord Swinton, the Secretary of State for Air, struggling into a prior to flight in 1935. The aircraft serial is not visible, but once again the highly polished pristine state would indicate a VIP hart probably K2433 or K2455.

Technical Details Single Bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 Passenger Length 29’4’’ Wingspan 37’3’’ Max Speed 168mph Engine Power Range 430miles Rolls Royce Kestrel 1B, V12 525hp Ceiling 21350ft cylinder inline

Bristol Bulldog IIA

The Bristol Bulldog was in service from 1929 to 1936 as a single seat interceptor fighter with the RAF. They were operated by the Australian, Danish, Latvian, Swedish and Siamese Air Forces and a small number flew with the during WWII. exported 8 of their Bulldogs to Spain in 1936 where they were used by the Republican forces during the Civil War. Aircraft serial K2209 was serving with 41 Squadron based at Northolt during 1932, when it hit an Avro 504N K1989 which was operated by 24 Squadron. After repair it was allocated to No1 Air Defence Group of which 24 Squadron was a component. According to 24 Squadron records a Bulldog was on charge on the 31st December 1932, so it is reasonable to assume that K2209 was the aircraft involved. The Bulldog superseded the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA as a continuation trainer for fighter pilots on ground based tours in the London area. I have yet to discover a photograph of the Bulldog operated by 24 Squadron, but unlike most aircraft operated by the RAF between the wars you can at least see a real aircraft at the RAF Museum in Hendon.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passengers Length 25’2’’ Wingspan 33’10’’ Max Speed 178mph Engine Power Range 350miles Bristol Jupiter VIIF 9 cylinder 440hp Ceiling 29300ft radial

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24 Squadron move to RAF Hendon; The Best Flying Club in the World & Prelude to War

On the 10th July 1933 the Squadron transferred to RAF Hendon, C flight formed under Flt Lt. H A Hammersley remaining at Northolt. C flight became the station Flight at RAF Northolt in January 1936, and a new C Flight was added to the establishment at Hendon. On the 22nd November 1937 D Flight was formed to maintain aircraft allocated for the use of personnel on the strength of The Reserve and Inspector of Civil Flying Training Schools. Lord Londonderry, the Secretary of State for Air, continued his flying training under Sqn Ldr Whitford after the squadron moved to Hendon, this time in K1782. The extracts from the squadrons operational records held in the history room at RAF Lyneham don’t record if he obtained his wings, but he did fly solo on numerous occasions, right up to 1935. Throughout the years 1933 to 1939 the Squadron continued to receive new aircraft types. Some permanently, some on extended trial, and some for reasons that can only be guessed at.

The New aircraft:

De Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth I

The first of these world famous trainers serials K.2568, K.2570, and K.2576 were issued to 24 Squadron in July 1933 and they were used for communications and training. Initially they were operated alongside the earlier Gypsy Moths, but eventually completely supplanted them in service. Twenty two out of the original thirty five Tiger Moths ordered for the RAF served at one time or another with 24 Squadron. They were extensively used and carried many VIPs during their years of service. The principle differences between the Tiger and Gypsy Moth were the inverted Gypsy III engine and the increased stagger between the top and bottom wing, with compensatory sweep back. This enabled the to be set back behind the upper wing, enabling easier access and egress.

Technical details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil or 1 Passenger Length 23’11’’ Wingspan 29’4’’ Max Speed 109mph Engine Power Range 300mile DH Gypsy III 4 cylinder 120hp Ceiling 17000ft inverted inline

Avro 621 Tutor

After the Avro Trainer (see Northolt Years article) had been evaluated it was decided that a more powerful engine was required, and the Armstrong Siddeley J Lynx was substituted. K4809 was on charge in the spring of 1935 when it crashed during an Empire Air Day Display on the 23 May 1935. The Squadron also operated K3359, K4833, K4834 during 1936 and all three were subsequently used by the University of London Air Squadron based at Northolt. This ties in with C Flight operating from Northolt so I suspect there may be a connection there, more research is needed, so if anyone reading this has any information let me know.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil Passsengers Length 26’6’’ Wingspan 34’ Max Speed 122mph Engine Power , Endurance 2.75hrs AS Lynx IVC 7 cylinder 240hp Ceiling 16200ft radial

Hawker Hart Day Bomber and Hart Trainer

In addition to the special Hart (Communications) version operated, the above standard versions were also operated. They were used for training and communications, and as a platform for flying umpires during air defence exercises. Aircraft Serial K3001 is shown in Putnam’s “Aircraft of the RAF” wearing normal 24 Squadron markings, but with a large A on a white fuselage band instead of a roundel. Hart K2452 was still in use on the 15/09/42

Technical details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 1 Passenger Length 29’4’’ Wingspan 37’3’’ Max Speed 184mph Engine Power Range Rolls Royce Kestrel 1B, V12 525hp Ceiling 21350ft cylinder inline

Hawker Audax The Audax was the Army Co-operation version of the Hart which first appeared in 1931, virtually identical to the Hart it can be distinguished by the long exhaust pipes which extend along the fuselage sides past the rear cockpit. Aircraft serials K2008, K7383 were both operated as trainers and for special flights. In Air Britain’s magazine “Archive” published summer 2001 there is a picture of K2008 visiting Barton Airport () on the 3rd Sept 1938. The normal Squadron markings of a 24 on the fuselage & chevron on the fin appear to be missing but it has a star painted on the main wheel cover visible.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 1 Passenger Length 29’7’’ Wingspan 37’3’’ Max Speed 170mph Engine Power Endurance 3hr 35mins Rolls Royce Kestrel 1B or 525hp Ceiling 21000ft Kestrel X (K7383), V12 cylinder inline

Hawker Osprey III

Yet another in the Hart series, the Osprey was developed a Naval fighter/reconnaissance aircraft for use on Aircraft carriers. Equipped with floats they were also issued a catapult launched spotter aircraft for use on . Four aircraft K3616, K3617, K3618 and K3619 were delivered in Mar/April 1934 and were used for a year. In Flight magazine on May 23 1935 they were listed as being on display at the next weeks Hendon Empire Air Day, which means they were seen by over 10,000 people on the 30th May. As a Fleet Air Arm aircraft their use by a Communications squadron is baffling. I can only conjecture as to why they were chosen, perhaps being equipped with dinghies and flotation bags they were to be used for overseas flights! A picture in the RAF Museum collection of K3617 shows it with the squadron Chevron, and in Air Britains magazine Aeromilitaria No2 1994 K3616 is shown with 24 written on the fuselage. They differed in appearance from Harts in having a larger fin and , and two pairs of support struts between the fuselage and lower wing. These supported the lower wing at the folding point.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Folding wings Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 Passenger Length 29’4’’ Wingspan 37’ Max Speed 146mph Engine Power Range 430miles Rolls Royce Kestrel 1IMS, 630hp Ceiling 23500ft V12 cylinder inline

De Havilland DH89 Rapide

On the 29th March 1935 a major step forward in comfort and capacity arrived for the squadron when K5070 a civil DH89 Rapide was delivered by De Havilland Ltd. Enclosed accommodation for both pilot and passengers was a first, and on the 10th April Prime Minister Ramsey Macdonald and the Foreign Secretary Sir J Simon were flown to Paris by Sqn Ldr Whitford. Over the next three years the Rapide was used extensively by VIPs flying with the squadron, often on tours of inspection. On the 8th September 1935 the new Foreign Secretary Sir S Hoare was flown to Geneva, returning on the 13th September. In November 1938 2 more Rapides P1764 and P1765 were delivered and they served until 1940 when one was struck off charge in April and the other lost in France. The Rapide and it military counterpart the Dominie served 24 Squadron until 1943, many were impressed from civilian operators at the start of WWII, and were used extensively on transport duties to France. Nine were lost during that service, either shot up on the ground by fighters, or having to be abandoned owing to damage sustained from ground fire. Two aircraft Z7258 Women of The Empire and Z7261 Women of Britain were fitted out as ambulance aircraft and after presentation by the “Silver Thimble Fund” were operated briefly from the 21st May 1941 by 24 Squadron. Technical details Twin engine Biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 8 Passengers Length 34’6’’ Wingspan 48’ Max Speed 157mph Engine Power Range 578miles 2No. DH Gypsy Queen 3; 6 200hp Ceiling 19500ft cylinder inverted inline

The interior of a DH.89A Rapide ambulance aircraft at Hendon, Middlesex, the day before being presented to No 24 Squadron by the “Silver Thimble Fund”, showing how stretchers are fitted into the cabin.

De Havilland DH 86B

Allocated to 24 Squadron on the 9th October 1937 for use of members of the Cabinet and the Air Council, the DH86 serial L7596 was a four engine civil biplane , formerly used by British Airways Ltd as G-ADYJ. In 1987 the publishers Putnam ran a series of advertisements for their latest books, and featured on the advertisement was L7596 sporting the squadron fighting cock emblem within a six pointed star on the nose and tail fin. In the background are a number of , which could help locate the airfield, but despite my best efforts I cannot track down the photo collection that holds the original. So once again if anyone can help me I would be very grateful. On the 19th October L7596 and a civil DH86B G-AENR were flown to Mildenhall where three members of the German Air Force Mission were picked up and flown to RAF Cranwell. In November L7596 made two flights to and from with the Foreign Secretary. All DH86 aircraft were built as civil aircraft but a number were both bought or impressed by the Air Ministry, in all nine were used by 24 Squadron, mainly after war was declared. The former G-ADYG, another British Airways aircraft, was allocated in June 1938 as N6246, which served until destroyed in a hangar fire in May 1942. LAC FMA Dixon lost his life when trying to extinguish a fire on X9441 he walked into a spinning propeller.

Technical Details Four Engine Biplane Two bays Crew 2 pilots Crew 10 Passengers Length 46’1’’ Wingspan 64’6’’ Max Speed 166mph Engine Power Range 800miles 4No. DH Gypsy Six II; 6 200hp Ceiling 17400ft cylinder inverted inline

The very smartly dressed PO Ian McLeod 1937/38

© IWM (H 18552) DH.86B, X9441, VIP transport of No. 24 Squadron RAF based at Hendon, Middlesex, prior to flying the Commander-in-Chief, Scottish Command, and his party (in foreground) from Lerwick, Shetland

Bristol 142 Britain First

This one off aircraft was designed in 1934 as fast communications type to the requirements of Lord Rothermere, the proprietor of the . He had expressed a desire to match the latest civil types coming out in America, such as the 247 and the Douglas DC2, and to show that British aircraft manufacturers could make more modern aircraft than those currently being officially specified. When it was tested in June 1935 it proved to be 50mph faster than the winner of the latest fighter ordered for the RAF, the . It so impressed the testing pilots that the Air Ministry asked to keep it in order to evaluate its potential as a . Lord Rothermere then presented the aircraft, named “Britain First” to the Air Council. The Bristol was then allocated serial K7557 and sent to various RAF units for test purposes, coming to 24 Squadron on the 5th November 1935 where it was kept until the 15th December. Quite what the squadron pilots made of this low wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage, two position propellers, flaps and a top speed of over 300mph one can only imagine. Especially given the aircraft they were used to, biplanes with fixed undercarriage, could barely reach 150mph. The design of the Bristol 142 was developed into the 142M which became the Blenheim 1 in RAF service, and which served during WWII with every command, despite its growing obsolescence, as the war went on.

Technical Details Twin engined monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilots Crew 4 Passengers Length 40’9’’ Wingspan 56’4’’ Max Speed 307mph Engine Power Range 1000miles 2No. VIS2 650hp Ceiling

Miles Nighthawk

On the 3rd July 1937 a single Miles Nighthawk serial L6846 was allocated to the squadron for the use of C flight, the communications flight. This aircraft had been developed as a trainer and fast communications aircraft as a private venture by the very small aircraft company of Phillips and Powis, designed by F G & Blossom Miles a husband & wife team. It could carry three people in an enclosed cockpit and was a fast as the Hart (Communications) in use at the time.

It was used over the next few months for a number of flights for the Secretary of State for Air, and on the 28th Sept. was used to fly the Secretary of State for War to Le Bourget ( Paris ).

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 Passenger Length 25’ Wingspan 35’ Max Speed 180mph Engine Power Range DH Gypsy Six II; 6 cylinder 200hp Ceiling inverted inline

Miles Magister

In 1936 the RAF ordered their first low wing monoplane trainer, the which was based on the earlier Hawk Trainer. Provided with flaps to reduce landing speed the Magister’s overall performance was far better than the Tiger Moth and Avro Tutor it was ordered to supercede. 1,293 number aircraft were produced and at least 18 were to serve with 24 Squadron at various times up to 1942. The first was L5961 which was allocated on the 30th July 1937 to the Squadron from the first production batch. It was presumably used for trials and training, as there are no existing records of its use for communications duty. Two Magisters L8212 and L8345 were lost in a Hangar fire after a Luftwaffe bombing raid on Hendon in October 1940. 24 Squadron had given up its training role during the Second World War, and it is reasonable to assume that the Magisters held on strength after 1940 were used for communications.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil or 1 Passenger Length 24’7’’ Wingspan 33’10’’ Max Speed 140mph Engine Power Range 367miles DH Gypsy Major; 4 cylinder 130hp Ceiling inverted inline

Miles Mentor

Developed from the Nighthawk, the Mentor was designed in response to an Air Ministry requirement for three seat cabin aircraft to fulfil a variety of roles, including instrument training, night flying, radio training and communications. It was first flown in 1938 and after trials the Mentor was ordered, specifically to equip 24 Squadron for communications. In the event only 13 were issued to 24 Squadron, the changing circumstances leading up to the outbreak of war leading to different aircraft being allocated. Two were destroyed in the 7th October 1940 air raid and two further were destroyed in flying accidents. L4395 dived into the ground on the 21st March 1940 near Hinckley, the Pilot Sgt. R C Edwards and a civilian casualty employed by the Camouflage Department, an attached unit of 24 Squadron, were both killed.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 Passenger Length 26’1’’ Wingspan 34’6’’ Max Speed 156mph Engine Power Range DH Gypsy Six; 6 cylinder 200hp Ceiling 13800 inverted inline

Percival Vega Gull III

The Vega Gull was a development of the Gull series of aircraft designed by Capt , an Australian ex WWI pilot. The Gull series owed something to an earlier design the Hendy 302, designed by Basil “Hendy” Henderson and built by George & Co. Aircraft in Bristol. The first Gulls were built by Parnalls during 1933-1934 and were the first low wing monoplane offered for sale to the civil market in Britain. In 1938 the RAF ordered 12 Vega Gulls IIIs as communications aircraft, and the first 6 were delivered to to 24 Squadron, serials P1749- P1754 in November 1938. 5 more were delivered before the war, from the second batch of 8 aircraft. They were all used extensively in the build-up to the fall of France in 1940. P1751 was damaged beyond repair by enemy aircraft on the 16th May 1940, and P1749 was destroyed in an air raid at Hendon. Vega Gull P1752 was damaged during a forced landing in very bad weather on Wentworth Golf Course in January 1940, luckily no one was injured. The Vega Gull was further developed into the fully militarised Proctor, and more of these were to fly with 24 Squadron after 1940.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 Crew 3 Passengers Length 25’4’’ Wingspan 39’6’’ Max Speed 174mph Engine Power Range 660miles DH Gypsy Six II; 6 cylinder 200hp Ceiling 16000ft inverted inline

De Havilland DH93 Don

The little known DH93 Don was designed as an advanced trainer, complete with a dorsal turret, and during the expansion of the RAF during the late 1930s was ordered off the “Drawing Board.” Sadly the Don proved to be unsuitable for purpose being both under powered, and suffering from handling problems. As production was well underway a use had to be found, so the turret was deleted and the extra space used for a passenger. The handling issues were partially rectified with anti-spin strakes fitted in front of the fin, and two small fins fitted under the . The modified aircraft were issued from March 1938 to the Central Flying School, 3 Flying Training Schools, numerous Station flights, and one Don serial L2394 to 24 Squadron. They were not successful in their new role and by March 1939 all had been withdrawn, for use as training .

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 2 Passengers Length 37’4’’ Wingspan 47’6’’ Max Speed 219mph Engine Power Range 855 miles DH Gypsy King I; V12 525hp Ceiling 21500ft

World War II

At the start of WWII the squadron was tasked with delivery of post in the Air Despatch Letter Service (ADLS), transportation of important persons on war service and a continuation of its normal communications duties. Civil aircraft were impressed for RAF use and a number of De Havilland aircraft were transferred from airlines. These were used for the ADLS and transport of personnel around the country and to France. To cope with the increased tempo and scope of work more men and machines were posted in and the Squadron was reorganised. C flight was responsible for the ALDS and transport of VIP's, A&B flights were pooled and the establishment increased with DH Rapides, DH Flamingos, Lockheed Electras, and Percival Q6,s joining the existing aircraft held by the Squadron.

Airspeed Envoy

A special version of this twin engine low wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage had been used by the Kings Flight before the war, marked as G-AEXX. It was kept at RAF Hendon, and maintained by 24 Squadron, it had the distinctive blue and red Brigade of Guards colour scheme, At the outbreak of war it was transferred to the RAF, painted in camouflage and given its official serial L7270. Another civil example G-AFWZ was impressed as X9370, and used until destroyed in an Air Raid on the 8th October 1940. Seven aircraft were ordered as Envoy IIIs for the RAF, and of these P5626 served with 24 Squadron from August 1940 until February 1942. The Envoy was the forerunner of the , which was used by the RAF including 24 Squadron in large numbers.

S/L Clapperton who served as a LAC Ground Wireless Operator for Flying Duties, stated in a letter to the Squadron on the 17th February 1990, that he flew in L7270, the former G-AEXX, while serving with the Squadron in 1940-41

Technical Details Twin Engine Monoplane retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 8 Passengers Length 34’6’’ Wingspan 52’4’’ Max Speed 210mph Engine Power Range 650 miles 2no AW Cheetah IX 350 hp Ceiling 22000ft

De Havilland DH95 Flamingo

This all metal high wing twin engine civil airliner was quite a departure for the de Havilland company, whose previous designs had principally been wooden biplanes. Including such innovations as retractable undercarriage, flaps, and feathering propellers the Flamingo was quite a step up from the aircraft operated by the squadron. In October 1939 G-AFUE the prototype which had first flown in 1938 was issued to 24 Squadron after use by Guernsey & Ltd. It was followed over the next few months by 3 service versions officially named Hertfordshires, and two other civil production aircraft. In service, in common with a number of civil aircraft they were operated in camouflage, but with civil registrations still applied. Service serials being applied at major overhauls. During the period, before Germany invaded, Winston Churchill was flown to a number of places in France. Notably General was flown from Bordeaux to London and back on the 16th June 1940, and on the 17th was flown back to London to form the Free French government in exile. A number of different aircraft types were given names in 1942 and the Flamingos included R2765 (Lady of Hendon), R2766 (Lady of Glamis), AE444 (Lady of Ayr). On a sadder note two aircraft were involved in fatal crashes, R2510 23/10/40(11 dead), and R2764 (Lady of Castletown) 30/04/42 when 6 died. The fatalities in the latter accident included 4 Russian officers who were on a mission to Britain. This accident almost causing a major diplomatic incident, with sabotage being suspected.

Technical Details High Wing Monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilots Crew 20 Passengers Length 51’7’’ Wingspan 70’’ Max Speed 239mph Engine Power Range 1345miles 2no Bristol Perseus sleeve 875hp Ceiling 20900ft valve Radials

© IWM (HU 91907) De Havilland Flamingos of No. 24 Squadron RAF at Hendon, Middlesex. In the foreground an advance party of Russian officials disembarks from R2765 "Lady of Hendon" to be greeted by senior RAF officers and representatives of the Foreign Office, having been flown from Prestwick in order to prepare for the forthcoming visit to London by the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, V M Molotov. Parked in the background is R2764 "Lady of Castledown", which perished the following day while undertaking a similar mission from Prestwick to Hendon. The aircraft caught fire and crashed near Great Ouseburn, , killing the crew and all six members of the Russian party on board. Although suspicions of sabotage were voiced at the time, it appears that a cylinder head in one of the engines broke away accidentally in mid-air, causing an engine fire and the loss of one of the wings.

F/L Ian McLeod regularly flew Flamingos, shown on his wedding day to Margaret Jannings , a WRAF driver at Hendon

Percival Q6 Petrel

These handsome, twin engine executive transport and feeder were designed by Edgar Percival as a scaled up Vega Gull and the first flew in 1937. A number were ordered as DH Rapide replacements by such customers as Sir Philip Sassoon, the former Secretary of State for Air who was the first customer. His aircraft G-AFFD survived impressment and service with 510 Squadron, a 24 Squadron offshoot, to be the sole surviving Q6. The RAF ordered 6no as Percival Petrels and aircraft P5635, & P5636 were delivered to 24 Squadron in 1939, P3638 served later together with the impressed civil aircraft. G-AEYE (X9328) the prototype, G-AFHG which was left behind in France after the defeat in 1940, G-AFKG (X9363), and G-AFMT (X9454). All of these were operated with fixed & trousered undercarriage, although some of the Q 6's were delivered with retractable main wheels. These aircraft were allocated as transports for senior air staff, and used for VIP flights. I like to use a story to illustrate the use of each aircraft, but with the Q6 I would just like to show how different things were in wartime. Flt Lt S A Stevenson flew Lord Cherwell, Churchill's scientific advisor, and most important VIP, in a Q6 X9363, to Coltishall after only 11 flights as pilot and a total of 16 and a half hours in the air.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 5/6 Passengers Length 32’3’’ Wingspan 46’8’’ Max Speed 195mph Engine Power Range 700miles 2no DH Gypsy 6 cylinder 205hp Ceiling 21000ft inverted inline

Lockheed Hudson Mk1

This aircraft was a development of the Lockheed 14 Super Electra civil airliner, ordered by the British Purchasing mission to the USA as a reconnaissance bomber. Principally to replace the , which was out dated in that role before WWII began. Of the original aircraft delivered to the RAF N7364 was delivered as a transport aircraft to 24 Squadron without a turret, it was soon transferred under civil marks G AGAR to who used it for secret reconnaissance flights during the Phoney war, before the invasion of France. 24 Squadron flew every mark of Hudson delivered to the RAF, notably on the very hazardous shuttle service to flying in personnel and urgent supplies . These included the delivery of the George Cross awarded to the people of Malta, in recognition of their Bravery, by a Mk III Hudson AE533 piloted by F/O Honeyman on the 6th May 1942

Technical Details Twin engined low wing Retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 2 pilots Crew Up to 14 Passengers Length 44’4’’ Wingspan 65’6’’ Max Speed 233mph Engine Power Range 1960miles 2 no Wright Cyclone Radial 1100hp Ceiling 27400ft

Lockheed 10-A Electra

This commercial aircraft, operated by a number of US and British airlines was designed in 1933 and first flew in 1934. A low wing twin engined monoplane with twin fin it could carry a crew of 2 and 10 passengers at a cruising speed of 190mph. 148 were built as airliners, service transport, and executive versions and they served all over the world before WWII, including South America, another was built for the US Army Air Corps as the first fully pressurised aircraft. One aircraft was also used by Amelia Earhart on record breaking flights in 1936 and 1937, and she was flying "X16020" when she was lost on her final flight. On the 5th October G-AEPR, a British Airways machine was impressed and delivered to 24 Squadron, the first of 4 operated between 1939 and 1942. The others were G-AEPN (W9105), G- AEPO (W9106) and G-AFEB (W9104), all ex British Airways aircraft. G-AEPR was an historic aircraft having flown Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to his meetings with on the 15th and 30th September 1938. W9105 was destroyed in an air raid on RAF Hendon on the night of the 6/7 , but these aircraft were intensively used, transporting senior officers around Britain.

Technical details Low wing Monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilots Crew Up to 10 Passengers Length 38’7’’ Wingspan 55’ Max Speed 202mph Engine Power Range 810miles Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior 450hp Ceiling 19400ft Radials

De Havilland DH80A Puss Moth

This high wing club and touring monoplane first flew in 1929, a number were impressed at the start of the war and G-ABSO (X9439) was delivered to 24 Squadron on the 2nd October 1939. In August 1942 A flight replaced three Westland Lysanders and three Wicko Warferries with Puss Moths (from PRO records). G-ACIV (ES954) was taken on charge in , as was G-ACTV (AX868) and after a short period both were released to 510 Squadron charge when that squadron was formed a a communications squadron using 24 Squadron’s A Flight as a basis. Aircraft HM534 formerly the US Air Attache's aircraft was stored at Hendon and taken on charge by 24 Squadron upon impressment. Pre war Puss Moths were used for record breaking flights, Jim Mollison an ex 24 Squadron trainee pilot flew G-ABXY via the Sahara and West coast of Africa to reach the Cape in record time in 1932.

Technical Details High wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 2 Passengers Length 25’ Wingspan 36’9’’ Max Speed 125mph Engine Power Range 440 miles DH Gypsy Major; inverted 130hp Ceiling 13000ft inline

De Havilland DH83 Fox Moth

By providing a new fuselage containing a passenger compartment for up to 4 passengers and open pilots cockpit, married to DH82 Tiger Moth wings, , undercarriage, and engine mounting, De Havilland produced an aeroplane capable of really economic operation. First flown in 1932 the Fox Moth found a ready market in Britain and the Empire. The Prince of Wales kept one G-ACCD at Hendon under the care of 24 Squadron in 1933. They were manufactured in Britain, Canada and Australia, and they were produced after the war in Canada using Tiger Moth components. Fox Moth G-ABUT (X9304), the third DH83 built, was taken over by 24 squadron on the 14th and used until July 1940. It was undoubtably used for communications duties but the Operational records that survive do not record its use.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 3 or 4 Passengers Length 25’9’’ Wingspan 30’10.75’’ Max Speed 106mph Engine Power Range 425miles DH Gypsy III; inverted inline 120hp Ceiling 12700ft

De Havilland DH84 Dragon

The success of the Fox Moth encouraged de Havilland to design a larger twin engined machine, these were built in some numbers in Civil and Military versions in Britain and Australia. The Prince of Wales purchased one to replace his Fox Moth, G-ACGG which was a 4 seat VIP version DH84 mk1. Once again it was kept at Hendon under the care of 24 Squadron, and during WWII it served with 24 Squadron.

G-ADDI a DH84 Mk2 was taken over from Great Western and Southern Airlines in September 1939 and used for a short time still with a Civil registration. Following that G-ACIU (X9395) was taken over for VIP work and it was flown out to Rheims in France in March 1940, where 24 Squadron had a detachment operating. It was damaged during take-off on 29/04/40, and was set fire to and abandoned in the face of the German advance. G-ACMJ was operated as X9396 until 1941, G-AECZ was used under civilian marking for a short time in 1939, all the Dragons provided valuable service until they could be replaced with military Dominies.

Technical Details Twin engined 2 bay Biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 6 Passengers Length 34’6’’ Wingspan 47’4’’ Max Speed 134mph Engine Power Range 460miles 2No. DH Gypsy Major; 130hp Ceiling 14500ft inverted inline

This aircraft was impressed and flew with the Squadron in 1940

De Havilland DH85 Leopard Moth

Designed as a successor to the Puss Moth, the Leopard Moth first flew in 1933, and 132 were built over the next 3 years, G-ACMN (X9381) was impressed in 1939 from Personal Airways Ltd. It entered service with 24 Squadron on the 24th September 1939, and served with numerous units until the end of the war when it returned to civilian ownership. G-AHDB (W9371) was used during 1941, as was AW156, at that time E flight held large numbers of ex civil aircraft of various types.

These aircraft were built of wood with covering, a reversion to old practices after the Metal framed Puss Moth Technical Details High wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 2 Passengers Length 24’6’’ Wingspan37’6’’ Max Speed 137mph Engine Power Range 715miles DH Gypsy Major; inverted 130hp Ceiling 21500ft inline

De Havilland DH87 Hornet Moth

This cabin biplane was designed with side by side seating and dual controls for use as a trainer to supersede the Puss and Tiger moths, where the pupil and instructor sat in line in open cockpits and struggled to communicate. Some air handling problems, which were cured with a change to the wing plan form, took a while to resolve but by the model DH87B the aircraft became a popular type. One MkA G-ADJZ (X9444) was impressed in 1940 and Sqn Ldr Stevenson was still flying it in civilian marks in 1941. Stevenson who joined 24 Squadron in May 1940 was something of a Hornet Moth specialist having a number in his log book. A lot of the flights were of a communications nature flying doctors and middle rank officers, and test flights with junior non- commissioned airmen as ballast. G- ADKB a MkB (W6421) was impressed in January 1940 and used until August 1940. On the 31st July 1941 Hornet Moth serial G-AFOE was being used to survey suitable placement sites for heavy anti-aircraft guns when it struck a mountainside 16mile south of Limavady, both the pilot and passenger were killed.

Technical Details Cabin Biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil or 1 Passenger Length 24’11.5’’ Wingspan 32’7’’ Max Speed 131mph Engine Power Range DH Gypsy Major I 4 cylinder 130hp Ceiling 17800ft inverted inline

Douglas DC3

Before the military DC3 Dakota was operated by the RAF two civil DC3's OO-AUH & OO- AUI, were allocated to 24 Sqn on the 11th May 1940, flown by their civilian crews and accompanied by a 24 Sqn officer. OO-AUH has probably the strangest career of any aircraft flown during WWII, it was operated by the Belgians, the RAF, the Vichy French, the Italians and finally by the Germans surviving until 1945 when it was discovered at Flensburg on the 2nd May 1945, where it was sadly scrapped. The very interesting story of this aircraft is recounted in issue 13 of the Air Enthusiast magazine published circa 1980. : OO-AUI Lost: 23/05/1940 Sergeant (Pilot) Raymond Chartier (Belgium), BAF (VR), service nr 258/2226, initially buried at Arcques, exhumed and reinterred 5-9-1950 at Ixelles, Belgium. Plt Off Benson Freeman 24 Sqn Officer - PoW Over Calais it was hit by anti-aircraft and part of the left wing was torn off. The pilot (Raymond Chartier) made a forced landing near Arques. The navigator was killed and two of the passengers wounded, while Chartier was shot by German troops as he tried to reach French lines. The remaining passengers were taken prisoner including Plt Off Benson Freeman of 24 Squadron. The engineer, Piet Vrebos, survived the crash of OO-AUI. The German troops took him POW, but released him and sent him at home because he was a civilian. Whilst operated by the RAF it was camouflaged with yellow undersides, but retained its original serial and Belgian roundels.

Technical Details Twin Engine Monoplane retractable undercarriage Crew Pilot & Co-Pilot Crew 21 Passengers Length 64’6’’ Wingspan 95’ Cruising Speed 194mph Engine Power Range 2125miles 2no Wright Cyclones 1200hp Ceiling

OO-AUH in Camouflage somewhere in France, after it left 24 Sqn

Savoia Marchetti SM73

These three engined Italian designed and Belgian built (by SABCA) were low winged monoplanes with fixed undercarriages. They were operated by SABENA the Belgian Airline from 1937 and two, OO-AGY & OO-AGZ, were flown to the UK on the 9th May 1940.

As with the DC3s above two SM73s from Sabena, operated by their civilian crews, were allocated to 24 Sqn on the 11th May 1940. They flew increasingly dangerous flights conveying war materiel to northern France as the German advance continued. On the 23rd May the RAF lost 5 of the SABENA which had been allocated to them, causing the Belgians to reconsider their use by the RAF. Some aircraft were flown to Marseilles and then on to the whilst others like the DC3 described above went on to use by other forces.

Technical Details 3 engine low wing Fixed undercarriage monoplane Crew 2 Pilots Crew 2 18 Passengers Length 57’3’’ Wingspan 78’9’’ Max Speed 217mph Engine Power Range 633mile 3no Gnome Rhone Mistral 9Kfr 600hp Ceiling 24278ft radials

Armstrong Whitworth Ensign

This elegant 4 engine monoplane airliner was designed pre-war for , and in May 1940 G-ADST "Elsinore" was transferred from civil operation to E Flight. On the 25th of May it was due to fly ammunition to in support of the Norwegian campaign, but it was diverted to transport 37 servicemen from Lossiemouth to Wattisham. Shortly after it was returned to BOAC for their use. This aircraft was amongst the collection of civil aircraft hastily allocated to 24 Squadron, and probably flown by it civilian crew. When looking at the details below take a moment to consider the size of the aircraft and the power available, it was longer than a Hercules and its wingspan only 9ft shorter. It also had less power available from all four engines than one of the Hercules , apparently it took a minute to climb 500ft and the undercarriage had yet to retract!

Technical Details 4 engine monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew pilot & Co-pilot Crew 1 40 Passengers Length 114’ Wingspan 123’ Max Speed 205mph Engine Power Range 800miles Armstrong Siddeley Tiger 1XC 850hp Ceiling 18000ft Radial

Avro Anson Mk1

Some of the first Avro Anson Mk1's were delivered to the Squadron, and they were used from June 1938 to December 1940. . The Anson was first delivered to the RAF in 1936, and they were the first low wing monoplanes with retractable undercarriage to be operated by the service. Initially ordered as maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the Anson found enduring fame as Faithful Annie in a number of roles the last variant leaving service in 1968. The aircraft issued initially to 24 Squadron were used for Aerodrome Improvement work (K6390) and beam approach development work. Records on their use include R3395 being used for VIP transport, which was fired at from the ground on the 15th August 1940, according to the "Anson File" published by Air Britain. For this to be worthy of note I presume that this was over the UK. R3436 was struck off after hitting HT cables in a forced landing in Barnet, only a few mile north of Hendon on the 23/11/40, there are no records of casualties. Later in the war further Ansons were issued to the Squadron as dedicated transport and ambulance aircraft

Technical Details Twin Engine Monoplane retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilots Crew 6 Passengers Length 42’3’’ Wingspan 56’6’’ Max Speed 188mph Engine Power Range 790miles Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX 350hp Ceiling 19500ft

Re- Organisation in the light of War Experience

After Dunkirk the battle for France raged on with the French Government moving from Paris away from the advancing German Army. Until the French capitulated Churchill and Lord Halifax visited France flown by 24 Squadron in DH Flamingos, in an attempt to keep the French fighting. General Charles De Gaulle was also flown during this period, on the first of many occasions that he flew in 24 Squadron aircraft. Since the start of the war the aircraft operated by the squadron had been augmented by impressed civilian airliners, light aircraft & sometimes civilian crews. On the 14th March 1940 the Squadron was given a new war establishment; HQ Flight A Flight with Percival Q6s, Percival Vega Gulls, DH Moths, Hawker Harts, Miles Mentors and a Miles Magister B Flight with DH 89s C Flight operating the Air Despatch Letter Service & VIP transport, using Lockheed 10 Electras, DH95 Flamingos, DH 89As and a DH86. D Flight had been formed on the 22nd November 1937, to maintain aircraft allocated for the use of personnel on the strength of The Reserve and Inspector of Civil Flying Training Schools.

This was the official establishment because as you can see from above various other types were operated.

In May 1940 the Squadron were issued with civil AW Ensigns, SM73s and DC3s forming E flight, for the delivery of urgent personnel and freight. In June 1940 the establishment of B Flight was amended to include Avro Ansons, a DH89a & 2 Percival Vega Gulls. PO RC Hockey flew in Anson Mk1 R3395, “with a gunner” to Jersey on the 26th June 1940, 4 days before the Germans invaded. A flight continued to receive odd civilian and service aircraft, quite how they were allocated remains a mystery, On the 27th July two Airspeed Oxfords P8832 & P8833 fitted out as Ambulances were presented to the squadron by the Princess Royal. In August 1940 three new Vickers Wellington 1c were allocated for long range ADLS duties, shorter range flights were to be carried out by DH89A Rapides and Dominies.

The records for 24 Squadron are very sparse for the period 1940 to 1943, however the RAF Museum have the flying log book for SA Stevenson who joined E flight in June 1940. He was promoted to command A flight in April 1941, and when A flight became 510 Squadron he became its commander. His log book has been invaluable in confirming aircraft flown by the Squadron, and in some instances is the only record I have seen of their use.

Aircraft flown 1940-1941

Heston Phoenix II

Three of these impressed civil aircraft were operated by 24 Squadron, initially under their civil registrations such as G-AEYX, which was flown by PO R.C.Hockey as early as April 1940. Later given the RAF serials X2891, X9338 & X9393. There exists a picture of one of these aircraft in camouflage, but it appears to be a touched up version of the photograph below. G-AEMT A Phoenix II, it was loaned to No.4 Squadron RAF before being sold. In March 1940 it was impressed into service as a communications aircraft with No. 24 Squadron RAF. In May 1943 it was reduced to spares, and struck off charge. G-AESV Also a Phoenix II, it was sold to Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd for use as a flying laboratory and based at , then in March 1940 it was impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron RAF. Returned to civil use in April 1946 and in April or May 1952, it disappeared on a flight over the French Alps, and is variously reported as either crashed or force-landed, then abandoned. G-AEYX A Phoenix II, it was used by private operators until March 1940 when it was impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron RAF. In June 1944 it was scrapped. PO RC Hockey of C flight flew this aircraft on the 5th April 1940 still under civilian registration . On 06/07/42 it was re-issued as X9338 to XXIV Sqn for the use of General Spaatz USAAF, leader of the 8th Air Force. G-AEGO A Phoenix II was issued to 24 Squadron as HM506 on 07/08/41, it was then transferred to W/Cdr Sidney Cotton, not the first time 24 Sqn & this gentleman’s paths crossed.

Aircraft Details

Technical Details High Wing Monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Passengers 4 Passengers Length 30’2’’ Wingspan 40’4’’ Max Speed 150mph Engine Power Range 500miles de Havilland Gipsy VI inline 205hp Ceiling 20000ft

Curtis Cleveland

Five of these aircraft, the residue of 50 scheduled for delivery to France, arrived in England in 1940, 2 were issued to 24 Squadron. Though quite what use of a the squadron could make is another mystery. One of the two AS468 was destroyed in a hanger fire in October 1940, along with the records of its use.

Technical Details Biplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew gunner or 1 Passenger Length 28’1.6’’ Wingspan 34’ Max Speed 234mph Engine Power Range 405miles Wright R-1820-34 radial engine 850hp Ceiling 24000ft

Airspeed Oxford Ambulances

The first of a number of Airspeed Oxfords operated by the Squadron were two Ambulances paid for by Girl Guide collection, and presented by the Princess Royal in July 1940. These aircraft were operated up to 1944 but apparently were not well used, but PO RC Hockey flew a casualty from Catterick to Oxford on the 19th . The colour picture below was a staged shot that was shown in a collection of Women at War photographs in an Exhibition recently at Tate Britain. S/L Clapperton who served as a LAC Ground Wireless Operator for Flying Duties, stated in a letter to the Squadron on the 17th February 1990, that the wireless operator acted as a nursing orderly.

Technical details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew Pilot Crew Nurse 2 casualties Length 34’6’’ Wingspan 53’4’’ Max Speed 188mph Engine Power Range AW Cheetah X 370hp Ceiling 21000ft

© IWM (CH 2170)

© IWM (CH 11526

Oxygen being administered to a patient on board an Airspeed Oxford of the Air Ambulance Unit, based at Hendon, Middlesex.

Vickers Wellington 1c

Issue 17 of the 24 Squadron Association Newsletter carries details of the ALDS postal service to Malta which was to be operated after August 1940, when the squadron took over from BOAC who had previously operated the service. The Wellington was the premier in service at the time with bomber Command, and it is a measure of the importance of the mail service that three new bombers were diverted from that command at such a time in the War. The 1c versions were followed in service by dedicated transport versions Mk CXVI, and I have seen photographs of these aircraft with dummy gun turrets. WK Knight who served in the early 40s sent me a letter in 2004 were he related the following anecdote about the aircraft.

“ The Wellington was in having all the racks and wiring removed, in its place was installed a long cylindrical petrol tank. So maximising its range, to reach Malta. Two K guns were fitted on each side of the fuselage. The day arrived for an Air test, on returning the starboard wingtip had been shot up. I think the officer was a Squadron Leader, how the problem was solved I don’t know. Days ran into weeks as F.IIAs (?) hand drilling the to release the damaged brackets & fitting new ones. Returning from the Cookhouse after dinner we found someone had put a few grass turves along the main plane, this caused great laughter but the Flt Sergeant didn’t think so, GET THEM OFF QUICK, end of joke.”

Technical Details Twin engine low wing Retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 3/4 3 Passengers Length 64’7’’ Wingspan 86’2’’ Max Speed 235mph Engine 2 no Power Range 2200miles with 1500lb load Bristol Pegasus XVIII radials 1000hp Ceiling

Wellington C Mark I, L4340 'NQ-A' "Duke of Rutland", of No. 24 Squadron RAF on the ground at Hendon, Middlesex. One of a number of passenger transport conversions from bombers, which served with No. 24 Squadron in 1943 and 1944, L4340's front and rear gun-turrets have been replaced with rounded fairings.

Blackburn Roc

The only records I have discovered about these aircraft are in the Public Record office, L3102 & L3120 were issued to the squadron and were destroyed in an air raid on the 7th October 1940. It is very difficult to imagine a role for them, although as other aircraft equipped with turrets were used by the squadron they may have been used for training gunners. WK Knight who served in the early 40s sent me a letter in 2004 were he related the following anecdote about the aircraft.

“The was in for inspection and set up on jacks, the petrol tank was being drained and some bod filling his lighter was trying to operate it. The flint dried out & it lit, as did his hand, so he dropped it causing a massive fire. I was using a foam extinguisher with others. Quickly jacks were removed and the A/C pushed outside, a passing lorry had new dustbins and brooms, so a Flt Sergeant orders every bit of foam put in the bins. Yes the lighter was found, complete with initials. The airman felt the full force of RAF discipline, and the Roc returned to its makers and we never saw it again.”

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 Crew 1 Passsengers Length 25’7’’ Wingspan 46’ Max Speed 223mph Engine Power Range 810miles Bristol Perseus XII 905hp Ceiling 18000ft

Bristol Bombay

The Bombay was ordered as part of the RAF 1930s expansion scheme as a Bomber/Troop Carriers, they were obsolescent in that role by the start of the war, but were pressed into service as transports. They were operated principally by 271 and 216 Squadron. During their service in the desert campaign they operated in a bomber role, but were used in a transport role only in the European theatre. Only aircraft L5836 is noted as issued to 24 Squadron, but L5852 & L5855 are noted in SL SA Stevenson’s logbook & L5855 was flown by PO RC Hockey on the 21st August 1940. Flt F Harrison a navigator with the Squadron flew in L5856 twice in November 1942.

Technical Details High wing Monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 2 Up to 24 Passengers Length 69’3’’ Wingspan 95’9,, Max Speed Engine Power Range 880 miles 2 Bristol Pegasus XXII 1010hp Ceiling 25000ft

Noted in the background at Northolt is Bristol Bombay, L5836.

Miles Whitney Straight

These 2 seat aircraft were designed to meet the specifications of Mr Whitney Staight an American entrepreneur who had a lot of aviation interests pre-war. A number were impressed and four issued to the squadron, one was abandoned in France and they were in use from 1940 onward.

On the 6th April 1941 SA Stevenson flew Capt Lord Brougham & Vaux on a round trip from Hendon to Old Sarum, and the next day to York and back.

A few moments research reveals this about Capt Lord Brougham & Vaux, he was also mentioned in dispatches in 1943, during service in N Africa.

Victor marries Valerie French, granddaughter of the Earl of Ypres. Scales Hall is sold and Victor buys a £1,500.00 lily pond and breaks the bank of Monte Carlo twice.

1932 Victor breaks himself at Monte Carlo and valuable effects at Brougham are auctioned to pay his debts.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 Crew 1 Passengers Length 25’ Wingspan 35’8’’ Max Speed 145mph Engine Power Range 570miles de Havilland Gipsy Major I air- 130hp Ceiling 18500ft cooled, 4-cylinder inline engine

Percival Proctor I & II

The Proctor was the RAF version of the Vega Gull, increased in length to carry military equipment, it was originally design as a crew trainer, but the early versions were often used as communications aircraft by Station Flights and 24 Squadron. PO RC Hockey flew Proctor 1 P6129 on the 12th June 1940

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 or 2 plots Crew 1 or 1 or 2 Passengers Length 25’10 Wingspan 39’6’’ Max Speed 170mph Engine Power Range 540miles DH Gypsy Six -II 205 Ceiling

Hawker Hind

Another of the Hart series of Hawker Biplanes, the Hind was used extensively as a trainer during the early years of WWII. The Hind was used extensively by bomber command in the Expansion schemes prior to WWII to build up squadrons before the issue of more modern equipment. During the war large numbers were converted to trainers and used by advanced training units. GT Southgate flew K5421 Four were issued to the Squadron, and were flown by A flight. One was destroyed in the hanger fire caused by German bombing on the 07/10/40

Technical Details Single bay biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 1 Passenger Length 29’7’’ Wingspan 37’3’’ Max Speed 186mph Engine Power Range 430miles RR Kestrel V 640hp Ceiling 26400 ft

Stinson Reliant

The Stinson Reliants operated by the squadron were impressed aircraft of three different versions.

The former G-AEJI, a series SR8D model was impressed in 1940 and after use by the ATA it was allocated to 24 Squadron on the 8th November 1941, when A flight became 510 Sqn it was transferred.

G-AELU a SR.8D was impressed and serialed X9596, during use by the No1 Camouflage Unit it suffered a minor flying accident, in November 1941. It was transferred to 24 Squadron for repair, and afterward retained, again passing to 510 Sqn.

G-AEVY a SR.9D model was also used by No1 Camouflage Unit it was transferred to 24 Squadron as W7984 on the 26th February 1941, and again transferred to 510 Sqn.

G-AFBI a SR.9D model was issued to 24 Sqn as W5791 on the 23rd June 1942, and again transferred to 510 Sqn.

G-AFHB a SR.10B model was issued to 24 Sqn as W7981 on the 26th February 1942, and used as late as 03/04/43 to fly a S/L Lord from Hendon to Worthy Down, Eastleigh, Harwell and back to Hendon on the same day.

G-AFRS a SR.10C was issued a W7978 on the 21st July 1941, it suffered an engine failure over Mill Hill, approx. 1 &1/2 miles from Hendon and crash landed in a field & overturned.

G-AGZV a SR.10C was impressed as BS803 in 1940 and transferred to 24 Sqn on the 20th August 1942

Technical Details High wing Monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 3 Passengers Length 27’11’’ Wingspan 41’7’’ Cruising Speed 177mph Engine Power Range 739miles Lycoming R-680-B2 radial piston 290hp Ceiling 21000ft

Gloster Gladiator

24 Squadron flew K5200 the original Gladiator prototype, albeit brought up to Mk1 standard and a MkII N5902, there was a long history of providing continuation training for staff officers. GT Southgate flew both K5200 and N5902 So I suppose it is possible that they were used for that purpose, but the only other record I have of their use is by SA Stephenson. He was attached to A flight and he seems to have spent 1940-1942 flying every type he could get his hands on. He flew K5200 on 4 occasions in May 1941, on Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation duty on the 08/05/41 and again on 19/06/41. He flew N5902 to Horsham St Faiths (Norwich) on June 23rd 1941.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 27’5’’ Wingspan 32’3’’ Max Speed 257mph Engine Power Range 440miles Bristol Mercury IX radial 830hp Ceiling 33500ft

Supermarine Spitfire 1

Once again there are records of in SA Stevenson’s logbook and in the PRO of eight different Spitfires being used by the squadron, Stevenson’s flights are a mixture of test flights and communication flights. So once again I think it likely that they were used for the continuation flights of Staff Officers. The first record of Stevenson flying a Spitfire is a local air test 31/07/41 and he flew R7199 in Spitfire I R7199 was a presentation Aircraft named “Woolton”, apparently after the MD of Lewis’s Department Store, (not John Lewis). There is a photograph of this plane in the IWM collection ref HU88732

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 29’11’’ Wingspan 36’10’’ Max Speed 364mph Engine Power Range Rolls Royce Merlin II 1030hp Ceiling 31500ft

© IWM (CH 2821)

Hawker Hurricane I

In the Public Record office there is a record of the Hurricane being issued to 24 Squadron for the use of the United States Army Air Force, This is the only record I have come across of their use in that connection. 5no in total were issued to the Squadron and once again we can only assume that they were used for communications duties and continuation training Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 31’5’’ Wingspan 40’ Max Speed 318mph Engine Power Range 440miles Rolls Royce Merlin II 1030hp Ceiling 33400ft

Fokker FXXII

Two of these aircraft were built in Holland as airliners for KLM, and had been bought and used by as navigation trainers from Prestwick. They were impressed and allocated to 24 Squadron in 1942, they were used on regular flights to . GT Southgate flew HM159 On the 30/06/42 HM159 conveyed Lord Louis Mountbatten, General Eisenhower, General Clark, Vice Ramsey, Col Neville, Major General Hayden, Commander Ellis, General Truscott, Colonel Head, R/Admiral Hewitt, Lord Antrim, Capt Hussey and a Mr Turner from Hendon to Prestwick.

Technical Details High Wing Monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 22 Passenger Length 70’7.25’’ Wingspan 98’5’’ Max Speed 177mph Engine 4no Power Range 839mile Pratt & Whitney Wasp T1D1 9- 500hp Ceiling 16075ft cylinder radial piston

General Aircraft GAL42 Cygnet

These tricycle undercarriage aircraft were impressed during the war and were principally used for training pilots in the use of the new tricycle engine aircraft coming into service, such as the Douglas Boston. Aircraft with serial DG566 was flown in June 1941 and serial HM495 in , according to SA Stevenson’s logbook. They were originally designed as training aircraft and had side by side dual controls.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil Passenger Length 23’3’’ Wingspan 34’6’’ Max Speed 135mph Engine Power Range 445miles Blackburn Cirrus Major II 4- 150hp Ceiling 14000ft cylinder inverted inline

Fairchild Argus

Over 670 Fairchild Argus aircraft were supplied to the RAF, and one of these HM173 found its way into 24 Squadron service. They served with the in Britain, and in communications roles overseas.

Technical Details High wing Monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 3 Passengers Length 23’9’’ Wingspan 36’4’’ Speed 132mph Engine Power Range 640miles Warner R500 Super Scarab 165hp Ceiling 15700ft radial

© IWM (ATP 10978C)

Westland Lysander I

The Lysander was originally designed as an Army Cooperation aircraft, equipped with a high lift wing to allow it to fly slowly. During the early part of the War, before Dunkirk they formed part of the Air Component of the British forces in France. However they were not able to survive in an environment where the enemy had air superiority, and so they were withdrawn from the front line. They were then given second line duties such as Air Sea Rescue, Target Towing and famously taking SOE agents into . SA Stevenson flew the aircraft below R2622 in August 1941 on an air test.

Technical Details High Wing Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1or 1 Passenger Length 30’6’’ Wingspan 50’ Max Speed 212mph Engine Power Range 600miles Bristol Mercury XII 890hp Ceiling 21500ft

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V

The AW Whitley was extensively used by Bomber command in the early years of the war, and were chosen as one of the main types for production by Beaverbrook in 1940. It was apparent that they were outclassed as a bomber operating in Europe. Large numbers became available for second line duties and their good range was put to good use in Coastal Command, and as transports by BOAC and others. 24 Squadron was issued with V9134, at a time when a number of types were tried out for the ALDS and as transports.

The Whitley met a very sad end on the 13th November 1942, when on a training flight it collided with Airspeed Oxford V3905 over Hougham nr . Both aircraft were lost, and all crew members died.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 4 Passenger Length 70’6’’ Wingspan 84’ Max Speed 230mph Engine Power Range 1500miles RR Merlin X 1145hp Ceiling 26000ft

Beech 17 Traveller

The Beech 17 used by the Air Attache at the US Embassy was impressed, and became DR628 and was allocated to 24 Squadron. Used by Prince Bernhardt of the

Technical Details Back staggered Biplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 3 Passenger Length 26’10’’ Wingspan 32’ Max Speed 212mph Engine Power Range 582miles Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 450hp Ceiling 25000ft "Wasp Junior" radial engine

Blackburn Botha I

The Botha serial L6128 was allocated to B flight of the Squadron, on the 19/04/41, for use as a photographic platform, for taking recognition photographs, of the new types coming into service. Once again it would appear that the Air Ministry were looking for uses for aircraft that were not suitable for operational use. The Botha was originally designed as Bomber and General Reconnaissance and ordered off the drawing board. It proved to be underpowered and unsuitable for the roles it had been designed for, and those produced were mainly used for training.

Technical Details 2 engined high wing retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 3 Passenger Length 51’1.5’’ Wingspan 59’ Max Speed 230mph Engine 2no Power Range 1270miles Bristol Perseus X 880 hp Ceiling 17500ft

British Aircraft Eagle II

One Eagle II, of the small number impressed, was operated by the squadron serial HM506. In service use the undercarriage proved to be fragile and two other eagles were written off after collapse. I am still searching for a record of its use, and a photograph in wartime service.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 2 Passenger Length 26’ Wingspan 39’3’’ Max Speed 148mph Engine Power Range 650miles de Havilland Gypsy Major 4- 130hp Ceiling 16000ft cylinder air-cooled inline engine

Lockheed 12

Eight of these light transports were operated by the Squadron, including NF753 which was allocated for the use of Prince Bernardt of the Netherlands. On 03/04/43 LA619 was used to fly the future Prime Minister Anthony Eden from Prestwick to Hendon.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Co pilot 6 Passengers Length 36’4’’ Wingspan 49’6’’ Max Speed 225mph Engine Power Range 800miles Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp 450 hp Ceiling 22900ft Junior SB radial engines

Lockheed 12A, LA619, on the ground at Speke Airport, , following erection at the Lockheed reassembly plant. The aircraft subsequently served with No. 24 Squadron RAF at Hendon, Middlesex. © IWM (ATP 10832C)

On the 18th October 1942, according to the files in the PRO the following aircraft were on allotment to 24 Squadron, for the use of US forces; 3no Dominies 1 Oxford 6 Fairchilds or Procters 4 Hurricanes 4 Master IIIs 4 Tiger Moths

On the 31st August a Procter and a Mohawk MkIII were allocated for use of staff officer of the MAP HQ or possibly MAD HQ ( hand written note)

Curtis P36 Mohawk

The radial engine precursor to the more famous inline engine Kittyhawk and Tomahawk fighters were ordered by the French and fought with some success in their air force before the fall of France in 1940. When France capitulated the RAF took over a number of the French orders, these included the Boston, Maryland, Cleveland and the Mohawk. The Mohawk was used in the Middle East and in by operational squadrons, and a few were kept in Britain, and 24 Squadron were issued with AR633 a Mohawk III, and AR680 a Mohawk IV. The Mohawk III had a Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine, and the IV had a Wright Cyclone.

GT Southgate flew AR633, as did SA Stevenson on a test AEI flight 20/05/42.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 28’8’’ Wingspan 37’4’’ Max Speed 302mph Engine Power Range 603miles Wright GR-1820-G205A radial 1200hp Ceiling 32700ft

Wicko Warferry

Geoffrey Wikner was an Australian aircraft designer who moved to England in May 1934 and with his partners formed the Foster Wikner Aircraft Company Limited to build a low-cost two-seat high-wing monoplane. Only 8 were built but Seven civil aircraft in the were impressed and another accepted directly into wartime service with the , under the service name Warferry. Of these three found their way to 24 Squadron.

Wikner famously flew back to Australia post-war in a Halifax named Waltzing Matilda.

G-ATKU was issued to 24 Squadron as ES947 23/04/42, and G-AFKK as ES913 on the 23/06/42.

Technical Details High Wing Monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or 1 Passenger Length 23’3’’ Wingspan 31’6’’ Max Speed 140mph Engine Power Range 480miles de Havilland Gipsy Major 4- 130hp Ceiling 20000ft cylinder inverted inline piston

Wicko Warferry Es947 ex G-AFKU during war service

Lockheed Ventura

Large numbers of Venturas were operated in the UK, Middle East and by the RAF. It was developed from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport, as a replacement for the Lockheed Hudson bombers then in service with the Royal Air Force. Delivery took some time and they were not available until 1942 and after early use they were not considered capable of service in Northern Europe. I think one, a Ventura II AJ456, was trialled by the Squadron, and was not used extensively.

Technical Details Twin engine low wing Retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 4 Passenger Length 51’2.5’’ Wingspan 65’6’’ Max Speed 300mph Engine Power Range 950miles Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial 2000hp Ceiling 25,000ft engines,

Messerschmitt bf 108b

Designed as a fast touring aircraft, it was very similar in design to the famous Bf109, the German fighter during the Battle of Britain and beyond. The civil operated G-AFZO became ES995 in 1940

ES955 was issued to the squadron, SA Stevenson notes ES993 on 18/09/41, ES995 (the serial for a Wellington) was originally painted in error on the aircraft. He notes ES995 on 14/10/41 when he also calls it an Adlon, there are a number of other entries and all of them are as ES995 so the error continued for many months.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 4 Passengers Length 27’2’’ Wingspan 34’5’’ Max Speed 190mph Engine Power Range 620miles Argus As 10C air-cooled 240hp Ceiling 20300ft inverted V-8,

Miles Master III

The was a trainer used in some numbers by the RAF, I noted above that some were allocated to the squadron for use by the USAAF, I have records of them being issued DL678, DL776, DL777 and DL778, but so far no record of them being used.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 pupil or 1 Passenger Length 29’6’’ Wingspan 39’ Max Speed 260miles Engine Power Range 393miles Bristol Mercury XX 9-cylinder 870hp Ceiling 28000ft supercharged air-cooled radial engine

Parnall Hendy Heck III

The Hendy Heck III was an open cockpit training version of a low wing cabin monoplane, quite similar to the Miles Magister. One was produced and after impressment issued to 24 Squadron. It was part of the large collection of aircraft held by A Flight. There was only one aircraft built by Parnall as a private venture, but it was not ordered into production.

Technical Details Low wing monoplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 or Passenger 1 Length 28’2’’ Wingspan 33’6’’ Max Speed 155mph Engine Power Range de Havilland Gipsy Queen I 6- 200hp Ceiling cylinder inverted inline,

Stampe SV4B

This aircraft was famously used by two Belgians to escape from occupied Belgium, Leon Divoy & Michael Donnet managed to get, with help of the Belgian resistance, a sabotaged aircraft ready to fly and they took off from near Waterloo and landed near Clacton on the 5th July 1941.

Both men became Spitfire pilots after joining the RAF and Donnet shot down 4 enemy planes, by a cruel twist of fate Divoy collided with another aircraft and became a POW, and was interned for 3 years. The Stampe marked with serial MX457 was impressed and issued to the 24 Squadron Allied flight and later transferred to 510 Squadron when A Flight formed the basis for that squadron in 1942. The Stampe was manufactured in Belgium and France both Pre-war and Post-war, and used as a basic trainer by both Air Forces.

Technical Details Single bay biplane Fixed undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew I pupil or 1 Passenger Length 22’4’’ Wingspan 27’6’’ Max Speed 101 knots Engine Power Range 260 miles de Havilland Gipsy Major X 145mph Ceiling 20000ft

Grumman Goose

The Goose was a very rare bird indeed in the UK, they were used in Trinidad for FAA Observer training. The aircraft MV993 was used by the Air Transport Auxilliary, and then transferred to 24 Squadron for the use of the Archibald Henry Macdonald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso, the Secretary of State for Air. His country seat was not near an airfield and it was planned to land it on a nearby lake. It was tested at Lough Erne in Northern on the 10th June 1944. Air Commodore Mitchell in a letter dated 23/02/2007 told me that the OC of A flight S/L Reid used to fly Sinclair to and from his Scottish constituency. On 7th January the Goose flew Sinclair to RAF Portreath in , and returned via Colerne the following day, flown by Flt Lt RW Reid.

Technical Details Twin engine High wing Retractable undercarriage amphibian flying boat Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 38’6’’ Wingspan 49’ Max Speed 201mph Engine 2no Power Range 640 miles Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-6 450hp Ceiling 21300ft Radials

© IWM (CH 6901) Goose Mark I, MV993, of No. 24 Squadron RAF based at Hendon, Middlesex, in flight. This aircraft was formerly G-AFKJ, owned by Lord Beaverbrook.

Douglas Dakota Mks I – IV

XXIV Squadron used a number of Dakota variants including the C53 Skytrooper version which was fitted out for troop carrying or VIP flights. Two of the Aircraft operated by the Squadron KG651 and KP208 are on display at RAF Shawbury and the Airborne Forces Museum respectively. Dakotas were operated from 1942 until 1950 and were transferred to 30 Squadron when the Squadron moved to Lyneham. There are many stories of their use in the 24 Squadron Association Newsletters and so I will not repeat them here.

Technical Details Dakota I Twin engine low wing retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 64’6’’ Wingspan 95’ Max Speed 230mph Engine 2no Power Range 2125miles Prat & Whitney R-1830-92 1200hp Ceiling 23200ft Twin Wasp radials

Dakota Mark I, FD772 ‘ZK-Y’ “Windsor Castle”, of No. 24 Squadron RAF on the ground at Hendon, Middlesex. This was the fifth Dakota delivered to the RAF

© IWM (CL 3330) The nearest aircraft is KN386 of No. 24 Squadron RAF. Behind them are Short Stirlings of No. 38 Group, which were being used to repatriate Czechoslovaks from the United Kingdom to their homeland.

Avro Anson Mk10

The Mark 10 Anson was an upgraded Mk 1 with a strengthened floor for freight transport, a number were issued to the Squadron during 1944, to make up the numbers. Although the Squadron was supposed to be an all Dakota unit, from the 25 September 1944, there was a great call on Dakotas throughout the RAF. The Ansons were used for cargo flights to France and sometimes returned with POWs and casualties.

Technical Details Twin engine low wing retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Crew 1 Passengers Length 42’3’’ Wingspan 56’6’’ Max Speed 188mph Engine Power Range 790miles Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah 355hp Ceiling 19000ft IX radial engines

Avro York

The York was the transport development of the using the Wings and tail wedded to a new boxy fuselage, it was afforded low priority. Avro being busy building Lancasters and Ansons, & developing the Lincoln. 24 Squadron used the 3rd prototype named Ascalon for VIP flights for both Churchill and the royal family. Later models were also fitted out for VIPs. Originally the Yorks were allocated to a York flight based at RAF Northolt, which in turn became the Metropolitan Communications squadron with its 24 Squadron personnel posted to it. The York returned to use when in July 1946 the squadron absorbed 1359 Flight, which was equipped with Yorks and Lancastrians and had been based at Northolt. 24 had moved to Bassingbourne in January 1946 and all the aircraft were based there

Technical Details 4 engine high wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilot Crew 3 56 Passenger or VIP use Length 78’6’’ Wingspan 102’’ Max Speed 298mph Engine 4no Power Range 3000miles Rolls Royce Merlin XX 1280hp Ceiling 23000ft

© IWM (ATP 11382C) York C Mark I,. LV633 was the third prototype York, built to VVIP standard for use by King George VI and the Prime Minister. It was delivered to No. 24 Squadron RAF on 21 May 1943, and joined the King's Flight, operating from Hendon Middlesex. Named "Ascalon" by 24 Squadron's Commanding Officer, LV633 flew Winston Churchill to and from many of his most important conference venues, and also conveyed the King on visits to and Italy

Douglas C54 Skymaster

One of these aircraft was supplied to 24 Squadron in June 1944, and after a few test flights was taken away to be fitted out as a VIP aircraft for Churchill, John Mitchell flew with it from Northolt were the York Flight was based. After it was fitted out it was redelivered to the RAF but I can find no records of it being operated by 24 Squadron, but rather by ex 24 Squadron crew under the auspices of another unit.

The photograph below of two C54s shows EW999 in company with the Sacred Cow, President Roosevelt’s personal aircraft, went the two aircraft flew Churchill and the President to the Conference with Stalin at Yalta in February 1945.

Technical Details 4 engine low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilot Crew 2 Passenger VIP set up for Churchill Length 93’10’’ Wingspan 117’6’’ Max Speed 275mph Engine Power Range 4000miles Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 1450hp Service Ceiling 22300ft

Avro Lancastrian

The Lancastrian was a straight forward conversion of the Lancaster, developed as a long distance passenger aircraft, albeit with limited capacity. The main passed through the fuselage and so restricted the area for passengers. They were used for a number of long distance flights, and in Air Commodore DFH Grocott’s logbook he flew in VM735 in October/November 1946 to the USA, and upon return flew to New Zealand from the 16th November returning in December. They were operated between July 1946 to January 1950.

Technical Details 4 engine low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 2 pilot Crew 3 Passenger Length 76’10’’ Wingspan 102’ Max Speed 310 Engine Power Range 4150miles RR Merlin 12 1250hp Ceiling 23000ft

Vickers Valetta C1 & C2

Three Valetta’s served with the Squadron at RAF Oakington from February 1950. The Valetta was developed from the civil Viking with a strengthened floor and large loading doors. In the short time they were used at least one flew as far as Nairobi in . On the 16th September during a Battle of Britain Display at the airfield a Valetta piloted by Flt Lt Dixon, had a door blow open, however it landed safely, and it was found to be an unavoidable accident. The Squadron transferred to RAF Lyneham in November 1950 and the Dakota and Valetta aircraft remaining with the unit transferred to 30 Squadron. The aircraft pictured below served with the squadron and was late preserved at the NE Aircraft Museum in , sadly it was destroyed in an arson attack.

Technical Details Low wing twin engine Retractable undercarriage monoplane Crew 1 pilot Co Pilot Crew Passenger 34 troops or 20 paratroops Length 62’11’’ Wingspan 89’3’’ Max Speed 258mph Engine Power Range 1410miles Bristol Hercules 230 1976hp Ceiling

Handley Page Hastings C1A, C2, & C4 (VIP)

Hastings CIA, C2, and C4 were operated by the squadron between July 1951 and 1968 where they operated all over the world as 24 Commonwealth Squadron under seconded aircrew and COs from the RAAF, RSAF, RNZAF. The VIP versions were kept on standby to fly VIPs anywhere in the world, and were specially furnished for their role.

Technical Details 4 engine low wing monoplane Retractable undercarriage Crew 1 pilot Crew Passenger Length 82’8’’ Wingspan 113’ Max Speed 348mph Engine 4no Power Range 4250 max Bristol Hercules 106 radials 1675hp Ceiling 26500ft

Lockheed C130K Hercules C1

Technical Details High Wing 4 engined Retractable undercarriage Monoplane Crew 2 pilots Crew 3 94 troops, 64 Paratroops, 74 Casualties & 2 orderlies Length 98’9’’ Wingspan 132’7.25’’ Max Speed 368mph Engine Power Range max payload 2430miles 4no Allison T56-A15 4910eshp Ceiling 33000ft

Lockheed C130K Hercules C3

Technical Details High Wing 4 engined Retractable undercarriage Monoplane Crew 2 pilots Crew 3 128 troops, 93 Casualties & 6 orderlies Length 113’9’’ Wingspan 132’7.25’’ Max Speed 374mph Engine Power Range max payload 2430miles 4no Allison T56-A15 4910eshp Ceiling 33000ft

Lockheed C130J Hercules C4 & C5

Aircraft serial ZH876 was blown up 14/02/2007 after being damaged by an improvised explosive device (or a heavy landing) at Al-Amarah in on the 13/02/2007, during the Iraq invasion

24 Squadron became the operational conversion unit for the RAF C130J on its move to RAF Brize Norton in July 2011. So ending its Operational role, which it had enjoyed from 1920, as it joined together the J conversion flight (24 Sqn) Tactical Training Flight (30 Sqn) SF Training Flight (47 Sqn).

“The Squadron, commanded by Wg Cdr Tim Jones, has 3 flights responsible for training the crews of 30 and 47 Sqns for current and future operations: A Flight prepares Aircrew for Strategic Operations on the C130J, taking ab initio Pilots and Weapons Systems Operators (WSOp) from RAF Cranwell and experienced Pilots and WSOps from other operational forces within the RAF. A flight also provides training to foreign Air Forces when required.

B Flight train aircrew in the tactical elements of C130J operations, training Pilots and WSOps in,the fine art of Low Level Flying, Natural Surface Operations and Air Despatch.

Training Support Flight, provide training and administrative support to the Squadron by managing, Analysing, and evaluating training to ensure our crews are always fit for purpose; always delivering the desired effect on operations.” (Excerpt from Association Newsletter)

Technical Details High Wing 4 engine Retractable undercarriage Monoplane Crew 2 pilots Crew 1 loadmaster 128 troops, , 92 paratroops, 93 Casualties & 6 orderlies Length 112’9’’ Wingspan 132’7’’ Max Speed 417mph Engine Power Range max payload 3362miles 4no Rolls Royce AE2100D3 4637eshp (six blade propeller) Ceiling 48386ft turboprops

The Future?

Boeing 307 Stratoliner Apache

The aircraft below appears in the logbook of Flt Lt F Harrison, a navigator with the Squadron in 1942. It had been used to fly General Hap Arnold the Chief of the USAAF on a visit to England in May 1942. On the 6th June Harrison accompanied the aircraft on a flight from Northolt to Prestwick, the passengers included Hap Arnold and Lord Louis Mountbatten. It is tempting to think that a 24 Squadron navigator familiar with English conditions and air lanes was used to help ensure the safety of these very important VIPs.

Appendix 1

Aircraft Operated by the Squadron

Maker Type Mark Serials Airspeed Envoy L7270,P5626, X9370 Oxford I MP350, NM589 Oxford II P8832,P8833, N4771

Armstrong Siskin IIIA J8869, Built by Whitworth Ensign G-ADTB, G-ADST, G-ADSD ELSINORE

Whitley V Z9134

Avro 504 A 777,778, 504 D 795,798 504 J C4451. 504 K D2078,D2109,D6385,D7156,D7186, E3069,E3075,E3091,E9372,E4204,F2254,F2264, F2323,F2608,F2611,F8795,F8796,F8797,F9728,F9740, H2211,H2314,H2460,H2611, H2612,H3003,H3008,H3011,H3050,H3068,H6631,H7446,H7527,

504 N F2264,J8758,J8759,J8997,J8998 621 Trainer K1234,K1236,K1239,K1791 served in Northolt 621 Tutor K3359,K4809,K4833,K4834 served in Hendon Anson MkI K6290*,N9784,MG589, NK715,L9155,R3395,R3436,R3438,R3440

Anson Mk10 NK489,NK490,NK491,NK492,NK493,NK532,NK664,NK695,NK702, NK703, NK710,NK712,NK715, NK716,NK722,NK728,NK731.NK734,NK737,NK751,NK752

Lancastrian C Mk2 VL976 USED 21/10/4/,VL980,VM701,VM702,VM725,VM726, VM727,VM735,VM736 York Mk1 LV633ascalon,LV635,MW100,MW101,MW102,MW106, MW128,MW140,MW146,MW178, MW195,MW199,MW206,MW228,MW230,MW232,MW259,MW267, MW297,MW287,MW288,MW319,MW324,MW327, PE105,PE106,PE107,

Beech 17 DR628

Blackburn Botha 1 L6128,

Roc L3102*, L3120*

Bleriot Parasol 584, 2862

Bristol Scout C 4665, 4667, 5308 Bristol Scout D 5314, 5557

FB2 C761,C800,C1015,D8033,E2423,E2505, F4341,F4342,F4385,F4423,F4478,F4571,F4823,F4829,F4831,F4852 ,F4878,F4879,F4891,F4894,F4898,F4906 in Jim Mollisons log book twice, F4943,F4966,F5996, H1407,H1408,H1426,H1453,H1459,H1489,H1581,H1624,H7064, J6688,J6718,J6722,J6730,J6736,J6738,J6743,J6744,J6745,J6749

FB2 J Type F4491,F4496,F4548,F4556,F4561,F4584,F4645,F4646, F4649,F4684,F4688,F4698, F4716,F4737,F4913, H1416,H1604,H1617,J6661,J6681 FB2 Coupe H1460 F2B MkIII J8430,J8443 F2B MkIV J8249,J8258,J8262,J8265,J8273 Bulldog K2209 142 K7557 used for trials only Bombay L5836, L5852,L5855 LAST TWO IN 24 SQN S A Stevenson's PILOT LOG

British Aircraft Manufacturing Co Eagle II HM506

Caudron GIII 5038, 5270, 5914, 4254

Curtis JN3 5607, 5638, 5638 Curtis JN4 B1934 photo in the Squadron Archives is probably representative only

SBC4 Cleveland I AS468*,AS469

P36 Mohawk III AR633 18/05/42 FLOWN

Mohawk IV AR680

Airco DH1A 4600, 4601 DH2 5918,5919,5921,5922,5924,5925,5926,5927,5928,5929,5930,5931, 5932,5938,5940,5948,5949,5958,5962,5963,5964,5965,5966,5967, 5968,5987 5989,5990,5991,5992,5997,5998, 6000,6005,6007,6008,6010,6011, 7842, 7850,7873,7876,7878,7880,7884,7885,7887,7901,7909,7910, 7911,7918,7919,7930,7931,7936, A305,A2538,A2540,A2541,A2542A2544,A2545,A2549,A2554,A2556, A2563, A2564,A2565,A2577,A2580,A2581,A2590,A2592, A2594,A2606,A2607, A2622,A4797, A5007 ,A5018,A5026,A5043

DH4 F5782 DH4A F5764 DH5 A9165,A9166,A9167,A9175,A9176,A9178,A9182,A9183, A9220,A9222,A9232,A9239, A9248,A9249,A9257,A9272, A9289,A9291,A9304,A9329, A9339,A9363,A9364,A9367, A9389,A9431,A9435,A9471, A9494,A9495,A9496,A9509, A9512,A9514,B331.B334,B349

DeHavilland DH9A E957,E971,E8510,E8610,E8766,F1611,F1646, H3431,J567,J572,J578,J7021,J7079, J7089(DC),J7094,J7310,J7313,

DH9R E750 Napier Lion Engine DH10 Amiens E5459 DH60 Cirrus Moth J9104,J9105,J9106,J9112,J9114,J9118,J9121 DH60M Gypsy Moth K1111,K1112,K1214,K1215,K1216,K1218,K1221, K1825,K1826,K1828,K1838,K1839,K1842,K1843,K1848,K1849, K1850,K1860,K1877,K1891,K1892,K1901,K1903, MX463

DH80 Puss Moth ES954,G-ABSO (X9439),HM534 DH82 Tiger moth K2568,K2570,K2572,K2575,K2576,K2578,K2579, K2581,K2582,K2583,K2584,K2585,K2586, K2587,K2593,K2595,K2596,K2597,K2598,K2599,K2600,K2601, K4243,K4244,K4259, K4276, K4277*,K4278, K4284*,BB802,

DH82 MkII Tiger moth N6747,N6946,N6964,N6965,N9431,N9444 DH83 Fox Moth X9305?, X9304 DH84 Dragon G-ACGG under care of 24Sqn,G-ACIU,G-ACMJ (X9396), G-ACJT,G-ADDI,G-AECZ,no serials allocated X9395, X9396 DH85 Leopard Moth W5783,W9371,X9381, AW156

DH86B Express L7596,N6246,AX795,X9338,L8037,L8040,L8212,G-AEJM (X9441), G-AENR loaned 19/10/37 probably for 1 day.

DH87A Hornet Moth W6421,W9380, W9390, G ADJZ(X9444), X9321,AV972,AW114,HM498 G-ACCP, G-ACPR,G-ACTU(AW115),G -ACYM(X9 DeHavilland DH89 Rapide G-ACCP,G-ACPR,G-ACTU(AW115),G-ACYM(X9320 not used ), G-ADBV(X8511),G-ADNH, G-AEAJ(W6425),G-AEAL,G-AEAM(W6424), G-AEBW,G-AEPE also operated as BD143, G-AEXP (X8505 poss not used),G-AEXO(X8507),G-AFEO(X8506), G-AFAH (X8508 poss not used ), G-AFSO (W6457 poss not used ) , K4472,K5070, P1734, P1764,P7258,R5925,R5931,R9549,R9553,R9556,V4724,V4725, W6423,W6455,W6456,W6457,W9365, X7403,X7411,X7413,X7416,X7493,X7519,X7522,X7523, X8509(former G-ACTT royal ac),X9386,X9457,X8510,Z7257, Z7258 ambulance Women of the Empire, Z7261 ambulance Women of Britain,NR688, P1764,P7258,R5925,R5931,R9549,R9553,R9556, , ,

DH93 Don L2394 DH95 Flamingo G-AFUF,R2510,R2763,R2764,R2765,R2766 ,T5357,X9317,AE444 Hertfordshire R2410 Douglas DC3 OO-AUI, OO-AUH ( used by Belgium, RAF, France, Italy & Germany 1939-1945) C47 Dakota FD772 ,FD782,FD789, FD79#,NAMED EDINBURGH CASTLE(FD797?), FD792,FD794,FD795,FD797,FD798,FD826,FD828,FD864, FD869,FD870,FD873,FD879,FD892?,FD903?,FD904,FL518,FL559,FL584, FL588,FL613,FL626,FL634,FZ549,FZ629,FZ631,FZ633,FZ634,FZ636, FZ637,FZ646,KG518,KG528,KG583,KG621,KG624,KG637,KG646, KG651,KG656,KG657,KG668,KG684,KG729,KG770,KG782,KJ837, KJ876,KJ926,KJ930,KJ932,KJ973,KJ974,KJ979,KJ980,KJ983,KJ994, KJ997,KK153,KK191,KK200,KK209,KN282,KN284,KN292,KN386, KN433,KN488,KN489,KN495,KN508,KN512,KN513,KN514,KN515, KN519,KN520,KN521,KN522,KN570,KN571,KN628,KN647,KN648, KN649,KN651,KP208,KP220,KP233,KP248,KP249,KP241,KP258, TJ170, BALMORAL CASTLE SERIAL UNKNOWN

C54 Skymaster EW999

Fairchild Argus I HM173

Fairey Fawn ? Possibly borrowed from Kenley Air Depot,J7182, J7189, J7191, J7192 may have been available Fairey 111F MK IVC J9061 MK IVM J7673,J7674,J9824,K1115,K1116,K1117,K1118, MK IVB K1749 MKIIIM(DC) S1458 on charge for 1 week 11/07/30

Farnam Longhorn M.F.7 545, 556 Shorthorn M.F.11 511, 2467, 4726 Maurice 4726 Farnham

Fokker FXX11 HM159, (HM160)

General GAL42. DG566 flown June 41, HM495 flown 20/08/42 Aircraft Cygnet

Gloster Gauntlet K5357 NOT LIKELY no other references Gloster Gladiator Prototype K5200 Gladiator MkII N5902

Grumman Goose MV993

Handley Page Hastings C Mk1a TG510,TG513, TG523, TG524,TG526,TG527,TG528,TG532,TG535,TG537,TG551, TG556,TG557,TG559,TG568,TG571,TG575,TG576,TG577, TG580,TG581,TG582,TG603,TG604,TG605,TG606,TG607,TG608, TG609,TG614,TG620,TG621,

C2 WD475,WD476,WD477,WD479,WD483,WD485WD486,WD487, WD488WD489,WD490,WD491,WD492,WD493WD494,WD495, WD498,WD499,WJ327,WJ329,WJ331,WJ332,WJ334,WJ337, WJ339WJ340,WJ341,WJ342,WJ343

CVIP4 WJ324,WJ325,WJ326,WD500

Hawker Hart(C) K2433(H),K2455(H),K2456(H),K3873(AW),K3874(AW), K4297(AW),K4298(AW) Hart K2452,K2972,K3000,K3001, K3002,K3032,K3855,K3856,K3969,K6471

Hart Trainer K3747,K3748 Tomtit J9772 PROTOTYPE,J9776,J9778,K1782 Audax K2008,K7326?,K7383 Hind K5421,K6706,K6814,L7185 Osprey III K3616,K3617,K3618,K3619 Hurricane I P3757,V6844,V7719,Z2891,Z4631

Heston Phoenix X2891,X9338,X9393

Lockheed 10A G -AEPR, used before 24 Sqn use to fly Chamberlain to see Hitler Sept 1938, W9104 - W9106 12 LA619,LA620,LA621,LA622 LA623, X9316 City of Salisbury, HM573,NF753 for Prince Bernard Hudson I N7220,N7253.N7275,N7263, FK782, Hudson II T9375 Hudson III T9424,T9429,V8983,V9115,V9177LR,V9230, AE533,AE548,AE578,AE579,AE581,AE588, AM936 Hudson IIIA FH167,FH307,FH369,FH406,FH420,FH455,FH460,FH464

Hudson IV AE634,AE636 Hudson V AM607,AM626,AM717,AM725,AM850

Hudson VI FK386,FK406,FK482, Hudson Transport N7364

Ventura II AJ456

Hercules C1 XV215, XV194 C3 C130J POOL AIRCRAFT C130K POOL AIRCRAFT

Martinsyde S1 710, 4229, 4230

Messerschmitt bf108 ES955, ES995 PAINTED IN ERROR

Miles Nighthawk L6846 Mentor L4394,L4395,L4396,L4397,L4398,L4399, L4400*,L4402,L4403,L4404,L4408, L4416,L4420 Magister I L5931,L5935,L6908,L8134,L8315,L8208,L8209,L8212, L8213,L8236,L8344, L8345,L8346,L8347,N3977, P2502,P6377,R1889 Whitney W7422 used by Air attache in Paris, abandoned at fall of France(G-AEUY), Straight BD145 (G AFAB), DP237(G-AEYA) for Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, G AEVF(BS814)

Master III DL678, DL776, DL777, DL778

Parnall Heck III R9138

Percival Q6 Petrel P5635,P5636,P5638,X9328,X9329,X9363 Proctor I P6129,P6179,P6194,P6200,P6254,P6319,P6321,R7495,R7528,DX321

Proctor II Z7211,Z7212 Vega Gull P10C P1749-P1754,P5989,P5990,P5991,P5992,P5993,P6129,W6464,X9332 X9339,X9368,X9391,

RAF BE2C 2687, 1670, 1761, 2085, 2087, 2571, 4721, 5433

SE5 A8900 SE5a B124,B548,B891,B8232,B8261,B8262,B8268,B8332,B8359, B8388,B8395,B8401,B8407, B8411,B8422,B8424,B8486,B8497, B8500,B8505, C1057,C1070,C1081,C1085,C1098,C1099,C1138,C1751,C1773, C1789,C1793,C1795,C1797,C1798,C1800,C1813,C1861,C1870, C1893,C1936,C1945,C5301,C5367,C5393,C5398,C5428,C6360, C6397,C6400,C6417,C6452,C6466C6481,C6499,C8840,C8844, C8893,C8897,C9062,C9068,C9072C9494,C9518,C9531,C9535, C9561,C9583,C9609,C9613,C9627, D272,D275,D279,D330,D335,D3444,D6918,D6937,D6943,D6967, D6975,D6998, E1268,E1269,E1293,E1388,E1392,E4022,E5667,E5764,E5773, E5791,E5798,E6006,E6012,E6036, F5449,F5450,F5459,F5461,F5508,F5514,F5517,

SABCA/ SM73 Ex Sabena OO-AGX,OO-AGY,OO-AGZ Savioa Green & Brown camouflage with yellow under surfaces civilian codes Marchetti and belgian roundels flown by SABENA crews & RAF navigator

Sopwith Snipe F2409, post use by 24 Squadron a pilot fell from a/c whist practising for a race 22/06/22

Stampe SV4B MX457, ALLIED FLIGHT

Stinson SR-8 W5791, W7980,W7984, Reliant SR-9 Reliant X8520, X9596 SR-10 Reliant W7981, W7978, BS803

Supermarine Spitfire I R7199 presentation aircraft "Woolton" , X4319,X4326?,X4994,X4561(11/10/42PRO), X4587 Spitfire IIA P7759 Spitfire VA P7920 [04/04/42]

Vickers FB5 1622,1628,1629,2341,2342,2344,2467,2871, 5620,5651,5652,5653,5654, 5655,5656,5657,5665 Vimy F9152, F8640 Vickers Wellington 1a L4237,L4263,L4340,L4349,N2906,N2990,P2522

Wellington 1c T2567,T2568,T2569 Wellington C.XVI N2875,P2522,N2990

Valetta C1 VW849 Valetta C2 VX576,VX577,

Vultee Vigilant HL430 FLOWN JULY42

Westland Wapiti 1A J9095, J9096 Wapiti 1 J9093 Lysander 1 R2622, R2634,R2635,T1565 Lysander IIIA P9111,P9116,V9597

Wicko Warferry HM497,ES947,ES913

Appendix 2 Timeline

Date Location CO Type Manufacturer Name Model Serial Comment Photo References 1915 01/09/15 Hounslow Capt A G Avro 504 A 777,778 Formed by redesignation of an A 11/85 Moore element of 17 Squadron 29/09/15 Maj. L g Bristol Scout C 5314 Hawker VC 01/10/15 Bleriot XI bis 5,842,862 24A 01/10/15 Curtis JN3 5607,5638, 24A 01/10/15 Caudron GIII 5038, 5270, 5914, A 11/81 4250

Avro 504 D 795,798 Single seat anti Zeppelin Airco DH1A 4600, 4601 2 seat pusher 01/10/15 Farnham Longhorn MF7 545, 556 01/10/15 Farnham Shorthorn MF11 511, 2467, 4726 24A

01/10/15 Martinsyde S1 710, 4229, 4230

01/10/15 Royal AC BE2c 2687,1670, 1761, 24A Factory 2085, 2087, 2571, 4721, 5433

01/11/15 Vickers Gunbus FB5 2341 24A 1916 Form of double drum for said to have been invented by Maj Hawker & Air Mechanic W L French and spring clip to hold gun steady in DH2 01/01/16 Airco DH2 5964,6000, RAF sqdns Web Site has A 11/95 A2540 side view 27 Squadron formed from 24 Sqn Detachment 07/02/16 St. Omer First single seat fighter France squadron formed or used in WWI

10/02/16 Bertangles, France 01/07/16 Morane Bullet N A178 Flown by secoded officer Lt TH Bayetto, forced down EA 10/07/17 Bristol Scout D 5314 Mount of seconded officer

23/11/16 Death of Major Hawker VC ACI NO7 29/11/16 Maj C E C Rabagliati 17/12/16 Chipilly, France

1917 23/03/17 MaJ. A G Moore 19/04/17 Flez, France 72 EA accounted for by DH2'S 01/05/17 Airco DH5 A9435 Ground Attack, DH p85 H p46 Trench Strafing 10/07/17 Baizieux France 22/08/17 Maj, J G Swart 23/09/17 Teteghem France

24/11/17 Marieux 20 EA accounted for by France DH5's 01/12/17 Royal Aircraft SE5 A8900 IEA p184 Factory Royal Aircraft SE5a B124, C1099 Factory

1918 01/01/18 Villers- Bretonneux France

28/01/18 Matigny France 02/02/18 Maj. V A H Robeson 22/03/18 Moreiul France 26/03/18 Bertangles, France 28/03/18 Conteville France 14/08/18 Bertangles, France 08/09/18 Cappy France 06/10/18 Athies France 27/10/18 Busigny France 10/11/18 Bisseghem 185 EA accounted for by A HISTORY OF 24 Belgium SE5A's & 20 balloons SQUADRON 16/10/18 Ennetieres 297 EA & ballons accounted DITTO France for by squadron, 2277No. 25lb bombs dropped 11/11/18 End of WWI DITTO 01/12/18 Bisseghem 344 EA Driven down or DITTO Belgium damaged behind enemy lines 1919 24 pilots killed in action , DITTO 3 missing fate unknown, 17 accidentally killed in flying accidents 12/02/19 London Colney 19/09/19 Uxbridge Cadre

1920 01/02/20 Squadron disbanded 01/04/20 Kenley Sqn Ldr E H Reformed by redesignating Johnston Air Council Inspection Squadron 01/02/20 Avro 504 J C4451 L p149 Avro 504 K D2078 Bristol F2B MkIII D7864,F4562, some dual control F4698,H1460 Bristol F2B Coupe H1460 J p176 BUT p87 Airco Amiens DH10 E5459 Airco DH4A F5764 BUT p19 Airco DH9A J7310 05/02/20 Special flight to Paris in to collect dispatches at CAS request pilot. J M Robb later Air Chief Sir James Robb 01/09/20 FO's Air Force List Aleth TS Lequen de Lacoix & Marcel L Trepagna-Leroy on strength

1921 Jan-21 Flt Lt Elijah Brown Air Force List Squadron Doctor until 20/06/25 01/04/21 Sopwith Snipe F2409 to be used in Hendon Pageant air relay race Dec-21 FO Sam Kinkead Air Force List under instruction 1922 22/06/22 Sopwith Snipe F2409 Won RAF pageant relay race for third year running permanent team Robb, Luxmoore,R W Chappell, Augustus Bird, Trapagna Leroy 23/10/22 Sqn Ldr Owen T Boyd 15/12/22 Willett A B Buscarlet Air Force List on strength 1923 22/10/23 Sqn Ldr Reginald S Maxwell 1924 Kenley 504K, DH9A, Series of inter station raids Ken p26 Northolt War F2B, Snipe, between RAF stations and Fairey 24 Sqn planes involved incl Fawns 504K, F2B, DH9A, Snipe and 3no Fairey Fawns! Led by Flt Leader D'Arcy Grieg ( later Team member and Air Commodore) Jan/Feb De Havilland DH9A J7079,J7310, J7313

DH9ADC J7089 May First use in Air Force List of RAFM Communications Designation 14/07/24 James Mollison under Air Force List instruction 01/10/21 FO Alison Daly 2 airmen pilots on strength Air Force List

1925 27/08/25 Sqn Ldr William H L O'Neill

1926 Vickers Vimy F8640,F9152 Air tested during General J p190 Strike won then disqualified, BUT p84 Sir Philip Sassoon dive bombing cup December 7 airmen pilots Air Force List

1927 DH60 J9104 ON TEST Avro 504 N J8758 01/02/27 Northolt 20/09/27 Sqn Ldr Seaward N Cole

1928 25/01/28 Sqn Establishment Comms Flt, 5 Bristol F2B, 2 Avro 504N, 2 DH60 Moths, Training Flt 1 F2B , 2 F2B Dual control, 2 504N, 2 DH 60 Moths 01/06/28 De Havilland Cirrus Moth DH60 J9104-J9107, J9112,J9118 Fairey IIIF DC J9061 Bristol F2B MkIII J8430 FR Big Picture 27/06/28 Westland Wapiti Mk1A J9096 PRO32, FR, RAF&C p65 Flying strength 6 officers & Air Force List 1 airman pilot

1929 30/03/29 Sqn Ldr David S Don 20/06/29 Ramsey Macdonald Flown in Fairey IIIF J9061

1930 09/07/30 Bristol F2B cease to be used 09/07/30 Fairey IIIF DC K1115 PRO44,A 11/85 BUT p88 RAF&C p64,Fac 10/07/30 Hawker Tomtit J9772,K1782 nov/dec De Havilland Moth DH60M K1838.K1839 , A 10/78 K1849,K1850 01/12/30 Armstrong Siskin IIIA J8869 Whitworth 31/12/30 Sqn Establishment Fairey IIIF 6 on establishment 2 in reserve, DH Gypsy Moths 12/6, Avro 504N 3/1, AW Siskin IIIA 1E, Hawker Tomtit 1E

1931 Feb Last Bristol Fighter F2B leaves after 10 years service 03/10/31 Sqn Ldr John Whitford 26/10/31 School of Air Pilotage formed, operated as a flight of 24 Sqn 31/12/31 Sqn Establishment Fairey IIIF 6 on establishment 2 in reserve, DH Gypsy Moths 12/4, Avro 504N 3/1, AW Siskin IIIA 1E, Hawker Tomtit 1E 1932 25/02/32 Avro Tutor K1234, Aac 01/04/32 School of Air Pilotage closed 31/12/32 Sqn Establishment Fairey IIIF 6 on establishment 1 in reserve, DH Gypsy Moths 14/4, Avro 504N 4, Bristol Bulldog II 1E, Hawker Tomtit 1E 1933 03/02/33 Hawker Hart C K2455, K2456 A02/89, 05/89 RAF&C p65 Hawker Hart K3000,K3001 A07/95, H p98, K3002 K p35 DH82 K2568,K2583 last two destroyed by EA K p346, H K4277&K4284* 07/10/40 p92

Hawker Audax K2008 03/08/33 Bristol Bulldog II K2209 10/07/33 Hendon 27/07/33 Sqn Establishment 3 Hawker Harts ,1 Audax , 3 Fairey IIIF , 14 DH Gypsy Moths , 3 DH 82 Tiger Moths , 1 Bristol Bulldog II . 1934 07/04/34 Hawker Osprey III K3616,K3617 up to May 1935 K p287,288 K3618,K3619

1935 De Havilland Rapide DH89 K5070 DRF p's 74&76 H p99 01/12/35 Sqn Ldr H K Goode 1936 05/11/36 Bristol Britain First 142 Used for trials BB 60 BB p50-59 31/12/36 Sqn Establishment A Flight 14 Tiger Moths, 3 Hart (DB), 1 Hart (T) B Flight 1 Tiger Moth I, 1 Tiger Moth II, 1 Hart(T) C Flight 1 DH89, 3 Hart(C), 1 Audax 1937 Miles Nighthawk L6846 ARAF AR aut03 p370 08/07/37 unit badge Black Fighting Cock and motto 'In Omnia Parati' presented De Havilland Express DH86B L7596,N6246, H p109, DRF p32 & 42 AX795 Airspeed Envoy L2770 formerly Kings Flight FR p48 FR G-AEXX 1938 De Havilland Don DH93 L2394 to 1276M 03/39 H p105 DH p389 Miles Magister L5931,L8208, L8209 Avro Anson Mk1 K6290, AA, Avro Anson by AW Hall Miles Mentor L4394,L4397. *destroyed by EA 07/10/40 ARAF AR aut03 L4400* p370 Notional Sqn 2 Hart(DB), 2 Audax, Establishment 20 Miles Mentors (not all delivered), 2 Hart(T), 1 DH86B Express, 3 Hart(C), 1 Miles Nighthawk, 1 Miles Magister 01/11/38 P1749-P1754 A 01/83 Miles Nighthawk L6846

1939 12/02/39 Lockheed Hudson T N7364 Went to Sidney Cotton for BB p405 A02/85,A07/85,12/85 spy flights over Germany 01/06/39 Wg Cdr J Anderson 01/08/40 Lockheed Hudson LR N7363 Special use for Royal Family SAM A07/85 vol2NO2 03/09/39 Start WWII 01/10/39 Wg Cdr H K Goode Percival Vega Gull P10C P5993 Pac De Havilland Fox Moth DH83 X9304,X9305 impressed DH p323 DH84 G-ACJT,G-ADDI,G- impressed DH p328 ACI 07/69 p282 AECZ De Havilland Leopard Moth DH85 W5783 impressed DH p389, H p105 DH80 X9439 impressed De Havilland Flamingo DH95 R2765,T5357 H p116 A 06/85,12/85,02/89, Lockheed Electra 10A W9105,W9106 impressed Percival Petrel Q6 P3634-P3640.P5636 SAM AE71,A02/83 vol2NO2

A number of Rapides, Petrels and Flamingos were impressed and operated by Airline crews on passenger, and freight flights to France

1940

03/04/40 De Havilland DH84 Dragon X9395,X9396 26/04/40 K6814* 11/05/40 Douglas DC3 OO-AUI, Ex SABENA, E FLIGHT RAF&C OO-AUH OO-AUI shot down 23/05/40, OO-AUH used by SABENA, RAF, Italian AF, & Deutch Luft Hansa successively 11/05/40 SABCA SM73P OO-AGX,OO- Ex SABENA, E FLIGHT IEAp4057 2 shot down & 1 left Savoia AGY,OO-AGZ OO-AGZ destroyed on in France 23- Marchetti ground 23/05/40 27/05/40

11/05/40 Armstrong Ensign G-ADTB, G- E FLIGHT AE69 Awac Whitworth ADST 29/06/40 Moth DH87A W9390 impressed Curtis SBC4 AS468 ARAFp362 Miles Whitney BD145 impressed Straight Heston Phoenix X2891,X9338,X9393 impressed

Blackburn Roc L3102*,L3120*

01/07/40 B Flight formed 4 DH89A, 6 Dominies, 6 Ansons, 3 Q6 Petrels, 1 DH84 Dragon 27/07/40 presented on by Princess Airspeed Oxford II P8832,P8833 Ambulance H p119 SRAF p209 behalf of Girl Royal Guides 17/08/40 Vickers Wellington 1c T2567,T2568,T2569 PRO

07/10/40 Enemy Action destoyed A Flight hanger, Tiger Moth II K4277 & K4284, Q6 P5635, Curtis SBC4 AS468, Vega Gull P1749, Magisters L8212 L8345, Envoy X9370, Roc's L3120 L3102, Mentors L4396 L4400 & Hind K6814

1941 27/03/41 Gloster Gladiator MkI K5200 Prototype GLA 01/04/41 Wg Cdr H G Lee 19/04/41 Blackburn Botha Mk1 L6128 used for filming arrivals of US A08/90 aircraft W7981,W7878 VW p47 A01/93 General Cygnet DG566 used as tricycle trainer AR aut03 Aircraft Parnall / Heck III R9138 K p440 Hendy De Havilland Leopard Moth DH85 impressed DH p389, H p105 Beech Staggerwing 17 DR628 personal use Prince Bernhardt Curtis Mohawk III AR633 Gloster Gladiator MkII N5902 GLA p22

01/06/41 Wg Cdr P W M Wright 1942 23/04/42 D Flight transferred to Northolt 06/05/42 Lockheed Hudson AE533 Delivery of George Medal to Malta as part of 323 shuttle flights 05/08/42 Fokker F.XXII HM159 impressed, used to Belfast 3 Lysanders & 3 Wickos replaced by 6 Puss Moths 06/08/42 Vickers Wellington 1a P2522 converted to seat 18 18/08/42 A/C on allotment to 24 Sqn PRO for use by USA forces ;- 3 Dominies, 1 Oxford, 6 Fairchilds or Proctors, 4 Hurricanes, 4 MkIII Masters & 4 DH82A Tiger Moths Curtis Mohawk MkIV AR680 Miles Master MkIII DL678, DL776, DL777, DL778

31/08/42 A Proctor and a Curtis PRO Mohawk III allocated to Staff Officers MAP ( or MAD ) HQ Messerschmitt Taifun bf108 ES955 impressed Bristol Bombay L5836 Stampe SV4B MX457 15/09/42 Hawker Hart K2452 Still in use! PRO 11/10/42 Supermarine Spitfire MkI X4561 12/10/42 R2634, R2622 Mk1 V6844, V7719, Z4631 P6129,DX321 Wicko Warferry HM497,HM499 ACI no13

04/05/42 Lockheed Electra Junior 12 X9316,LA619, LA620,LA622

01/06/42 Wg Cdr H B Collins 10/15/42 510 Squadron formed from A flight

1943 Vickers Wellington C.XVI N2875,N2990,P2522 Hp124 BAp108

Grumman Goose MV993 SAMI 05/03, SAM vol2no2 ARAFp367 II AJ456 MkI MW232 LV633 Aac, A 12/81 La p75 A12/81 Ascalon Douglas Dakota 1 C47 FD772 H p128 AM sum03, aut03 18/06/43 512 Squadron formed form element of 24 Squadron 1944 Avro Anson Mk10 NK710 01/09/44 Wg Cdr T H Archbell Douglas Skymaster C54 EW999 RAFM photoP5484, only test flights 1945 End WWII

01/10/45 Wg Cdr E L A Fired by AC Levington source letter from Air Walter AOC 46 Group, Commodore DFH because nobody was there to Grocock to Air greet the AOC when he Commodore J arrived from the Mitchell 13/10/96 one hour early on a Sunday morning 1946 25/02/46 Bassingbourn

Avro Lancastrian C2 VM701 to VM704 VM701 flew round the world ARAF p355, La p77

Avro York C1 01/09/46 Wg Cdr C W K Nicholls 1947

1948 Berlin Airlift 01/03/48 Wg Cdr P H Lombard

1949 Berlin Airlift 08/06/49 Waterbeach

1950 25/02/50 Oakington C1 VL246

01/03/50 Wg Cdr C F Read RAAF Handley Page Hastings C1 TG582,TG339 ACI Extra No17 A08/03 Aviation World Sum03 29/11/50 Lyneham 01/12/50 Sqn Ldr H A Nash 1951 10/02/51 Topcliffe Handley Page Hastings C2 WJ327 01/10/51 Maj.J N Robbs SAAF

1952 WD492 crash landed on Greenland ice cap, Hastings abandoned crew rescued 1953 06/05/53 Abingdon 01/10/53 Sqn Ldr J L Kerr 1954

1955 01/09/55 Sqn Ldr R B Bolt RNZAF

1956

1957 02/01/57 Colerne 01/02/57 Sqn Ldr M M Mair 01/10/57 Wg Cdr D W I have copies of his log Hitchens refering to 24 Sqn RAAF 1958 Handley Page Hastings C4 WJ325

1959 01/10/59 Wg Cdr H D Archer

1960

1961 01/11/61 Wg Cdr R B Sillars

1962

1963 01/11/63 Wg Cdr R T Saunders

1964

1965

1966 01/01/66 Wg Cdr G Moss

1967

1968 01/01/68 Wg Cdr J E H Tetley Lockheed Hercules C1 XV220,XV215 Introduction to service 05/01/68 Lyneham 1969

1970 01/07/70 Wg Cdr R D Bates

1971 09/11/71 Lockheed Hercules C1 XV216 XV215, XV216 crashed Pisa 09/11/1971,

1972 01/07/72 Wg Cdr M J Hardy 12/09/72 Lockheed Hercules C1 XV194 XV194 destroyed after running into a ditch Tromso 12/09/72 1973 famine relief in Nepal

1974 evacuation of refugees from Cyprus 01/07/74 Wg Cdr C E Evans

1975

1976 Airlift of medical supplies to 01/02/76 Wg Cdr M C A Davis

1977 XV215 marked 1977 with 24 Squadron Insignia

1978 01/08/78 Wg Cdr K Chapman

1979 Transport of Red Cross supplies into Phnom Pehn, evacuation of refugees from after the fall of the Shah

1980 Support of peace keeping forces in Zimbabwe Lockheed Hercules C2 01/10/80 Wg Cdr D R Jones 1981

1982 Falkland Islands conflict

1983 some Hercules converted to air to air refuelling 24 Sqn specialists until 1997 01/03/83 Wg Cdr C J M Carrington

1984

1985 Operation Bushel Ethiopian famine relief, more tonnage airlifted than Berlin Airlift 01/06/85 Wg Cdr R M Peach

1986

1987 01/12/87 Wg Cdr D B Farquhar

1988

1989

1990

01/04/90 Wg Cdr R D Iredale 1991 Gulf War

1992 01/10/92 Wg Cdr M D Stringer

1993

1994

1995 01/06/95 Wg Cdr R M Bailey

1996

1997

1998 Wg Cdr P Oborn

1999 peace keeping operation in , Macedonia, Albania Kosovo 23/11/99 Lockheed Hercules C130J Introduction to service, Shared with 30 Squadron in Hercules wing, 24 Sqn also acts as training Squadron

2000 operation Langar supporting peace keeping in East Timor Operation Pallisar in Sierra Leone

2001 Wg Cdr R Hobson

2002

2003 Iraqi War March May Wg Cdr Kevin Groves 2004

2005

2006 Wg Cdr Operations in support Donald War Turnbull

2007 Lockheed Hercules C4 12/02/07 ZH876 damaged by bomb on landing, destroyed by coalition forces. Flown by 24 Squadron personnel.

2008 Wg Cdr Andy Bacon 2010 Wg Cdr Tim Jones 2011 Brize Norton Becomes Operational conversion Squadron 2012 A Flight operates Simulators Wg Cdr “Doz” James

Appendix 3 Photographic References

Aircraft Serial Pge Date Title Date Author No

Airspeed P8833 74 1940 Scale Aircraft Modelling John DR Oxford II Publisher Rawlings Airspeed P8833 100 1942 Pre IWM Aircraft Profile John DR Oxford II &P883 Delivery Rawlings 2 CH2166 Airspeed P8833 115 LATE IWM Aircraft Profile John DR Oxford II 1942 nb Rawlings different marking CH11526 Airspeed P8833 209 1940 The Source Book of the RAF AIRLIFE Ken Delve Oxford II

Airspeed P8833 Aircraft Illustrated Nov- Oxford II 72

Airspeed P8833 123 Pictorial History of the RAF Vol 2 Oxford II

Airspeed P8833 35 1940 Aeroplane Monthly Aug- Oxford II 00

Airspeed P8833 4 EARLY RAF Aircraft P1000-R9999 Jun- AIR James J Oxford II 05 BRITAIN Halley

Airspeed P8833 119 27/07/194 Oxford II 0

Airspeed P8833 30 RAF Aircraft P1000-P10001 Oxford II

Airspeed P8832 Women Tate in colour Oxford II at War Britain Exhibitio n Airspeed P8833 249 Aeroplane Monthly May- RAF DON Oxford II 80 PISTON MIDDLETON VARIOUS TRAININ G OXFOR D Airspeed Aeroplane Monthly Jun- RAF DON Oxford II 80 PISTON MIDDLETON VARIOUS TRAININ G OXFOR D Anson NK713 Aeroplane Monthly Jan- MK10 79 Anson NK932 Aeromilitaria Magazine NO3 MK10 1986

ANSON'S Aeroplane Monthly Apr- RAF DON VARIOUS 80 PISTON MIDDLETON TRAININ G ANSON Hawker K2008 03/09/38 Archive Magazine Sum Audax mer 2001 Avro 504D 798? 35 01/10/15 AVRO Aircraft 1995 ALAN ROGER SUTTON JACKSON

Shows Avro 504N J8758 RAFM chevron P100767 1928 Avro 504J C4451 Aeroplane Monthly

Avro 504 F2264 Shows MICHAEL chevron WATKINS

Avro C MkII 355 1945 Aircraft of the RAF Lancastrian

Avro VM70 Jan-48 Aeroplane Monthly Dec- Lancastrian 1 90

Avro VM72 RNZAF S FOR SUGAR PRIVAT EXCERPT Lancastrian 6 E PR8306 Avro VM72 66 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Lancastrian 6 97

Avro VM73 Aeroplane Monthly Jun- Lancastrian 5 95

Avro VM73 77 Lancaster Lancastrian 4 C.MkII

Avro York LV633 1943 RAFM RAF Museum collection PO18957, PO18958, PO18973, PO18974 Avro York LV633 31 Philip RAF Aircraft LA100-LZ999 AIR James J Jarrett BRITAIN Halley 1991 Avro York MW10 Aeromilitaria Magazine .3/84 AIR 1 BRITAIN

Avro York MW10 26 AIR ENTHUSIAST No79 Jun- KEY NORMAN C VIP1 2 05 PUBLIS LEES HING Avro York MW12 29 Aeroplane Monthly Jun- 8 93 Avro York MW14 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic 0 Collection

Sum 06 Avro York PE107 85 A-B, Aviation World AIR Peter BRITAIN Ragget Coll Avro York MW23 Aeromilitaria Magazine .4/84 AIR 2 BRITAIN

Avro York 75 Lancaster PARRAG CHRISTOPH C Mk1 ON 2003 ER CHANT

Avro York 268 1948 Scale Aircraft Modelling John DR Rawlings

AW Ensign G Aeroplane Monthly Aug- BOAC ADTB 75 AT WAR AW Ensign G- 27 1941 SU 1997 ADTB AW Ensign Air Enthuiast AE69

AW Ensign 9,10 The Impressment Log ,11 AW Siskin J8869 1931 RAFM RAF Museum collection IIIA P7523NC

Beech 17 DR628 29,8 RAF Aircraft DA100-DZ999 AIR James J 4 BRITAIN Halley 1987 Beech 17 DR628 24 The Impressment Log

Beech 17 DR628 29 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING POWERS VOLUME III

Beech 17 DR628 419 Aeroplane Monthly Aug- BEECH 80 17 Blackburn Aeroplane Monthly Jan- TRIED & Botha 99 FAILED

Blackburn Aeroplane Monthly Feb- TRIED & Botha 99 FAILED

Bleriot XI 1914/191 RAFM 1914 Parasol 5 P014144, - PO18781, 1915 PO15572 Bleriot XI 582 68 1915 Pictorial History of the RAF Vol1 IAN J W R Parasol ALLEN TAYLOR

Bleriot XI 2861 26 1915 ALAN Aeroplane Monthly Jun- ALAN Parasol GOODF 06 GOODFELLO ELLOW W

Bristol H1460 708 Aeroplane Monthly Nov- Coupe 90

Bristol 57 Aeroplane Monthly Sep- Bombay 96

Bristol L5836 16/11/194 Flight JPEG high resolution copy Flight Bombay 2 Global Archive FA18355s

Bristol H1460 87 1920 But not in anger Coupe

Bristol H1460 176 1920 RAF Aircraft JI-J9999 & WWI Coupe SURVIVORS

Bristol H1460 1921 RAFM RAF Museum collection AC71/9/1 Coupe 99 Bristol H1460 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Coupe Collection

Bristol H1460 29 Coupe

Bristol H- 65 BRISTO Bristol F2B Fighter IAN CHAZ Coupe 1460 L ALLEN BOWYER AEROPL ANE CO Bristol H- 508 May-19 ART/TE Scale Aircraft Modelling OCT CHRIS Coupe 1460 CH 2004 CHANT AEROS GREAT PACE PHOTO Bristol F2B D8033 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Collection

Bristol F2B F4688 RAFM PO19245 Bristol F2B F4688 70 Scale Aircraft Modelling John DR Rawlings

Bristol F2B H1459 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Collection

Bristol F2B J6800 AP 03/7 4 Bristol F2B J8430 87 1928 But not in anger

Bristol F2B J8430 27 24 SQDN Ass. Newsletter 06 24 MICHAEL SQDN WATKINS ASSOC Bristol F2B J8430 71 Bristol F2B Fighter

Bristol F2B F4698 34 1920's Aircraft Today IAN J W R J ALLEN TAYLOR 1950'S Bristol F2B J8430 25 1928 Flight Royal PSL PETER MKIII 1981 G.COOKSLE Y Bristol 367 1922 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of F2Bs 9 Aircraft

Britain First K7557 6 1936 IAN CHAZ ALLEN BOWYER Britain First K- 70 RAF Bomber Command & its Aircraft IAN JAMES 7557 1936-1940 ALLAN GOULDING & PHILIP MOYES Britain First K- Hendon to Farnborough SBAC CHALFO MIKE 7557 Displays 1932-1972 RD HOOKS

Curtis JN3 30 1915 Aircraft Camouflage & Markings 1956 HARLEY BRUCE 1907-1954 FORD ROBERTSO N Curtis 37 Aircraft of the Second World War , PUTNAM ED. PHILIP Mohawk Development of the warplane 1939- 1997 JARRETT 45

Curtis AR633 73 Warplanes of Yesteryear IAN KENNETH Mohawk IV ALLAN MUNSON 1965 Curtis 2669M 1940 RAFM RAF Museum collection SBC4 PO19129 Curtis AS468 RAFM SBC4 P5360cc RAF Museum collection Curtis RAFM SBC4 P5361cc RAF Museum collection Curtis RAFM SBC4 P5362cc RAF Museum collection Curtis 2299M 58 Aeroplane Monthly GOOD SBC4 DETAILS Curtis AS468 358 1940 Aircraft of the RAF

SBC4 DH82 Tiger K- 26 24 SQN Ass. Newsletter 06 24 MICHAEL Moth 2573 SQDN WATKINS ASSOC DH82 Tiger K- 346 The K File Moth 2583

DH82 Tiger K- 349 The K File Moth 2595

DH 85 33 British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 Leopard Moth

DH 86B 33 British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 Express

DH 95 51 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING HARBO H J COOPER Hertfordshir POWERS VOLUME I ROUGH & O G e 1941 THETFORD

DH10 E---- 25 1922 Cranwell

DH1A RAFM P1367 DH1A 27/3 1915 AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing 2001 CROWO MICK DAVIS 3 Company OD

DH2 5925 15 Apr-17 De Havilland Aircraft of World War I ARMS & J M BRUCE ARMOU R PRESS DH2 5925 3 1917 de Havilland DH2 in Action SQUAD PETER RON COOKSLEY SIGNAL DH2 5925 7 The Royal Flying Corps in WWI ARMS & RAYMOND ARMOU LAWRENCE R RIMELL PRESS 1985 DH2 5925 12 The Complete Book of Fighters SALAMA WILLIAM NDER GREEN 1994 GORDON SWANBORO UGH DH2 5925 PO17985 NC DH2 5925 39 Jul-16 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 7850 31 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 12 1916 A History of 24 Squadron TEMPLE CAPT. A.E. / ILLINGWORT AEROPL H ANE DH2 34/4 AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing 2001 CROWO MICK DAVIS 7 Company OD

DH2 A2581 RAFM P10525nc DH2 Air Pictorial Squadron Personel DH2 20 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 21 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 40 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 42 de Havilland DH2 in action

DH2 lineup A178 24 Sqn RAF with archive www.lyneham.raf.mod.uk/24sqn/hist LYNEHA Morane N ory/shorthistory M WEB SITE

DH2 9 Aeroplane Monthly Sep- REPLICA 98 DH2'S 5925.5 1926 Aircraft Illustrated Extra Magazine NO 7 964,59 98 DH4A F5764 19 1920 But not in anger IAN COLE & ALLEN GRANT 1979 DH4A F5764 103 Pictorial History of the RAF Vol 1 IAN JOHN W R ALLEN TAYLOR

1969

DH4A F5764 RAFM P11969N C, PII970NC, P015799 DH4A F5764 16 RAF Kenley TERENC PETER E FLINT DALTON 1985 DH4A F5764 AP 05/85 Air Pictorial

DH4A F5764 The DH4/DH9 File AIR RAY BRITAIN STURTIVAN 1999 T & GORDON PAGE DH4A F5764 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- 87 DH4A 359 1920 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF

DH4A 78 1919 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 PUTNAM 1994 REPRIN T DH5 A9165 12 AIRCO DH5

DH5 A9172 3 AIRCO DH5

DH5 A9183 6 AIRCO DH5

DH5 A9363 RAFM P938 DH5 A9363 8 3 AIRCO DH5 PHOTOS DH5 A9414 12 The Complete Book of Fighters

DH5 A9435 AIRCO DH5 WINDSO J M BRUCE CK DATAFIL E DH5 A9435 14 AIRCO DH5

DH5 A9435 83 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909

DH5 A9474 49 Sep-17 De Havilland Aircraft of World War I

DH5 B357 29 AIRCO DH5

DH5 75/8 AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing 2001 CROWO MICK DAVIS 5 Company OD

DH5 27 1917 A History of 24 Squadron

DH5 192 Aircraft Camouflage & Markings 1907-1954

DH2 5944 38 de HAVILLAND DH2 IN ACTION

DH60 536 Aeroplane Monthly Oct- RAF A J 78 PISTON JACKSON TRAININ G DH60 DH60 J9104 RAFM RAF Museum collection Cirrus Moth P7811NC DH60 J9105 RAFM red Cirrus Moth outlined P10207nc "24" DH60 J9105 RAFM RAF Museum collection PRB(AIR) Cirrus Moth H105 DH60 J9105 360 1930 Aircraft of the RAF Cirrus Moth

DH80 Puss HM53 49 The Impressment Log Moth 4

DH80 Puss 32 British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 HPC GORDON Moth PUBLIS SWANBORO HING UGH 1997 DH80 Puss 41 ARCHIVE MAGAZINE SUM Moth MER 2000

DH80 Puss 102 ARCHIVE MAGAZINE AUT Moth UMN 2000 DH80 Puss 47 The Impressment Log Moth

DH82 Tiger K2568 92 08/10/193 Hendon Aerodrome AIRLIFE DAVID Moth 3 1994 OLIVER

DH82 Tiger K2568 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Moth Collection

DH82 Tiger K2576 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Moth Collection

DH82 Tiger K2579 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Moth Collection

DH82 Tiger K2582 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Moth Collection

DH82 Tiger K- 1935 RAFM RAF Museum collection P8940NC, Moth 2583 P8941NC DH82 Tiger K- RAFM RAF Museum collection "24" & Moth 2596 chevron PO20987 DH84 274 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Jul- Dragon 69 DH85 BD148 337 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 Leopard Moth DH85 X9381 Aeroplane Monthly Jun- Leopard 92 Moth DH85 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- Leopard 01 Moth DATABASE DH86 L2696 RAF AIRCRAFT L1000 TO N10001 BR DH86B L7596 73 SCALE AIRCRAFT MODELLING ARTI John DR CLE Rawlings ONL Y DH86B L7596 570 IN Aeroplane Monthly Sep- FLIGHT 91 DH86B L7596 184 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- 84 DH86B L7596 RAFM PC11003 NC DH86B L7596 HENDON AERODROME

DH86B L7596 AP AIR PICTORIAL 02/7 5 DH86B L8037 32 , DRAGON RAPIDE FAMILY AIR- JOHN F 42 BRITAIN HAMLIN 2003 DH86B L8037 361 1938 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF

DH86B L8037 30 CRANWELL

DH86B L8037 RAFM P11977C C DH86B L8037 Flight I have a high resoloution JPEG Flight The Global Citadel Archive IV DH86B L8037 349 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909

DH86B 189 PICTORIAL HISTORY of the RAF Vol 2

DH86B L8040 RAFM P018020, P018021 DH87 34 British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 Hornet Moth DH87 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- Hornet 02 Moth DATABASE

DH87A 79 The Impressment Log Hornet Moth DH89 K5070 AEROMILITARIA MAGAZINE 32/85 AIR BRITAIN

DH89 K5070 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Collection

DH89 P- 74 DRAGON RAPIDE FAMILY 1764 DH89 Z7258 RAFM Ambulance P015258 DH89 Z7261 RAFM Ambulance P015257 DH89 Z7258. 76 May-41 Aeroplane Monthly 04/20 Ambulance Z7261 06

DH89 Z7258. 193 1942 Aircraft Camouflage & Markings HARLEY BRUCE Ambulance Z7261 1907-1954 FORD ROBERTSO N DH89 V4725 14 Fox AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING HARBO H J COOPER Dominie photos POWERS VOLUME II ROUGH & O G 1942 THETFORD

DH89 Z7258 76 DRAGON RAPIDE FAMILY Dominie DH89 K5070 99 1935 Hendon Aerodrome Rapide DH89 K5070 52 1935 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- Rapide 04 Database DH93 Don L1391 361 1937 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF

DH93 Don VARIO 389 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 US 390

DH93 Don 105 Hendon Aerodrome

DH95 R2510 141 RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-R9999 Jun- AIR James J Hertfordshir 05 BRITAIN Halley e

DH95 R2510 Hertfordshir e P11979C C DH95 R2510 13 Jul-40 KEY AE 120 KEY ARTHUR Hertfordshir PUBLIS PUBLIS WGJ ORD- e HING HING HUME

DH95 R2510 6 2no AE30 FINE WILLIAM Hertfordshir PHOTO SCROLL GREEN AND e S GORDON SWANBORO UGH DH95 R2765 116 Hendon Aerodrome

DH95 R2764 AEROMILITARIA MAGAZINE 57/80 AIR Flamingo BRITAIN

DH95 variou 115 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Flamingo s 89

DH95 VARIO 401 De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 Flamingo US

DH95 VARIO AP AIR PICTORIAL Flamingo US 11/7 incl 6 R2765 Lady of Hendo n DH95 77 1954 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- Flamingo 01

DH95 R2765 3 Mar-40 2no AE30 FINE WILLIAM Flamingo PHOTO SCROLL GREEN AND S GORDON SWANBORO UGH DH95 R2765 P11980C Flamingo C,

DH95 R2766 rear P016736 RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-R9999 Jun- AIR James J Flamingo cov CC 05 BRITAIN Halley

er

DH95 R2766 P016736 Flamingo CC DH95 R2766 12 AE 120 KEY ARTHUR Flamingo Lady PUBLIS WGJ ORD- of HING HUME Glamis DH95 R2766 4 2no AE30 FINE WILLIAM Flamingo Lady PHOTO SCROLL GREEN AND of S GORDON Glamis SWANBORO UGH DH95 Flamingo

DH95 35 British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 Flamingo

DH95 367 1940 THE ILLUSTRATED Flamingos 9 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AIRCRAFT

DH9A J7089 25 1925 CRANWELL MIDLAN PETER D GREEN & MIKE HODGSON DH9A J7310 1927 RAFM RAF Museum collection PC73/21/ 16 Dakota FD772 1943 AEROMILITARIA MAGAZINE SUM AIR MER BRITAIN 2003 Dakota Winds RAFM or Castle P5471cc Dakota FD903 AEROMILITARIA MAGAZINE AUT AIR UMN BRITAIN 2003 Dakota III KG770 FR POST BRUCE RAF AIRCRAFT KA100-KZ999 1990 AIR James J ON WAR ROBER BRITAIN Halley T TSON CO VE R Dakota FD903 Jul-43 Aeroplane Monthly Dec- 79 Dakota KN386 82 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt KITE Dakota KN488 82 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt KITE Dakota KN628 Aeroplane Monthly Dec- MONTY' 86 S DAK Dakota KN628 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- MONTY' 87 S DAK Dakota NQ I 74 1943 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR CLE Rawlings ONL Y Dakota I FD772 128 Oct-42 Hendon Aerodrome

Dakota MK FD772 205 Mar-43 DOUGLAS DAKOTA MK I-IV PROFIL ARTHUR IWM 1 E 220 PEARCY H.1968 Dakota MK KJ994 215 DOUGLAS DAKOTA MK I-IV PROFIL IWM 1V VIP E 221 CNA3736 Dakota FD903 126 AIRCRAFT OF THE SECOND NQ-I WORLD WAR, DEVELOPMENT OF THE WARPLANE 1939-45

Dakota FD903 NQ-I

Douglas EW99 56 RAF AIRCRAFT EA100-EZ999 AIR- James J C54 9 BRITAIN Halley Skymaster BR Douglas 362 1944 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF C54 Skymaster Douglas EW99 1944 RAFM INCLS INTERIOR SHOTS C54 9 P018959 Skymaster TO P018972 Douglas EW99 1944 RAFM RAF Museum collection C54 9 P5484CC

Skymaster

Lockheed W910 119 THE IMPRESSMENT LOG ElectraA 4, W910 6 Fairey IIIF J9061 9 THE FAIREY IIIF PROFIL FRANCIS E 44 MASON

Fairey IIIF J9061 RAFM P9776nc Fairey IIIF 132 1931 PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE RAF IAN J W R VOL ONE 1918-1939 ALLEN TAYLOR

Fairey IIIF K1115 71 1928 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR CLE Rawlings ONL Y Fairey IIIF K1115 RAFM Mk IVM/A P8324nc Fairey IIIF K1115 34 Aeroplane Monthly May- Mk IVM/A 94

Fairey IIIF K1118 45 Feb-30 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Mk IVM/A 94

Fairey IIIF K1118 RAFM Mk IVM/A P9777nc Fairey IIIF J9061 RAFM P013842 MKIVC NC Fairey IIIF J9061 25/10/193 The FIRST the FASTEST and the LB of DOUGLAS MKIVC 0 FAMOUS SUTTON CLUETT 1985 Fairey IIIF J9061 165 1928 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF PUTNAM OWEN 9TH ED THETFORD 1995 Fairey IIIF J9061 39 The FIRST the FASTEST and the LB DOUGLAS ? FAMOUS SUTTON CLUETT 1985 Fairey IIIF K1115 168 1928 THE K FILE AIR- James J BRITAIN Halley 1995 Fairey IIIF K1115 64 1928 THE SQUADRONS OF THE RAF & AIR- James J COMMONWEALTH 1918~1988 BRITAIN Halley 1988

Fairey IIIF K1115 88 1928 BUT NOT IN ANGER

Fairey IIIF K1118 29 R.A.F.between the Wars ARMS & RAYMOND ARMOU LAWRENCE R RIMELL PRESS 1985 Fairey IIIF K1115 FAIREY AIRCRAFT SINCE 1915 PUTNAM H A TAYLOR MK IVM/A 1997 REPRIN T Fairey IIIF K1115 19 AVIATION PHOTO ALBUM PSL MICHAEL J F MkIV 1978 BOWYER

Fairey IIIF K1115 41 1.FAIREY AIRCRAFT MkIVM/A

Farman Se 11 21/2 1915 AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing 2001 CROWO MICK DAVIS Henri 3 Company OD

Farman Se 7 15/1 1915 AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing 2001 CROWO MICK DAVIS Maurice 7 Company OD

Fokker HM15 111 THE IMPRESSMENT LOG F.XXII 9, HM16 0 Fokker HM15 AEROMILITARIA MAGAZINE SUM AIR F.XXII 9 MER BRITAIN 2000 Fokker HM15 Aeroplane Monthly Apr- CIVIL F.XXII 9 88 COLOU RS Fokker RAFM F.XXII P1860 General G- 134 1941 Archive Magazine AUT AIR JACK Aircraft AGAL UMN BRITAIN MEADEN Cygnet DG56 2003 6

Gloster K5200 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Gladiator Collection

Gloster N5902 22 GLOSTER GLADIATOR WARPAI TOM Gladiator NT SPENCER MKII TAKEN BOOKS AT SAME 2002 Gloster N5902 1941 RAFM RAF Museum collection Gladiator MKII PO13987 NC Gloster N5902 49 THE GLOSTER GLADIATOR 1964 MACDO F K MASON Gladiator NALD MKII TIME Grumman MV99 19 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING HARBO H J COOPER Goose 3 POWERS VOLUME III ROUGH & O G 1942 THETFORD

Grumman MV99 RAFM Goose 3 P5571cc Grumman MV99 RAFM Goose 3 P5572cc Grumman MV99 RAFM Goose 3 P5573cc Grumman MV99 RAFM Goose 3 P9508cc Grumman MV99 73 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR Goose 3 CLE Rawlings ONL Y Grumman MV99 15 AE AIR ENTHUSIAST No76 Goose 3 COLLEC TION

Grumman MV99 367 1943 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF Goose 3

HP WJ340 52 HANDLEY PAGE HASTINGS & Hastings C HERMES Mk2 Hawker K2008 03/09/193 Archive Magazine SUM Audax 8 MER 2001 Hawker K2452 84 EARLY Czechs in the RAF RED Zdenek Hurt Hart 1943 KITE Hawker K2456 75 1930'S THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BRITISH BISON CHAZ Hart MILITARY AIRCRAFT GROUP BOWYER 1982

Hawker K2456 RAFM P11886N Hart C Hawker K2456 90 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Hart 89 Hawker K2456 69 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Hart 02 Hawker K2456 65 1933 THE SQUADRONS OF THE RAF & Hart COMMONWEALTH 1918~1990

Hawker K2456 211 1933 THE K FILE Hart Hawker K3000 3 M P AEROGUIDE MONOGRAPH THE LINEWRI RAY RIMELL Hart HOWLE HART FAMILY & DERIVATIVES GHTS Y VIA 1989 RICHAR D WARD

Hawker K3000 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hart Collection

Hawker K3001 51 see Aeroplane Monthly Jul- BY DAY OWEN Hart comment 95 & BY THETFORD s about NIGHT underwin g flotation container Hawker Aeroplane Monthly Hart Hawker K3856 170 May-37 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- Hart 90

Hawker K3856 170 May-37 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- Hart 91 Hawker Unkno 154 PICTORIAL HISTORY of the RAF Hart wn Vol 1

Hawker K3001 74 Keyston AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF 1990 COLOU ROY Hart (C) e THE RAF R CONYERS Collectio LIBRAR NESBITT n Y BOOKS Hawker K3001 98 HENDON AERODROME Hart (C)

Hawker K3001 208 1933 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF Hart (C)

Hawker K3617 1935 RAFM RAF Museum collection P8935NC, Osprey III P8936NC Hawker K3615 230 SINCE 1920 Osprey III

Hawker K3616 47 AEROMILITARIA No2 Osprey III 1994

Hawker J9772 30 1930-33 DAVID AIR ENTHUSIAST No76 1998 KEY DON Tomtit OLIVER PUBLIS HENLEY HING Hawker J9772 175 HAWKER AIRCRAFT SINCE 1920 PUTNAM FRANCIS K Tomtit 3RD MASON EDITION 1991 Hawker J9772 31 1930 FLIGHT ROYAL Tomtit

Hawker J9772 116 RAF AIRCRAFT JI-J9999 & WWI Tomtit SURVIVORS

Hawker J9772 RAFM RAF Museum collection Tomtit P3878nc Hawker J9772 RAFM Tomtit P3879nc Hawker J9772 RAFM Tomtit P3880nc Hawker J9772 RAFM Tomtit P9778mc Hawker J9772 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Tomtit Collection

Hawker J9776 AEROPLANE MONTHLY May- Tomtit 79

Hawker K1782 1935 RAFM RAF Museum collection P8938NC, Tomtit P8939NC HP TG513 THE A.J.JACKSON Hastings PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION

HP TG528 369 1969 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Sep- Hastings 70 HP TG537 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hastings Collection

HP TG557 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hastings Collection

HP TG582 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hastings Collection

HP TG605 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hastings Collection

HP TG607 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Hastings Collection

HP WJ325 AP AIR PICTORIAL Hastings 03/6 VIP C.4 8 HP WJ327 88 1956 AVIATION PHOTO ALBUM Hastings HP WJ329 367 1957 THE ILLUSTRATED Hastings 9 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AIRCRAFT

HP WJ340 37 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Mar- IAN Hastings 98 ALLEN HP TG621 SPRING 2003 SPRI Hastings C NG Mk 1 2004 HP TG582 75 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR Hastings C CLE Rawlings MK1A ONL Y HP WD50 36 HANDLEY PAGE HASTINGS & GMS VICTOR Hastings C 0 HERMES ENTERP BINGHAM Mk4 RISES 1998 HP TG621 48 17/09/196 Aeroplane Monthly Hastings 6 C1 HP WJ339 SUMMER 2003 SUM Hastings MER C2 2004 HP WJ340 453 COLERN MOD HANDLEY PAGE AIRCRAFT PUTNAM C H BARNES Hastings E SINCE 1907 1995 C2 REPRIN T HP WJ340 AP AIR PICTORIAL Feb- PROFIL Hastings 02/6 68 E C2 8 HP AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED EXTRA NO1 Hastings MAGAZINE 7 C2 HP WJ324 453 HANDLEY PAGE AIRCRAFT Hastings SINCE 1907 C4 VIP HP WJ325 454 HANDLEY PAGE AIRCRAFT Hastings SINCE 1907 C4 VIP Heston X9393 200 AEROPL Archive Magazine WINT JACK Phoenix MOCK 5/16 ANE ER MEADEN ED UP 0 MONTH 2005 PHOT LY O Lockheed W910 23 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING 10A 4 POWERS VOLUME IV

Lockheed Aeroplane Monthly Aug- 10A & 01 12DATABA SE Lockheed W910 62,6 1940/41 AE AIR ENTHUSIAST AE55 10A 4 3 COLLEC TION

Lockheed W910 81 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt 10A 4 KITE Lockheed W910 23 1942 10A 4 Lockheed W910 68 1941 AIR ENTHUSIAST AE55 10A 6 Lockheed W910 13 1941 KEY AIR ENTHUSIAST AE94 KEY CRAIG P 10A 6 COLLEC PUBLIS JUSTO TION HING

Lockheed W910 118 1940 HENDON AERODROME 10A 6 Lockheed Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR 10A CLE Rawlings ONL Y Lockheed 103 THE RAF OF WWII IN COLOUR ARMS & ROGER A 12A ARMOU FREEMAN R Lockheed HM57 120 The Impressment Log 12A 3 Lockheed LA619 203 1943? MAP THE LOCKHEED TWINS AIR PETER J 12A BRITAIN MARSON 2001 Lockheed LA619 42 Mar-42 Philip RAF Aircraft LA100-LZ999 AIR James J 12A Jarrett BRITAIN Halley 1991 Lockheed LA619 82 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt 12A KITE Lockheed LA620 84 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt 12A KITE T Lockheed XV215 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR Hercules CLE Rawlings

ONL Y Lockheed 290 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Jul- HERCUL PAGE 290 Hercules 76 ES OF MISSING LYNEHA M Lockheed AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Sep- Hercules 79

Lockheed 252 1980 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF Hercules

Lockheed N7220 RAFM RAF Museum collection Hudson I PO18791 Lockheed N7263 66 RAF AIRCRAFT L1000 TO N10000 Hudson I

Lockheed N7263 42 AEROMILITARIA No2 Hudson I 1995

Lockheed AE636 81 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt Hudson IV KITE

Lockheed 71 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Hudson 85 Transport

Westland R2622 1941 RAFM RAF Museum collection P012513 Lysander NC Martinsyde 710 16 1915 CROWN AIR PICTORIAL Jan- AIR J.M.BRUCE COPYRIG S1 63 LEAGUE HT Messersch 48 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING mitt bf108 POWERS VOLUME III Adlon

Miles L4404 15 Aeroplane Monthly Sep- Mentor 94

Miles 74 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Whitney 1939-1945 Straight

Miles 74 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Magister 1939-1945

MILES M18 U8 71 12/09/194 Flown by 3. TEMPUS 1 S A Stevenso n Miles L6846 43 3.MILES AIRCRAFT TEMPUS ROD Nighthawk SIMPSON

Miles L6846 Tail plane close up showing STAR MICHAEL Nighthawk insignia WATKINS

Miles 65 3.MILES AIRCRAFT TEMPUS Magister

Miles 154 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- RAF GRAHAM Magister 80 PISTON JOHNSON TRAININ G MAGIST ER Miles L4396 407 1938 MI;ES AIRCRAFT THE EARLY Apr- AIR- PETER Mentor YEARS 09 BRITAIN AMOS 2009 Miles L4393 45 3.MILES AIRCRAFT TEMPUS Mentor Miles L4420 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Mentor Collection

Miles 370 1938 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF Mentor Miles Archive Magazine AUT Mentor UMN 2003 Miles 103 THE RAF OF WWII IN COLOUR Mentor

Miles 75 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Mentor 1939-1945

Miles L6846 26 24 SQDN ASSOC NEWSLETTER 24 MICHAEL Nighthawk 06 SQDN WATKINS ASSOC

Miles L6846 370 1938 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF Nighthawk

Miles Archive Magazine AUT Nighthawk UMN 2003 Miles 46 3.MILES AIRCRAFT TEMPUS Whitney Straight Morane n A178 32 1916 WWI AIRMEN 1997 FLYING ALEX AND THEIR AIRCRAFT MACHIN REVELL ES PRESS

Parnall 79 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Heck III 1939-1945

Parnall R9138 102 PARNALL'S AIRCRAFT 1938 TEMPUS KEN WIXEY Heck III

Percival 80 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Vega Gull 1939-1945

Percival P1751 82 1939 RAF RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-R9999 INCL James J Vega Gull MUSEU "24" Halley M CHEVR P018036, ON & P018037 STAR Percival P1754 22 PRE RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-R9999 AIR James J Vega Gull DELIVER BRITAIN Halley Y

Percival P5993 30 2.PERCIVALS AIRCRAFT CHALFO NORMAN Vega Gull RD ELLISON

Percival Q6 P5634 74 1939 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR CLE Rawlings ONL Y Percival Q6 P5634 373 1939 AIRCRAFT OF THE RAF

Percival P6062 232 FOR RAF AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY Proctor SERIAL FROM 1918 DETAIL

Percival P6200 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Proctor Collection

Percival P6196 22 P6200 RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-P9999 Proctor I USED BY 24SQN Percival 103 THE RAF OF WWII IN COLOUR Proctor IV

Percival Q6 P5636 68 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- PERCIV R JOHN 83 AL SILVESTER AIRCRA FT Percival Q6 P5639 Aeroplane Monthly Sep- 01 Percival Q6 AIR ENTHUSIAST AE71

Percival P1751 RAFM INCL Vega Gull "24" CHEVR P018036, ON & P018037 STAR Percival P5993 22 RAF AIRCRAFT P1000-P9999 AIR- James J Vega Gull BRITAIN Halley 1978 Percival P5993 117 Aeroplane Monthly Mar- PERCIV R JOHN Vega Gull 83 AL SILVESTER AIRCRA FT Percival VARIO Aeroplane Monthly GOOD Vega Gull US DETAILS

DH89 Z7261 95 The Impressment Log RAPIDES AIR AMBULAN CE

Savoia OO- The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Marchetti AGZ Collection SM73

Savoia RAFM RAF Museum collection Marchetti SM73 P7376, P7377 Savoia OO- 46 BIPLANE TO MONOPLANE PUTNAM ED. PHILIP Marchetti AGL AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT 1919- 1997 JARRETT SM73 39

Savoia OO- 74 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Feb- Marchetti AGL, 77 SM73 OO- AGT Savoia OO- 7 The Impressment Log AIR Marchetti AGZ BRITAIN SM73

Savoia 36 Aeroplane Monthly Jun- Marchetti 01 SM73 P7377 Savoia AEROMILITARIA No3 Marchetti 1987 SM73

Savoia 23 1938 WINT Marchetti ER SM73 2000

Savoia 83 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- Marchetti 89 SM73

Savoia AIR ENTHUSIAST AE13 Marchetti SM73

Savoia RAFM RAF Museum collection Marchetti SM73 P7276nc Savoia RAFM RAF Museum collection Marchetti SM73 P7277nc SE5A B 75 June July FRANK THE SE5 FILE FLIGH 1918 CHEES T MAN SE5A B548 30 Feb-18 HARRY THE SE5 FILE AIR RAY LEESE BRITAIN STURTIVAN T & GORDON PAGE SE5A C1057 51 Feb-18 FRANK THE SE5 FILE CHEES MAN SE5A C1084 117 DRAWN JERRY SAMI Dec- SAM 8 PROFIL BOUCHE 06 PUBLIC E R ATIONS SE5A C6481 AP BRUCE AIR PICTORIAL 05/7 ROBER 3 TSON

SE5A D279 83 17/06/201 FRANK THE SE5 FILE 8 CHEES MAN SE5A D6967 98 04/09/201 FRANK THE SE5 FILE 8 CHEES MAN SE5A D6998 72 Scale Aircraft Modelling ARTI John DR CLE Rawlings ONL Y SE5A D6998 233 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED Jun- IAN 69 ALLEN SE5A E1293 103 Aug-18 THE SE5 FILE

SE5A F5459 367 1918 THE ILLUSTRATED ORBIS VARIOUS 9 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AIRCRAFT 1980'S

SE5A F5459 30 1918 A HISTORY OF 24 SQUADRON

SE5A F5459 123 THE SE5 FILE Y

Sopwith F2409 22 Jun-21 FLIGHT/ ON SILVER WINGS OSPREY ALEC Snipe AEROPL AEROSP LUMSDEN ANE ACE OWEN THETFORD Sopwith F2409 Jun-21 FLIGHT Aeroplane Monthly Snipe AEROPL ANE

STAMPE 371 AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED SV4B Stinson navy 56 Aeroplane Monthly Jan- Reliant ac 93

Stinson W798 31 Aeroplane Monthly Feb- STINSO Reliant SR- 1 98 N 10 RELIANT Stinson W798 144 The Impressment Log Reliant 2

Stinson W798 84 1942 Czechs in the RAF 2004 RED Zdenek Hurt Reliant 4 KITE

Stinson 45 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING Reliant POWERS VOLUME IV

VARIOUS Aeroplane Monthly Nov- FIT FOR FLT LT A R TYPES 85 A KING BENNETT

Vickers VW84 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Valetta 9 Collection

Vickers VX577 The A.J.JacksonPhotographic Valetta Collection

Vickers AIR ENTHUSIAST AE70 Valetta

VICKERS 2341 21 1915 AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF 1990 COLOU ROY FB5 THE RAF R CONYERS GUNBUS LIBRAR NESBITT Y BOOKS Vickers N2990 110 1943 FLYPAS VICKERS ARMSTRONG CROWO Ken Delve Wellington DUKE T WELLINGTON OD 1998 1a OF COLLEC CORN TION WALL Vickers NQ-D' 98 1943 FAMOUS BOMBERS OF THE BCA WILLIAM Wellington N2990 SECOND WORLD WAR GREEN 1a

Vickers DUKE 167 PICTORIAL HISTORY of the RAF IAN JOHN W R Wellington OF Vol 2 ALLEN TAYLOR & CXVI MONT 1969 PHILIP J R ROSE MOYES

Vickers N2875 123 HENDON AERODROME Wellington C XVI

Vickers N2990 110 BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT WAR Wellington N2875 1939-1945

Wapiti 1A J.9095 9 Aircraft Profile Profile 32 C F ANDREWS Wapiti 1A J9095 26 26/06/28 FLIGHT ROYAL

Wapiti 1A J9096 65 1928 THE SQUADRONS OF THE RAF & COMMONWEALTH 1918~1989

Wicko DR613 138 Archive Magazine WINT Warferry + ER 2002 Wicko ES947 136 Archive Magazine WINT USED BY 24 Warferry ER SQN 2002 Wicko HM57 Archive Magazine SPRI Warferry 4 NG 2002 Wicko AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED EXTRA NO Warferry MAGAZINE 13

Wicko 9 AIRCRAFT OF THE FIGHTING HARBO H J COOPER Warferry POWERS VOLUME IV ROUGH & O G 1;72 Plans 1943 THETFORD

Appendix 4 Bibliography

Abbreviation Title Author Publisher Date PRO Public Record Office RAFM RAF Museum Hendon 24A 24 Squadron Archive A Aeroplane Monthly Magazine IPC Media AE55 Air Enthusiast Magazine Key Publishing 1994 AE70 Air Enthusiast Magazine Key Publishing 1997 AE71 Air Enthusiast Magazine Key Publishing 1997 AE76 Air Enthusiast Magazine Key Publishing 1998 AE 13 An Airline at War Herman De Wulf Key Publishing 1980

William Green & Gordon AE30 DH 95 article Fine Scroll Publications Swanborough

AE 94 Lockheed L10 article Key Publishing 2001

AE120 DH95 mk II article Arthut WGJ Ord Hume Key Publishing 2005

AM Aeromilitaria Magazine Air Britain

No 2 1980 RAF Mohawks Article and Valetta serials

No2 1987 Curtis SBC article

No2 1994 Osprey K3616 photo Air Britain 1994 No2 1995 Hudson N7263 Air Britain 1995

AR Archive Magazine Air Britain WINTER2005 Heston Phoenix Jack Meaden Air Britain 2005

DRF The de Havilland Dragon/Rapide Family John F Hamlin Air Britain 2003

The Squadrons of the RAF & RAF&C James J Halley Air Britain 1988 Commonwealth 1918-1988 Dennis Thompson & J RAF AIRCRAFT J1-J9999 & WWI Survivors Air Britain 1987 Ray Sturtivant

K The K File The RAF of the 1930s James J Halley Air Britain 1995

LN RAF AIRCRAFT L1000-N9999 James J Halley Air Britain 1993

P RAF AIRCRAFT P1000 TO P9999 James J Halley Air Britain 1978

1996 RAF AIRCRAFT P1000 TO R9999 James J Halley Air Britain update

R RAF AIRCRAFT R1000 to R9999 James J Halley Air Britain 1980 RAF AIRCRAFT T1000-V9999 James J Halley Air Britain 1997

VW RAF AIRCRAFT V1000-W9999 Air Britain 1983

RAF AIRCRAFT X1000 to X9999, Z1000 to XZ James J Halley Air Britain 1984 Z9999

RAF AIRCRAFT AA100-AZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 2000

RAF AIRCRAFT BA100-BZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1985

RAF AIRCRAFT DA100-DZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1987

RAF AIRCRAFT EA100-EZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1988

RAF AIRCRAFT FA100-FZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1989

RAF AIRCRAFT LA100-LZ9000 James J Halley Air Britain 1991

RAF AIRCRAFT NA100-NA999 James J Halley Air Britain 1992

RAF AIRCRAFT PA100-RZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1992

RAF AIRCRAFT SA100-VZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1985

RAF AIRCRAFT WA100-WZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 1983

RAF AIRCRAFT XA100-XZ999 James J Halley Air Britain 2001

BMAS British Military Aircraft Serials 1911-1979 Bruce Robertson PSL 1979

FR Flight Royal Peter G Cooksley PSL 1981 SAM Scale Aircraft Monthly Guideline Publications

SAMI Scale Aviation Monthly International SAM Publications

ARAF Aircraft of the RAF since 1918 Owen Thetford Putnam 9th Ed 1995

A J Jackson, DH De Havilland Aircraft since 1909 Putnam 3rd Ed 1987 revised R T Jackson

FURAF Flying Units of the RAF Alan Lake Airlife 1999 SRAF The Source Book of the RAF Ken Delve Airlife 1994

BA British Aircraft at War 1939-1945 Gordon Swanborough HPC Publishing 1997

weekly partwork/various IEA The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Orbis 1980s authors

William Green & Gordon FC Flying Colours Tiger Edition 1990 Swanborough

GLA Gloster Gladiator Tom Spencer Warpaint Books 2000

BB The Bristol Blenheim A Complete History Graham Warner Crecy 2002

BUT But Not in Anger Cole & Grant Ian Allen 1979 Peter Green & Mike CRA Cranwell RNAS & RAF Photographs Midland Publishing 1993 Hodgson H Hendon Aerodrome A History David Oliver Airlife 1994 La Lancaster Christopher Chant Parragon 2003

The Archive Photograph Series

Awac Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ray Williams Chalford 1998

Pac Percivals Aircraft Norman H Ellison Chalford 1997 AV Avro Harry Holmes Chalford 1996

Britain in Old Photographs

Aac Avro Aircraft Roger Jackson Alan Sutton 1995 Fac Fairey Aircraft Ray Sturtivant Alan Sutton 1995 ACIx Aircraft Illustrated Extra magazine vol 7 Ed. Philip J Moyes Ian Allen 1969

Pict Pictorial History of the RAF Vol 1 J W R Taylor Ian Allen 1969

printed for 80th A Brief History of 24 Squadron RAF 1995 anniversary

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 1 1994

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 2 1995

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 3 1996

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 4 1997

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 5 1998

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 6 1999

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 7 2000

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 8 2001

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 9 2002

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 10 2003

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 11 2004

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 12 2005

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 13 2006

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 14 2007

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 15 2008

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 16 2009

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 17 2010

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 18 2011

Twenty Four The Magazine of 24 Squadron Association Ed. David Burgin Issue 19 2012

ACI Aircraft Illustrated magazine Ed. Philip J Moyes Ian Allen Sep-70 Warplanes of Yesteryear Kenneth Munson Ian Allen 1965 Bristol F2B Fighter Chaz Bowyer Ian Allen 1985

Handley Page Hastings & Hermes Victor Bingham GMS Enterprises 1998

Mi Miles Aircraft Rod Simpson Tempus 1998 Military Book Society ( Armament of British Aircraft 1909-1939 H.F.King 1971 Putnams) Ken RAF Kenley Peter Flint Terence Dalton 1985

A HISTORY OF 24 SQUADRON Capt. A.E.Illingworth Temple Aeroplane 1920

24 Squadron into the millenium Ed. Flt Lt Inga Davis 24 Squadron 1999

24 Squadron Journal 2002 Ed Flt Lt M. Sweet 24 Squadron 2002 24 Squadron Magazine Ed James Colman 24 Squadron 2000 Lyneham Globe Ed Jeff Dack RAF Lyneham 2003 S for Sugar excerpts private RAFM Flying Log Plt Off R C Hockey 24 Squadron 1940/45

RAFM Flying Log Wg Cdr S A Stevenson 24/510 Sqn 1940/46

RAFM Flying Log Sqn Ldr S F Woods 24 Squadron 1939/44 Air Commodore John Flying Log Mitchell Air Commodore D F H Flying Log Grocott

Vickers Armstrongs Wellington Ken Delve Crowood 1998

SABENA Aircraft in 24 Sqn Service, notes Luc Wittemans 2004

Ray Sturtivant and The SE5 File Air Britain 1996 Gordon Page The Anson File Ray Sturtivant Air Britain 1988

Flying Rebel The Story of Louis Strange Peter Hearn HMSO 1994

Airco DH5 J M Bruce Windsock Datafile 1995 De Havilland DH 2 in action Peter Cooksley Squadron Signal Air War Flanders 1918 Robert Jackson Airlife 1998 H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol 1 Harborough Publishing 1941 Thetford H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol 2 Harborough Publishing 1942 Thetford H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol III Harborough Publishing 1942 Thetford H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol IV Harborough Publishing 1943 Thetford H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol V Harborough Publishing 1944 Thetford H J Cooper & O G Aircraft of the Fighting Powers Vol VI Harborough Publishing 1945 Thetford Raymond Laurence The Royal Flying Corps in WWI Arms & Armour Press 1985 Rimell De Havilland Aircraft of WWI J M Bruce Arms & Armour Press 1991 The Lockheed Twins Peter J Marson Air Britain 2001

AIRCO The Aircraft Manufacturing Company Mick Davis Crowood 2001

The Gloster Gladiator F K Mason Macdonald 1964 The Impressment Log Peter W Moss Air Britain 1962 ACI Aircraft Illustrated magazine Ed. Philip J Moyes Ian Allen Mar-68 ACI Aircraft Illustrated magazine Ed. Philip J Moyes Ian Allen Nov-72 ACI Aircraft Illustrated magazine Ed. Philip J Moyes Ian Allen Jun-69 Audio Visual Services The Valetta Vickers Last Piston Transport Bill Overton Loughborough 1996 University

WWI Aircraft operated by 24 Squadron Mick Davis Email 23/12/2004

The Royal Air Force in Pictures Major Oliver Stewart Country Life Ltd 1941

Aviation Photo Album Michael F Bowyer Patrick Stephens 1978 Society Newsletters 101, 2005 102, 103 Czechs in the RAF Zdenek Hurt Red Kite 2004

The Oxford, Consul & Envoy File John F Hamlin Air Britain 2001

DC1,DC2,DC3 The First 70 Years Jennifer Gradidge Air Britain 2006

AP Air Pictorial Magazine Profile Books Ltd AP 05/62 Profile Books Ltd 1962 AP05/62 Profile Books Ltd AP 11/65 Profile Books Ltd 1965 AP 02/68 Profile Books Ltd 1968 AP 03/68 Profile Books Ltd 1968 AP 04/72 Profile Books Ltd 1972 AP 08/72 Profile Books Ltd 1972 AP 05/73 Profile Books Ltd 1973 AP 03/74 Profile Books Ltd 1974 AP 02/75 Profile Books Ltd 1975 AP 11/76 Profile Books Ltd 1976 AP 05/85 Profile Books Ltd 1985 AP 07/85 Profile Books Ltd

AP

Brian Cull, Bruce Lander Twelve Days in May Grub Street 1995 with Heinrich Weiss

AIRLIFT Military Air Transport The Richard Townsend Osprey 1998 Illustrated History Bickers Coastal Support & Special Squadrons of the John D R Rawlings Janes 1982 RAF

Aeroplanes of the Royal Aircraft Factory Paul R Hare Crowood 1999

Victoria Cross WWI Airmen & Their Aircraft Alex Revell Flying Machines Press 1997

Ray Sturtivant John RAF Flying Training & Support Units Hamlin & James J Air Britain 1997 Halley

For Valour The Air VC's Chaz Bowyer Caxton Editions edition 2002

PROFILE PUBLICATIONS PRO32 The Westland Wapiti C F Andrews Pro file Publications 1960s PRO44 The Fairey IIIF Francis K Mason Profile Publications 1960s PRO220 Douglas Dakota Mks I - IV Arthur Pearcy Jnr Profile Publications Dec-70 PRO227 The Airspeed Oxford John D R Rawlings Profile Publications Sep-71

RAF Historical Society Journal 22 Ed Jeff Jefford RAFHS 2000

Miles Aircraft since 1925 Don L Brown Putnam 1970 Queens Flight Ed Michael Burns Blandford Press 1986

Royal Wings Through Five Reigns Ed Peter Garnier A Special 1977

Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their John Rawlings Crecy 1993 Aircraft Tyrell M. Hawker Hawker VC Mitre Press 1965 (brother) Fairey IIIF Philip Jarrett Ad Hoc Publications 2009 Mile Aircraft the Early Years Peter Amos Air Britain 2009