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Stirling R9262

Type : Stirling Mark : I Last Flew : 21st December 1942 Known Codes : MG-A

Known information
21st December 1042	This aircraft was lost on operations on the 21st December 1942 whilst on a mission to bomb Munich. Took off at 17:09hrs from Oakington. It was attacked by a Bf110 over France and crashed at Seraincourt (Ardennes) 16 km NW of Rethel. Three of the crew evaded capture, one was POW and three were killed in action. F/O H Duro killed Sgt T I Boddy evaded P/O F E Lewis evaded Sgt H L McBeath RCAF evaded Sgt P G E Ross pow Sgt G R Dickenson killed Sgt A T Carpenter killed
30th March 1942	Joan Hughes On the 30th Mark she flew solo in Stirling R9262 and later as second pilot to a F/O Day. Joan Hughes experienced aviator she joined the Air Transport Auxiliary, and soon had more than 600 hours' experience ferrying aircraft around the country. Though small in stature, she ferried all types of aircraft including heavy four-engined bombers such as the Short Stirling. She became both a senior pilot and the only woman qualified to instruct on all types of military aircraft then in service.

Pilots and Aircrew who flew : Stirling I R9262
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Boddy, Thomas Ingham Click the name above to see a profile of Boddy, Thomas Ingham    Died : 4 / 6 / 1955	Boddy, Thomas Ingham 3 October, 1943: Pilot Officer on Probation 3 April, 1944 : Flying Officer 3 October, 1945: Flight Lieutenant 9 March, 1949: commission relinquished On the night of 21-22 Dec 1942 Stirling I R9262 MG-A with aboard Thomas Boddy took off 1709 from Oakington. En route for a bombing mission on Munich the aircraft was shot down by an Me 110 and crashed at Seraincourt (Ardennes), 16 kn NW of Rethel, France. Three members of of the crew were killed in the crash; four managed to evade capture including Boddy and Lewis. Those who died are buried in Seraincourt Churchyard. Thomas Boddy was killed in a Sunderland Flying Boat accident in 1955 at Eastborne

Squadrons for : Stirling I R9262
A list of all squadrons known to have flown Stirling I R9262. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.7 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st May 1914 Per diem per noctem - By day and by night Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.7 Sqn RAF	No.7 Sqn RAF No.7 Squadron was formed 1st May 1914 at Farnborough as a Scout squadron, and went to France April 1915, equipped with the Vickers Gunbus. No.7 squadron saw service through the war with BE2c, RE5 and RE8 aircraft. The squadron pioneered the use of R/T (instead of normal W/T), using it operationally for the first time in October 1918. Disbanded at Farnborough on 31st December 1919 it reformed at Bircham Newton on 1st June 1923 equipped with Vickers Vimy bombers. These were replaced by the Vickers Virginia after moving to Worthy Down in April 1927. Between the wars No.7 squadron was equipped with various aircraft including the Handley Page Heyfords, Vickers Wellesleys and Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and became the leading bomber squadron, winning the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy more than any other squadron. At the outbreak of World War II, the squadron was equipped with Handley Page Hampdens, until August 1940, when it equipped with the RAF's first four engined bomber, the Short Stirling Mk I - becoming the first RAF squadron to be equipped with four engined bombers. The first raid by No.7 was 10th February 1941 on Rotterdam. The squadron settled down to a night bombing role, adding mine laying to its duties in 1942. Later with four other squadrons, it formed the nucleus of the new Pathfinder Force, its task to find and accurately mark targets with flares. In May 1943, the Stirling (which was handicapped by a low operational ceiling - it had to fly through flak rather than over it) was gradually replaced by the Avro Lancaster, which No.7 used in Peenemunde in August. From June1944 and until the end of the war, the squadron also undertook a daylight operational role in support of land forces in France and the low countries, and against V-1 and V-2 sites. No.7 squadron flew to Singapore in January 1947, and converted to Avro Lincolns, seeing action against Communist terrorists in Malay, during 'Operation Firedog'. Returning to UK, having won the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy outright for the eighth time it was disbanded 1st January 1956. Reforming in November of the same year with the Vickers Valiant 'V' bomber. Disbanded on 30th September 1962, it was reformed in May 1970 at RAF St. Mawgan on target provision duties. Equipped with the English Electric Canberra, the squadron provided targets for the Army and Navy anti aircraft guns. They also provided silent targets for radar station practice. On 12th December 1981 the squadron was again disbanded, reforming soon after as the second operational Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopter Squadron on 2nd September 1982.
No.72 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 28th June 1917 Fate : Disbanded 12th November 1981 Basutoland Swift Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.72 Sqn RAF	No.72 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.

Aircraft type : Stirling
A profile page including a list of all art prints for the Stirling is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Stirling Click the name above to see prints featuring Stirling aircraft. Manufacturer : Short Production Began : 1939 Number Built : 2381	Stirling The Royal Air Force's first four engined monoplane Bomber, the Short Stirling first flew in May 1939 and entered front line service in August 1940 with no. 7 squadron. Due to its poor operational ceiling the aircraft sustained heavy losses and by mid 1942 the Stirling was beginning to be replaced by the Lancaster. Improved versions of the Short Stirling were built for Glider towing, paratroopers and heavy transport. also from 1943 many of the Stirling's were used for mine laying. A total of 2381 Stirling's were built for the Royal air Force and from this total 641 Stirling bombers were lost to enemy action. Crew 7 or 8: Speed: 260 mph (MK1) 275mph (MKIII) and 280mph (MKV)Service ceiling 17,000 feet Range: 2330 miles. (MK1) 2010 miles (MKIII) and 3,000 miles (MKV) Armament: two .303 Vickers machine guns. in nose turret, two .303 in browning machine guns in dorsal turret , Four .303 Browning machine guns in tail turret. Bomb Load 14,000 Lbs Engines: four 1150 Hp Bristol Hercules II (MK1) four 1650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI (MK111 and MKV)

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