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No.102 Sqn RAF

Name : No.102 Sqn RAF Founded : 9th August 1917 Disbanded : 27th April 1963 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 27th April 1963 More Details : Ceylon Tentate et perficite - Attempt and achieve Known Code Letters : , DY, EF, TQ,

No. 102 squadron was formed at Hingham in Norfolk in August 1917 and was equipped with FE2b and FE2ds and operated as a night bomber squadron. 102 squadron went to France and operated behind German lines with their main targets being railway stations, railway lines, and railway trains, specialising in night attacks. In March 1919 after the war had finished, 102 squadron returned to Britain and disbanded on the 3rd of July 1919. On the 1st of October 1935, 102 squadron was reformed at RAF Worthy Down with the role again as a night bomber squadron, initially using Handley Page Heyford aircraft. In October 1938, 102 Squadron became part of the newly formed No.4 group of Bomber Command based at RAF Driffield and was now equipped with the new Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber. 102 squadron dropped leaflets in the night from 4th to 5th September 1939 over Germany. The squadron spent six weeks on convoy escort duty under the command of Coastal Command from 1st September until 10th October 1940 flying from Prestwick. 102 Squadron returned to bomber command and soon after Leonard Cheshire won his DSO. On the night of 12th/13th November 1940, Whitley V P5005 found itself slightly off course above the primary target due to problems with the intercom. Changing instead to a secondary target, some railway marshalling yards near Cologne, Pilot Officer Leonard Cheshire suddenly felt his aircraft rocked by a series of violent explosions that caused a severe fire to break out in the fuselage, filling the cockpit with acrid black smoke. As DY-N plunged some 2,000 feet, Cheshire managed to regain control and the fire was eventually extinguished. For bringing his aircraft safely home to 102 Squadrons base after being airborne for eight and half hours, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. 102 Squadron continued for the next thirty-six months to fly night sorties (including the thousand bomber raids) over Germany. In 1944 the squadron attacked rail targets in France in preparation for the invasion. In February 1942 the squadron was adopted by the island of Ceylon, which paid for aircraft for use by the squadron. The squadron transferred to Transport Command on 8th March 1945 and in September 1945 re-equipped with Liberators. The squadrons main role was the return of troops and POWs back from India and it disbanded on the 28th of February 1946. No.102 Squadron used the following aircraft : Fe2b from August 1917 to July 1919. Handley Page Heyford from October 1935 to May 1939 - specifically Mk.II from October 1935 to April 1937 and Mk.III from December 1935 to May 1939. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley from October 1938 to February 1942, specifically Mk.IV from October 1938 to January 1940 and Mk.V from November 1939 to February 1942. Handley Page Halifax from December 1941 to September 1945, specifically Mk.II from December 1941 to May 1944, Mk.III from May 1944 to September 1945 and Mk.VI from July 1945 to September 1945. Consolidated Liberator Mks.VI and VIII from September 1945 February 1946. English Electric Canberra B.2 from October 1954 to August 1956.

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
Peter Bailey	Flying Officer	1944	unknown	24th June 1944			24th June 1944 in Halifax MZ648 DY-X , bombing of Noyelles Damaged by falk during daylight Op, landed at Ford. F/O Peter Bailey - Pilot Sgt D.R. Cunningham – AG Sgt R. Jackson - E F/O R. Bruton – BA F/O A. Newman – WOp Sgt V.Taggart – AG F/O D. King - Nav Flying Officer Pete Bailey recalls ''Passing near Abbeville, we were caught by heavy flak. Later inspection revealed about 140 holes. One splinter passed between the wireless operator’s feet, through his chart table, through the cockpit floor above his head, between my feet, giving me a glancing blow to the forehead before going through the windscreen. The starboard outer engine was knocked out with a damaged fuel line, and we were escorted back by Spitfires, and landed at Ford airfield in Sussex.'' ''DY -'X' was repaired and later returned to the squadron as a spare
Norman Kelvin Bott	sgt	unknown	unknown	28th August 1940	Whitley	N1489	Sgt. Norman Kelvin Bott - Pilot - Age 20 was killed when the Whitley V he was flying crashed into the hillside at Silsden Farm near Keighley in Yorkshire while on a cross country exercise to the Isle of Man. He is buried in Leicester, Welford Road Cemetery Killed in Action
A. Bush	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	T4261
F. C. Cole	Wing Commander	unknown	8th April 1941		Whitley	Z6468	Killed in Action
A. L. R. Cook	Sergeant	unknown	14th March 1941		Whitley	T4273	Killed in Action
W. E. Craven	Sergeant	unknown	8th April 1941		Whitley	T4145	Killed in Action
E. G. Cubitt	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4140	Killed in Action
R. D. Davidson	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4140	Killed in Action
N. W. Davies	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4140	Killed in Action
J. Derbyshire	Sergeant	unknown	8th April 1941		Whitley	Z6468	Killed in Action
A. C. Elliott	Sergeant	unknown	14th March 1941		Whitley	T4273	Killed in Action
C. E. E. Florigny	Squadron Leader	unknown	2nd March 1941		Whitley	T4261	Killed in Action
Ernest Hugh Goodall	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4326	Whitley Took off 1940 hrs from Topcliffe. Shot down by flak and crashed 0005 hrs at 3 km N of Denekamp, Hollandwas All crew including Sgt Goodall were killed, except Sergeant Van Klaveren who was made a prisoner of war and died in captivity.from diphtheria on 4 May 1941 and he rests in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery at Berlin. Killed in Action
John Roland Gordon-Davis	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	22nd August 1943	Halifax		Sgt Pilot John Rowland Gordon-Davis RAFVR was injured On 22nd August 1943 at 22.42hrs Halifax EB195 had burst a tyre while taking off and stopped on the runway. Ground controllers and the crew of another aircraft, Halifax DK125, were not initially aware of this and then began their take off run, around the time the crew of EB195 then signalled that they were stopped on the runway. Ground controllers warned the crew of DK125 of the danger in the way of firing a red Very flare but the crew of DK125 had already set off down the runway, they attempted to climb over the top of EB195 and began to raise the undercarriage but it struck EB195. The undercarriage of DK125 hit the tailplane of EB195 and then cut into the port wing. The crew of EB195 had attempted to run clear realising a collision and the flight engineer sustained injuries when he was hit by flying wreckage. The crew of DK125 then flew a couple of circuits of the airfield and then belly landed, but overshot off the end of the runway. Halifax EB195 was repaired but Halifax DK125 was deemed too badly damage to warrant a repair.
V. Hallas	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4326	Killed in Action
W. E. Hool	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	T4261
S. H. A. Jess	Sergeant	unknown	14th March 1941		Whitley	T4273	Killed in Action
F. H. Long	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4326	Killed in Action
G. E. A. Madgett	Sergeant	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4140	Killed in Action
F. G. Malin	Pilot Officer	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4140	Killed in Action
H. R. Martin	Sergeant	unknown	8th April 1941		Whitley	Z6468	Killed in Action
R. F. Martin	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	T4261
Noel Mcphail	Flt Lt	unknown	unknown	03rd October 1943	Halifax		Noel McPhail was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron for his actions in returning a damaged Halifax to the UK on 3rd October 1943, his DFM notification was printed in the London Gazette on 2nd November 1943. As Acting F/Lt he was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th May 1944.
J. M. Oxley	Sergeant	unknown	14th March 1941		Whitley	T4273	Killed in Action
R. C. Rivaz	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	01st March 1941	Whitley	T4261
N. R. Skinner	Sergeant	unknown	14th March 1941		Whitley	T4273	Killed in Action
R. C. Smith	Sergeant	unknown	8th April 1941		Whitley	Z6468	Killed in Action
W. E. Van Klaveren	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	12th March 1941	Whitley	T4326
A. M. Watts-Read	Squadron Leader	unknown	13th March 1941		Whitley	T4326	Killed in Action

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.102 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Bailey, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Bailey, Peter	Bailey, Peter joined 102 Sqd as a P/O 12.06.1944 on 24th June 1944 in Halifax MZ648 DY-X , bombing of Noyelles, Damaged by flak during daylight Op, landed at Ford. Flying Officer Pete Bailey recalls ''Passing near Abbeville, we were caught by heavy flak. Later inspection revealed about 140 holes. One splinter passed between the wireless operator’s feet, through his chart table, through the cockpit floor above his head, between my feet, giving me a glancing blow to the forehead before going through the windscreen. The starboard outer engine was knocked out with a damaged fuel line, and we were escorted back by Spitfires, and landed at Ford airfield in Sussex.'' ''DY -'X' was repaired and later returned to the squadron as a spare F/O Peter Bailey - Pilot Sgt D.R. Cunningham – AG Sgt R. Jackson - E F/O R. Bruton – BA F/O A. Newman – WOp Sgt V.Taggart – AG F/O D. King - Nav after the war strayed in service and became Flying officer on 31.10.1947 F/O 17.02.1949, seniority 29.10.1948 and F/Lt. 29.01.1952
Bott, Norman Kelvin Click the name above to see a profile of Bott, Norman Kelvin    Died : 28 / 8 / 1940	Bott, Norman Kelvin Sgt. Norman Kelvin Bott - Pilot - Age 20 was killed when the Whitley V he was flying crashed into the hillside at Silsden Farm near Keighley in Yorkshire while on a cross country exercise to the Isle of Man. He is buried in Leicester, Welford Road Cemetery
Bush, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Bush, A.	Bush, A.
Cheshire, Leonard Click the name above to see a profile of Cheshire, Leonard    Died : 31 / 7 / 1992	Cheshire, Leonard One of the most courageous and determined bomber leaders of World War II, Leonard Cheshire flew four operational tours, starting in June 1940 with 102 Squadron on Whitley bombers at RAF Driffield. In November 1940, he was awarded the DSO for getting his badly damaged aircraft back to base. He completed his first tour in January 1941, but immediately volunteered for a second tour, this time flying Halifaxes with 35 Squadron. He became Squadron Leader in 1942, and was appointed commanding officer of 76 Squadron later that year. Leonard Cheshire ordered that non-essential weight be removed from the Halifax bombers in a bid to increase speed and altitude, hoping to reduce the high casualty rates for this squadron. Mid-upper and nose turrets were removed, and exhaust covers taken off, successfully reducing the loss rate. In July 1943 he took command of 617 Squadron. During this time he led the squadron personally on every occasion. In September he was awarded the Victoria Cross for four and a half years of sustained bravery during a total of 102 operations, leading his crews with careful planning, brilliant execution and contempt for danger, which gained him a reputation second to none in Bomber Command. Sadly, Leonard Cheshire died of motor neuron disease on 31st July 1992, aged 74. Excerpt from VC citation : In four years of fighting against the bitterest opposition he maintained a standard of outstanding personal achievement, his successful operations being the result of careful planning, brilliant execution and supreme contempt for danger – for example, on one occasion he flew his P-51 Mustang in slow figures of eight above a target obscured by low cloud, to act as a bomb-aiming mark for his squadron. Cheshire displayed the courage and determination of an exceptional leader." It also noted a raid in which he had marked a target, flying a Mosquito at low level against "withering fire".
Cole, F. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Cole, F. C.    Died : 8 / 4 / 1941	Cole, F. C.
Cook, A. L. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Cook, A. L. R.    Died : 14 / 3 / 1941	Cook, A. L. R.
Craven, W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Craven, W. E.    Died : 8 / 4 / 1941	Craven, W. E.
Cubitt, E. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Cubitt, E. G.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Cubitt, E. G.
Davidson, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Davidson, R. D.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Davidson, R. D.
Davies, N. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Davies, N. W.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Davies, N. W.
Derbyshire, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Derbyshire, J.    Died : 8 / 4 / 1941	Derbyshire, J.
Elliott, A. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Elliott, A. C.    Died : 14 / 3 / 1941	Elliott, A. C.
Florigny, C. E. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Florigny, C. E. E.    Died : 2 / 3 / 1941	Florigny, C. E. E.
Goodall, Ernest Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Goodall, Ernest Hugh    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Goodall, Ernest Hugh Goodall was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Whitley V T4326 DY-K Took off 1940 hrs from Topcliffe. Shot down by flak and crashed 0005 hrs at 3 km N of Denekamp, Hollandwas All crew including Sgt Goodall were killed, except Sergeant Van Klaveren who was made a prisoner of war and died in captivity.from diphtheria on 4 May 1941 and he rests in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery at Berlin. he is buried along witht he other crew in Commonwealth War Graves Denekamp
Gordon-Davis, John Roland Click the name above to see a profile of Gordon-Davis, John Roland	Gordon-Davis, John Roland Sgt Pilot John Rowland Gordon-Davis RAFVR was injured On 22nd August 1943 at 22.42hrs Halifax EB195 had burst a tyre while taking off and stopped on the runway. Ground controllers and the crew of another aircraft, Halifax DK125, were not initially aware of this and then began their take off run, around the time the crew of EB195 then signalled that they were stopped on the runway. Ground controllers warned the crew of DK125 of the danger in the way of firing a red Very flare but the crew of DK125 had already set off down the runway, they attempted to climb over the top of EB195 and began to raise the undercarriage but it struck EB195. The undercarriage of DK125 hit the tailplane of EB195 and then cut into the port wing. The crew of EB195 had attempted to run clear realising a collision and the flight engineer sustained injuries when he was hit by flying wreckage. The crew of DK125 then flew a couple of circuits of the airfield and then belly landed, but overshot off the end of the runway. Halifax EB195 was repaired but Halifax DK125 was deemed too badly damage to warrant a repair.
Hallas, V. Click the name above to see a profile of Hallas, V.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Hallas, V.
Hool, W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Hool, W. E.	Hool, W. E.
Hughes, Harry Click the name above to see a profile of Hughes, Harry	Hughes, Harry After joining the RAF in March 1941, Harry Hughes trained as a Navigator. On completion of training he was posted to join 102 (Ceylon) Squadron at RAF Pocklington flying Halifaxes. Harry completed his first tour with 102 Sqn. For his second tour Harry was posted to join 692 Squadron at Graveley, as Navigator (B). Equipped with Mosquito light bombers, 692 Squadron was part of the Light Night Striking Force of N0.8 (PFF) Group, Bomber Command; famous for its fast striking raids on Berlin using 4000lb cookie bombs.
Jess, S. H. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Jess, S. H. A.    Died : 14 / 3 / 1941	Jess, S. H. A.
Long, F. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Long, F. H.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Long, F. H. Whitley V T4326 DY-K Took off 1940 hrs from Topcliffe. Shot down by flak and crashed 0005 hrs at 3 km N of Denekamp, Hollandwas All crew were killed, except Sergeant Van Klaveren who was made a prisoner of war and died in captivity. The crew in Commonwealth War Graves Denekamp
Madgett, G. E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Madgett, G. E. A.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Madgett, G. E. A.
Malin, F. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Malin, F. G.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Malin, F. G.
Martin, H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Martin, H. R.    Died : 8 / 4 / 1941	Martin, H. R.
Martin, R. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Martin, R. F.	Martin, R. F.
Mcphail, Noel Click the name above to see a profile of Mcphail, Noel	Mcphail, Noel McpHail was injured when On 22nd August 1943 at 22.42hrs Halifax EB195 had burst a tyre while taking off and stopped on the runway. Ground controllers and the crew of another aircraft, Halifax DK125, were not initially aware of this and then began their take off run, around the time the crew of EB195 then signalled that they were stopped on the runway. Ground controllers warned the crew of DK125 of the danger in the way of firing a red Very flare but the crew of DK125 had already set off down the runway, they attempted to climb over the top of EB195 and began to raise the undercarriage but it struck EB195. The undercarriage of DK125 hit the tailplane of EB195 and then cut into the port wing. The crew of EB195 had attempted to run clear realising a collision and the flight engineer sustained injuries when he was hit by flying wreckage. The crew of DK125 then flew a couple of circuits of the airfield and then belly landed, but overshot off the end of the runway. Halifax EB195 was repaired but Halifax DK125 was deemed too badly damage to warrant a repair. Noel McPhail was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron for his actions in returning a damaged Halifax to the UK on 3rd October 1943, his DFM notification was printed in the London Gazette on 2nd November 1943. As Acting F/Lt he was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th May 1944.
Oxley, J. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Oxley, J. M.    Died : 14 / 3 / 1941	Oxley, J. M.
Petrie-Andrews, John Click the name above to see a profile of Petrie-Andrews, John	Petrie-Andrews, John John Petrie-Andrews joined the RAF in 1940. After training as a pilot, in January 1943 he was posted to join 102 (Ceylon) Squadron at Pocklington for his first tour, flying Halifaxes. In February 1943 he transferred to 158 Squadron, still on Halifaxes. John the joined 35 Squadron, one of the original squadrons forming the Pathfinder Force. Here he flew first Halifaxes before converting to Lancasters. John Petrie-Andrews completed a total of 70 operations on heavy bombers, including 60 with the Pathfinders. John Petrie-Andrews at a print signing session
Rivaz, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Rivaz, R. C.	Rivaz, R. C.
Sawyer, Tom Click the name above to see a profile of Sawyer, Tom	Sawyer, Tom Flew Whitleys with 10 Sqn from Leeming and then Halifaxes with 102 Sqn from Driffield - he completed 35 Operations, and then moved on to training aircrew on Stirlings towing gliders.
Sayer, Tom Click the name above to see a profile of Sayer, Tom	Sayer, Tom Tom was originally part of the RAFVR and was first posted to 10 Squadron as a pilot on Whitleys. He then transferred to fly Halifaxes with 102 Squadron at RAF Driffield and flew operationally from May to October 1943. He completed 35 operations in total. After a rest period he went to train new aircrew flying Stirlings who were involved in the towing of gliders for airborne operations during 1944 - 45.
Skinner, N. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Skinner, N. R.    Died : 14 / 3 / 1941	Skinner, N. R.
Smith, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, R. C.    Died : 8 / 4 / 1941	Smith, R. C.
Taylor, Larry Click the name above to see a profile of Taylor, Larry	Taylor, Larry Joined the RAF in 1937 as a Flight Engineer took part in the very first raid of the war dropping leaflets with 166 Squadron. He went on to fly Whitleys, Hampdens and Halifaxes, completing 51 Operations for 405/102/78 Squadrons.
Van Klaveren, W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Van Klaveren, W. E.    Died : 4 / 5 / 1941	Van Klaveren, W. E.
Watts-Read, A. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Watts-Read, A. M.    Died : 13 / 3 / 1941	Watts-Read, A. M.
Wheeler, Ken Click the name above to see a profile of Wheeler, Ken	Wheeler, Ken Was a Rear Gunner with 102 Squadron on Halifaxes based at Pocklington. Operating during the last six months of the War, Ken saw action over Germany.
Williamson, Frank Click the name above to see a profile of Williamson, Frank	Williamson, Frank Was at 10 Sqn and 102 Sqn at the same time as Tom Sawyer, he flew Whiltleys and Halifaxes and he completed 26 Operations.
Womersley, Geoffrey Click the name above to see a profile of Womersley, Geoffrey    Died : 28 / 10 / 2010	Womersley, Geoffrey Geoffrey Harland Womersley was born on the 19th November 1914 at Bingley, Yorkshire. Geoffrey went to Bradford Grammar School and in 1936 joined the RAF and trained as a pilot at the RAFs flying school in Egypt. Geoffrey Harland Womersley joined No.102 Squadron flying biplane bombers. The squadron was re equipped with the Whitley bomber. Immediately after the outbreak of war he dropped propaganda leaflets over German cities and bombed the German seaplane bases on Heligoland and Sylt. On the night of May 11 1940, however, Womersley flew on the RAFs first raid on a German town, when 37 aircraft bombed road and rail links at Monchengladbach. The squadron supported the British Expeditionary Force and on 22nd May, his aircraft was hit by flak. Womersley and his crew were forced to bail out. On the ground he inadvertently stumbled into a group of German soldiers. Turning round and striding off in the other direction, he eventually came across some British soldiers. From there he managed to get to Paris and on to the last flight to England from Le Bourget airport. Womersley would go on to complete 30 operations, before becoming a bombing instructor. In August 1942 Womersley volunteered for the new Pathfinder squadrons, joining No 156, one of the Forces original four squadrons. In his Wellington he attacked targets in Germany and in Italy, dropping flares to illuminate the targets. In January 1943, whilst still a junior flight lieutenant, he was awarded a DSO. The citation concluded: "He has displayed outstanding ability and pressed home his attacks with unusual courage in the face of enemy fighter and anti-aircraft opposition." 156 squadron was re-equipped with the Lancaster and Womersley went on to complete 25 operations during the Battle of the Ruhr. A few months after receiving his DSO he was awarded a DFC. In April 1943 he joined the air staff at Pathfinder headquarters, working directly for its commander, Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett. Ten months later he took command of No 139 Squadron. Womersley was promoted group captain to command the Pathfinder airfield at Gransden Lodge near Cambridge, and flew a number of operations with the resident RCAF Lancaster squadron. He left the RAF in November 1945. Donald Bennett in 1946 established British South American Airways, whose civilianised RAF bombers flew routes to the Caribbean and South America. Womersley along with many other Pathfinder Pilots joined the company. British South American Airways went on to use the Avro Tudor, one of which was lost without trace in the Bermuda Triangle. On May 10th 1954, following the British South American Airways merger with BOAC, Geoff Womersley would go onto to fly a Comet into Rome airport, where another crew took over for the flight to London. Disaster struck when soon after take-off the aircraft suffered an explosive decompression and crashed into the sea off Elba - there were no survivors. Geoffrey remained with the airline until 1968, retiring as one of its senior Boeing 707 captains. Geoff Womersley died on October 28th 2010.

Aircraft for : No.102 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.102 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Bristol F2B Click the name above to see prints featuring Bristol F2B aircraft. Manufacturer : Bristol Production Began : 1916 Retired : 1932 Number Built : 0	Bristol F2B The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 First World war early two-seater pusher biplane and was used by the Royal Flying Corps as a fighter and also as a day or night bomber. The FE2 was one of the few aircraft which gave the allies the edge over the Fokker aircraft of 1914/1915. In May 1915 the F.E.2b entered service with No 6 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps and it was 20 squadron which was the first squadron to be totally equipped with Fe2 aircraft which was deployed in January 1916. The Fe2B remained in day use throughout 1916 and 1917 and in 1918 was used solely as a night bomber. The FE2b equipped 22 squadrons, 16 of which served in France with the other 6 serving the home defence. As the German fighters got better the FE2B was outclassed and was used only as a light night bomber or used on the home defense front against the Zeppelins. Crew: Two Speed: 80 knots (91.5 mph,) Endurance 3 hours Ceiling 11,000 ft Maximum take off weight 3,037 lbs Length: 32 ft 3 in Height: 12 ft 8 in Wingspan 495 ft² Engine Beardmore 6 cylinder inline piston engine giving 160 HP
Canberra Click the name above to see prints featuring Canberra aircraft. Manufacturer : English Electric Production Began : 1951	Canberra The English Electric Canberra first flew on Friday 13 May 1949 when its performance created a sensation. Such was the quality of the original design that in May 1951, when the first B2 Canberras entered service with No 101 Squadron at RAF Binbrook they could out manoeuvre all the fighters of the period and fly with impunity more than 10,000 feet above them. Operated by 17 airforces in more than 20 different variants, Canberras have been to war at Suez and in India, in Vietnam and the Falklands campaign, and in 1996 Canberra PR9s were engaged in operational reconnaissance flights over Bosnia and in other regions. It is widely and justifiably regarded as one of the greatest aircraft designs of all time.
Halifax Click the name above to see prints featuring Halifax aircraft. Manufacturer : Handley Page Production Began : 1941 Retired : 1952 Number Built : 6177	Halifax Royal Air Force heavy Bomber with a crew of six to eight. Maximum speed of 280mph (with MK.VI top speed of 312mph) service ceiling of 22,800feet maximum range of 3,000 miles. The Halifax carried four .303 browning machine guns in the tail turret, two .303 browning machines in the nose turret in the MK III there were four .303 brownings in the dorsal turret. The Handley Page Halifax, first joined the Royal Air Force in March 1941 with 35 squadron. The Halifax saw service in Europe and the Middle east with a variety of variants for use with Coastal Command, in anti Submarine warfare, special duties, glider-tugs, and troop transportation roles. A total of 6177 Halifax's were built and stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1952
Heyford Click the name above to see prints featuring Heyford aircraft. Manufacturer : Handley Page	Heyford Full profile not yet available.
Liberator Click the name above to see prints featuring Liberator aircraft. Manufacturer : Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California Production Began : 1939 Retired : 1968 Number Built : 18188	Liberator he initial production batch of B-24As was completed in 1941, with many being sold directly to the Royal Air Force. Sent to Britain, where the bomber was dubbed "Liberator," the RAF soon found that they were unsuitable for combat over Europe as they had insufficient defensive armament and lacked self-sealing fuel tanks. Due to the aircraft's heavy payload and long range, the British converted these aircraft for use in maritime patrols. Learning from these issues, Consolidated improved the design and the first major American production model was the B-24C which also included improved Pratt & Whitney engines. In 1940, Consolidated again revised the aircraft and produced the B-24D. The first major variant of the Liberator, the B-24D quickly amassed orders for 2,738 aircraft. Overwhelming Consolidated's production capabilities, the aircraft was also built under license by North American, Douglas, and Ford. The latter built a massive plant at Willow Run, Michigan that, at its peak (August 1944), was producing fourteen aircraft per day. Revised and improved several times throughout World War II, the final variant, the B-24M, ended production on May 31, 1945. he United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) took delivery of its first B-24As in mid-1941. Over the next three years, B-24 squadrons deployed to all theaters of the war: African, European, China-Burma-India, the Anti-submarine Campaign, the Southwest Pacific Theater and the Pacific Theater. In the Pacific, to simplify logistics and to take advantage of its longer range, the B-24 (and its twin, the U.S. Navy PB4Y) was the chosen standard heavy bomber. By mid-1943, the shorter-range B-17 was phased out. The Liberators which had served early in the war in the Pacific continued the efforts from the Philippines, Australia, Espiritu Santo,Guadalcanal, Hawaii, and Midway Island. The Liberator peak overseas deployment was 45.5 bomb groups in June 1944. Additionally, the Liberator equipped a number of independent squadrons in a variety of special combat roles. The cargo versions, C-87 and C-109 tanker, further increased its overseas presence, especially in Asia in support of the XX Bomber Command air offensive against Japan. So vital was the need for long range operations, that at first USAAF used the type as transports. The sole B-24 in Hawaii was destroyed by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. It had been sent to the Central Pacific for a very long range reconnaissance mission that was preempted by the Japanese attack. The first USAAF Liberators to carry out combat missions were 12 repossessed LB-30s deployed to Java with the 11th Bombardment Squadron (7th Bombardment Group) that flew their first combat mission in mid-January. Two were shot up by Japanese fighters, but both managed to land safely. One was written off due to battle damage and the other crash-landed on a beach. US-based B-24s entered combat service in 1942 when on 6 June, four B-24s from Hawaii staging through Midway Island attempted an attack on Wake Island, but were unable to find it. The B-24 came to dominate the heavy bombardment role in the Pacific because compared to the B-17, the B-24 was faster, had longer range, and could carry a ton more bombs. In the European and North Africa Theatres On 12 June 1942, 13 B-24s of the Halverson Project (HALPRO) flying from Egypt attacked the Axis-controlled oil fields and refineries around Ploiești, Romania. Within weeks, the First Provisional Bombardment Group formed from the remnants of the Halverson and China detachments. This unit then was formalized as the 376th Bombardment Group, Heavy and along with the 98th BG formed the nucleus of the IX Bomber Command of the Ninth Air Force, operating from Africa until absorbed into the Twelfth Air Force briefly, and then the Fifteenth Air Force, operating from Italy. The Ninth Air Force moved to England in late 1943. This was a major component of the USSTAF and took a major role in strategic bombing. Fifteen of the 15th AF's 21 bombardment groups flew B-24s 1st August 1943 Operation Tidal Wave: A group of 177 American B-24 Liberator bombers, with 1,726 total crew, departed from Libya to make the first bombing of the oil refineries at Ploieşti, Romania, the major supplier of fuel to Germany. The mission temporarily halted oil production, but 532 airmen and 54 of the planes were lost. After a 40% loss of production, the refineries would be repaired more quickly than projected.[1] Germany's Radio Reconnaissance Service had intercepted and decrypted the Allied messages about the raid and the departure from Libya, and anti-aircraft defenses were in place despite the low-level approach of the bombers.
Whitley Click the name above to see prints featuring Whitley aircraft. Manufacturer : Armstrong Whitworth Production Began : 1937 Retired : 1942 Number Built : 1814	Whitley The Whitley first entered service with No. 10 Squadron in March 1937, replacing Handley Page Heyford biplanes. By the outbreak of the Second World War, seven squadrons were operational, the majority flying Whitley IIIs or IVs, as the Whitley V had only just been introduced. ] With the Handley Page Hampden and the Vickers Wellington, Whitleys bore the brunt of the early fighting and saw action on the first night of the war, when they dropped propaganda leaflets over Germany.[8] Among the many aircrew who flew the Whitley in operations over Germany, was Leonard Cheshire who spent most of his first three years at war flying them. Unlike the Hampden and Wellington—which met specification B.9/32 for a day bomber—the Whitley was always intended for night operations and escaped the early heavy losses received in daylight raids on German shipping, early in the war. With Hampdens, the Whitley made the first bombing raid on German soil on the night of 19/20 March 1940, attacking the Hornum seaplane base on the Island of Sylt. Whitleys also carried out Operation Haddock the first RAF raid on Italy, on the night of 11/12 June 1940. As the oldest of the three bombers, the Whitley was obsolete by the start of the war, yet over 1,000 more were produced before a suitable replacement was found. A particular problem with the twin-engine aircraft, was that it could not maintain altitude on one engine. Whitleys flew 8,996 operations with RAF Bomber Command, dropped 9,845 tons (8,931 tonnes) of bombs and 269 aircraft were lost in action. From April 1942, the Whitley was retired as first-line bomber. It continued to serve as glider tug, paratroop trainer, transport, or radio countermeasures aircraft. It also played an important role in Coastal Command . No. 100 Group RAF used Whitleys to carry airborne radar and electronic counter-measures. In February 1942, Whitleys carried the paratroops who participated in the Bruneval raid (Operation Biting) in which German radar technology was captured from a German base on the coast of France. The British Overseas Airways Corporation operated 15 Whitley Mk Vs converted into freighters in 1942. Running night supply flights from Gibraltar to Malta, they took seven hours to reach the island, often landing during air attacks. They used large quantities of fuel for a small payload and were replaced in August 1942 by the Lockheed Hudson, with the 14 survivors being returned to the Royal Air Force. Long-range Coastal Command Mk VII variants, were among the last in front-line service, with the first kill attributed to them being the sinking of the German submarine U-751, on 17 July 1942, in combination with a Lancaster heavy bomber.