Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Aircraft Identification (No.5)


arboskittler

Recommended Posts

Andy,

Aircraft D4386, is listed as a Sopwith Camel flown by Capt. Leonard H. ' Titch ' Rochford, D.S.C and Bar, D.F.C. who had 29 victories and survived the War.

Regards,

LF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like another Avro 504 but I thought D4386 was a Camel (flown by Leonard Henry "Titch" Rochford) and that's definitely no Camel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like another Avro 504 but I thought D4386 was a Camel (flown by Leonard Henry "Titch" Rochford) and that's no Camel

centurion,

I hoped you would clarify this, that is why I said ' listed as ', my question to you is, were aircraft identification numbers ever moved from aircraft to aircraft, or once allocated to a particular aircraft did that I/D No. remain with that aircraft for all time, or could it be re-allocated if the aircraft was destroyed.

Regards,

LF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

centurion,

I hoped you would clarify this, that is why I said ' listed as ', my question to you is, were aircraft identification numbers ever moved from aircraft to aircraft, or once allocated to a particular aircraft did that I/D No. remain with that aircraft for all time, or could it be re-allocated if the aircraft was destroyed.

Regards,

LF

AFAIK an number usually stayed with an aircraft unless that aircraft was extensively re built (possibly with major parts from another aircraft of the same type) when I think a new number might be allocated but it would be a new number from a block allocated to that type. D4386 was the Camel Rochford was flying when he shot down a Rumpler two seater. Unless there is some significance in that he was RNAS and that aircraft could be an RFC one - is there an numbers guru around?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evening all.

Rochford was in Camel E4386 when he made those claims in October 1918. Namely, the serial on The Aerodrome isn't quite correct. And the best proof of this is the photo supplied by Andy above! Bruce Robertson's Military Aircraft Serials lists Avro 504 J/Ks in the range from D4361 to D4360, but then notes only 118 of these two hundred were filled. And I've only managed to track down about thirty of them!

Avro 504J/K D4386 was with 8 Trg Sqn AFC and I suspect the crash we see here is when it suffered engine problems and then as it came down, in order to miss a wall, it stalled and crashed. This was on 1 July 1918. All this comes from a RAF Museum Casualty Card - but once more, as there are only injured involved, I can't provide a definite surname - the closest I get is that it started with "Bl.." like Black or Blake. Note that both occupants were injured.

As to putting up photos for identification, Andy... Keep them coming!! It is great to see these new images.

Hope this helps,

Best Regards,

Trevor

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like another Avro 504 but I thought D4386 was a Camel (flown by Leonard Henry "Titch" Rochford) and that's definitely no Camel

You were correct, as all agree with you that it is an Avro 504.

It seems that some listings, including the one I referred to, have a typo error being that Rochford's Camel was E4386 and not D4386, which is Andy's Avro.

Hopefully, we may still hear back on the Aircraft I/D Nos.

Regards,

LF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The pilot was Lt GH Blaxland who was seriously injured and admitted to 2SGH Bristol

The crash was at Leighterton on 1st July 1918

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evening all.

Rochford was in Camel E4386 when he made those claims in October 1918. Namely, the serial on The Aerodrome isn't quite correct. And the best proof of this is the photo supplied by Andy above! Bruce Robertson's Military Aircraft Serials lists Avro 504 J/Ks in the range from D4361 to D4360, but then notes only 118 of these two hundred were filled. And I've only managed to track down about thirty of them!

Trevor

Trevor, have you made a typo as well? I thought the serial number range for the Avro 504J/K produced by Sunbeam Motors was D4361 through 4560. Doc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is correct

Contrary to BR, all 200 were built

Weekly production commencing w/e 16.2.18 and ending w/e 24.8.18 was:

1 1 2 7 6 5 7 3 8 6 4 0 2 4 2 10 11 8 11 13 12 9 9 8 13 9 14 15 = 200

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The pilot was Lt GH Blaxland who was seriously injured and admitted to 2SGH Bristol

The crash was at Leighterton on 1st July 1918

Thanks for this addition, nieuport11 :thumbsup:

Andy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Trevor, have you made a typo as well? I thought the serial number range for the Avro 504J/K produced by Sunbeam Motors was D4361 through 4560. Doc

Spot on, mon brave! Thanks for spotting it, Doc.

Trevor

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It would appear that the majority of the batch was issued, the latest I have is

D4558 Delivered as 504K, 130hp Clerget. 13 TS Ternhill and wrecked in forced landing after engine failure 2.10.1919 (PO H.N. Morris OK/LAC E.G. Way slightly injured.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...