Who can identify this Third Afghan BE2c?

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear GWF members,

Note the number of the aircraft (A-3100) and the Pilot and Observer stretching their legs at Gondal, 1919, during the Third Afghan War. With thanks to Paul for the clear picture!

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[pete-c]

6 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Dear GWF members,

Note the number of the aircraft (A-3100) and the Pilot and Observer stretching their legs at Gondal, 1919, during the Third Afghan War. With thanks to Paul for the clear picture!

Kindest regards,

Kim.

 

I have A-3100 as a B.E.2e - 'Malaya No.10 The Malaca Chinese' - a 'Gift' machine.  No other details unfortunately.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear pete-c,

Well done! Not a BE2c, but a BE2e. Super and many thanks! 

Additionally slightly "special", being a donation of Chinese Malayans (I can weave that into my Lieut. D. Thomson on-going manuscript).

Note the added equipment - from the top-wing fuel tank?

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear All and pete-c,

The 31 Sqn officers list show how few were involved. The Pilot, wearing Bush Tunic, and the shirt-sleeved Observer, could have been any of them - or none?

Quite apart from the hot weather, the squadron's operations were no sinecure. One 31 Sqn pilot, Lieut F. V. Devonshire, was killed on 20 June 1919 when on reconnaissance, by an accurate shot from the ground. 

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[fetubi]

It was noted as On Charge of RAF India on 18 January 1919. The only other info I can add.

 

[pete-c]

6 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Dear pete-c,

Well done! Not a BE2c, but a BE2e. Super and many thanks! 

Additionally slightly "special", being a donation of Chinese Malayans (I can weave that into my Lieut. D. Thomson on-going manuscript).

Note the added equipment - from the top-wing fuel tank?

Kindest regards,

Kim.

 

Kim,

These last two images are surely of a different machine - or am I missing something?   The tail of the machine in the second image seems to have a dark coloured serial, possibly ending in 74?  and the third image could be of yet another aircraft.

 

Peter.

Edited 18 December , 2018 by pete-c

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Peter,

Talk about "eagle-eyed"! you are right: A-3100 and the dark serial ending in 74 are two different aircraft. 

I now see that the probable Observer appears at least twice, but that one Pilot is wearing breeches and boots, the other Pilot, shorts with his Bush Jacket!

Furthermore, there seems to be a flying-helmeted Pilot seated in 74 (the Observer sat in the front, in BE2s)...

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[pjwmacro]

On ‎18‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 08:40, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Kim

Figure in the foreground of this picture is almost certainly 22 Bty MMGS - I think you can make out his elliptical "Motor Machine Gun Service" shoulder patch on the left hand side of his pith helmet. (See my 22 Bty Machine Gun Corps (Motors) thread).  Given I think these pictures show some sort of Army - RAF cooperation "familiarisation" training/visit I think I`d be pushed to describe any of the people as aircrew (less the flying helmeted chap in the pilots cockpit of this photo) - unless you can pick out wings on their clothing - which I cannot. (Which perhaps makes it more likely that one of the figures is Lt Thomson??)

Regards, Paul

 

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Paul,

Now that is something I had not taken into consideration: i.e., that the pith-helmeted figures are "on-lookers" from the Battery!

On reflection, you could well be right.

Indeed, I rather despair of ever finding an Image of the obscure Obs attd RAF Lieut. D. Thomson - but will probably mount the medals in a glazed frame with the Be2e as background.

Kindest regards,

Kim.