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ADF Serials Message Board > Early Australian Military Aviation AFC, CFS, AAC & AAF > Mystery Shorthorn Photo

Posted by: Brendan Cowan Nov 10 2011, 01:46 PM

Hello All, I am working through an update of our AFC, CFS, AAC/AAF & RAAF Series One aircraft and came a cross this mystery photo in the collection. It puports to be Maurice Farman M.F.11 Shorthorn B1959 of 2 Sqn AFC and has the inscription "Shorthon B1959, No 2 Sqn AFC, KIA 1917-12-11 over Dernancourt". I have evidence that at least 23 shorthorns (including B1957 & B1958 who are very close in serials) were alloted to the unit but not B1959 so far. Can anybody put me out of my misery/mystery on this one? Brendan

Posted by: mikemirk Dec 6 2011, 06:16 PM

Brendan, I check out a few books for info on this and according to Keith Isaacs' Military Aircraft of Australia 1908-18, Shorthorn B1959 is not listed though B1958 is listed as being with 5 Squadron, so it could be with them, and it's not mentioned in John Bennett's book Highest Tradition as the only aircraft lost on this date was D.H.5 A9524, which crashed at Baizieux killing Lt. G.H. Cornell, stalled after take-off and crashed. In Trevor Henshaw's book, The Sky Their Battlefield, there were no allied aircraft lost on this date due to enemy action over the Western Front. Hope this helps in a small way. Mike M.

Posted by: Brendan Cowan Dec 19 2011, 03:55 PM

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the input.

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