80 Squadron Formation Kittyhawk Id's

[ozhawk40]

Hi all

Just putting out a call for info on a 80 Squadron Kittyhawk I can't ID to complete a picture.

I'm just trying to gather more info about AWM OG3390 with ID's for all the aircraft and pilots.

Maybe someone already knows.

OG3390

(IMG:https://i.imgur.com/anPizfm.jpg)


The aircraft present in this photo I have ID' so far are:

A29-629 BU-B
A29-684 BU-U
A29-608 BU-A
A29-613 BU-F
A29-626 BU-T
A29-656 BU-E
A29-671 BU-R
A29-618 BU-M
A29-607 BU-G
A29-609 BU-O
A29-602 BU-W

Leaving one last one to find

A29-? BU-Q


(IMG:https://i.imgur.com/RM0JcK5.jpg)


(IMG:https://i.imgur.com/Zv2v9q2.jpg)


The picture was taken late December 1944, or very early January 1945. AWM gives the 31-12-1944.

Unfortunately the NAA files are not giving up the details as the ORB and Narratives are missing or lack the details. Any clues for completing this information?

Thanks

Peter

[ozhawk40]

Thanks for the reply Shep

I'm not too sure, 0,6,8,9 can all look the same when things get distant.

The others I have other secondary images to confirm.

I've tried to pin down the date the photo was taken. Using the information in Status cards (which can be rubbery) I have compiled the 'in squadron' service dates for the identified aircraft. The photo must have been taken between 25/12/1944 and 11/1/1945. See attached chart. Even within this window there was a period where 607 and 629 were U/S due to a 607 colliding with a Jeep and 629 colliding with 607.

So, 604 crashed 23/12/1944 at Wama and did not resume with 80 Squadron, so it was a little outside the range due to 609 and 684 being in picture, with 609 not returning to 80 until the 25/12/1944.

What would be good is the detail of 80 Squadron operations during the period above, but unhelpfully no details have surfaced that I can find in the Archives as yet.

Cheers

Peter


(IMG:https://i.imgur.com/2GPUd4K.jpg)

[Brenden S]

That is a nice spread sheet that you have made up.