Firefly Photos

[Joe Barr]

In the Image Gallery are two shots of Fireflys in 816 Sqn marks but with RN titles. These are obviously among the aircraft lent to 816 during the Korean period. Photos taken in this period are not common and these are not quite clear enough on the site to read off the serials. The first seems to have a WB serial in which case it might be WB349 of 816 in 1953. The second one is even more blurred but according to the information available on codes might be VX368 of 816 also taken in 1953.

Does anyone have access to the original photos and to any other photos from the same period? It would help with tying in some more codes.

Joe

[Martin Edwards]

The photos are by Sandy Sandberg
They were originally posted by Phil Thompson

http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboar...1274&hl=firefly

[Joe Barr]

Thanks Martin. Do you have them, Phil?

Joe

[Luig]

What I have has been posted on the thread mentioned. These photos came from either Dave Masterson (from FAAM and other sources I presume) and Michael Sandberg from his father Sandy and other relatives I guess. I believe the Sandberg photos are all that are available from that source.

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Joe, Phil & Martin,

While we are updating the Firefly Page, does any one have any other photos that they would like to contribute?

Cheers

BC

[Brendan Cowan]

Hello again,

"Phantom" got in touch with me to ask about the mysterious Firefly FX373 that was briefly taken on RAAF charge by ARDU from 05/08/1953 to 11/11/1953.

See attatched RAAF Form E/E.88.

Just to fill you all in, we have generally accepted that the card for “FX373” is a typo for “VX373” which is pretty well confirmed by the entry for “Order No” being filled out as “Trainer Prototype” – which of course VX373 was.

Anyway, thanks Phantom for reminding us that the RAAF were the custodian of this very naval type for a short while!

I also note that the last entry on the card is Rememberance Day 1953 - the day that they remembered to catch up with the paperwork given that she returned to the Navy on 05/10/1953! :unsure:

Perhaps they had misfiled her as "FX373"and claimed not to have a VX373 on charge? :P


Brendan

Attached Image

[Brendan Cowan]

And here is a shot of VX373 in Trainer guise.

Attached Image

[Brendan Cowan]

And here is a shot of VX373 (Our RAN Firefly Cover Girl so to speak) in before she bacame a Trainer.

Attached Image

[Dave Masterson]

I have a nice photo of this aircraft after it became a ground training aid.

[Brendan Cowan]

We'd love to see it Dave!

:D

[Dave Masterson]

Here she is as a ground instructional airframe.

Attached Image

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Dave,

Very noice!

Also, you can just see some "gift wrapped" Fireflies in the background behind VX373's rudder.

Brendan