RAF killadeas

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by skyhawk, Sep 11, 2009.

  1. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    That last Cat photo Robert - the one which found Bismarck.
     
  2. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    James, was this the catalina that relieved 209 sqn's (flown by Smith and Briggs)?
     
  3. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    My info was that this was Briggs Catalina - filmed on the Lough shortly afterwards for propaganda purposes, but I was told this verbally - have not seen anything to bear it out in writing.

    ( Robert thank you fore the Dvd , it arrived yesterday in the mail). :)
     
  4. Warren F

    Warren F Junior Member

    This looks suspiciously like one of two Cansos that were being modified at Nanaimo, British Columbia a few years ago. Note the modern blister. The othe one sits derelict with the port blister missing, lots of rain water pouring in.
    I will post a picture as soon as I get up there in about 2 weeks. About 30 klics away from home.
     
  5. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Cansos and the catalina were close cousins.
    The Canso was the true amphibious version of the design and therefore included a conventional undercarriage to allow for either water or land use. The Canso provided over two decades of valuable service to the RCAF. The Catalina variant came first and was produced beginning in 1935 for the US Navy. The amphibious version, designated PBY-5A, came in service early in 1941 and the RCAF began using the aircraft on anti-submarine patrols that same year. After World War II, the RCAF used Cansos for search and rescue, arctic survey and various transport operations.

    Are you saying this photo was taken a few years ago ie 3 0r 4 meaning 2006?

    Was sent to me on a cd with several original CA photos all of which have been verified. Suppose not all information one obtains might be correct but i take this subject very seriously and all are posted with completely the correct intentions. Not shure i appreciate the use of the word "suspiciously" in your comments.
     
  6. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Just a few pics to show how closely the squadrons at Castle Archdale and Kliiadeas worked together. Many of the operational aircraft were transferred to Killadeas for use.

    Awaiting the next training sortie at Lough Erne. Sunderland DD829 spent 18 months with 201 Sqn before taking up a training role at Killadeas.

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    Neatly parked at Killadeas at the end of the war. This is a Mark v carrying the WH codes 330 Sqn.

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    EK583 being maneuvered on the Castle Archdale slipway 1944. It carries the figure 3 which was adopted for a time by 423 Sqn. This aircraft had had just 9 months frontline service before transferring to training duties at Killadeas.

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  7. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    A couple of interesting photos. Police boat patrolling on lower Lough Erne ww2.
    Maybe providing some security for the base?

    [​IMG]


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    James S likes this.
  8. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Robert,

    Thanks for the Police Launch photographs. They look pretty well armed with a Vickers Heavy machine gun and two Lewis machine guns plus rifles.

    It would provide a nasty shock for the poachers :D.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  9. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    My late father was " crew" on a police boat on Lough Erne post war - an "Ex Seaplane tender" was how he described her - he put her up on a sand bank and afterwards was transferred to "other duties".
    Nice phots Robert - the EX 330 Sq. photo I have not seen before and I have to agree with Tom the RUC photos are great - if you have not already done so I would contact the PSNI museum staff they would be interested in them if they do not already hold copies.
     
  10. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Thanks very much Tom and James.
    James you are much more qualified than me in such matters i will send you a message for your email in which i will attach the photos and you can do the honours. Thank you my friends.
     
  11. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Got a few more photos of Castle Archdale today i hadnt seen before. Some nice views of Castle Archdale House, Station Headquarters etc... Gives a nice overview of some of the station and buildings during the war.

    Flying Boat Dock

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    Castle Archdale House and gardens 1942.

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    Station HQ 1942. Note the flying control windows.

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    Archdale House was too far removed from the flarepath to be effictive as a control tower. A purpose built tower was constructed on an Island in the middle of the Lough.

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  12. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    The Big Freeze January 1945. 201 Squadron Sunderland.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Robert , the Island which had the watch tower was Gay Island outermost Island overlooking the flarepath.
    The legs of the structure are still in situ.
    On the Island a winch , a mass of wire rope and a large cement bollard which was used to moor boats - there was a lso a metal girder set in concrete which had a light on it.

    The flying boat dock photo is circa January 1945.

    The photo of the Castle showing courtyard is a real gem , very nice indeed :)

    Thak you some very nice photos , where did you get the Gay Island photo ?

    [​IMG]
    Iverach and Hirst in L/240 a Stranraer operating out of Lough Erne in March 1941.
    Hirst was to be killed in May 1941 when his Catalina crashed on the flarepath , he is one of the "missing".

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    Another one of Hebbenton's dog 422 RCAF.

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    Telegram and crew details of the 240 Squadron Catalina which was one of those which shadowed Bismarck.

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    War memorial from Omagh Academy , Orr who was killed outside Omagh on 131(C) OTU's first loss is named here , bottom right.
     
  14. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Thanks James. It came from 201 Squadron.
     
  15. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    SH
    Thanks James. It came from 201 Squadron.


    It's a great photo. :)

    [​IMG]

    About to bring her ashore , CA. 1942.
     
  16. skyhawk

    skyhawk Senior Member

    Thanks James , much appreciated mate.
     
  17. Savo

    Savo Senior Member

     
  18. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Not a great image but this is Sgt Bagley who was killed when Catalina FP193 crashed South of Boa Island on 9/1/44.
    ( I have previously posted a photo of another member of the crew Fl. Sgt. Sherry. who is buried in Irvinestown).

    The AHB state that the aircraft's tail section broke off when it hit the water leaving five of the crew both the living and the dead in the water.

    I am pretty sure this aircraft came down off Dreenan shore close to the bombing target which was moored there.
     

    Attached Files:

  19. djhill

    djhill Junior Member

    My Uncle was Sgt. Stanley Hill, who was also killed when Catalina FP193 crashed near Boa Island, and is buried at Irvinestown. Our family doesnt have a single picture of Stanley, so seeing the one of the crew at the beginning of this thread, and this one of Sgt Bagley was quite an emotional moment. So young. I have done a small amount of research into the crash- my father, who died in '89, never knew the circumstances of his brothers death. I spoke by email to a gentleman who still lives near the area of the crash claims to have witnessed FP193 over the Lough, although didnt see the crash. I understand they were doing practice depth charge attacks. He described the conditions that day as 'flat calm' and the Lough as 'like glass', so the pilot probably misjudged his height and went straight in.

    Any further info on the aircraft (Which model was FP193? Would it have been painted all white, or camoflage?) or the crash would be welcome.[FONT=&quot]
    [/FONT]
     
  20. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    A portrait photo of Flight Sgt Alfred Frank Sherry RAAF from Catalina FP193. The details I have are:

    9th January 1944. Catalina FP193 of 131 O.T.U. Hit the water in a dive near Boa Island.
    CREW:
    Rank Name Service
    Sgt. Bernard Edward Smith. (Pilot) RAF
    Sgt. Robert Hugh Davis Watson,(Navigator) RAF
    Sgt. Stanley Oswald Hill, (Flt.Mech-E/Airgunner) RAF
    Sgt. Ivor George Howells, (Flight Engineer) RAF
    Sgt. Harry Begley, Age 21 RAF.
    Sgt. Edward LeRoy Gros. (Wireles Op/Air Gunner)Age 19 RAF.
    F/Sgt. Alfred Frank Sherry, (Navigator) RAAF.
    Sgt. L.E.B.Lee (Wireless Op Mechanic/Air Gunner) RAF.

    SURVIVORS

    F/Sgt. J.S.Liddle (Navigator) RAF.
    Sgt. C.W.Aldridge, (Navigator) RAF.
    Sgt. B.Bagley, (Airgunner) RAF



    Sherry_Alfred Frank.jpg

    Studio portrait of 418982 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Alfred Frank Sherry, RAAF, 131 Operational Training Squadron RAF. Sherry, of Northcote, Vic, enlisted on 20 June 1942. Flt Sgt Sherry was killed in an accident in Ireland on 9 January 1944, aged 20. He is buried in the Irvinestown Church of Ireland churchyard, United Kingdom. This image is taken from "The Ivanarian", a magazine of the Ivanhoe Grammar School in Melbourne, Vic. During the Second World War the school honoured "old boys" who had enlisted and died by including a short biographical piece and in many cases a portrait.
    SHERRY. - Fllght-Sgt. Alfred Frank Sherry. R.A.A.F., killed January 9 (previ ously reported missing), dearly beloved younger son of Mrs. A. R. Sherry and the late Mr. F. W. Sherry, loving brother of Stan, Joyce, Merle, Norma, and Dawn. -Too dearly loved to be forgotten.


    SHERRY.-A tilbute to the everlasting memory of Flight-Sgt. Alfred Frank, killed air operations in Catalina over Northern Ireland, January 9. -A heart that loved will never forget. (Inserted by his fiancee. Marjorie.)


    SHERRY. - Cherished memories of my pal, Flight-Sgt. Alf. Sherry (R.A.A.F), killed air crash, Ireland. January 9. -One of the best. (Inserted by Gnr. Ken Biggs,
    A.I.F.)
     
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