Aeroplane Monthly 1980-07
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Personal album
Bristol Beaufighter T.F.X RD826 was photographed from beneath the wing of a B-17. Note the "thimble" nose radome housing AI Mk VIII radar and the extended dorsal fin. Some T.F.Xs were later converted to TT10 standard for target towing duties. The Beaufighter X was supplied to Coastal Command as an anti-shipping strike-fighter. A TT10, RD761, was the last RAF Beaufighter to fly, on May 12, 1960.
The fine shot of Douglas C-47B Dakota 4 KN279 is interesting because the aircraft was later to appear on the British civil register as G-ANAD. Its original US identity was 43-49954, and after operations as G-ANAD it was sold in Aden in March 1954 as VR-AAI.
The Hawker Fury F.Mk I is seen at Luqa on its way to Egypt in 1948. This aircraft was Hawker’s first prototype and was first flown on September 1, 1944, at Brooklands. The civil marks G-AKRY were allotted for the overseas delivery flight only. The aircraft crashed in Egypt in 1949.
Avro Lancaster ASR III of No 38 Squadron, RAF, taking off from Luqa in 1948. TX269 was part of a batch of eleven Lancaster B.IIIs delivered between September-October 1945. It was later converted to an ASR III at 218 MU and served with 38 Squadron MEAF until it was destroyed in a crash at Monte Cristo on September 4, 1948. All seven crew members perished.
Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire F.22 PK674 of No 73 Squadron, RAF. Apart from serving with the Middle East Air Force, the F.22 became the major aircraft type to serve with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Some F.22s were later converted to F.24s.
Another aircraft destined to appear on the British register was the RAF York MW323. In May 1954 this aircraft was registered as G-AMXM to Hunting Air Travel Ltd. Later it was sold to Trans Mediterranean Airways and registered OD-ADM in July 1959. It is seen here at Luqa in 1948.