Target Photo Details

[smudgersmith218]

Gents,

Taken over St Vith by F/O Knight. Nothing out of the ordinary, however the first photo ( cropped and enlarged) appears to show a Lancaster with white wing-tips. What squadron used these markings. I seem to remember No.5 Group using a similar sort of thing, but I am not sure. If it is a 5 Group Lancaster, what is it and the other Lancaster's doing at this altitude when No.3 Group was briefed to attack from 12-14,000ft?

Any pointers welcome.

Steve

[K4KittyCrew]

Great photo there Steve ..................yes, I do think it is a 5 group Lancaster but stand corrected if wrong. Don't know any other details but will look into it.
Cheers,
John

[K4KittyCrew]

Steve, l've spent the best part of an hour sourcing detail on this and have pretty much come up blank.
My only thoughts being .............. could they be Pathfinder aircraft and or Squadron / Group leaders, perhaps?
John

[smudgersmith218]

Hi John,

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to look. It maybe just a fluke with the lighting on the wing tips. I am aware that “Other” Lancaster Groups adopted rudder markings, but I am not sure of about wing tips. If anything, it’s bound to be the glamour boys of No.5 Group!!!!

Thanks again mate

Steve

[K4KittyCrew]

No worries, Steve. I'm just reading about GEE-H aircraft had special markings on them as well.
John

[K4KittyCrew]

Steve, is it possible that those wing tip were yellow ? (see attached )
John

[smudgersmith218]

Hi John,

Yes, hard to tell white or yellow from the photograph. This looks promising a No.1 Group kite. I will check and see if 100 Squadron operated against St.Vith on this date.

Well doneJohn.

Steve

[Denonline]

Steve, I once saw on this forum a photo of our own 227 squadrons 9J-P Lanc in flight displaying I believe crosses & colours etc. on its fins that I can recall. To my regret I did not make copy of it.

I reckon that 3 Group must have planned to ensure that they flew above our 5 Group a/c. with malice aforethought

UNO-OOH

[smudgersmith218]

Dennis,

What!!! No.3 Group would never dare do such a thing on the commands premiere group, AVM Harris would never of forgiven them!!!

I think it was a case of leaving the best to last !!

Steve

[Bruno]

Hello,

I've found below a photo of 12 Squadron's Minnie the Moocher which seems to have only the right wing painted.