Submitted by AndrewScoley on Thu, 07/12/2017 - 18:15
Forums:
Hi Clive, Just seen the newsletter. The picture of the 75 squadron Lancaster purporting to be December 1942 can't possibly be so. The Lancaster is equipped with H2S and paddle bladed props, so it's highly likely to be 1944 at the earliest. If it is December, then December 44.
Regards
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Hi Clive again,
The other problem with the date is that 75 squadron were still operating Stirlings up to March 1944 before Lancasters replaced them.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your post, we're glad to hear you enjoyed reading the latest newsletter. You're right - the header image you're referring to isn't from 1942 and we were careful not to say this in its caption. The image was simply intended to represent Bomber Command hard at work.
The caption for the image in the Imperial War Museum collection does not give a date and simply says: 'Ground crews refuelling and bombing up an Avro Lancaster of No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF at Mepal, Cambridgeshire, for a night raid on Krefeld, Germany. The bomb load consists of a 4,000-lb HC 'cookie' and mixed 1,000-lb and 500-lb MC bombs'.
We therefore don't know the date of the photo, but our editor Clive agrees with your suggestion - that it is more likely to be 1944.
Best wishes,
Amy, RAF Memorial Flight Club