Welcome to our photo gallery. If you have any suggestions please
email me.
These two pictures are from Frank Atkinson who served with 404 Squadron as groundcrew.
Frank later was transferred to 414 Squadron and serviced many Halifaxes during his time as
groundcrew.
We would like to thank Frank and his son Tom Atkinson for the photos and full
acknowledgement of these pictures goes to these two men.
The following information was received from Mr David Wright in reference the above picture
The first picture in your photo gallery is on another website with the info that it is 424 Squadron at Skipton-on-Swale. I asked my dad about it (he was a 424 pilot in 1944-45) and he confirmed that this is correct. He also mentioned that the picture might have been taken on Jan. 28, 1945. They were starting to take-off and had one of the first aircraft in the line veer off the runway and explode. Hence the unusual picture of the aircraft lined up and ready to go but shut down with the crews standing around nearby. Here is the text of his message to me after he saw the picture:
"Yes it is at Skipton. If you zoom in you will see the squadron designation letters "QB" on the side of the a/c to the right of the crew. As I said it could have been Jan 28, 1945 at 19:00 hours. We were on double British summer time all year so it would still be light. 433 Squadron must have taken off first as there were only 18 a/c left on the ground after the mishap. Six of the crew were killed. The rear turret was blown clear of the a/c with the gunner still in it. He survived. You might find details on the 6 group (RCAF) bomber command under daily operations."
Many thanks for the above information, to contact David or his father, please email Dave Wright
The following information was received about the above picture from Clarence Simonsen.
"The photo of Halifax B. Mk III LW595 'Queen Of Them All' was assigned to 432 (Leaside) SQN RCAF
on 14 February 1944. Was assigned to F/O Jack Barker and crew, she featured the 'Miss Leaside' Queen from
Ontario. Painted by Candian Nose Artist LAC Thomas Dunn, the bomber completed 23 operations with the same
crew, all without incident. The bomber went to 415 SQN in July 1944 and was shot down over Hamburg, 29 July 1944."
Many thanks for the above information, you can email Clarence at casimonsen@shaw.ca
This picture is of a Mk. III Halifax landing.
This photo is a very interesting one of Friday the 13th's bomb log, before scrapping.
