DH9A (35 Squadron)

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Member for

11 years 7 months

Posts: 90

I am struggling to find the serial numbers of the DH9A utilised by 35 Squadron in 1929/1930.

The Operations Record Book suggests that they had 12 (4 each for A,B and C flights), but I can only find records for the following:

J7306 08/03/1929 By 21/01/1930
J7316 08/03/1929 By 21/01/1930
J8143 08/03/1929 00/06/1929
J8127 00/00/1929 By 21/01/1930
J8482 00/00/1929 By 21/01/1930
J8213 00/12/1929 By 21/01/1930

I also have J7799 as a possible.

I have assumed that they were all off strength by the time C Flight had re-equipped with the Fairey IIIF (21/01/1930) but I have no details regarding the dates.

As the movement cards for DH9A are no longer available, does anyone have any information which would help complete the list.

Regards

Pete

Original post

Member for

11 years 11 months

Posts: 549

"Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft" by Philip Moyes also lists J7387.

Member for

11 years 7 months

Posts: 90

Thanks for the response; I will add that one to my list and follow it up

Regards (and thanks again)

Pete

Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 1

A photograph offered for sale on e-bay showed J8137 marked '35' '3', being used for palisade trials aboard HMS Glorious, April 1930. It was one of a number of ex 35 Sqdn DH9As used; known photographs show J8482 '2' and J8143 '35' '4'. The aircraft were deliberately taxied into the palisades and the wrecks pushed over the side, as the aircraft were by then obsolete.

Incidentally J7387 appears to have been allocated to a Gloster Grebe rather than a DH9A. A typo perhaps.

Alan

Member for

11 years 7 months

Posts: 90

Alan

Thanks for the feedback; I did find a scribbled note about J7137, but I had not recorded the source (but I am guessing it was that photograph).

Regards

Pete