Signs for RA528, RF193, RA278 of 103 sqdn?

[kwhrnzaf]

I am trying to find the signs for these three Lancasters of No. 103 sqdn. Can anyone help?

RA528, RF193, PA278

They are not listed at http://www.bomber-command.info/103sc.htm.


Mr Google has not turned them up anywhere!

The records I have for them are as follows:

RA528 flew these ops.:

1945.Apr.18 - Lancaster RA528 to Heligoland - pilot F/L Wilson
1945.Apr.22 - Lancaster RA528 to Bremen - pilot F/L Wilson
1945.Apr.25 - Lancaster RA528 to Berchtesgaden - pilot F/L Wilson

Operation Manna

1945.Apr.29 - Lancaster RA528 to Leiden (Manna) pilot F/L Wilson
1945.May.01 - Lancaster RA528 to Rotterdam (Manna) pilot F/L Wilson
1945.May.03 - Lancaster RA528 to Rotterdam (Manna) pilot F/L Wilson
1945.May.07 - Lancaster RA528 to Rotterdam (Manna) pilot F/L Hardman

Operation Exodus

1945.May.26 - Lancaster RA528 to Brussels (Exodus) pilot F/L Wilson

RF193: 1945.Apr.05 - Lancaster RF193 to Lutzkendorf - pilot F/L Wilson
PA278: 1945.Mar.15 - Lancaster RA278 to Misburg - pilot F/L Wilson; Mar.16 - Lancaster RA278 to Nurnburg - pilot F/L Wilson

[ianh]

There's no RA278 listed as a Lancaster in Mason's 'Avro Lancaster' book.

Ian

[kwhrnzaf]

Thanks.

Have just re-checked ORB: 1st mention is RA278, but second is actually PA278. Apologies.

PA278 went on to have a tragic end: http://www.reffell.org.uk/WW2/heathercosens.php ('one of the largest number of female service personnel fatalities in a single incident throughout the whole of the Second World War').

[DJW]

hi,
PA278 was with 103sq, in on 10/3/45, but lost on Operation DODGE-4/10/45.

regards
jack...

[David Duxbury]

kwhrnzaf
I take it that it is the unit code letters painted on the flanks of these aircraft that you are seeking? Just to (hopefully) make clearer your requirements in terms more familiar to users of this Board!
David D

[grounded]

I cannot find the call letter code for RA528 at this time.
Right now I have RF193 PM-G and PA278 PM-M

Note:
At times RF193 may have been listed as RE193, or vice versa.

Also, when you receive the scans of Hodgson's log book you will see that he entered the date, target, letter code for the aircraft, etc.
You will then be able to match the aircraft serial in the ORB to the letter code from Hodgson's log book.

I will be very much interested in the letter codes of all the Lancs from Hodgson's log book.