Help me recognize this aircraft

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Onebad
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Location: Warsaw, Poland

Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Onebad » Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:37 am

Image

This aircraft is taking pictures of allied invasion forces just before H-hour on June 6th 1944.
It has a wing that I do not recognize, also for some reason the roundel seems to be painted just on the wingtip, and the wing itself has some weird features like the weird "fuel tank cap?" and a line along the leading edge.

So, what do you think?

Currently the favourite is the Vought OS2U Kingfisher, but I'd like to know your opinion.

Nev
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Location: Kent UK

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Nev » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:20 am

Likely a Kingfisher. Only other I can think of with wing shape, is a Blackburn Roc.
Image

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LuftAsher
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by LuftAsher » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:30 am

I think Nev has it right, especially when you look at the wing shape and also the position the picture was taken from and compare it to this:

Image

It looks like the photographer was sitting in the gunner's position.

BlackDog
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Location: UK

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by BlackDog » Mon Jul 01, 2019 2:50 pm

Might possibly be an Armstrong Withworth AW.41 Albemarle, returning from a para/supply drop. Photo possibly taken from rear top turret? Not sure Kingfishers were operating in the area during Normandy landings.

I believe Albemarle's were the first to drop Allied troops behind lines in Normandy?

Image

Detail line by aileron looks similar... Long zoom of photo will make roundel look like it is further out than it is.
Image

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong ... _Albemarle

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We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go always a little further; it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow across that angry or that glimmering sea

Sharpe
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Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Sharpe » Mon Jul 01, 2019 4:39 pm

Percival Proctor gets my vote

Image

You can see the shape of the wing, the aileron, flap, fuel cap all match - just the roundel is a bit off.
Fight on and fly on to the last drop of blood and the last drop of fuel - to the last beat of the heart.

Onebad
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Location: Warsaw, Poland

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Onebad » Mon Jul 01, 2019 4:40 pm

I think Sharpe's the winner here. Absolute unit.

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Donkey
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Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Donkey » Mon Jul 01, 2019 4:43 pm

I agree, good spot Sharpe.
Image

Bully
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Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Bully » Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:15 pm

Bloody hell Sharpe, nice spot!
Image

Bunny
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Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by Bunny » Mon Jul 01, 2019 7:55 pm

Very nice work Sharpe!

“It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes I-16s.” - Douglas Adams


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BlackDog
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Location: UK

Re: Help me recognize this aircraft

Post by BlackDog » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:51 pm

Yeah could well be a Proctor especially if the pic is uk side outbound. Good mince pies Sharpe
We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go always a little further; it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow across that angry or that glimmering sea

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