Hi Guys,

I am hoping someone can help me with regards to a Tiffy I wish to do from 439 Squadron.

I wish to do F/L Clarence Shaver and F/O Hugh Fraser's Typhoon who were the first canadian pilots to shoot down an ME262.



However, I have no information on whether the aircraft was a later one with 4 blade propeller and larger tail services with the smaller exhausts(sorry for the lack of the correct wording here) or the longer more protruding ones. Also the decals for the specific aircraft are pricey at $28 but I do not know where to source a similar cheaper generic set.

If any one can provide some insight or references it would be much appreciated. I have the Hasegawa kit for this purpose and plan to add the aires cockpit, Ultracast radiator, wheels and cockpit seat and perhaps the 4 blade prop and tail surfaces if required. Also do you guys know where I could source some resi
This is going to cost a bundle but I plan to go in stages

Regards,
Dave.

If you can tell us the date, it will help enormously, since it will need a trawl through the Squadron's O.R.B. The Intelligence Officer seems to have noted the serials and the codes, in the book (which is rare,) so there's a fair chance we can help. I'm planning a visit to our National Archives, so a look at the book is definitely possible.
Edgar

Hi Edgar,

Thank you very much for the reply. The information I have indicates F/L Clarence Shaver was credited with shooting down an ME262 on the 14th of February 1945 in a Typhoon MK. 1B. He was KIA March 2, 1945.

His Personal Information:

SHAVER Clarence Lyall (F / L) RCAF No. R69239 (NCO) J17058 (Officer)

At about 0830 four Typhoons from 439 Squadron were forming up after strafing a train when they noticed two Me 262s 4,000 ft below them at around 3,000 ft. They immediately dived to attack. Flt Lt Lyal Shaver hit one that blew up. Flg Off Hugh Fraser hit another that went down through cloud, a column of smoke was seen. Both pilots of 5./KG 51, Lt Hans-George Richter & Fw Werner Witzmann were killed, falling about 20 miles north of Coesfeld. Some sources put the time as 0815. Shaver was flying Typhoon IB MN144, individual letter appears to be unkown, Fraser Typhoon IB RB281/X.

2nd March 1140 Shaver killed when MN144 hit by flak at Buldern, crashed W Goch. 1715 Fraser, RB281, engine failure, force landed N B.78 cat B.

A photo of Brown's MN345/G shows that had a three blade prop. A photo of RB262, also used by Fraser, shows it had a four blade prop.

Antoni,

This is great information. CamilAir has 5V X and 5V H, RB8281 and MN144 decals.

Is there a source for generic aircraft ID numbers and letters for late war RAF Aircraft?

MN144 listed as 'H' here:

http://www.thisisme.ca/439squadron/TIGER/439album-8.htm

Copy of Form 540 (narrative) from ORB here:

http://www.thisisme.ca/439squadron/45a.htm

Thanks very much Antoni. This is very helpful. I am thinking of doing Fraser's Aircraft with 4 blade prop and larger tail surfaces. 5V_X RB281 with the name Nicky on the side.