ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 238483
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| Date: | Monday 6 April 1942 |
| Time: | 15:40 |
| Type: |  Bristol Beaufighter PR Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | 2 PRU RAF |
| Registration: | T4705 |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Mediterranean Sea south off Crete. -
 Greece
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Maaten Bagush, Egypt |
Beaufighter T4705 : Take off at 14:30 for operational flight over Crete. 06/04/1944
Aircraft missing /failed to return from an mission over Crete, Greece.
Shot down by Ltn. Wilhelm Scheiter 7./JG27 North of Crete at 15:40 hrs.
The PRU Beaufighters were equipped with three 20-inch lens cameras. These RAF cameras are large and when the two Beaus were first modified, it was not appreciated that they would have to find space for the large camera magazines as well. Consequently, some armour plate had to be removed as well, a ton and a half from this large and formidable twin engined fighter. Owing to its size, there was ample room in the Beaus for additional crew and it was decided that, for PR work, they should carry a skilled photographer. For one thing, the magazines would need to be changed in the air. It was also necessary to have the warm air directed to vital parts of the cameras. These operators were also invaluable as lookouts to warn of enemy fighters. .. three airman photomechanics were recruited: Corporal Liebert, the senior of the group, LAC Norman Shirley and, a little later, LAC Ron Hadden. Initially, it was Liebert who went wherever the Beaus went. The two special Beaufighters were also to become well known: T3301 and T4705.
Crew:
F/Lt (70631) Denis Herbert Vincent SMITH (pilot) RAFVR : killed;
LAC (800615) William Arthur FISHER (AG) RAFVR - killed
Sources:
BEAUFIGHTER PRODUCTION LIST
AIR81/13229
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-Jul-2020 08:39 | Nepa | Added [Operator] |
| 02-Aug-2020 16:59 | Nepa | Updated [Total occupants, Location, Departure airport, Narrative, Operator] |
| 02-Aug-2020 17:00 | Nepa | Updated [Aircraft type, Operator] |
| 03-May-2021 15:58 | Anon. | Updated [Aircraft type, Narrative, Operator] |
| 19-Apr-2022 22:51 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Damage] |
| 29-Jun-2022 18:52 | Nepa | Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, Source, Damage, Narrative, Operator] |
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