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Author Topic: Help identifying this post card?  (Read 1696 times)

Offline Mad Lord Snapcase

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Help identifying this post card?
« on: October 03, 2017, 09:39:08 AM »
I was sorting thropugh some of my Dad's stuff and I came across this postcard. Does anyone know anything about this photo?



Offline Etranger

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2017, 09:44:12 AM »
Anything on the back?
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Offline Cubs

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2017, 10:13:56 AM »
Well, it looks like a WW1 light bomber, which would tie with the word 'Baroda' because 124 (Baroda) Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps light bomber squadron.

Other than that, I guess you'd have to dig into the archives.
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Offline Cubs

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2017, 10:16:16 AM »
Note it seems to be a 'pusher' aircraft, ie. the propellers are behind the wings.

EDIT: I'm struggling to identify it to be honest. It seems similar to a few different types of early aircraft, like the Vickers Gunbus (below), but I can't find one to match the exact arrangement with that hump behind the pilot's cockpit and the slanting struts connecting the wings to the fuselage.

« Last Edit: October 03, 2017, 10:25:09 AM by Cubs »

Offline Plynkes

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2017, 10:25:21 AM »
Looks like an FE2 to me, but those pushers all look a bit the same.

It may be a presentation aircraft. You could raise funds and "buy" an aircraft for the RFC. Many were paid for by the Maharajas and/or populations of various Indian states, Baroda being one of them, and they would have that name on them (usually with a number: 'Baroda No.3', ‘Punjab No.23 Kamal’ etc.).



124 (Baroda) Squadron was formed in 1918, so would have been unlikely to have an FE2. Though they were a training squadron, so it is possible, I guess.

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Offline von Lucky

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2017, 11:33:00 AM »
I'd say it's an F.E.2b too.

The Wikipedia entry for the No. 124 (Baroda) Squadron RAF states they had miscellaneous training aircraft:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._124_Squadron_RAF

And in 1918 the F.E.2s were really only suited for training and night time bombing. And in places where there wasn't an opposing air force.

Only image with "Baroda" linked to it for a WWI aircraft on the Imperial War Museum site is from earlier in the war:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205314772

But it does give a good idea of the shape. (And some idea of what a flat wargaming table looks like!)
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Offline Etranger

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2017, 11:43:44 AM »
It looks like a FE2b to me too, now that I'm on a proper computer.

This clip shows a number of FE2's, including one with what looks like a "Presented By" inscription. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an5xl0IylYI
More here too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdyxPCCuQaQ

This little snippet may or may not be helpful.
Quote
Just to add a little to the story, FE2b 6359 was a presentation aeroplane, marked Baroda No 17 that was delivered to No 20 Sqn RFC on 19 February 1916. The undercarriage was modified by Lt E Trafford Jones in the period shortly before his death.
Gareth
From http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/156713-pilot-killed-16-may-1916/

Here's a presentation aircraft. in this case from the Punjab (a Gunbus, not an FE2) :


Without a registration number (typically on the tailplane), a list of 'all' aircraft gifted from Baroda or specific squadron marking, it's hard to go much further.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2017, 12:10:12 PM by Etranger »

Offline Vanvlak

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2017, 11:49:45 AM »
The text at the nose, below the gunner's position, seems to be Arabic, related to the location of the squadron at the time (or earlier) or the presentation, I'd guess.
P.S. I'd go for an F.E.2 as well.

Slightly later:
there she is, F.E.2.b.:
http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/productdetail?productid=3044&cat=3#
Pic before the last is Baroda, no. 23 squadron.

And again from Getty images:
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/royal-aircraft-factory-f-e-2b-biplane-baroda-of-no-23-news-photo/486508699#royal-aircraft-factory-fe2b-biplane-baroda-of-no-23-squadron-rfc-picture-id486508699

This last link gives her story, she was shot down by none other than Immelmann!

« Last Edit: October 03, 2017, 11:59:01 AM by Vanvlak »

Offline Etranger

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2017, 12:06:58 PM »
Looks like there was more than one FE2 donated by Baroda then. Shame there's no visible number.

Offline von Lucky

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2017, 12:17:35 PM »
Vanvlak - that's the F.E.2b I posted (though the IWM lists the registration number as "635", not "6352".

The OP photo has a F.E.2b with a "V" type undercarriage, so I doubt it's the No. 23 Squadron aircraft (earlier undercarriage). The colour is also different (later war), not 1916.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2017, 09:16:06 AM by von Lucky »

Offline Driscoles

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2017, 12:18:21 PM »
The pilot looks like Captain Lionel Hicks RFC
, ,

Offline Vanvlak

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2017, 12:20:10 PM »
Vanvlak - that's the F.E.2b I posted (though the IMM lists the registration number as "635", not "6352".

The OP photo has a F.E.2b with a "V" type undercarriage, so I doubt it's the No. 23 Squadron aircraft (earlier undercarriage). The colour is also different (later war), not 1916.
It is, I missed that link of yours.
Wonder what the Arab text says.

Offline Mad Lord Snapcase

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #12 on: October 04, 2017, 07:37:51 AM »
Thanks to everybody for all that information and the links. Some very helpful posts, thank you.

Driscoles, that's an interesting lead on the pilot, I am trawling the internet for images now to compare.

There is nothing useful on the back of the  post card unfortunately. I can't ask my Dad where the card came from as he died a couple of weeks ago. However, his father (my grandfather) served in the 9th Hampshires in India 1916-18 and then Siberia in 1919. I have some other postcards that he brought home with him and he may have picked this one up somewhere.

Yes, that marking on the nose may be quite a useful clue if anyone can identify what it means.

Once again, thanks everybody for the help.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2017, 07:39:54 AM by Mad Lord Snapcase »

Offline Plynkes

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #13 on: October 04, 2017, 08:04:29 AM »
Wonder what the Arab text says.

If there is a connection with Baroda state, I'm wondering if that's more likely to be Persian or Gujarati than Arabic.


Offline Vanvlak

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Re: Help identifying this post card?
« Reply #14 on: October 04, 2017, 08:08:00 AM »
If there is a connection with Baroda state, I'm wondering if that's more likely to be Persian or Gujarati than Arabic.


Correct - but it's not Gujarati text, or at least doesn't appear to be; could be Persian though.

 

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