DH5 cowl. Trying to ID pilot, or Squadron

Wace · 4 February 2017, 10:06 AM

Hi all,
Was asked to try to ID this pilot and or Squadron. Aircraft is a DH5, in the larger picture is another DH5 seen through the wing bay. I feel I've see the cat before but can't quite come up with an answer. On the larger picture can be seen an "MT" as if it was a presentation AC. I found it unusual to have markings on the cowl. Would be happy to hear thoughts about this?

MASTIFF · 4 February 2017, 11:01 AM

Hi Wace,

Profile Publication #181, on the inside back cover has colour profiles of various DH5s. One has a white cowl as in your photo but no cat. However it does have "M'TACATI" on port side of fuselage. Also a wider than usual white fuselage band. It is identified as A9357, "possibly of No.32 Sqn., RFC in France".

Cheers,
Tony

Wace · 4 February 2017, 04:39 PM

Thank you Tony, I was able to google search the drawing from the Profile 181. Still not enough to go on but a great place to start.

PFFF · 4 February 2017, 04:57 PM

related link reference only
http://www.32.airwar1.org.uk/32sqnbackgd.htm

Wace · 12 February 2017, 12:47 PM

Hi again, does anyone know if any other pictures of D.h.5 A9357 "M'TACATI" exist besides the one in CCI 14-2? In that article, it is referred to as "Malaya No. 33" 'The Alma Baker No. 4'., the replacement for D.h.5 A9235 that went to 64 squadron. The photo in the CCI article and the Profile Pub. 181 says A9357 was possibly flown by 32 squadron, yet in the photo it has a wide fuselage band similar to the 64 squadron SE5s in early 1918.
The article also says that A9357 crashed into St. Margaret's bay on Feb. 22 1918 while with 62 training squadron? I can't find info about 62. My photo above is about 5 months after that crash and taken either at 204 T.D.S. Eastchurch or No. 2 ASD. How do I search records for these in the Kew archives?