Beaufort down at Sidi Barrani Egypt (WWII)

[Jeff Hunt]

Below is the next photo that I came across while " dumpster diving" as Tom F. put it. It shows a Beaufort down and on the back of the picture is written "Sidi Barrani" which is located in Egypt. No markings of any kind are visible in the picture. The poor fella on the right looks as though it has fallen into his lap to recover what he can as he looks quite down. The third person from the right appears to be wearing a dark coloured flying coat so is possibly the pilot. On the left wing appears to be kit bags of some sort so I am guessing that this photo was taken very shortly after the landing/takeoff incident which lead to this photo.



If anyone wishes to add anything, possible Sqdn # etc. pls feel free.

Enjoy

Jeff

[Rauhbatz]

I recollect Flypast had a article about Beauforts being based at Sidi Barrani...the story focused on a Beau lost in the desert and the crew regretfully was lost.

The story was very well written; just reading it made the temps in the room rise to desert levels in how it described the heat there.

[Andy in West Oz]

Could be Nos. 39, 47, 86 or 217 Sqns (that's all I remember, not sure if there were more, I know there were supply issues). The first three were definitely based in Egypt prior to mid-1943, or at least detachments were. 47 in particular operated in East Africa before the move to Egypt. A detachment of 39 ended up on Malta (Patrick Gibbs' influence) and then merged with some other detachments to become a full squadron. Those of 39 left in Egypt merged with 86, I think. 217 moved to Ceylon in mid-1942.

The Beauforts were gone from front-line use in the Med by the middle of 1943 when they were replaced by Beaufighters.

She could also be from a delivery unit/pool. I wouldn't be too concerned about the clothing of the men in the picture. Clothes were very varied among the RAF and Commonwealth squadrons in the desert.

I think she's a Taurus-powered Mk I.