Pathe news clip Squadron ID?

[BeauBrummie]

I have just looking through the film clips onthe Pathe News site. I came across this clip of a Beaufighter wing of which they don't seem to know any info, they even have the aircraft type wrong. I can't ID the base, but as the aircraft are still wearing D-day stripes it may be one of the southern bases (e.g. North Coates) rather than the Scottish ones. Also the Squadron codes are hard to see except in one case where it appears to be 2W. If so I can't place it.

..and heres the clip

Any info would be useful

 

[Capt. Winters]

Hi Jeff,

I know what it is...

This Beaufighter T.F. Mk. X of 455 Sqn has the standard Coastal Command camouflage plus the obvious D-Day stripes. Coastal Command changed code letters for the Squadrons a number of times during the war, for a time not using any at all. This particular one illustrates the very confusing number system that was used for a time. Each Squadron on a particular base was identified by a number, starting from 1 - but this, of course, meant that different Squadrons from different bases would have the same numeral identity. So in this case the "2" identifies 455 Sqn and the "W" is the individual aircraft designation within the Sqn.

regards Rob.

PS the only reason I know this is I have just sent some info to John for a new Beaufighter for the upcoming update.

 

[BeauBrummie]

Thanks Rob. It is confusing, especialy when a squadron moves around several bases in a matter of months!

 

[Led Zeppelin]

thanks for the link