Staggerwing

Thank you!

Did you know the RAF also had a number of Staggerwings, about 75 I think. Originally built as for the USAAF, this one, c/n 4923 was transferred to the RAF, becoming FZ433 and was shipped to Suez. Once there, it flew with 201 Communications Flight all over the Eastern Mediterranean and North East Africa. After the war, it was sold to France, becoming F-BCJY, but this registration was cancelled in 1963. I have no idea what happened..







 
Sorry if I go a bit OT with my question.

These screenshots look so tempting that I consider to buy this aircraft. However, when I checked at the product website, I noticed that all screenshots of the cockpit show a modern instrument panel. Is there also a steam gauge version in the package?

Cheers,
Mark
 
roger-wilco-66 said:
Sorry if I go a bit OT with my question.

These screenshots look so tempting that I consider to buy this aircraft. However, when I checked at the product website, I noticed that all screenshots of the cockpit show a modern instrument panel. Is there also a steam gauge version in the package?

Cheers,
Mark
Click to expand...


No....would like it too...very much...
 
Mark..

I wouldn't call it 'modern' as such though I know what you mean. It has more modern refinements than the original..
staggerwing_pan.jpg


This reminds me.. I must add the 'removed shadow' mod!

ATB
DaveB:)
 
I didn't know that the RAF had that many Staggerwings, however I think most Dutch aviation enthousiasts are aware that this one flew with the RAF.



Between early 1942 and January 1945 the Staggerwing PB1 with construction number 420 was the personal aircraft of his Royal Highness Prince Bernard from the Netherlands. It has been repainted at least 4 times during the war as there are many different schemes known. It was destroyed on January 1th 1945 during a German bomb-raid during "Operation Bodenplatte" on an Belgian airfield.

Cheers,
Huub
 
jankees said:
ah, PB1, yes, I knew about that one!
No roundels on top?
Click to expand...

Nope, not on this one according to Dutch Decal and the picture below (Source: (Dutch) National Institute for Military History):



However when it had the registration PB-1 in white it had type B roundels on the top wings.

Cheers,
Huub
 
And different roundels on the side judging by that photo..
I read somewhere that Beech gave one to PB, which attracted the attention of the RAF and so they ordered more..
 
It would not take too much modding to make the plane more comfy and vintage. That digital fluel flow gauge is most annoying, but also the radio equipment could use for example the default dc-3 radios. Maybe somebody could switch the fuel gauge to a cool clock?
 
jankees said:
And different roundels on the side judging by that photo..
I read somewhere that Beech gave one to PB, which attracted the attention of the RAF and so they ordered more..
Click to expand...

As said the aircraft was repainted several times and according to Dutch Decals the version shown below was the final version. Which had non-standard RAF roundels on the fuselage. (Did you really expect anything standard from our former Prince :biggrin-new: )

The picture in my previous post was taken on 15 June 1942 at Bircham Newton when the aircraft was still quite new. The picture below was taken either in 1944 or 1945 (according NIHM).

As far as I understand the Traveller was offically ordered in May 1940, but not shipped to the UK beore November 1941. Knowing our "Prince's" attitude towards paying, I expect it was indeed received as a gift.........



Cheers,
Huub
 
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