Shipbucket

Eswube, I actually modified the P-40E into the P-40N, so my name should be credited, I think I didn't credit myself when I drew the F and N Models, sorry, so that is largely my mistake.

_________________
"It is better to type nothing and be assumed an ass, than to type something and remove all doubt." - Me

Ok. Changed.

And the stunning work still managing to amaze...

_________________
Thank you Kim for the crest

"Never fear to try on something new. Remember that the Titanic was built by professionals, and the Ark by an amateur"

Wow, eswube, you have excelled yourself once again. Do you know if any UK-based Polish squadrons flew aircraft without the RAF roundel and only showing the Polish checkerboard?

Next time I'm driving past the Polish war memorial at RAF Northolt, I think I'll have to stop and visit.

Thank You Novice, Indiajuliet.
Nope, for the sake of easy recognition during combat operations, Polish air units in Great Britain (throughout their whole existence) and in Soviet Union (until 11-20 July 1945 when checkerboards were reintroduced as main sign) used markings of their "host air forces" (so the roundel and red star respectively) with small checkerboard added (usually) on nose.

It's sunday, so it's time for the next part of Polish Wings - last one depicting planes of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain. Because I've also run out of pre-prepared drawings, it means that next chapter (with Polish Air Force in Soviet Union) will began only after a pause, that will allow me to finish needed stuff and catch-up on some other long-delayed projects (and - last but not least - to have some use of the springtime ).

Polish Air Force in Great Britain 1940-1947, Part III - bomber, maritime, special duties and transport aircraft

Bombers

Four Polish bomber squadrons were formed in 1940 in Great Britain. Initially serving in light bomber role (with Fairey Battles), only two of them actually become operational with these planes and quickly all four converted to twin-engined, medium Vickers Wellingtons. They were part of the Bomber Command's main force, participating, among others, in the first "raid of thousand bombers" on Germany. Heavy losses suffered during the operations forced eventual transfer of one squadron to Coastal Command in 1942 and another to Special Duties in 1943, leaving two squadrons in original bomber role - one still in Bomber Command in "heavy" role and one converted to light bombers and transferred to 2nd Tactical Air Force.

No. 300 Squadron "Land of Masovia" - 300 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Mazowieckiej
Formed on 1 July 1940, operational on 14 September 1940 in Bomber Command, disbanded on 11 October 1946. Code letters: BH.
Equipment:
-Fairey Battle (07.1940 - 11.1940 Mk.I),
-Vickers Wellington (10.1940 - 11.1941 Mk.IA/C, 08.1941 - 01.1943 Mk.IV, 01.1943 - 04.1943 Mk.III, 03.1943 - 04.1944 Mk.X),
-Avro Lancaster (04.1944 - 10.1946 Mk.I and Mk.III).
Squadron flew 3891 sorties, dropping 9000 tons of bombs and 1400 tons of naval mines.

No. 301 Squadron "Land of Pomerania" - 301 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Pomorskiej
Formed on 22 July 1940, operational on 14 September 1940 in Bomber Command, on 7 April 1943 transferred to Special Duties (see below). Code letters: GR.
Equipment (until 1943):
-Fairey Battle (07.1940 - 11.1940),
-Vickers Wellington (10.1940 - 12.1941 Mk.IC, 11.1941 - 04.1943 Mk.IV, 11.1942 - 02.1943 Mk.III in 'B' Flight).
As bomber unit, squadron flew 1266 sorties, dropping 1428 tons of bombs and 222 tons of naval mines.

No. 304 Squadron "Land of Silesia, named after Prince Józef Poniatowski" - 304 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Śląskiej imienia Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego
Formed on 22 August 1940, operational on 24 April 1941 in Bomber Command, on 10 May 1942 transferred to Coastal Command (see below). Code letters: NZ, since July 1944: QD.
Equipment (until 1942):
-Fairey Battle (08.1940 - 11.1940 Mk.I),
-Vickers Wellington (11.1940 - 06.1943 Mk.IA/C, other models in Coastal Command)
As bomber unit, squadron flew 430 sorties.

No. 305 Squadron "Land of Wielkopolska, named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski" - 305 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Wielkopolskiej imienia Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego
Formed on 1 September 1940, operational on 25 April 1941 in Bomber Command, on 5 September 1943 transferred to 2nd Tactical Air Force, disbanded on 6 January 1947. Code letters: SM.
Equipment:
-Fairey Battle (09.1940 - 11.1940 Mk.I),
-Vickers Wellington (11.1940 - 07.1941 Mk.IC, 07.1941 - 08.1942 Mk.II, 08.1942 - 04.1943 Mk.IV, 03.1943 - 04.1943 Mk.III, 04.1943 - 08.1943 Mk.X),
-North American Mitchell (08.1943 - 01.1944 Mk.II),
-De Havilland Mosquito (12.1943 - 12.1946 FB.VI).
Squadron flew 3581 sorties.

Poland, Fairey Battle


Poland, Vickers Wellington



Many thanks to DarthPanda for His work on B-25.
Poland, North American Mitchell


Poland, De Havilland Mosquito


Many thanks to DarthPanda for His work on Lancaster.
Poland, Avro Lancaster


Maritime aircraft

As mentioned, heavy losses suffered by Polish bomber squadrons when serving as part of Bomber Command's main force, forced transfer of half of them to duties which were expected to cause less losses (though certainly not less demanding per se). One of them, No. 304, was transferred to Coastal Command where it participated in Battle of Atlantic, and shortly after VE-Day was transferred to Transport Command.

No. 304 Squadron "Land of Silesia, named after Prince Józef Poniatowski" - 304 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Śląskiej imienia Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego
Transferred to Coastal Command on 10 May 1942, in June 1945 transferred to Transport Command (see below). Code letters: NZ, since July 1944: QD.
Equipment (1942-1945):
-Vickers Wellington (11.1940 - 06.1943 Mk.IA/C, 04.1943 - 06.1943 Mk.X, 06.1943 - 04.1944 GR.XIII, 09.1943 - 08.1945 GR.XIV)
As maritime unit squadron flew 2451 sorties, attacked 31 German submarines, and was officially credited with sinking two of them (U-321, U-441), though one of them was post-war verified to be sunk by another squadron; shot down 3 enemy aircraft confirmed, 4 probable and 4 damaged.

Poland, Vickers Wellington


Special Duties aircraft

Another Polish bomber squadron transferred out of Bomber Command due to losses was No. 301, which was disbanded altogether and re-formed as special duties flight in one of British squadrons, then as autonomous flight and eventually brought back to a squadron strength, finally being re-organized as transport squadron (see below). Code letters: GR

No. 301 Squadron "Land of Pomerania" - 301 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Pomorskiej
C (Polish) Flight of No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron RAF - Polska Eskadra "C" 138 Dywizjonu Specjalnego Przeznaczenia
No. 301 Polish Special Duties Flight - 301 Polska Eskadra Specjalnego Przeznaczenia
No. 1586 Special Duties Flight - 1586 Samodzielna Eskadra Specjalnego Przeznaczenia
No. 301 Squadron "Land of Pomerania" - 301 Dywizjon Specjalnego Przeznaczenia Ziemi Pomorskiej
As 'C' Flight of No.138 Squadron between 7 April 1943 and July 1943, as No. 301 (SD) Flight between July 1943 and November 1943, as No. 1586 (SD) Flight between November 1943 and November 1944, as No. 301 (SD) Squadron until 13 March 1945 when transferred to Coastal Command (see below).
It should be noted, that in contemporary Polish documents the unit is usually referred to as 301 Squadron regardless of "formal" name.
Equipment:
-Handley-Page Halifax (04.1943 - 03.1945 Mk.II and Mk.V),
-Consolidated Vultee Liberator (10.1943 - 03.1945 Mk.V and Mk.VI).
As Special Duties unit, squadron/flight was based mostly in Poland and flew 1335 sorties, dropping 692 SOE operatives and 1576,8 tons of supplies, including 426 sorties over Poland (dropping 332 operatives and 282,2 tons of supplies).

Many thanks to Rowdy36 for His work on Halifax.
Poland, Handley-Page Halifax


Many thanks to DarthPanda for His work on Liberator.
Poland, Consolidated Vultee Liberator


Transport Aircraft

Reduced demand for ASW and Special Duties services in the final months of war in Europe caused some of the related squadrons being transferred to Transport Command, including No. 301 and No. 304 squadrons. Additionaly many Polish airmen flew in British transport squadrons, and many others flew in Ferry units, delivering aircraft all over Europe, Mediterranean, Africa and over the Atlantic as well as to the Far East.

No. 301 Squadron "Land of Pomerania" - 301 Dywizjon Transportowy Ziemi Pomorskiej
As transport squadron from 13 March 1945, disbanded on 18 December 1946. Code letters: GR
Equipment:
-Vickers Warwick (03.1945 - 03.1946 C.I and C.III),
-Handley-Page Halifax (01.1946 - 12.1946 C.VIII).

No. 304 Squadron "Land of Silesia, named after Prince Józef Poniatowski" - 304 Dywizjon Transportowy Ziemi Śląskiej imienia Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego
As transport squadron from June 1945, disbanded on 18 December 1946. Code letters QD.
Equipment:
-Vickers Warwick (07.1945 - 02.1946 C.I and C.III),
-Handley-Page Halifax (01.1946 - 12.1946 C.VIII).

Poland, Douglas Dakota

Picture updated, October 2016

Poland, Bristol Blenheim


Poland, Vickers Warwick


Of course blanks and other paint schemes will follow in the coming days.

Absolutely bloody brilliant.

_________________

Jabba's Worklist

I'm too speechless to say anything.... those Wellingtons and Warwicks are just beyond superb!

_________________
Hood's Worklist
English Electric Canberra FD
Interwar RN Capital Ships
Super-Darings
Never-Were British Aircraft

So much awesomeness in one topic!!

_________________
- - -> My Worklist! <- - -

@eswube The rendering of the geodesic construction of the Wellington and Warwick is just superb. Thank you.

_________________
Je pardonne à tous ceux qui m'ont offensé... mais je garde la liste!


Worklist, FD scale submarines and ships :
- Project 971 "Akula" (80%)
- Project 705 "Alpha" (10%)
- Project 371 (70%)
- Project 1459 (30%)
- Projekt 151 Sassnitz (To be redone)