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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: NicolaLee99 on Sunday 02 September 18 15:50 BST (UK)
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Hi, I've found this picture of my great-uncle Stanley Deeley (left), who was a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm during the war. We don't really know anything about where he was stationed or what he did, apart from my mum remembers being told he possibly flew a few transport planes as well as fighter/bombers, and she definatly says he flew American Corsairs. I am asuming he also flew this plane, can anyone help me identify it?
Thanks
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This site may help https://www.fleetairarmoa.org/fleet-air-arm-aircraft although I couldn't see the plane on a very quick look.
Ray
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Thanks, but I couldn't seem to find anything. The closest I came across was the Fairey Albacore, but even that is not exactly the same
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It does look very much like a Beech UC 43 Traveller.
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196273/beech-uc-43-traveler/
According to wikipedia (in other words - this might or might not be accurate!) the 'plane was used from 1944-46 on lend-lease.
Philip
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Nearly defeated me. American Beechcraft GB2.
Added: Got in just before me Philip.
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Nearly defeated me. American Beechcraft GB2.
Added: Got in just before me Philip.
Not being an expert on aeroplanes I don't know if the Beechcraft GB2 is the same or a different model to the UC 43 - but if NicolaLee99 ties down the years it/they were in service it would also narrow down a date for the photograph.
Yay for us!
Philip
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[/quote/]
Not being an expert on aeroplanes I don't know if the Beechcraft GB2 is the same or a different model to the UC 43 - but if NicolaLee99 ties down the years it/they were in service it would also narrow down a date for the photograph.
Yay for us!
Philip
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I'm not 100% on the dates, but he would have been old enough to be in service since 1942, although we have definite records he was in the Air Arm during 1944-46. After having a look at the models you suggested I actually think I've come across the plane: Beechcraft Model D17S Staggerwing in FAA colours. The one in the picture Ive been told is from 1943
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Nice find, NicolaLee99.
We're all agreed on Beechcraft, but the precise model could be debatable. If you found the squadron then a search might determine which aeroplanes they were using (but unless you are looking for other information from a service record it might not be economical).
All the best
Philip
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Beechcraft UC43 "staggerwing". Prince Bernard of The Netherlands also was the owner of such an a/c.
Cheers,
Adrian
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Just to keep the record straight these aircraft were officially known as Beech Traveller Mk I when in Royal Navy/Fleet Air Arm service, Traveller with 2 LLs. The UC-43 Traveler, with only 1 L, was the US Army Air Corps designation and GB-2 the US Navy one. In civil life they were Beech 17 Staggerwings. Lots of ways of describing basically the same aircraft...
HTH,
Paul
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I was looking at my old photographs this afternoon and guess what I came across. This was at Popham nr. Basingstoke June 1994, open day and fly-in.
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https://nzwarbirds.org.nz/gallery/warbirds-family-album/Beech+D17S+Staggerwing.html
See 4th last paragraph.
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Hi
I know this is an old post and long ago but I was just chatting about my grandad who was Stanley Deeley in the original photograph.
Hoping this reaches NicolaLee99 as I believe your grandad was his brother? Am I right? We have no connections to that side of the family it would be great to connect!