ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A22 Fairey Battle - R3924 to R7385

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Fairey Battle 1 Bombing and Gunnery School RAAF Evans Head, NSW Photo via Mike Mirkovic
     
 

RAAF Fairey Battle Image Gallery

  
     
 

RAAF Fairey Battle Pages by Serial Range
Battle Index Page K7575 to K9486 L4941 to L5798 N2027 to N2256 P2157 to P6762 R3924 to R7385 V1201 to V1277
 
     
 

These 26 Fairey Battles shipped to the RAAF were from the following batches built for the RAF and then allocated for the Empire Air Training Scheme:

  • 23 aircraft from the batch of 100 Fairey Battle I's built from October 1939 to May 1940 by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39 with RAF serials R3922 to R4054.
     

  • 3 aircraft from the batch of 100 Fairey Battle Trainers built from May to November 1940 by Fairey at Stockport under contract 15447/39 with RAF serials R7356 to R4054.

The first 23 were all Mark I's fitted out as dual control training aircraft and the final 3 in this serial range were Battle Trainers with two separate cockpits. An RAAF E/E.88 Staus card referring to "Fairey Battle R5956" is an anomaly as this serial actually belongs to an RAF Airspeed Oxford.

  
     
 
Aircraft Serial C/N Model History
R3924   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
28/10/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
18/08/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
24/11/1940 Received at 1 AP ex UK fitted with Merlin III 19925,
(Note the E.E/88 for R3924 records both 24 & 25 November as the date received),
16/12/1940 Received 1 AD ex 1 AP,
18/12/1940 Issued to 1 BGS ex 1 AD,
16/01/1941 Taxying accident - struck building and port wing tip damaged, (Repaired),
05/07/1941 Reported as unserviceable for more than one month,
18/05/1942 1 BAGS,
22/06/1942 Awaiting conversion to components,
Converted to components.
R3925   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
20/11/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
02/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
22/12/1940 Awaiting erection at 1 AP ex UK,
Currently Researching
R3927   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
31/10/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
29/06/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
30/08/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
18/09/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3928   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
08/11/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
12/06/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
29/08/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
27/10/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3929   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
30/10/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
29/05/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
11/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
02/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3931   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
31/10/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
12/06/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
17/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
14/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3934   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
31/10/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
29/06/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
30/08/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
18/08/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3936   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
14/11/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
19/09/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
03/12/40 Received from RAF,
08/12/40 Awaiting erection at 1 Air Park, Geelong ex UK with Merlin III 19883,
20/12/40 Received 1 Air Depot, Laverton ex 1 Air Park, Geelong,
28/12/40 Issued 1 Bombing & Gunnery School ex 1 Air Depot, Laverton,
06/01/41 Serviceable at 1 Bombing & Gunnery School ex 1 Air Depot, Laverton,
20/01/41 Dived into ground. Turned. Flicked onto back and dived.
Converted to produce and scrap.
R3939   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
08/11/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
19/08/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
Served with 1 Bombing & Air Gunnery School, Evans Head.
During a turn the aircraft reportedly flicked on to its back and dived into the ground 18/01/42.
Crew; PLTOFF D.E. Allan, LAC A.J. Powell and LAC H.J. Pope.
R3944   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
22/11/39 36 MU, RAF Sealand,
19/09/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3948   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
06/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
22/09/40 Austin,
13/11/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
15/01/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3949   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
11/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/09/40 Austin,
28/11/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
23/02/41 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
24/03/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3951   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
11/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/09/40 Austin,
08/11/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
23/02/41 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
24/03/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3954   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
12/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
22/09/40 Austin,
05/11/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
23/11/44 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/02/41 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
04/06/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R3956   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
12/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/09/40 Austin,
13/11/41 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
15/01/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Crashed Evans Head, 18/01/41.
R3957   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
29/12/39 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/09/40 Austin,
13/11/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
15/01/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4002   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
0/02/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
26/09/40 Austin,
28/12/40 Parks,
11/03/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4006   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
25/02/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
17/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
14/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
Served with 1 Bombing & Air Gunnery School, Evans Head.
Crashed at Moss Vale, NSW, on delivery flight to No.1 Bombing and Gunnery School on 11/02/41.
The wreckage was relocated in early 1995. Crew; F/Lt HW Ross.
R4008   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
22/02/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
17/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
14/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4009   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
22/02/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
17/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
14/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4012   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
23/02/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
17/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
14/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4019   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
19/03/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
22/09/40 Austin,
21/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
15/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R4049   Mark I Dual Control RAF History:
 Built by Austin Motors at Longbridge under contract B2580/39,
Built by Fairey at Stockport under contract 15447/39,
23/04/40 9 MU, RAF Cosford,
22/09/40 Austin,
12/10/40 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
02/11/40 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R5956?   Mark I Dual Control Probable Serial Anomaly
Currently Researching
R5696 was an RAF Airspeed Oxford and not an RAAF Fairey Battle.
Probably a misprint on the E/E.88 for R3956?
R7377 F4881 Battle Trainer RAF History:
Built by Fairey at Stockport under contract 15447/39,
15/06/40 6 Operational Training Unit,
23/03/41 27 MU, RAF Shawbury,
02/05/41 1 Flying Training School,
06/08/41 Damaged in heavy landing, Shrewton,
17/08/41 Rosenfield,
05/02/42 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
07/04/42 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
08/10/42 Received 1 Air Depot, Laverton ex UK (1 Air Park for erection),
09/03/43 Allotted 2 BAGS ex 1 Air Depot, Laverton (Received 10/03/43),
05/12/43 Allotted 3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 2 Bombing & Gunnery School, Port Pirie (Received 13/12/43),
24/02/44 Allotted 1 Central Recovery Depot, Werribee pending approval for conversion to components (Received 28/02/44),
01/04/44 Allotted 3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie Store ex 1 Central Recovery Depot, Werribee,
10/07/44 Forced landing,
25/07/44 A/C not yet received,
25/09/44 Received 3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 5 Central Recovery Depot, Port Pirie,
18/10/44 Allotted 5 Central Recovery Depot, Port Pirie ex 3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie (Received 06/11/44),
04/02/45 Engine and equipment removed for storage,
11/10/45 Recommended to be offered for disposal through Commonwealth Disposals Commission,
14/12/45 Approval given.

(Note: This aircraft was from a batch produced for delivery to Canada, not yet clear why it ended up in Australia).
R7380 F4844 Battle Trainer RAF History:
Built by Fairey at Stockport under contract 15447/39,
23/06/40 6 Operational Training Unit,
21/09/40 12 Operational Training Unit,
16/12/40 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit,
17/02/41 Overshot forced landing into ditch, Crosshall, 1 mile north of Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire,
24/04/41 Western A/W,
17/05/41 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
09/06/41 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
R7385 F4849 Battle Trainer RAF History:
Built by Fairey at Stockport under contract 15447/39,
27/06/40 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton,
27/07/40 7 Flying Training School,
23/3/41 22 MU, RAF Silloth,
10/05/41 1 Flying Training School,
10/05/41 Engine cut, belly landed Beckford near Silloth,
15/05/41 To Fairey,
29/08/41 Engine cut, belly landed Irington near Leominster, Hereford,
19/09/41 1 Flying Training School,
16/10/41 Rosenfield,
02/01/42 47 MU, RAF Sealand,
07/04/42 To RAAF.
RAAF History:
Currently Researching
 
     

The Author of this page is Brendan Cowan.

Source: National Archives, Dean Normans Aircrew Project, Aircraft Status Cards, British Military Aircraft Serials 1911-1979 Bruce Robertson, www.ozatwar.com, Fairey Battle in the R.A.A.F. John Lever, The Battle File. Air-Britain, http://www.worldmilitair.com/manufactor/fai%20030%200000.pdf

Emails: Warwick Henry, Mike Draper, Greg Hyde, Keith Hayles, Wynnum Graham, Dean Norman, Gordon Birkett, Grahame Higgs, Bob Livingstone, Michael Louey.

Updated 20th September 2019
     

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