Name the plane.

[Adrian]

Just been looking through some old family photos and came across this one.

Can anyone identify the plane please?

[Rakkasan187]

Adrian,

I can't be 100% sure but this may be a Brewster F2A Buffalo. Might need to know a little more family history as the men look like Commonwealth personnel and the US made Brewster Buffalo did see service with the Allies in the South Pacific..

Just my thoughts, but will continue to search... Tough to make out by just the cowling but I'm sure we'll get it for you..

Smitty

[Chopperman]

I don't think it is either a Grumman Bearcat or Hellcat.

[Adrian]

I appreciate your help Gents.
I don't really know anything more other than my Uncle Dick is sitting on the right wing as we look at it second from left of the four guys.
He was in the Navy during the war and appears to be wearing his white sailor cap.
Unfortunately there's nothing written on the back.

[Willmore]

Hi there.

Based on the wheel wells on the underside of the wings, I think it might be a Grumman Avenger which the Royal Navy did employ.

Royal Navy service -

A brief history of 853 sqdn

Some photos including the wheel wells -

https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.o...s-tbm-avenger/

Kind regards,

Will.

[Rakkasan187]

Adrian..

OK,

So we can still find out possibly which Navy squadrons (Commonwealth) used allied planes.. We would need some more information so we can look up your relative on the genealogy sites. If you want to send me a PM if you dont feel comfortable posting the info here you can shoot me a message and we will see what we come up with..

@ Greg.

I agree that I dont think it is either a bearcat or hellcat.. This aircraft looks much smaller and stubby, but again with only the cowling it is a spitball guess at best right now...

I'm sure the combined knowledge pool here will piece this together for our member

@ Willmore..

I was typing as your replied so,,, Thanks for your insight as well...

Family history and records should confirm for us SQDRN and aircraft..

Oh I just realized I did not ID the aircraft in the photo.. This is a Brewster Buffalo on a training flight near Pensacola Florida in 1943.. Sorry about that folks... This was from the US Navy database...

Smitty

[CSW]

It's not a fighter but an Avenger to me: compare the landing gear system and engine details to these pictures. The wing profile and size match as well (they are indeed quite different on the F2A, for example).





EDIT: Apologies Will, you were faster this time!

[CSW]

For comparison, this is the approximate size of the considerably smaller F2A as seen in Finnish service. I believe the other major differences are also fairly well visible here

[SHEMP H]

It's not a fighter but an Avenger to me: compare the landing gear system and engine details to these pictures. The wing profile and size match as well (they are indeed quite different on the F2A, for example).





EDIT: Apologies Will, you were faster this time!

I agree, it's a TBF


Bill

[Anderson]

Start with identifying the servicemen; clearly Royal Navy or British Commonwealth. I would think RN Fleet Air Arm, somewhere in South Asia. Then review what aircraft they used. They did use the Avenger.