The Ferrymead Aeronautical Society’s De Havilland Mosquito serial number HR339 was allocated to 487 Squadron RNZAF based at Thorney Island in West Sussex, UK in November 1944 with the fuselage codes EG-J. The squadron moved to Rosières-en-Santerre in France in February 1945. HR339 was severely damaged when flown on Operation Clarion on 22 February 1945 and was sent away for repairs. On returning to 487 Squadron in April 1945 HR339 wore the fuselage codes EG-H.
The aircraft was flown on operations by number of crews between December 1944 and the cessation of hostilities in May 1945. The following list of crews and the number of operations flown in HR339 is taken from the 487 Squadron Operational Records Book and is complete as far as we know. Names have been added from the excellent ‘Through to the End’ by David Palmer and Aad Neeven.
| Pilot | Navigator | Number of Operations |
| Flt Lt Rowland John ‘Jack’ Dempsey | Flt Sgt Edward John ‘Ted’ Paige RAAF | 13 |
| Flt Lt Donald Bruce Blackwell | Flt Sgt Clarence Robert John Falconer | 1 |
| WO Reginald Wilson Cullum | FO Leonard Herbert George Burgess | 1 |
| Flt Lt A.R. (Alexander?) Fair (RAF?) | FO R. (Richard?) Towns (RAF?) | 2 |
| FO M.W. Rowley | Flt Sgt Frank Pygram RAF | 1 |
| Flt Lt Kingsley Lawrence Monaghan RAF | Flt Lt Albert William Dean RAF | 1 |
| FO Eugene Augustus Breen | Flt Lt Graham Burfield Jones | 6 |
| Flt Lt Raymond Mervyn Nicholson | PO J. (James?) Nelson (RAF?) | 2 |
| Flt Lt Leslie Thomas William Smale | FO Robert Gordon Dillon | 4 |
If you know the story of any of the men named above or if you recognise a relative in the list feel free to get in touch to tell us more. You may also like to check out the Remembering 487 (NZ) Squadron Facebook page.
Following the end of the war and the disbanding of 487 Squadron HR339 was returned to the UK and overhauled by Marshall of Cambridge before being placed in storage at RAF Hullavington. In late 1947 HR339 was sold to the RNZAF (she was allocated, but never marked with, the serial number NZ2382) and flown to RAF Pershore from where she left the UK for the last time on 14 October 1947, flown by Flight Lieutenant F. J. Adams and Flying Officer M. J. Fry.
The normal ferry route for the 76 Mosquitos acquired from the UK was via Bordeaux, Malta, El Adem, Fayid, Shaibah, Bahrein, Karachi, Butterworth, Singapore, Surabaya, Darwin, Townsville and Sydney. HR339 was delayed enroute at Malta for an engine change and was flown onwards by Flight Lieutenant Bailey and Warrant Officer R.M. Cattermole, arriving at Ohakea on 24 March 1948.
Restoration of HR339 is ongoing. Any donations of money or parts to help complete this project would be gratefully received. Please contact the Society via the contact page if you can help.
Ferrymead Aeronautical Society 