Tomahawk IIB AN218, coded 'B' and named 'Menace' was flown by Flying Officer Neville Bowker.
These shots were among the first group of photos to be released showing 112 Squadron's then-new
sharkmouth motif, providing inspiration for the A.V.G. in China/Burma to decorate their P-40s
in a similar fashion. The following is the news tag from the reverse of the photo, dated 10/16/41:
Tomahawk Fighters Retouched
Africa -- As if U.S.-built Tomahawk fighters with RAF pilots at the controls weren't disquieting
enough to the Axis airmen fighting over Africa, an artist attached to an RAF squadron has gone to
work on the outfit's Tomahawks with this horrendous result. The sleek lines of the American fighters
lend themselves very well to this transformation into man-eating sharks.
Another view showing 'The Menace', second from the camera. Date and location
currently unknown (to me). She apparently carried two different sharkmouths, and this
smaller one was the first; 'twas later overpainted with the second, larger motif.
This well-known and widely-published photo shows a Kittyhawk I of 112 Squadron taxiing
at Sidi Heneish Landing Ground, Egypt with the requisite spotter sitting on the port wing.
Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) -
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Shark Handlers
Men of 112 Squadron with one of their sharks. I have conflicting info as to who is who,
except the fella on the left; Clive Caldwell, who is also shown in the next two photos.
Another view. Looks like the photographer used a red filter here, as the spinner, eye, the
sharkmouth's tongue, and anything else with a hint of red in it all take on a lighter tone.
There is a name above the exhausts, though I can't make it out fully. The last four letters
appear to be 'NEEN'. Also, it has the look of having been rubbed out of the dirt and grime
rather than having been painted on. The name is also barely visible in the previous photo.
The next two photos were taken on March 28th, 1942 during a visit by Air Vice Marshall
Arthur Coningham during which 112 Squadron was presented its new badge. I have conflicting
information as to the location... it was either Gambut Airfield in Libya or Sidi Heneish, Egypt.
Shown in each photo is Coningham and Squadron Leader Clive Caldwell, 112 Squadron's C.O.
The Imperial War Museum's caption for the following photo reads:
"Squadron Leader Clive Caldwell, the CO of No. 112 Squadron RAF ("The Shark Squadron"),
giving last minute instructions to Sergeant Jerzy Różański, originally of the Polish
Air Force, for his operational flight over Cyrenaica. RAF Gambut, 24 March 1942."
The Imperial War Museum's caption for the following photo reads:
"Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark I, AK772 'GA-Y' 'London Pride', of No. 112 Squadron RAF
is prepared for a sortie at Gambut Main, Libya. The ground crew can just be seen
assisting the pilot to strap himself into the cockpit. The aircraft is carrying a 250-lb
GP Bomb, fitted with a surface-burst impact fuse, under the fuselage. Note also
the plugs placed in the exhaust stubs to keep the desert sand out.
AK772 was lost on a ground attack mission near Bir Hacheim on 30 May 1942;
its Australian pilot, Pilot Officer H G Burney, was killed."
A closer look at the rear fuselage shows the 'London Pride' inscription above the 'Y'.
Imperial War Museum
It's a Shark, Eh?
Sgt. Walter Richard 'Dickie' Blake, RCAF, with Kittyhawk III FR137, coded GA-Z.
Posted by Gerald Larouge on Facebook -
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Another shot of the Canadian Blake with FR137. This ship was apparently damaged beyond
repair after a belly landing, though I have conflicting info as to the date and location.
Posted by Amado Aguiluz on Facebook -
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Trio of Sharks
The Imperial War Museum's caption for the following photo reads:
"The CO of No 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force and his two Flight Commanders discuss
a course. Squadron Leader G.W. Garton holds the map; the pilot on his right is
believed to be Captain E.C. Saville, the 'A' Flight CO and the officer on his
left is thought to be Flight Lieutenant L. Usher, the 'B' Flight CO."
The Hawk shown in the above photo, Kittyhawk III FR472,
coded 'GA-L', is also seen in this photo from the same series.
The Imperial War Museum's caption reads:
"Three Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IIIs of No 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force preparing
to depart from Medenine on a sortie. The pilots of FR472 'GA-L' and FR440 'GA-V',
are waiting for the section leader in the farthest aircraft to move out. All
three Kittyhawks display the squadron's distinctive 'shark mouth' insignia."
Kittyhawk III FR806 (equivalent to the P-40M), coded GA-Q at Foggia Main, Italy,
stands ready for a sortie with two 250lb bombs under the belly and three 40 pounders
under each wing. This ship is unusual in that it appears to be painted OD over gray.
Kittyhawk III FR509 (equivalent to a long-tailed P-40K). I have conflicting info as to the date and
location here, but the photo may have been taken at Pachino Landing Ground in Sicily during 1943.
Some 'Sharks' receive a bit of TLC at Brindisi Landing Ground, Italy, September of 1943.
Of note are the mis-matched cowling panels on the Kittyhawk nearest the camera.
