The Menace

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.



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From: LIFE Unknown Issue - Larger Image

Another view showing 'The Menace', second from the camera. Date and location
currently unknown (to me). Also, I have conflicting info as to whether or not there
was a second ship to carry this name. If so, could this possibly be that other ship?


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A closer look...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Sand Shark

Tomahawk IIB AK367, probably coded 'C', at Fayid Airfield (LG-211), Egypt in September of 1941.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Brushing a Shark's Teeth

The Imperial War Museum caption for this photo reads:

"Mechanics perform an engine change on Curtiss Tomahawk Mark IIB, AK475 'GA-J'
of No. 112 Squadron RAF at a landing ground in the Western Desert."


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A little to the right...

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) - Larger Image

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.


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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.


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Desert Brass

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.


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image


Andrew Main via RAFWEB - Larger Image

Polski Rekin

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."


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J-Jug

I believe that this Kittyhawk IA is ET527.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Toothless Shark

This Kittyhawk IA has either yet to receive 112 Squadron's distinctive sharkmouth
motif or has had replacement cowling panels fitted.


San Diego Air & Space Museum - Larger Image

Happy Shark

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."


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image

A closer look at the rear fuselage shows the 'London Pride' inscription above the 'Y'.


Imperial War Museum

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."


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image

Triple Bite

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."


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image

A closer look at FR440...


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image

... and the other two ships.


Imperial War Museum - Larger Image

Vanquished Shark

This Kittyhawk was brought down by ground fire near San Stephano, Sicily on August 3rd, 1943.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image


Another view...


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Italian Sharks

Kittyhawks of 112 Squadron depart for a mission from Foggia Airbase, Italy.


Project 914 Archives (S. Donacik collection) - Larger Image


The above image was scanned from a cropped print in the webmaster's collection.
Here's the full photo, from the Imperial War Museum's archives...


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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.


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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.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

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.


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