FLIGHTPATH|27One of the squadron’s Tomahawks set up for gun harmonisation. The first of the new
aircraft arrived in mid May 1941. John Jackson did not fly one until 4 June after he returned
from the unit’s detachment on Cyprus. Many of the Tomahawks’ sorties involved ground
strafing, but the results could be frustrating as no incendiary ammunition was provided.
[AWM image P12424.075]
ABOVE: A Vichy Air Force Potez 63.11 captured by 3
Squadron. Another type used by both sides (Armée
de l’air during the invasion of France and the Free
French in North Africa), the Potez 63.11 was primarily a
reconnaissance platform. Note the machine guns
mounted under the wing in streamlined pods. Besides
two on the other wing, another three were probably
mounted under the fuselage. John Jackson claimed
what he identified as a Potez on 25 June 1941.
[AWM image P12424.073]LEFT: A Vichy French Potez 25TOE (Théâtres d’Opérations
Extérieures) aircraft captured by 3 Squadron and
possibly seen at Rayak, Syria, although given its
apparent completeness and Rayak’s rampant airframe
souveniring, this may not be the case. A rugged and
versatile 1920s design, it was a sesquiplane with the
lower wing surface significantly smaller than the upper
wing. The 25TOE was the most numerous variant built
(almost 800) and was powered by the Lorraine 12Eb
engine which had its twelve cylinders arranged in a ‘W’
with four per bank. It saw some action against
Australian ground forces. [AWM image P12424.083]