Onbekend toestel – tussen wat we weten en wat ontbreekt
Niet elk vliegtuig laat zich benoemen. Soms ontbreekt de naam, het type, het bewijs dat het verhaal compleet maakt. Wat overblijft is een fragment. Een foto zonder duidelijke markeringen. Een verslag waarin het toestel slechts wordt omschreven, maar niet herkend.
In de archieven verschijnen deze momenten vaker dan je zou denken. Een melding van een vlucht, een incident, een bemanning – maar zonder het detail dat alles samenbrengt. Het vliegtuig blijft een vraagteken.
Toch doet dat niets af aan wat er gebeurde. De missie werd gevlogen, het risico was er, de uitkomst ook. Alleen de vorm waarin het gebeurde blijft onduidelijk.
Voor wie zoekt naar volledigheid is dat lastig. Er is altijd de neiging om het laatste stukje te vinden, om de naam alsnog vast te leggen. Soms lukt dat. Soms ook niet.
Maar misschien hoort dit er ook bij. Geschiedenis is niet altijd compleet. Niet alles kan worden ingevuld. En juist in die open plekken zit een andere vorm van betekenis.
Het onbekende toestel staat voor alles wat niet helemaal te reconstrueren is. Voor de verhalen die blijven bestaan, ook zonder dat elk detail bekend is.
En misschien is dat genoeg. Dat het er was. Dat het gebeurde. En dat het, op zijn eigen manier, deel uitmaakt van het grotere geheel.
| Naam | Datum | RAF Station | Incident |
| Pilot Officer H C M Bamber H C M Bamber | 1940-07-07 | Wyton | Crashed near Bruges |
| Sergeant A R Davies A R Davies | 1940-09-07 | Linton on Ouse | |
| Aircraftman 2nd Class A S Daws A S Daws | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Private J Devereaux J Devereaux | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Leading Aircraftman H Donkin H Donkin | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Leading Aircraftman H Donkin H Donkin | 1940-10-23 | Linton on Ouse | |
| Pilot Officer R A Hadley R A Hadley | 1940-10-07 | Linton on Ouse | Crashed landing at Bircham Newton |
| Private A Harrison A Harrison | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Sergeant J Holdsworth J Holdsworth | 1940-07-07 | Wyton | Crashed near Bruges |
| Aircraftwoman M Hudson M Hudson | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| F Ibbitson F Ibbitson | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Aircraftman 2nd Class E A L Jones E A L Jones | 1940-04-14 | ||
| Aircraftman 1st Class O R Lock O R Lock | 1940-10-23 | Linton on Ouse | |
| Aircraftman 2nd Class F G Malin F G Malin | 1941-11-09 | North Luffenham | Collided with airfield control caravan on return (Ground Staff) |
| Aircraftman 1st Class F Mason F Mason | 1941-12-17 | ||
| Leading Aircraftman K E New K E New | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Aircraftman 2nd Class E Offord E Offord | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Sergeant G Reid G Reid | 1940-07-07 | Wyton | Crashed near Bruges |
| Aircraftman 1st Class G Roberts G Roberts | 1941-11-09 | North Luffenham | Collided with airfield control caravan on return (Ground Staff) |
| Private T Round T Round | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Gunner G W Turner G W Turner | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Corporal F White F White | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Private C Whittleton C Whittleton | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| Leading Aircraftman E Wiffen E Wiffen | 1940-10-23 | Linton on Ouse | |
| Aircraftman 1st Class J W M Windle J W M Windle | 1940-08-15 | Driffield | |
| 1940-09-01 | Honington | Force landed nr Mannington | |
| Sergeant R H Biard R H Biard | |||
| Staff Sergeant W E Caurington W E Caurington | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Corporal T A Clifford T A Clifford | 1942-06-17 | Chivenor | |
| Flight Sergeant Fayers Fayers | 1942-12-02 | Ossington | |
| Sergeant G B Gowers G B Gowers | |||
| Leading Aircraftman W Hanson W Hanson | 1942-07-04 | Chivenor | |
| 2nd Lieutenant W J Hession W J Hession | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| 1st Lieutenant N J Hunt N J Hunt | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Sergeant C Ilian C Ilian | |||
| Staff Sergeant L A Jackson L A Jackson | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Flight Sergeant R A La Franchise R A La Franchise | |||
| Staff Sergeant D L McEwant D L McEwant | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Temp. Sergeant W L McKinzie W L McKinzie | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Aircraftman A O'Hara A O'Hara | 1942-04-18 | Ossington | Killed at base |
| Staff Sergeant M Osment M Osment | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Sergeant A E Redding A E Redding | |||
| 1st Lieutenant P B Roetzel P B Roetzel | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Sergeant E K Southward E K Southward | |||
| Temp. Sergeant H C Wilkinson H C Wilkinson | 1942-07-13 | Crashed Wrangle Common Lincs | |
| Sergeant H J D G Adams H J D G Adams | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer W W Adams W W Adams | 1943-08-09 | ||
| Flight Sergeant H W Addis H W Addis | 1943-12-03 | Special Duties | |
| Sergeant E J Anderson E J Anderson | 1943-07-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant J Anderson J Anderson | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant W Antcliffe W Antcliffe | 1943-05-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant C W Astle C W Astle | 1943-05-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant C C Atkin C C Atkin | 1943-03-04 | Nickel | |
| Aircraftwoman 2nd Class Austin Austin | 1943-04-08 | ||
| Sergeant Austin Austin | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Flying Officer J B G Bailey J B G Bailey | 1943-05-23 | SE- | |
| Sergeant P Baldwin P Baldwin | 1943-08-09 | ||
| Flight Sergeant Baldwin Baldwin | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Pilot Officer V N Ballard V N Ballard | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant R W Ballnaff R W Ballnaff | 1943-08-09 | ||
| Flight Lieutenant Barnes Barnes | 1943-04-22 | ||
| Sergeant D W Bartholomew D W Bartholomew | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer G E E Bell G E E Bell | 1943-08-09 | ||
| Pilot Officer F G Bingham F G Bingham | 1943-08-21 | J | |
| Sergeant D G Bird D G Bird | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Flight Lieutenant Brassington Brassington | 1943-11-22 | ||
| Flight Sergeant J J Britton J J Britton | 1943-04-06 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant G W Brothwell G W Brothwell | 1943-01-14 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant N C Brown N C Brown | 1943-08-25 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant R Brown R Brown | 1943-04-16 | Special Task | |
| Flight Sergeant Brown Brown | 1943-11-09 | ||
| Pilot Officer J Burgess J Burgess | 1943-12-05 | Special Duties | |
| Sergeant R J P Chandler R J P Chandler | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant C R Choma C R Choma | 1943-12-23 | ||
| Pilot Officer J Christie J Christie | 1943-10-12 | ||
| Pilot Officer F Clayton F Clayton | 1943-11-14 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant S Cookson S Cookson | 1943-01-14 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant F T Cooper F T Cooper | 1943-08-25 | Nickel | |
| Squadron Leader, The Hon P I Cunliffe-Lister P I Cunliffe-Lister | 1943-07-17 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant D M Davis D M Davis | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer M G Dayman M G Dayman | 1943-10-12 | ||
| Flying Officer O G De-Jongh O G De-Jongh | 1943-11-22 | ||
| Sergeant T G Dellar T G Dellar | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant A R Denzey A R Denzey | 1943-05-13 | HA-T | |
| Pilot Officer A R Dicker A R Dicker | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant P Dillon P Dillon | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Flight Sergeant P G Dobson P G Dobson | 1943-09-08 | ||
| Flight Sergeant R E Dorman R E Dorman | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Flight Sergeant G L Dowling G L Dowling | 1943-07-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant W A Drew W A Drew | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant A Drury A Drury | 1943-05-23 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer R R F Durne R R F Durne | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Flight Sergeant D Durrant D Durrant | 1943-06-14 | SpecialTask | |
| Pilot Officer W G H Eager W G H Eager | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Eight Crew killed Eight Crew killed | 1943-04-08 | ||
| Warrant Officer L R Fadden L R Fadden | 1943-05-23 | OW- | |
| Flight Sergeant K R Fallowdon K R Fallowdon | 1943-11-22 | ||
| Sergeant F W Forster F W Forster | 1943-11-03 | -E | Nickel |
| Sergeant R J Franklin R J Franklin | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer G T Freemantle G T Freemantle | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 G A Gauley G A Gauley | 1943-11-03 | -E | Nickel |
| Sergeant D Gaunt D Gaunt | 1943-05-23 | OW- | |
| Pilot Officer G B Gibson G B Gibson | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant R G Gillham R G Gillham | 1943-09-03 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant W Gilroy W Gilroy | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer A Grant A Grant | 1943-11-22 | ||
| Pilot Officer G Griffiths G Griffiths | 1943-04-16 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant A S Grove A S Grove | 1943-01-14 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant Gunn Gunn | 1943-03-13 | ||
| Sergeant C E Gunning C E Gunning | 1943-03-04 | Nickel | |
| Flight Lieutenant C H Hall C H Hall | 1943-05-23 | SE- | |
| Flying Officer P F Hall P F Hall | 1943-05-09 | Special Task | |
| Flight Sergeant G P Halverson G P Halverson | 1943-09-03 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant J D Halvorsen J D Halvorsen | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Flight Sergeant Hampson Hampson | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Sergeant B Hannaway B Hannaway | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Sergeant A R Harding A R Harding | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Pilot Officer W C Hawke W C Hawke | 1943-07-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant C Hayhurst C Hayhurst | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant W D Henderson W D Henderson | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Sergeant J Hennessey J Hennessey | 1943-06-22 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant P R Hogan P R Hogan | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Pilot Officer A L Holmes A L Holmes | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Flight Lieutenant S D L Hood S D L Hood | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Flight Sergeant J T Houghton J T Houghton | 1943-04-06 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant R W Hughes R W Hughes | 1943-08-21 | J | |
| Pilot Officer H Ibbett H Ibbett | 1943-08-09 | ||
| Flight Sergeant L Jenkinson L Jenkinson | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Flight Sergeant M L John M L John | 1943-12-23 | ||
| Flying Officer W F John W F John | 1943-11-14 | Special Task | |
| Warrant Officer H W Johnson H W Johnson | 1943-11-22 | ||
| Sergeant J H Jones J H Jones | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant J H Jones J H Jones | 1943-05-23 | OW- | |
| Aircraftman 2nd Class K Jones K Jones | 1943-02-13 | ||
| Sergeant K W Keen K W Keen | 1943-02-18 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant E A Kelly E A Kelly | 1943-01-14 | Nickel | |
| Flight Lieutenant J L Kennedy J L Kennedy | 1943-11-03 | -E | Nickel |
| Pilot Officer A P Kernon A P Kernon | 1943-07-17 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant H R Kinder H R Kinder | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer J F King J F King | 1943-04-06 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant K Knaggs K Knaggs | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Flying Officer J Koughlan J Koughlan | 1943-10-12 | ||
| Sergeant H Lancaster H Lancaster | 1943-05-13 | HA-T | |
| Sergeant Lawrence Lawrence | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Sergeant Lemeracky Lemeracky | 1943-04-08 | ||
| Pilot Officer F R Leonard F R Leonard | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant L M Lewis L M Lewis | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant D J Lindsay D J Lindsay | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Sergeant S E Logue S E Logue | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Sergeant G S Loveday G S Loveday | 1943-03-04 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant T O Mackay T O Mackay | 1943-09-03 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant A H Martin A H Martin | 1943-02-18 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant W W Massie W W Massie | 1943-09-03 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer P W Masters P W Masters | 1943-03-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant P McAleese P McAleese | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Sergeant J W McCausland J W McCausland | 1943-01-29 | E | Nickel |
| Sergeant McCoombe McCoombe | 1943-03-04 | ||
| Sergeant A T McCormick A T McCormick | 1943-05-23 | OW- | |
| Warrant Officer L C McCracken L C McCracken | 1943-05-23 | OW- | |
| Sergeant W H McDonald W H McDonald | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Pilot Officer W H Mitchell W H Mitchell | 1943-08-25 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant J A Molloy J A Molloy | 1943-03-04 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant Moores Moores | 1943-04-08 | ||
| Pilot Officer B E Morgan B E Morgan | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant H Mottershead H Mottershead | 1943-04-06 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant H F Muller H F Muller | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Sergeant D C Nelson D C Nelson | 1943-01-14 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant P J Newman P J Newman | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Pilot Officer J E Norris J E Norris | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant F Nuttall F Nuttall | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Sergeant A J Oakes A J Oakes | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant O'Gorman O'Gorman | 1943-05-19 | ||
| Sergeant F J Page F J Page | 1943-07-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant J E Parkes J E Parkes | 1943-02-18 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant G C W Parslow G C W Parslow | 1943-05-23 | SE- | |
| Flying Officer D E Paul D E Paul | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Sergeant P H Pearce P H Pearce | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant J G Perfect J G Perfect | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant C F Pick C F Pick | 1943-08-25 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant D T Pitman D T Pitman | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant W J Prause W J Prause | 1943-09-03 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant H F Puder H F Puder | 1943-04-22 | ||
| Sergeant E Pursell E Pursell | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant J Quinn J Quinn | 1943-12-23 | ||
| Sergeant A W Raggett A W Raggett | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant J G Ramshaw J G Ramshaw | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Pilot Officer F A Read F A Read | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Pilot Officer D R Reed D R Reed | 1943-02-13 | ||
| Sergeant B C Reeves B C Reeves | 1943-06-11 | Nickel | |
| Flight Sergeant G Richmond G Richmond | |||
| Sergeant R H Roskell R H Roskell | 1943-03-04 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant F R Scargall F R Scargall | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Sergeant J Scott J Scott | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Pilot Officer A R Shepherd A R Shepherd | 1943-02-18 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant G R Simmons G R Simmons | 1943-08-25 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant S N Sloan S N Sloan | 1943-05-23 | SE- | |
| Sergeant A E Spencer A E Spencer | 1943-11-03 | -E | Nickel |
| Pilot Officer L E Stockwell L E Stockwell | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant G Swan G Swan | 1943-06-12 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Flying Officer H F McP Taylor H F McP Taylor | 1943-12-05 | Special Duties | |
| Pilot Officer R Taylor R Taylor | 1943-06-14 | SpecialTask | |
| Sergeant W Todd W Todd | 1943-07-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant G Tombe G Tombe | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Sergeant A D Trotter A D Trotter | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant E G Ufton E G Ufton | 1943-04-06 | Air Sea Rescue | |
| Pilot Officer J E Ulrich J E Ulrich | 1943-03-07 | MH-F | Gardening |
| Sergeant J H Upton J H Upton | 1943-11-03 | -E | Nickel |
| Sergeant H R Wakley H R Wakley | 1943-01-17 | -C | Berlin |
| Sergeant N Walker N Walker | 1943-08-02 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer K B Walter K B Walter | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Sergeant C A Warnes C A Warnes | 1943-05-23 | Nickel | |
| Pilot Officer K A C Weaving K A C Weaving | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Sergeant E C Webb E C Webb | 1943-01-17 | -X | Berlin |
| Sergeant C F S Wells C F S Wells | 1943-05-23 | Nickel | |
| Sergeant T A Wilder T A Wilder | 1943-08-30 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant H Woodrow H Woodrow | 1943-01-17 | Berlin | |
| Pilot Officer W C Woodruff W C Woodruff | 1943-05-09 | Special Task | |
| Sergeant R H Woolcock R H Woolcock | 1943-12-16 | ||
| Sergeant A R York A R York | 1943-02-18 | Nickel | |
| 1943-05-04 | |||
| 1943-08-31 | |||
| 1943-11-05 | |||
| 1943-09-08 | |||
| 1943-07-27 | Ground | ||
| 1943-11-20 | |||
| 1943-10-08 | |||
| Sergeant Robert B Craven Robert B Craven | Greenham Common | Killed when hit by last | |
| Leading Aircraftman B Ash B Ash | 1940-08-15 | Driffield |
