You’re quite right A.3661 was the RE8 flown by Lieutenants S. G. Garrett and A. V. Barrow, while B.6576 was the RE8 flown by Lieutenants T. L. Simpson and E. C. Banks. Unfortunately the Memorial does not hold images of either of these aircraft. It is a possiblity that A.3661 could have carried the letter “I” on it, however without any images to prove it, it is just an assumption.

Photographs are the main source in linking aircraft letters and serial numbers. The unit records don’t record individual aircraft letters and other surviving official records don’t make reference to individual code letters either just the serial numbers. However, in saying that, photographs can usually only be used as a guide rather than as a definitive source because they often lack specific dates which would allow some reconstruction of the numbering system within the squadron. Although RE8s did not suffer as high a rate of attrition as fighter aircraft, when one was out of service their individual letters were often applied to a replacement aircaft further complicating the picture.

Regards
Amanda Rebbeck
Exhibitions Assistant Curator - Over the Front: the Great War in the Air

Are there any photos of either of the two R.E.8’s that were involved in the Red Baron’s last dogfight? The nember of one was A3661. As aircraft A3662 had the letter “J” on it, could A3661 have had the letter “I” ? The other aircraft may have been B3576 but I can’t remember.

Thank you,

Roger Delgado