Kookaburra - RAAF Camouflage and Markings 1939-1945 Vol.1

AIRCRAFT AND MARKINGS OF THE R.A.A.F. 1939-1945 GEOFFREY PENTLAND Illustrated by the Author

Foreword by Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger

Book is missing color plate pages 33-34

LANSDOWNE PRESS

First published 1970 by Lansdowne Press 346 St Kilda Road Melbourne © 1970 Geoffrey Pentland

Type set by Monotrade Pty Ltd Melbourne Printed and bound in Singapore by Times Printers Sdn. Bhd.

Frontispiece

A busy scene at No.1 Aircraft Performance Unit, Point Cook, in 1945. Ten different types of aircraft can be seen in this photograph.

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Contents Foreword Introduction 1 The U.K. and Europe 1939-45 2 The Middle East 1940-45

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3 The Pacific 1939-42 43 4 The Pacific 1942-45

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5 R.A.A.F. World War II Squadron Codes and Aircraft 6 Representative R.A.A.F. Camouflage and Markings 7 List of Aircraft Types 1939-45 Index

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NOTES FOR MODELLERS (1.) Emblems and mascots appeared on the port side of the aircraft only unless

otherwise stated or illustrated. (2.) Underwing serials always faced forwards on the starboard side, aft on the port side. (3.) As specific aircraft are illustrated, it does not follow that camouflage patterns were necessarily identical for all aircraft of that type. Even so-called standard patterns sometimes showed great variation. (4.) Squadron and individual codes were shown in the reverse order on the opposite side of the fuselage unless otherwise stated or illustrated. e.g. AB--c would be normally shown as C-AB on the opposite side. This applies to all illustrations in the book.

Foreword

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When Mr. Pentland first told me that he had, after many years'research, completed a book on aircraft and markings of the R.A.A.F. 1939-45, I was surprised and even a little sceptical. Surprised that such a work had not been published long ago; and sceptical because the temptation for the author to be superficial would obviously be great. However, he has clearly been patient and thorough in his research. Equally, he has been deeply interested in the careful and painstaking preparation of material for the book. The book is the first of its kind; it will bring back vivid memories to those who fought in the air in World War II; and is a fine collector's piece for those interested in flying. I am honoured to be given the privilege of writing the foreword. I was familiar with most of the aircraft, and have flown many of them. It was my privilege to command an important element of the R.A.A.F. in the Pacific - No. 10 Gro~p (later to become the First Tactical Air Force) from its formation until late 1944, and, again, the then First T.A.F. from May 1945 until the end of the war. This command comprised about 17,000 men and some hundreds of aircraft of approximately 15 different types the most unusual of which was probably the Beaufreighter (a transport-supply dropping conversion of the Beaufort). Before the war it was my lot to do a good deal of flying in the forerunners of the Wirraway; the N.A. 16 and the N.A. 33; and in the Wirraway itself. This family of low-wing monoplanes were the first aeroplanes of my experience to produce a high speed stall, which they did with great celerity. On one occasion during the war, my chief, the then Chief of the Air Staff, found it difficult to believe that a pilot doing air-to-air gunnery could have crashed because he stalled while turning steeply on to the target at 2000 ft. or

thereabouts. He had not flown a Wirraway himself, so we took off for a practical demonstration with myself in the rear seat of the aircraft. At about 4000 ft. he repeated the steep ~urn which the gunnery pilot had been doing; tightened it until the aircraft stalled (a sharp flick into a near vertical dive) and then almost immediately hauled back on the stick again to recover from the dive in which he had found himself. The result was another "flick" (a high speed stall) but no recovery took place - we finally emerged about 1000 ft., having recovered very gently from the dive. He .certainly found out what a high speed stall meant and how dangerous it could be to . the uninitiated. This brief discourse on high speed stalls reminds me of a spectacular success achieved by a pilot of an L4 (a light reconnaissance aeroplane very similar to an Auster) belonging, if I remember correctly, to No.4 Squadron R.A.A.F. when stationed at Nadzab in New Guinea. The pilot of the L4 was on a reconnaissance flight towards the top end of the Markham Valley, when he was attacked by a Japanese Tony fighter. Fortunately he saw the Japanese aircraft in time to turn underneath it. He then continued to avoid his opponent very successfully by keeping just above treetop height and always turning towards his attacker before he got within firing range. The obviously frustrated Japanese pilot finally attempted a very tight steep tum, which resulted in a high speed stall, and crashed into . the jungle. The L4 pilot rightly insisted on claiming to have destroyed one Japanese fighter, and proudly painted a small Japanese flag on the L4 fuselage alongside his cockpit! The photographs and descriptions, as well as the stories of these World War II types in the R.A.A.F. should bring back many nostalgic memories. Ex-pilots may find upon examining their log books that they, in fact, flew some of

the actual aircraft depicted in this book. Likewise, more than one ground-crew member may find illustrated some colourful subject which he himself decorated more than a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Pentland has devoted considerable time to the matter of aircraft markings; a fascinating study which is sure to capture the attention of all serious modellers and aviation enthusiasts. The reliability of the material presented in this book may well be judged when it is realized that for every hour spent in drawing a particular machine, an approximately equal time was required to thoroughly research its colour scheme and markings! The author also visited, in 1960, many aircraft graveyards, crashed aircraft, and abandoned airstrips throughout the Pacific islands, a first-hand trip which proved richly rewarding in the authenticity of the material obtained. I commend this book to your attention.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., A.F.C.

Introduction The aim of this book is to present a pictorial coverage of the principal aircraft types used by the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. In any work of this type it is only natural that the majority of illustrations shou ld depict aircraft flown by operational squadrons; a formidable undertaking on account of the scarcity of high quality material. Up until comparatively recently good pictures of front line aircraft have been quite rare and relatively hard to obtain. However many invaluable photographs have been especially released by the R.A.A.F. for the purposes of this book and thus appear in print for the first time. In addition, many individuals have kindly rendered assistance by making their personal albums available, and many a snapshot for some reason or other not suitable for reproduction has yielded sufficient information for a quite detailed painting to be found in these pages. After the war in Europe commenced, Australia could allocate only three permanent and seventeen temporary squadrons to the Allied effort overseas. How this contribution was to increase can, in part, be seen in these pages. However, it should be remembered that concurrently with this activity, the majority of Australian personnel serving in Europe or the Middle East were doing so as members of either Royal Air Force or other Commonwealth squadrons; consequently it was left to the Pacific area to exhibit the sometimes flamboyant touches of the really "fair dinkum" R.A.A.F. units themselv€s. Therefore, for the purposes of this book, the aircraft descriptions are necessarily limited to those machines of specifically Australian squadrons. As will be seen, many of the combat and training markings of the R.A.A.F. were quite unique and require some explanation in terms of the official policy of the time. Generous assistance has been provided by the R.A.A.F.

in this respect and the author is deeply grateful for permission to quote from the many official documents, orders and signals concerning camouflage and markings to which he was given access. Although a really comprehensive exposition of this subject is outside the scope of this book, the authoritative material presented should dispel many widespread misconceptions and provide a useful guide to the conscientious modeller and aircraft historian. Even with the publication of this title the author is fully aware that little more than an introduction to R.A.A.F. colours and markings has been presented, and this subject must of necessity be treated in greater detail in a later book. Because of this it would be most gratifying to hear from pilots or aircrew who may have snapshots of their old "kite" and who would like to see it illustrated in print in a further volume. In the meantime, this offering of a wide selection of aircraft in their authentic wartime colour schemes will, it is hoped, please the most exacting enthusiast and provide an attractive choice of modelling subjects for some years to come. Finally, the author wishes to express his sincere thanks to the following people and organizations whose practical help in the compilation of this book has been so much appreciated :The Royal Australian Air Force; Ministry of Defence (Air), London; The Australian War Memorial; ACM Sir Frederick Scherger, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.D., A.F.C.; Messrs. G. Sebastian; L. Dervan; H. Drew; C. Stoneham; Wg-Cdr K. Isaacs; Messrs. G. Odgers; F. Smith; R. Honisett; K. Meggs; B. Pattison; P. Yates; P. Malone; P. Wallace; C. Caldwell, D.S.D., D.F.C. & Bar, Polish Cross of Valour; J. Waddy D.B.E., D.F.C., M.L.A.; L. Reid D.F.C., M.HR. C. Wawn D.F.C.; I. Southall, D.F.C.; C. Oldmeadow; N. Clifford; J. Archer,

American Silver Star; M. Arthur; A. Simpson; A. Shennan; R. Jones; J. Hopton; C. Frees; H. Kennare; E. Stuart; W. Schoon; K. Merrick; G. Cochrane; F. Jackson, and D. McKinlay. MELBOURNE

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U.K. AND EUROPE 1939-45 Upon the declaration of war on 3rd September 1939, the R.A.A.F. mobilized its rather meagre twelve squadrons and immediately offered its services to Great Britain. It was seen that the greatest contribution Australia could make was to provide trained aircrews through the Empire Air Training Scheme announced in London the following month. There was no shortage of volunteers and under the urgent impact of international disaster, this country became one of the biggest air training centres in the world. However, thorough training took time, and it was not until the Battle of Britain was over that Australia's first, and justifiably famous No. 452 (Spitfire) Squadron was formed in April 1941. The squadron soon produced a number of outstanding aces and was commanded by the famous Wg-Cdr "Paddy" Finucane, D.S.O., D.F .c. and two Bars, who welded the unit into a highly efficient fighting team. Such was their success that for the four months from August to November 1941, No. 452 became and remained the top scoring squadron of British Fighter Command. Before this, however, members of No. 10 Squadron had gone to England to take delivery of their Sunderland aircraft, which were to be used for Australian coastal defence. But when war became a certainty, the aircraft and crews were at once placed at the disposal of the R.A.F. As such, No. 10 became the first Commonwealth squadron to go into action in World War II. In the extended see-saw battle against U-boats in the Atlantic, No. 10 scored many noteworthy successes and was later joined by No. 461, a second R.A.A.F. Sunderland squadron formed for similar duties. Perhaps the most startling event concerned a No. 461 Squadron Sunderland piloted by Flt-Lt C. B. Walker (see illustration) which encountered eight German Ju 88 fighters II

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over the Bay of Biscay on 2nd June 1943. In a series of furious attacks lasting 45 minutes, the Ju 88s almost shot the lumbering Sunderland to pieces but they paid dearly for their determination to finish off the crippled machine - three were positively destroyed, a fourth probably destroyed and a fifth badly damaged. The Sunderland, too riddled with bullet holes to carry out a normal landing, crash landed and was destroyed on the beach at Marazion, Cornwall. Today pieces of this machine can be seen on display in the Australian War Memorial. By far the greatest Australian contribution to the air war however, lay in the formation of bomber and attack squadrons consisting of Nos. 455, 458, 460, 462, 463, 464,·466 and 467 Squadrons, all of which took part in the strategic bombing offensive aimed at crippling the vital industries of Germany and the occupied countries under her control. The first Australian units experimented with the development of night bombing techniques later used so effectively by Bomber Command. With many of these units the mortality rate of crews was something horrifying, but nevertheless two machines recorded over 100 missions - Lancasters "G for George" and "S for Sugar", both of which were preserved after the war, the former in Canberra, the latter in England. Although such types as the Hampden, Ventura, Wellington and Halifax were widely used by R.A.A.F. squadrons, there can be little doubt that the famous Lancaster was the outstanding night bomber type of World War II. Lancasters had wings holed by falling bombs, lost elevators and tail assemblies through flak damage, suffered in-flight fires and loss of engines, and yet somehow still managed to limp back home. There is even one account of a No. 460 Squadron Lancaster flown by F1t-Sgt 12

Christensen which was accidentally looped over the Ruhr Valley whilst carrying a full bomb load. It recovered a scant 1,500 feet from the ground, having plunged over 15,000 feet and bending its mainspar several feet in the process. From 1942 onwards further R.A.A.F. fighter squadrons joined No. 452; No. 456 flying Defiant and Beaufighter night-fighters, and after the deb~cle at Singapore, No. 453 Squadron, now more happily equipped with Spitfires. Changes in equipment were made according to the availability of aircraft and two squadrons - Nos. 456 and 464 - were issued with the versatile all-wooden Mosquito in either fighter or fighter-bomber versions. It was in a Mosquito that the Australian daredevil Sqn-Ldr C. Scherf destroyed fifteen aircraft in the air and a further nine on the ground in the period of sixteen weeks; an eloquent testimony to the speed and striking power of this outstanding aircraft. When the war drew to a close in Europe the R.A.A.F. had three fighter squadrons ; Nos. 451, 453 and 456; five bomber squadrons, Nos. 460, 462, 464, 466 and 467 as well as three Coastal Command squadrons; Nos. 10,455 and 461. In varying . degrees and according to their opportunities all these squadrons distinguished themselves with the sturdy British-built machines with which they were equipped. COLOUR NOTES

All aircraft used by R.A.A.F. squadrons in the European theatre conformed rigidly to British camouflage and markings policy, and the only variations which occurred took the form of personal embellishments, some examples of which are shown in the photographs and drawings. 13

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A pre-war shot of three Hawker Demons of No. 1 S.F.T.S. showing overall aluminium finish. The two-seat Demon was the principal R.A .A.F. fighter of the 1930's and was equipped with one forwardfiring and one rearward-firing machine gun.

Two Avro Ansons of No.4 Service Flying Training School on a crew training flight over N.S.W. in early 1941. The Anson was widely used to provide air experience for pilots, navigators, and wireless air gunners under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Note early-type roundels on extremities of wing and overall aluminium finish.

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One of No. IO Squadron's original Sunderlands, N 9048, near the Cornish coast in early 1940. The initial colour scheme for these aircraft was an entirely unsuited over-land scheme of dark earth and dark green with sky undersurfaces. Note the underwing roundels and gigantic fin flash.

One of the many Oxford twinengined training aircraft supplied by Great Britain to assist in providing aircrews under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Colour scheme was dark earth, dark green and yellow. British serials were usually retained on these aircraft.

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Co-operation between the two services is symbolized in this unusual shot taken near Pembroke Dock in 1940. The Sunderlands, slow but mounting a heavy armament, performed a vital task in harassing prowling German submarines in the Atlantic. Sunderland P 9605, one of the first nine aircraft delivered to No. 10 Squadron on 21st December 1939. On 6th February 1940 this machine made the R:A.A.F.'S first operational sortie of the war, the pilot on this occasion being FIt-Lt C. Pearce. It left the squadron in March 1942 to complete its useful life at an Operational Training Unit. Sunderland III w 6079 of No. 461 Squadron photographed on 6th May 1943. The aircraft bears the standard upper surface pattern of the period consisting of dark slate grey and extra dark sea grey. Sides and lower flying surfaces were white with hull undersurfaces in medium sea grey.

Two Spitfires of No. 452 Squadron, UD-E and UD-A taking off on a "show" from Kenley in 1941. The serials on both these aircraft have been overpainted, apparently by the squadron and not through censorship of the photographs. An unknown pilot of No. 457 Squadron with his aircraft before this machine was allotted to No. 452 Squadron on the Isle of Man. Donald Duck motif and the machine's total of enemy kills were left intact after re-lettering with the uo squadron code.

Finucane's Spitfire uo-w, 140. bearing Irish harp and a shamrock near the cockpit. Isle of Man. The machine was taken over by other pilots when WgCdr Finucane left the squadron. AB

A typical Spitfire vb of No. 452 Squadron at Red Hill, 1941. Left is LAC D. Keeble and right is Sgt Ken Bassett.

The Hampden, because of its slowness and vulnerability, was taken off daylight bombing duties over Europe, and was given an anti-shipping role instead. This machine is C-UB of No. 455 Squadron on a torpedobomber mIssion on 2nd June 1943. Hampden N-UB, AD 852 of No. 455 Squadron. The codes have been carefully erased by the wartime censor. Note partfinished or censored motif showing a butler serving up a bomb on a platter. The pleasing lines of the famous Lancaster bomber are well depicted in this fine flying shot of AR-X of No. 460 Squadron. p-o C. Marquis was the pilot.

An Australian Wellington crew of No. 466 Squadron in front of its machine HD-H, "Snifter of Sunny Sydney" in September 1943. Left to right: p-o J. Cameron of Warialda, N.S.W., P-O J. Allen of Killara, N.S.W., F-Sgt J. Hetherington of Deniliquin, N.S.W., F-Sgt J. Samuels of Cowra, N.S.W., and P-O A. Winston of Sydney.

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Sunderland "N for Nuts", ER-134 before her memorable battle with eight German Ju 88's on 2nd June 1943, an action unique in the history of Coastal . Command. (See text for story).

Colour scheme was dark slate grey and extra dark sea grey on upper surfaces with the remainder of the aircraft white. The usual type of roundels and fin flashes current on

Sunderlands in 1943 were used and the individual aircraft letter "N" appeared in red on both sides of the fuselage behind the rounde!.

This dramatic early morning shot was taken in the dispersal bay of No. 464 Squadron in December 1943 and shows well the sleek aerodynamic form of Mosquito SB-F, HX 901. The crew of Po-M, probably LM 233, of No. 467 Squadron prepare to take off on a raid over Berlin. Left to right: F-Sgt J. Scott of Ballarat, Vic .. F-Sgt G. Erickson of Sydney, F-Sgt A. Boys of Sydney, Sgt C. Adair of Swan Hill, Vic., P-O B. Jones of Wyandra. Q., F-Sgt Wilkinson of Rutherglen, Vic., and Sgt E. Tlill (R.A.F.) of Maidstone, Kent. Top of motif reads "Under New Management" .

F-Sgt R. Bennet of Rockdale, N.S.W. and F-Sgt R. Hilliard of Hamilton, Vic., two surviving members of the crew of the late F-Sgt J. Fettell who lost his. life attempting to land a No. 460 Squadron Wellington bomber which had lost its starboard engine in a collision with a Lancaster during night operations. Fettell's own parachute fell out of the aircraft but he personally supervised the safe exit of all his companions. G-SB, one of the Venturas of No. 464 Squadron which took part in a daring low-level raid on the Philips radio works at Eindhoven in December 1942. Although unsuitable for daylight missions over Europe, the Ventura was much faster than its predecessor the Hudson and had greater firepower and longer range.

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Ned Kelly, the famous Australian bushranger was the inspiration for the decoration on this Halifax BIll, HD-E, NR 152 piloted by Flt-Lt S. ("Ned") Kelly of Wembley, W.A., the grandson of an Irish police inspector who migrated to Australia in the 1800's. F-O R. Campbell of Heidelberg, Victoria was the bomb aimer 21

and later helped prepare material for the R.A.A.F. official history. The flight engineer was previously a London sergeant of police, and the wireless operator, a former commercial artist, painted the nose insignia. The latter was a pale grey caricature of Ned Kelly dropping a bomb from astride a chestnut horse. The peculiar

headgear was a device to repel police bullets. Name was in white and the "+ 8r' refers to the boost pressure allowed on the Hercules XVI engines. Colour scheme was dark green and dark earth with matt black undersurfaces and yellow and black No.4 Group tail markings.

"Whoa Bessie", JO---F, ME-70l, a typical Australian Lancaster of Bomber Command in April 1944. The colour scheme consisted of dark green and dark earth upper surfaces with matt black lower surfaces. There

is evidence of some repainting in the vicinity of the tailwheel and the scorch marks around each of the four engines were most noticeable on this aircraft. The illustration "Whoa Bessie", like its namesake, depicts a rearing, snorting Fresian cow seemingly

anxious to take off also. The name was shown in yellow. Four milk bottles indicate missions carried out up till 18th April 1944. The pilot's nickname "Buck" appeared below the cockpit in white. 22

F-O B. Buckham at the controls of JO-F of No. 463 Squadron.

The two principal Bomber Command types of World War II. Upper: The famous Australian Lancaster I "S for Sugar", po--s, R 5868 pictured at the completion of its. 135th sortie over enemy territory. It is now on permanent display at

R.A.F. Scampton, the machine's first operational base. Lower: Halifax B III Z5-L, MZ 296 of No. 462 Squadron on 15th October 1944. Note the H2s unit only partly erased by the censor. High-spirited remarks on the tail indicate this particular crew~s

last flight on their tour of operations. Name of the emblem cannot be deciphered from' original print but it depicts the previous occupations and home towns of the various crew members.

A Spitfire IX of No. 453 Squadron on 21st April 1943. Pilot is Wg-Cdr D. Andrews, D.F.C., of Southport, Q., then a flight lieutenant. The emblem under the cockpit shows a skinny green-coated gremlin holding a black placard upon which is written "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED" in white capitals. The question mark for individual identIfication is most unusual.

One of the few photographs taken of No. 453 Squadron's Spitfire vb's. The clipped wings of these aircraft aided manoeuvrability at low level.

Sqn-Ldr C. Robertson, D.F.C., of Jerilderie, N.S.W., tleft), CO. of No. 451 Squadron chats to one of his flight leaders, Flt-Lt M. Kent of Lawlor, S.A., before taking off on an anti-V-2 strike in April 1945. The squadron's crest for their Spitfire XVI's consisted of a fawn-coloured kangaroo in the pouch of which was a joey firing a shanghai. The letters "R.A.A.F." appeared in dark blue on a yellow background.

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De Havilland Mosquito II, 739 of No. 456 Squadron, piloted by F-O C. Griffin of Melbourne, in flight over England in 1943. Note characteristic squadron marking consisting of small kangaroo roundel as illustrated.

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Spitfire IX's of No. 453 Squadron, resplendent in black and white "Invasion Stripes," at Ford, U.K. shortly after D-Day. Spitfire FU-D is illustrated on Page 124.

A fine shot of a No. 453 Squadron Spitfire IX just after take-off from an airfield in Belgium on 3rd October 1944.

Beaufighter NE 798 of No. 455 Squadron with two 500 lb. bombs photographed only seven weeks after the invasion at Normandy. Note the Australian flag.

Australian Beaufighters of No. 455 Squadron prepare to take off on an anti-shipping strike on 15th September 1944. The prominent black and white "Invasion" stripes completely encircled both the fuselage and wings of these machines.

Upper surface pattern of this No. 456 Squadron Mosquito is shown admirably in this shot taken on 24th September 1943. The two-colour camouflage scheme consisted of dark green and medium sea grey. Squadron codes were shown in dull red as this was a night-fighter squadron.

THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-45

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After the fall of France a serious military situation was presented for the British with the capitulation of the French Fleet in the Mediterranean. Anticipating an Italian or German attempt to capture the Suez Canal, the pitifully small R.A.F. force was thrown boldly into the fray, with the result that the Regia Aeronautica was forced into a defensive position from which it never recovered. The intervention of Germany was soon required in order to prevent an utter rout. Two outstanding Australian units found themselves constantly in the thick of the fighting; Nos. 3 and 450 Squadrons. No.3 was equipped with obsolete aircraft, chiefly Gloster Gladiators before receiving Hurricanes, Tomahawks and eventually Mustangs. The unit commenced operations in the Middle East in November 1940 after arriving from Australia ahead of their aircraft. In a remarkable start to their combat career they destroyed 47 enemy aircraft for a loss of twelve of their own and only six pilots. With the arrival of the Luftwaffe and German land forces however, the situation became quite desperate and resulted in a series of fluctuating land battles in which the Air Force lent direct support to the British 8th Army. No. 450 Squadron arrived in February 1942 and from that time onwards fought side-by-side with No.3 Squadron. The two Kittyhawk units contributed greatly to the effectiveness of the Desert Air Force, No. J in particular shooting down more enemy aircraft than any other British squadron in the Middle East and producing the nucleus of Australia's crop of top-scoring fighter aces. But it was in the rale of fighter-bombers that the effectiveness of the Australian Kittyhawks was most fully realized, the task continuing until and after the squadrons were equipped with Mustangs following the invasion of Italy. 27

Of the less publicized units, No. 451 Squadron was an army co-operation and tactical reconnaissance unit which operated Hurricanes and Spitfires; No. 458 flew Wellingtons with some success as a night torpedo squadron, and No. 459 employed Hudsons on naval co-operation and anti-submarine duties. No.1 Air Ambulance Unit in typical "Flying Doctor" style - a unique experiment in this theatre - commenced the first largescale evacuation of war-wounded in the Middle East. During the period of their operation, thousands of casualties were evacuated, the record being 1,720 men in August 1943. This tally is all the more remarkable in that the work was chiefly done in D.H. 86s, Bristol Bombays and two Lockheed Lodestars on loan from the S.A.A.F. The only other R.A.A.F. units in the region, No. 454 (Baltimore) Squadron and No. 462 (Halifax) Squadron were only nominally Australian and consisted chiefly of British members. Both squadrons took part in the bombardment of Italy and concentrated on knocking out ports and supply depots. COLOUR NOTES

All fighter types used by the Australian squadrons in North Africa wore the normal R.A.F. camouflage garb of dark earth, middle stone and azure blue with either grey or white code letters for squadron identification. The only known exceptions to this scheme were a small number of Kittyhawks which appear to have had middle stone or desert pink (a U.S. colour) on the upper surfaces instead of the usual two-colour pattern. The standard camouflage colours were retained after the change of identification markings was effected in 1942 (see photographs), the only other exceptions to this basic desert scheme being the 28

Mustangs of Nos. 3 and 450 squadrons and the Spitfires of No. 451. The former appeared in either dark green, dark sea grey and medium sea grey (the standard British day fighter scheme) or were left uncamouflaged; the latter in British P.R. blue. Aircraft such as the Hudsons, Blenheims, Venturas, Wellingtons and Baltimores of Nos. 458 and 459 Squadrons engaged on naval co-operation work normally appeared in Coastal Command colours as used in the U.K. No. 454's Baltimores and the aircraft of No. I A.A.U. were camouflaged dark earth, middle stone and azure blue. The Halifaxes of No. 462, the only R.A.A.F. heavy bomber squadron in the Middle East, appeared in the normal temperate land scheme of dark earth and dark green with matt black undersurfaces for concealment at night. These machines were not especially camouflaged for operations in the desert.

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A Gladiator of No.3 Squadron on patrol over Bardia in late 1940. This is in all likelihood the machine of F-O A. Boyd who became an unconfirmed ace in his first combat encounter, destroying six Italian cR-42s in a whirlwind dogfight lasting only five minutes.

No.3 Squadron pilots souvenir cartridge cases after the memorable encounter on 24th November 1940 in which eight Italian cR-42 fighters were shot down for a loss of only one Australian Gladiator. Left to right: F-O A. Rawlinson, FltLt B. Pelly and F-O A. Boyd. A mechanic checks over Boyd's machine in the background.

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Tomahawk AK 354 of No.3 Squadron which in company with four other machines helped destroy six Morane fighters on the first day of operations against the Vichy French in Syria on 8th June 1941.

No.3 Squadron's "beer crate", a captured Italian Caproni repainted in the squadron's markings.

Kittyhawks of No. 450 Squadron about to take off on a ground attack mission over enemy lines near Tunis. Flt-Sgt R. Rowe is the pilot of the near machine.

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Bombing up a Packard-Merlin engined Kittyhawk in 1943.

No. 450 Squadron machines lined up at Kairouan in 1943. Note P-40K with special fin fillet in foreground, standard camouflage pattern, and red spinner.

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Kittyhawks of No. 450 "Desert Harassers" Squadron taxi out for take-off on an operation during the Tunisian campaign.

, Yet another machine "scrounged" by the enterprising No.3 squadron who apparently set out to secure the best and most diversified collection of types in the Middle East! Picture shows a Breda f10atplane in fully airworthy condition. Australian Kittyhawks at Malta being prepared to assist with air support at the time of the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943. Diamond identification marking on near P--40K, FL 885 was an unusual feature. In the background, Halifax, Wellington, Dakota and Liberator aircraft can be seen on the main strip.

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Left to right, top to bottom: Members of No.3 Squadron in the early days when equipped with Tomahawk aircraft. Preparing Australian Wellington "X", LA 972 of No. 458 Squadron at Bizerta in 1943. Note radar equipment and black undersurfaces. Fitters work on a DH-86 of No. I A.A.V. in Tunis. Bombing up a Wellington XIV of No. 458 Squadron, 1943. Modifications to this model consisted of a

Leigh Light and radar equipment for the detection of enemy submarines. Two Baltimores, "T", AH 157 and "0", AH 158 of No. 454 Squadron. Note the absence of underwing roundels. A Fiat cR--42 captured by No. 3 Squadron at Martuba in January 1941 after it had been forced down by an R.A.F. pilot. The photograph was taken by

Sqn-Ldr J. Davidson. A "Kittybomber" of No. 450 Squadron whilst operating on the central Italian front. The aircraft is that of F-O Purssey of Brisbane. Fitters of No. 462 Squadron, the first Halifax Squadron in the Middle East. These aircraft employed the standard European night bomber finish of dark earth, dark green and matt black.

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AVM H. Wrigley, C.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., AOC R.A.A.F. Overseas

Headquarters, chatting to members of No. 451 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Squadron during an official visit. This is one of the few photographs taken showing the squadron's Hurricane aircraft, two examples of which were coded "u" and "Q" respectively.

A No.3 Squadron Kittyhawk. its tail jacked up for servicing, receives attention in primitive conditions so typical of desert operations.

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Spitfire Vc's of the same squadron after re-equipping with the new type. A colour illustration of BQ-B will be found on Page l:n

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Kittyhawks of No.3 Squadron in Tunisia, 1943.

Two pilots of the rival Kittyhawk squadrons in late 1943. Upper: Sqn-Ldr R. "Bobby" Gibbes, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar with his machine cv-v. F-O H. Jowett of No. 450 Squadron at Kairouan. This may well be OK-K, FR 479 shown on Page 35 but with the pilot's personal decoration added.

One of No.3 Squadron's Mustang III aircraft, believed to be ]-CY, KH 616, flown by W-O J. Quinn who was shot down by a Bf 109 on 26th December 1944. Note fin fillet for added directional stability and consequent pilot's leg comfort.

Pilots of No. I Air Ambulance Unit in front of a DH-86 aircraft bearing the red cross over standard desert colour scheme. Left to right: P-O McWilliam of Brisbane, F-O Hannaford of Adelaide, F-O W, Carson and Sqn-Ldr "Jack" Bartle, D.F.C. who scored a total of five victories with Nos. 112 and 450 Squadrons.

Baltimore aircraft of No. 454 Squadron being prepared for a mission from Falconara in 1943. Near machine ·"F" has 55 bombing strikes recorded and bears a brown kangaroo and joey motif on the side of its fuselage. Second machine is ''J'', FW 643.

A line-up of No. 458 Squadron Wellingtons in the winter of 1944. ~

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Spitfire IX's of No. 451 Squadron at Corsica in 1944 before the squadron was transferred to assist in the final operations of the war in Europe. High altitude blue fighterreconnaissance finish, nonstandard insignia and outlined white squadron codes are all noteworthy features.

Wellington XIV "Q", HF 278 of 458 Squadron takes off on a patrol over the Mediterranean from the aerodrome at Bone, North Africa.

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Aircrew of No. 459 Naval Co-operation Squadron before taking off on a mission over the Mediterranean, 1942.

Striking effectiveness of disruptive pattern camouflage scheme is shown in this flying shot of Baltimore "0", FW 450 of No. 454 Squadron seen flying over Italy in 1944. Colours were dark earth, middle stone and azure blue.

Mustang CV-N of No.3 Squadron with red spinner and carrying two 1,000 lb. bombs takes off on a precision ground attack mission over Italy in the closing days of the war.

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THE PACIFIC 1939-42

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The story of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941 which brought the United States into the war is a well known one. Not so well known is the fact that this premeditated offensive was a co-ordinated seven-pronged attack,· and by the time the first aircraft appeared over Hawaii, No. 1 Squadron R.A.A.F., based at Kota Bharu, Malaya, had already sunk the first large Japanese troopship of the war, the Awagisan Maru and had lost two of its Lockheed Hudsons in the process. No. 1 Squadron R.A.A.F. was thus the first Allied unit to engage the Japanese in the Pacific. The final Allied collapse was only weeks away however, and neither the valiant efforts of the R.A.F., R.N.Z.A.F. nor the four R.A.A.F. squadrons could materially affect the ultimate end. Singapore surrendered on 15th February 1942 shortly after all possible aircraft and personnel had been evacuated. From Timor and Ambon the remnants of the Australian and some other Allied squadrons fought a short-lived rearguard action until withdrawn to the mainland. After this disaster the Australian people were profoundly shocked when Darwin itself was subjected to sustained attacks, a situation which was not eased to any great extent until three experienced Spitfire squadrons arrived from the U.K. the following year. Further to the east, after spirited opposition from the Australian Army and Air Force, the Japanese advance had been retarded in the jungles of New Guinea. When reinforcements from the U.S.A.A.F. arrived in that sector in March, it marked the end of the long, lone and heroic struggle of the hard-pressed squadrons of the R.A.A.F.

43

COLOUR NOTES Camouflage Schemes

When the war in Europe commenced, efforts were made to accelerate aircraft production in this country in an effort to keep up the flow of trained aircrew for the E.A.T.S. At this stage the R.A.A.F. consisted mainly of training types such as locally manufactured Tiger Moths, Wacketts, and Wirraways, with Ansons, Battles, and later, Oxfords imported from the V.K. Production of an Australian version of the Beaufort bomber was undertaken as a replacement for v.s.-built Lockheed Hudsons issued to the R.A.A.F. 's front line bomber units. Because many of these aircraft carried different colour schemes, the matter of aircraft camouflage had become mildly chaotic; consequently by late 1940 some standardization was called for. At this time the official front line scheme for types such as the Wirraway was a shadow shaded pattern of locally mixed R.A.F. dark earth (a colour approximately two shades darker than its British counterpart) and foliage green with aluminium doped undersurfaces. An attempt to give colour schemes some uniformity was made with the issue of Aircraft General Instructions No. C 11, Issue 3 dated 3rd October 1940 and aircraft were to be brought into compliance with this order after the first convenient thirtyhourly inspection. Until this could be done, however, several temporary schemes were approved, these usually corresponding with the colours in which the aircraft were first delivered. These variations will become evident from a study of the photographs. Basically all training aircraft were to be finished in overall yellow but the staggering quantities of yellow dope required caused a general shortage and it was sometimes months, if at all, before many aircraft could be repainted. All service and general purpose aircraft, general reconnaissance and medium 44

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bombers were to be camouflaged in R.A.F. dark earth and foliage green with aluminium doped undersurfaces. The seacraft scheme - seldom used - was dark sea grey and dark slate grey on the upper wings and hull with top surfaces of the lower wing dark sea grey and light sea grey. All undersurfaces were to be sky grey. In the case of the Seagull V, the most common seaplane type then in service, an overall scheme of aluminium dope was usually substituted. Roundels and Flashes

1.

Some variety was seen in the case of roundels, a red and blue type being used onWirraways and Beauforts before being discarded shortly afterwards due to recognition difficulties. The red circle was 2/5 of the diameter of the blue. No special size for roundels was quoted but the proportions for the more general red, white and blue variety were 1, 3 and 5 respectively. Where a yellow surround was used on fuselage sides (to contrast the roundel against the camouflage) the yellow circle was of the same width as the blue. Fin flashes were specified only for the Seagull V at this time and were vertical stripes of the same width painted on the fin but clear of the hinge. The three stripes were of the same width as the rings of the fuselage roundel. Other Markings

~

Training aircraft in interim camouflage schemes were to carry three feet wide yellow bands around the fuselage and wings. The centre line of the wing band was to lie at a point midway between the root fittings and the wingtip. Target tugs in overall yellow were to carry a black spiral band around the fuselage and across upper and lower surfaces of the wings from front to rear. 45

A single 48 inch high code letter (smaller as required in the case of a small aircraft) to indicate the squadron was shown forward of the national marking on the fuselage. Squadron codes were as follows:- No.l,A; No.2,B; No.3,c; No.4,D; No.5,E; No.6,F; No.7,G; No.8,H; No.9,J; No.10,K; No.ll,L; No.12,M; No.13,N; No.14,p; No.21,R; No.22,s; No.23,T; No.24,u; No.25, v; Communications Flight, Y; Survey Flight, z. The aircraft serial,' to a convenient size, was carried beneath the lower wings facing aft under the port wing and forward under the starboard wing. The serial, usually eight inches high, was also carried on the rear fuselage. Colours were normally medium sea grey on camouflaged surfaces and black on yellow or aluminium surfaces. Training aircraft carried the last two numbers of their serial in black or yellow on both· sides of the fuselage forward of the national markings. In the case of two or more aircraft with their last two numbers identical, the last three numbers were shown instead.

A tangible result of Australia's wartime commitment was the local manufacture of C.A.C. Wirraways and Wackett Trainers, seen here under construction at the Fishermen's Bend plant in 1941. Wirraway production was so efficient that until the outbreak of war in the Pacific, plans were in hand to export several hundred to Great Britain.

An Avro Anson on a training flight over Victoria in 1941.

The Wackett Gannet was a locally-produced C.A.C. type used for pre-war mapping and survey flights over the huge Australian continent.

Seagull v A2-15 in aluminium doped finish.

The famous Tiger Moth (upper) as it appeared in 1942 interim finish of earth brown, foliage green and yellow with 36 inch yellow trainer bands and (lower) in 1945 sporting an overall yellow colour scheme.

The last Wackett trainer, A3-200 is flight-tested near Fishermen's Bend prior to delivery to the R.A.A.F. in April 1942.

49

Two unusual American types which saw service with the R.A.A.F. Upper: The strangelooking Northrop Delta which was used by Nos. 35, 34 and 37 Squadrons. Lower: One of the Republic Lancers which was modified by the removal of armament and the installation of cameras for service with No. I P.R.V.

A striking example of Scheme E2 (c), a Fairey Battle in the yellow and black markings of a target tug of 1941. The drogue can just be discerned at the top of this picture.

50

Flt-Sgt J. Mann of No. 452 Squadron flew thIS Spitfire Va, UD-R, AB 198 in 1941 when the squadron was in its heyday. His emblem, a popular one in the R.A.A.F., was the Sydney comic strip character "Snifter". Sky undersurfaces of day fighters at this time varied enormously in shade owing to the unstable nature of the colour. UD-R on starboard side.

One of the stalwarts of the early days of the war, Catalina A24-17 in U.S. Navy camouflage with locally-painted night" undersurfaces. This machine operated with No. 11 Squadron on long r nge bombing and fleet shadowing operations' 1942.

Wg-Cdr John'Emerton's No. 22 Squadron Boston DU-K, A28-9 which set what is believed to be a world record of 186 bombing missions. A photo of this machine appears on Page 61. The aircraft's name, "She\ Apples", written in capitals just below the rear gun, was a remark habitually made on the completion of a mission in reply to the groundcrew's question as to the condition of the aircraft. An unarmed W raway of No.4 Squadron, QE-D, A20-323 which was forced to belly land at N zab on 28th February 1945 after a lead-in strike with the U.S.A.A.F. in the ut area. The pilot, F-O A. Nancarrow was uninjured. Overall foliage green sc erne accentuates the white tail markings. (See photo Page 64).

Kittyhawk SV-M, A29-435, the first "Little Audrey" flown by Flt-Sgt Howard O'Meara of No. 76 Squadron in 1944. Both the spinner and the cockpit were stripped of paint revealing the bare aluminium. Last t 0 numerals of serial ovel white tail were unusual. Note black identifying letter' M" on the cowling.

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Boomerang BF-R, A46-l79 "Reece Robin" flown by p-o C. Rasmussen of No.5 Squadron, 1944. Codes and serial were normally applied in medium sea grey which quickly faded to a near-white under tropical conditions. This was the reason behind the introduction of white identification letters in some squadrons late in the war. BF-R on starboard side.

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Boomerang QE-G, A46-2l7 "Hep Cat" of No.4 S uadron shows the overall foliage green and white factory finish introduced' May 1944. This machine was evidently flown by a supporter of eelong Footb I Club, a team known to all Melbourne fans as "The Cats".

One of No. 79 Squadron's strange-coloured Spitfires referred to in Chapter 4. Blue spinner on this machine, UP-F, A58-5l7, "Hav Go Jo" indicates it is of "B" Flight. "A" Flight spinners were usually sky. T e pink elephant represents Walt Disney's "Dumbo". Pilot sBt- Norm Sm hells. Coded UP-F on starboard side also.

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The wizardry of Australian Repair and Salvage Units in cannibalizing aircraft and constructing hybrid machines from the pieces was often remarked upon by the Americans. The serial number then carried on the new machine was seldom considered a matter of much importance. HU-Q, possibly A29-574 of No. 78 Squadron was a likely example of this improvisation process. Blue and white spinner indicates "B" Flight.

Wirraway wings in storage at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation factory at Fishermen's Bend, 1940. The style of presenting the 20 inchhigh black underwing serials can be plainly seen.

A Lockheed Hudson II of No. 6 Squadron in 1940. Hudsons bore the brunt of the R.A.A.F. bomber offensive in the early months of the war until replaced by the locally-built Beaufort and other types. Colour scheme was R.A.F. dark earth, foliage green and aluminium. Dummy turrets were fitted to the first Hudsons until fully-armed versions could be legally supplied by the U.S.A. to friendly powers.

Two Hudsons of No. 13 Squadron set out on a seaward reconnaissance patrol from Darwin in December 1941. Note lack of tail turret, silver undersurfaces, absence of fin flashes and three-colour upper wing roundel of near machine. A 16-66 was lost through enemy action over Namlea on 26th January 1942.

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Pilots and machines of No. 21 Squadron, 1941. The cumbersome Buffalo was no match for the elusive Japanese Zero but nevertheless the two Australian squadrons exacted a remarkable toll during a bitterlyfought rearguard action.

A line-up of Brewster Buffalos of No. 21 Squadron at Singapore in late 1941. The two nearest machines are GA-B, AN-180 and GA-M, AN-184, both flown by sergeant pilots. Colour scheme was standard British dark earth, dark green and sky. Right: A fine air-to-air shot of Wirraway A20-395 of the School of Army Co-operation, Canberra, 1941.

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All-silver Avro Trainers of the Central Flying School, 1940. A6-7 crashed at Parkes on 25th May 1944, A6-8 was sold to the Newcastle Aero Club for £150 and A6-l0 was sold post war for £100.

Hudsons of No.2 Squadron set out on a counter-raid at the time of the hastily-organized retreat from Java. "Foo", the machine second from the left is illustrated on Page 116. Hudson "N" was AI6-238 and "W" Al6-235. '

Tiger Moth A17-614 which was delivered to the R.A.A.F. in mid-1942. Colour scheme was earth brown and foliage green with yellow undersurfaces. 36 inch bands crossed the upper wings and encircled the fuselage.

Wirraways of No.2 S.F.T.S., 1940, in interim trainer finish of dark earth, foliage green and aluminium with chrome yellow cowlings and large yellow serials under cockpit. No armament was carried on these machines. The regulation 36 inch yellow identification bands had not yet been added.

57

Catalina A24-11, one of the machines which took part in the early long-range forays against Japanese shipping at Truk. After refuelling at Kavieng on one such mission on 15th January 1942 it hit a heavy swell before reaching flying speed, bounced, broke its back and slowly sank in 100 f1. of water in the space of 15 minutes. Catalina RB-L of No. 20 Squadron seconds before touchdown on a glassy sea. The slow, reliable "Cat-boats" carried out most of the extreme range reconnaissance and bombing missions during the grim days of 1942.

Launching a Catalina at low tide, North Western Area, 1943.

I

Members of No. 43 Squadron and Catalina, 1943. In the background is ox-J, A24-67. "Some Chicken" refers to a remark made by British Prime Minister Churchill in defiance of the Axis during a stirring address to the Canadian Parliament. Three of the R.A.A.P'S. six Dornier flying boats taking off from Broome with civilian evacuees at the time of the Japanese raids on Darwin in early 1942. Two of these three machines were destroyed a few days later by enemy action. Two P--40E Kittyhawks of No. 76 Squadron, marked "IF" and "IP" respectively, taxi out prior to take-off from Milne Bay. Soaking rain which turned the strip into a sea of mud can be seen falling in the distance. Note the non-standard identification markings.

A British-built Beaufighter, LY-V of No. 30 Squadron howls away after take-off from Kiriwina, 1943. Lower: Some idea of the daring of the R.A.A.F. Beaufighter crews can be judged from this No. 30 Squadron casualty. The damage was caused whilst strafing a Japanese position at extremely low level!

Four flag emblem on Sqn-Ldr R. "Dicky" Cresswell's No. 77 Squadron Kittyhawk epitomises the united Allied effort to prevent Australia being invaded. Flags represent Australian Air Force, Army, Great Britain and the U.S.A.

Dc-3s of No. 34 Squadron bearing the radio call-signs on tails and finished in olive drab patched with foliage green on upper surfaces with neutral grey below. The holes in the windows were made for hand-held guns.

A Boston of No. 22 Squadron, DU-G A28-8 comes in to land after bombing and strafing Japanese installations at Gasmata. The Boston was a fine machine popular with its crews. Wg-Cdr C. Learmonth's "She's Apples", a Boston which set a mammoth world record of 186 operational sorties over enemy territory. This aircraft formerly bore the designation "KON MARINE" indicating its Netherlands East Indies allocation and a marking entitled "Pegasus", a horse with a headless rider. This machine is illustrated on Page 51.

Congratulations are offered to Flt-Lt J. Archer (third from right) and Sgt J. Coulston (in flying helmet) after their worldfamous encounter in which they challenged and destroyed a Zero off Gona, New Guinea. The aircraft is seen in knockedabout condition as a result of its previous rigorous service.

Two Spitfires at Livingstone strip in the Darwin area show the effectiveness of the camouflage netting suspended from neighbouring gum trees. Upper machine is ZP-Z, BR 542, flown by the CO, Sqn-Ldr K. "Skeeter" James and bearing his triangular rank pennant beneath the cockpit. The black spinner bore one white band for identification. Lower machine is ZP-B. BR 760. appropriately bearing a small black-andyellow striped bee astride a black bullet. The pilot was Flt-Sgt Bill Hardwick.

The only Wirraway to down a Zero is seen bearing its red and white victory flag underneath the cockpit in January 1943. When the enemy aircraft was raised from twelve feet of water where it crashed it was found

that l'lt-Lt Archer's first and only burst had struck the pilot in the head, probably killing him instantly. Squadron code "D" appeared in medium sea grey ahead of the rounde! on both sides of the fuselage and the last two numbers of the

serial A20-103 were shown in white on top of the rudder. Colour scheme was earth brown, foliage green and sky blue. Colours of grotesque emblem "Chuff-Chuff" were probably pale green and black.

A..A pilot of No.4 Squadron poses in front of Wirraway QE-B, A20--56l in 1943. The aircraft is shown here with two underwing torpedoes for a low-level supply drop. Boomerangs from the same squadron are in the background.

Flt-Lt Clive Frees with his specially-modified Boomerang QE-D, A46--l2l which was fitted with an F-24 camera mounted in the belly tank. The combination was most successful, and the idea quickly revolutionized low altitude vertical and oblique photography in the South West Pacific Area. ..

Lockheed Lightning A55-3 modified to F- 5 standard by the installation of camera equipment and used as from 16th March 1943 by No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit for longdistance probes over Japaneseheld islands north-west of Darwin. On 10th December 1943 this aircraft came to a

spectacular finish when it landed with its undercarriage retracted and burst into flames. Foam was used in an effort to control the blaze but the machine was considered a write-off. The pilot managed to escape. Colour scheme was earth brown, foliage green and sky blue. Australian fighter

pilots are credited with having shown their contemporaries of the Fifth Air Force how to alrriost turn the Lightning inside-out by using full power from one engine with the other throttled right back, a discovery which was later used to deadly effect in combat.

"Scotty's Homin' Pidgin" after completing her 139th mission. Note the stylish orange-andwhite tips on the black propeller blades. Although flown by many pilots, P-o "Bill" Scott was the nominal "owner". Beaufort bomber UV-M, A8-580 of No.8 Squadron at Tadji in September 1944. This machine had up till that date recorded 102 bombing missions. Left to right. W-O D. Brennan (pilot), W-O A. Ross, F-Sgt A. Coleman, and W-O A. Cotterill. The decorations on the nose were done by an American signwriter at Nadzab and consist of two attractive girls and a ruptured duck. Note the exceptionally clean paintwork indicating a recent reconditioning.

The famous "Scotty's Hamin' Pidgin", J--QH, A9--486 which completed 139 strikes against the Japanese in the New Guinea area. Actually, this was not the world record; the Beaufort "Superman" on Page 77 and the Boston "She's Apples" illustrated on Page 51 both

carried out more missions. Colour scheme shown here just after reconditioning was earth brown, foliage green and sky blue. Except for an oversprayed area around the cabin, this painting depicts the standard Beaufort camouflage pattern. Name, codes, stars, the pigeon's

body and seven rows of bombs were shown in white. Upper row of 26 bombs, pigeon's beak, wings and large bomb were yellowish-orange. This was not a spectacular machine but one which typified the steady solid job for which the Beauforts became famous.

) A Beaufort of No. 1 Bombing And Gunnery School circles the cratered target area near East Sale, Victoria, in 1943. Aircraft is A9-l02 with last two numerals of serial repeated in yellow on fuselage. Pilot has omitted to retract the tailwheel.

A Fairey Battle of No.3 Air Observation School, Port Pirie, S.A., which suffered an undercarriage collapse after an anti-shipping patrol on 4th March 1944.

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An example of an uncamouflaged No. 85 Squadron Spitfire Z-SH, A58-248, with vivid identification markings used in a non-combat zone in Western Australia during 1944. Rank pennant indicates this was the aircraft of the co, Sqn-Ldr K. "Skeeter" James. A photo of the port ~ide of this machine can be seen on Page 104.

Catalina RK-o, A24-95 of No. 42 Squadron which featured III a umque rescue drama in 1945. Capt Otto Leipske, U.S.A.A.F., and his c-47 crew were forced to ditch owing to fuel shortage and spent 12 days in a rubber dinghy before being captured and placed in a Japanese hospital on Jamdena Island. The Japanese then radioed that they could be eked up if sent for. This is the aircraft, piloted by Gp-Capt S. Campbell which ected the rescue. Coded RK-o on port side also

A Mk VIl Spitfire, D-ZP, A58-604, flown by Flt-Sgt R. Clifford of No. 457 Squadron showing the distinctive "Grey Nurse" shark marking which appeared on both sides of the fuselage. The Spitfire was notorious for its round handling characteristics and on II th August 1945 this one was damaged in typical landing accident at Labuan, Borneo. Coded ZP-D on the port si

Torpedo-carrying Beaufort QH-V, A9-216 of No. 100 Squadron which operated from Port Moresby and Milne Bay in 1943. Three-colour scheme was one of five tried at various times on the Beaufort. The caricature of "Pregnant Pup" ,the aircraft's name, appeared on both sides of the fuselage in the same position. Pilot was Flt-Sgt Eric Stuart whose name was shown on starboard side only. Fairey Battle "89", L 5789. used by the Air Gunnery School for towing cableattached drogues used for firing practice. Whilst the aircraft was in flight the drogue was winched out by the occupant of e rear cockpit. The number "89" appeared on both sides of the fuselage in the arne position.

Avro Anson A4-46 of No.4 Service Flying Training School at Geraldton, Western Australia in 1941. The relatively fierce colours enabled these aircraft to be readily identified as training machines. Three feet wide yellow bands were standard markings.

A deadly Mosquito N.F. Mk XVII, G-RX, HK 312/G of No. 456 Squadron. Suffix to serial . indicated the need for an armed guard on this aircraft at all times. Amazing fact is that the R.A.A.F.'S current kangaroo roundel was used and probably originated by this squadron nearly 25 years ago.

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Vu1tee Vengeance of No. 24 Squadron in 1944, H--GR, A27245, a machine which carried out over forty raids along the eastern New Guinea coast. The explosion indicates a direct hit on an ammunition dump. Odd feature was the blue flash over white tail.

A flight of Boomerangs of No. 5 Squadron peeling off. Nearest machine was flown by the CO, Flt-Lt AIf Clare. Lower: A No. 85 Squadron Boomerang, "Z", A46-l67 which came to grief at Guilford on 14th August 1944. Individual letters in medium sea grey were used on these machines instead of full threeletter system.

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A Spitfire of No. 457 Squadron being scrambled to intercept enemy raiders approaching Darwin, 1943. The colour scheme of this machine, ZP-L, was earth brown, foliage green and sky blue with a black spinner indicating its flight.

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The first impressed Stinson Reliant at Fairbairn, 1941. The colour scheme was red and yellow with black trim but this was later changed to overall silver. Trainee pilot of No.7 S.F.T.S. on his last flight before graduation is LAC Alan Beckwith in Wirraway A20-5l2. This pilot later flew Spitfires and Mustangs. The large white serial on this aircraft is unusual. Another Battle mishap. This machine, L 5644 of No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, broke its back following an engine failure in flight over Gippsland, Victoria, on 1st September 1942. Colour scheme appears to be all-black.

72

THE PACIFIC 1942-45 The latter half of 1942 were dark days indeed for the people of Australia when the threat of invasion seemed such a grim reality. However, a series of successful naval engagements by the American Fleet rallied the Allied cause in the Pacific and forestalled further enemy conquests. Fierce and desperate battles followed involving many R.A.A.F. units until at last the Japanese were forced to give ground. The tide had now turned, the Japanese had extended themselves too far, and by early 1943 it was the Allies who were on the offensive. The R.A.A.F., having undergone a massive build-up, played a major part in weakening enemy air strength and helped to eject the Japanese from Papua, New Guinea and adjacent islands. However, the island-hopping R.A.A.F. units, many of whom had borne the brunt of the first enemy onslaughts, were to be denied the opportunity of a final crack at Japan itself- unlike their American friends whom they considered much more fortunate - and for the final two years of the war and upon General MacArthur's orders had· to content themselves with ground attack sorties and garrison duties south of the Equator. COLOUR NOTES

Under combat conditions of early 1942 the disadvantages of using aluminium doped undersurfaces soon became apparent on types such as the Wirraway and Hudson, for a tell-tale glint was often noticed in bright sunlight. New orders were therefore issued concerning camouflage of front line types and the new scheme specified was earth brown, foliage green and sky blue. Forward units in New Guinea also found, like the Americans, that there was a serious risk of incorrect recognition and shortly, towards. the end of 1942, the red centre of the roundels and 73

the red in flashes was overpainted with white. The new blue and white roundels were supposed to be (but seldom were!) 32 inches in diameter in all six positions and 16 inch x 24 inch flashes were specified either side of the fin. In the meantime, in Australia, orders had been implemented to camouflage temporarily all yellow training aircraft and other reserve types in order to effect better concealment. It was not until 1944 that these aircraft reverted to their overall yellow schemes. After the red in the markings was eliminated, the great number of Allied aircraft still being shot at in error required a much more drastic revision to the marking scheme. Accordingly after September 3rd 1943, the tail assemblies of all Allied single-seat fighters in the New Guinea area were to be painted pure white, a most remarkable requirement, for against a jungle or ocean backdrop it effectively nullified all the advantages of camouflage. R.A.A.F. Wirraways, Boomerangs and even a Beaufort had all been lost or damaged because of faulty recognition to say nothing of the high losses of the U.S.A.A.F. who according to well documented accounts frequently shot down their own aircraft. It was much more than a case of radial-engined Allied types being mistaken for Zeros or Oscars. Trigger-happy gunners - some with wings, some withoutwere something of a scourge in the South West Pacific and were often a greater nuisance than the enemy. In addition to the white empennage, the new markings called for a white wing leading edge nine inches wide at the root and tapering to approximately four inches wide at the tip. R.A.A.F .. aircraft affected were Wirraways, Boomerangs, Kittyhawks, Vengeances and Spitfires. Some units retained the blue fin flashes but most painted them out completely. 74

When the first Australian Mk Vc Spitfires were delivered in August 1942 they arrived via the Middle East, and for local conditions the middle stone segments of the camouflage pattern required overpainting with earth brown. Aircraft delivered in the R.A.F. scheme of dark earth, dark green and sky were usually left unchanged until overhauled and reconditioned. Mk VIII Spitfires were normally dark green, dark sea grey and medium sea grey with some exceptions in the 400-series serial batch in dark earth, dark green and medium sea grey. No. 79 Squadron featured some interesting paintwork with two shades of green on the upper surfaces, a peculiarity which apparently extended to most of the aircraft in the squadron. No. 452 also experimented with a combination of dark green and foliage green upper surfaces on their Mk VIII Spitfires. Kittyhawks were initially supplied in dark earth, dark green and sky or sky blue but most saw service in the usual U.S.A.A.F. colour of olive drab and neutral grey, or olive drab and sky blue. Locally manufactured types such as the Boomerang, Wirraway and Beaufort continued to be supplied in the standard R.A.A.F. scheme of earth brown, foliage green and sky blue but a further revision was specified on 29th May 1944 with the issue of Aircraft General Instructions Part 3, Section (c) Instruction No. 1 when four shades of paint were simultaneously discontinued from the official range. These were earth brown, dark ocean blue, azure blue and sky blue. The many details of this new order are too complex to enumerate in this short chapter but basically, approval was given to abandon fighter camouflage altogether and paint most other types in foliage green or leave them in the uncamouflaged form in which they had first arrived

from the manufacturers. In the case of types requIrIng the removal of camouflage, approval was not given until the finish had deteriorated sufficiently to warrant any change. Fighter types were invariably very thoroughly serviced and this explains why many machines completed their wartime service with their paintwork in almost impeccable condition.

Kittyhawks of No. 80 Squadron at Townsville prior to their departure for New Guinea on 1st February 1944. Although white

taIls were a strict requirement prior to dispatch to an operational area in New Guinea, no attempt has been made to

repaint these machines. Yello\\ propeller tips were a normal safety feature to help prevent accidents.

An Australian-built Beaufort "Superman" B--QH, A9--427 of No. 100 Squadron "on a bash" over Wewak in 1944. This machine, rather the worse for wear, shows 17 missions over enemy territory, but later went on to record 145 missions the highest total for any Beaufort in the R.A.A.F.

Vengeances of No. 21 Squadron, white tails resplendent, lined up at Nadzab in February 1944. The Vengeance was often plagued by maintenance trou bles and was accordingly regarded with mixed feelings by most crew members.

A flight of Vengeances of No. 12 Squadron near Merauke in December 1943. Near machine is Q-NH, A27-216, and L-NH, A27-296 "Diane", is illustrated on Page 51

Kittyhawks of three squadrons at Sattler, NT., shortly after being withdrawn from the Nadzab area in 1944. These machines are respectively GA-X of No. 75 Squadron, HU-U, A29-560 of No. 78 Squadron and BU-H of No. 80 Squadron.

An Australian-built Beaufighter XXI of No. 31 Squadron returns from a rocket attack on Lolobata, a Japanese post in the Halmaheras. The pilot was Flt-Lt S. Sippe.

Spitfires of No. 79 Squadron flying over New Britain en route from Kiriwina to the Admiralty Islands. The photograph was taken from an escorting Beaufighter by Flt-Sgt T. Boem of No. 30 Squadron.

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.... Boomerang Z--QE. A46-137 photographed through the tail of a U.S.A.A.F. B-25 at Nadzab in 1944. Foliage green tail tip and exhaust scorch marks on the fuselage are interesting features. The white leading edges on No. 4 Squadron machines extended for two thirds of the span of each wing.

Vengeances warming up cause the dust to fly in a No. 23 Squadron dispersal bay at Nadzab. This photograph shows two unique interpretations of the white tail requirement. Near machine is NY-A, A27-235 .....

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Kittyhawk "Svengali", GA-N, A29-521 in its normal operational state as flown by Flt-Sgt Don McKinlay of Brisbane. Coded GA-N on starboard side also. The personal emblem was painted on by an American cartoonist at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. This represented a backwoodstype lass in a red dress, blonde hair flowing, and with large brown shoes in the act of fleeing from the influence - expressed by fingertip lightning - of a top-hatted, blue and black caped "Svengali" shown on a white background surrounded by orange flames. Colour scheme of the aircraft was olive drab and neutral grey with white codes, wing leading edge and tail assembly. A29-521 arrived at No. 75 Squadron on 23rd April 1944 and in the words of the pilot "she was then as she remained through her service life, a responsive and very reliable machine."

F-O T. Jacklin of Mackay, Q., steps out of "Svengali", the Kittyhawk shown above. Despite the extensive damage sustained in a collision over the target, he managed to pilot the machine over 200 miles back to base with less than 75 % of the wing surface intact. The machine was normally flown by Flt-Sgt Don McKinlay.

A fine air-to-air shot of No. 22 Squadron Bostons over Kiriwina on their way to the Salamaua-Lae area in early 1943. The nearest machine, DU-Y, A28-3, was the one flown by Flt-Lt W. Newton, V.c. in his last attack before capture. There was no serial number on the port side, but it did appear in black on the starboard side. Flt-Lt "Bill" Newton, V.c;. (centre), and his crew. The drawing of Emperor Hirohito is only part-finished. Right: Emblem on starboard side of Newton's usual Boston DU-Q, A28-15 depicts some of the more obvious vices - a girl in riding boots, a pack of cards, a jug of beer, and finally a pipe, cigar and cigarette. Shield was probably dark blue edged in yellow and crossed by a black ribbon bearing the white inscription "Spirit Of Sport".

This machine, DU-Q, A28-15 was the one normally flown by Flt-Lt W. "Bill" Newton, V.C., and the one in which he returned over 180 miles after bombing Salamaua with devastating accuracy on 16th March 1943. The machine was badly crippled by severe anti-

aircraft hits in both wings, one engine and the fuel tanks. Returning for a similar treetoplevel attack two days later in another aircraft A28-3 (see photo on page 81), Newton and his crew were shot down in the target area and later captured. Colour scheme was dark earth,

dark green and sky. Yellow face had black details and the whirls represent the path of the black boomerang. Centre of the face was in line with the propeller of the port engine. Codes were faded medium sea grey.

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Vengeances of No. 24 Squadron warm up for a mission in the New Guinea area prior to the orders concerning white markings.

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Overall foliage green Beaufort, X-QH, A9-626 of No. 100 Squadron shows extensive radar equipment and thin cloth streamers tied to fins of underwing bombs. So long as a bomb was in place, its streamer could be seen by the rear gunner, a useful precaution against the risk of a "hang-up".

No. 80 Squadron pilots returning from a daily bombing and strafing mission from Noemfoor Island in August 1944. Multi-coloured spinners were in evidence at this time, but as this was somewhat confusing, the new CO, SqnLdr J. Waddy, D.F.C., later introduced a system of black spinners when he took charge of the squadron.

A Liberator of No. 24 Squadron shortly after carrying out an attack on Ambesia strip on 25th October 1944.

Around the tail of Spitfire Z-ZP, A58-627 at Morotai are (left to right) Flt-Lt N. Rankin, P-O D. Adams, P-O D. Yates and Flt-Lt G. Campbell.

Malta ace Flt-Lt Len Reid, D.F.C., with his Spitfire VIII "Hal Far", UP-A, A58-522, so named after the Malta fighter strip. Right: Oddity was this No. 79 Squadron Spitfire VIII UP - ? A58-543, seen at Morotai in 1945. Two-tone green camouflage completely encircled the nose and underneath the flaked white paint on the fin, the previous British fin flash can be clearly seen.

Spitfire of No. 457 Squadron on a ferry flight from Darwin to Morotai. Near machine is Z-ZP, A58-627.

Pranged Beaufighter X-SK, A8-129 of No. 93 Squadron. This was the second such crash of the navigator, W-O Elvers who, affected by concussion after striking hIS head, opened the cupola, and in a semi-dazed state carried out his escape procedure. When Australian soldiers appeared on the scene, to everyone's consternation, he started blazing away with his service revolver under the mistaken impression they were Japanese! The incident took place late in the war at the end of the strip at Labuan.

AI9-l70, formerly of No. 30 Squadron after arrival at No. 21 D.B.V., Rockhampton, Q., on 29th March 1945. LY-C,

Liberators of Nos. 21 and 24 Squadrons on a mission from Darwin to the oilfie1ds of Balikapapan in 1945. The black tail markings and repositioned fin flashes are of interest. Pilots of No. 452 Squadron out on an afternoon hunt for targets of opportunity practice formation flying in the Halmaheras area. The leader in QY-T, A58-516 was Flt-Lt L. Crompton of Caulfield, Victoria. Two R.A.A.F. aces who led squadrons based on Morotai. Both pilots were also briefly associated in the Middle East. Left: Wg-Cdr Clive "Killer" Caldwell, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar, Polish Cross of Valour beside his scoreboard on CR-C, A58484. Had his victories been tallied by much less conservative American standards, his score would, in all probability, have been over fifty kills. Australian fighter pilots had practically no opportunities for air combat in the final two years of the Pacific War. Right: Sqn-Ldr John Waddy, D.F.C., in the cockpit of one of his Kittyhawks G-BU, A29-607. An illustration of this machine appears on Page 115

One of No. 451 (Army Co-operation) Squadron's rare Spitfire Mk Vc's in desert camouflage of dark earth, middle stone and azure blue. A photo of this aircraft appears on Page 39. Information obtained by this little-known Australian unit was of vital importance to the advance of the Eighth Army in North Africa.

This No. 21 Squadron Wirraway, A20-137 flown by Flt-Lt B. Anderson was the first R.A.A.F. aircraft to open fire on a Japanese machine, a "Mavis" flying boat, during the defence of Rabaul on 6th January 1942. Aluminium-doped undersurfaces typified normal practice at this time.

Australia's own primary trainer, the C.A.C. Wackett was a safe and delightful aircraft to fly. This machine, A3-90, showing yellow trainer bands was operated at Benalla, Victoria in 1941.

-• This machine, QY-T, A58-502 of No. 452 Squadron in 1945 typifies the normal colour scheme for Mk VIII Spitfires in the R.A.A.F. The emblem is the Mobil Petroleum "flying red horse". This aircraft was flown by F-O "Bill" Schoon. Whitebanded black spinner was unusual.

A British-built Beaufighter. LY-V, A19~159 of No. 30 Squadron shows its characteristic snub nose in these views. A dark earth, dark green and sky camouflage scheme was standard for most of these imported aircraft. This machine was used on many low altitude barge and anti-shipping strikes around the New Guinea coast in 1943.

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Baltimore "D", FA 673 of No. 458 Squadron which operated in Coastal Command scheme in the Mediterranean during 1943. Extra dark sea grey has been deliberately shown several shades lighter in order to illustrate the pattern. Comic strip character "Ginger Meggs" is shown with his pet dog and monkey.

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Liberator W-MJ, A72-34 warms up in its revetment on Morotai Island before setting out on the long flight back to Darwin via Balikpapan. The aircraft's scoreboard accounts for one sunken Japanese lugger and over twenty missions.

R.A.A.F. ground staff service a silver-doped No. I Squadron Mosquito at Labuan, Borneo in 1945. Working on the starboard engine are LAC W. Errington of Canterbury, N.S.W. and LAC E. Cooper of Brisbane.

31 Squadron Beaufighter EH-X, A8-17, which ran off the strip at Coomalie Creek on 29th November 1944. This aircraft was presented by the town of Macksville, N.S.W.

Members of No. 30 Squadron in front of Beaufighter "Bronte Or Bust", G-LY, A8-165 at Morotai in 1945. This machine, like many others of the period, was painted an extremely dark foliage green. Left to right: Flt-Sgt K. Bond of Bronte, N.S.W., P-o J. Read of Waverley, N.S.W., F-O P. Duncan of Mattraville, N.S.W., F-O D. Lyons of Newcastle, N.S.W., F-O N. Redfern of Strathfield, N.S.W., and Flt-Sgt J. Collison of Canterbury, N.S.W. Beaufort bombers of No.8 Squadron returning from a strike over Gasmata in October 1944. Near machine is UV-E, A9-567 and lead aircraft is uv-w, A9-547. Note protruding flame-damper exhausts, a modification which slowed down the aircraft by some 5-10 m.p.h.

A flight of No. 80 Squadron fighter-bombers near the Halmaheras led by R.A.A.F. ace Wg-Co G. Atherton, D.F.C. in near machine BU-B, A29-629, "Cleopatra III". Note that all aircraft except Atherton's have black spinners at this time. Aircraft second from right is BU-G, A29-607 flown by SqnLdr Waddy. For visibility reasons, and despite the cold at altitudes over 30,000 ft., this pilot had the canopy completely removed from his No. 92 (R.A.F.) Squadron Spitfire Vc in the Middle East, a modification which cost 7 m.p.h. in speed at most. The score of 15t German and Italian kills is sufficient tribute to his alertness.

Mosquito FB VI NA-E, A52-526 of No. 1 Squadron at Morotai in July 1945. Spitfires of No. 457 Squadron can be seen in the background.

R:A.A.F. technicians of No. 1 Flying Boat Maintenance Unit work on black and grey Catalina RB-V, A24-76 of No. 20 Squadron in 1945.

.... Ventura SF-Q, A59-75 in sad shape following a forced landing at Gove strip on 2nd October 1944. The crash was caused by the under-carriage failing to lower, but because of the aircraft's strengthened keel attached to the bomb bay doors, damage was comparatively light. The fuselage roundel outlined with blue and white bars sug~ests previous R.N.Z.A.F. serVIce.

This is one of the aircraft which helped put the important Japanese-held Kali Konto hydro-electric power system out of commission on 27th January 1945. The photograph of this machine, captained by Gp--Capt Kingwell of No. 24 Squadron, was taken within a few minutes of its return to base. GR-T, A72-81.

Pilots of No.5 (TacjR) Squadron in front of A46-232, the aircraft of theCO,F-O "Jack" Hearn of Melbourne. The men are seen immediately after a leaflet drop in August 1945 telling the isolated Japanese on Bougainville of the end of hostilities and how and where to surrender.

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A classic flying shot of a No. 41 Squadron Martin Mariner in blue-grey U.S. Navy colours. The machine has been repainted several times and appears to have carried the letter "E" in grey immediately forward of the serial. On 25th November 1944 it was accidentally holed below the water line and was subsequently issued to No. 114 Air Sea Rescue Flight and later to No. 40 Squadron. Two extremely powerful engines gave the Mariner a fine performance and on one occasion an ex-No. 10 Squadron pilot who must remain nameless, took off on one engine on a "test flight" with 40 fully-laden troops for "ballast". Its performance even then was sufficient for him to attempt mild aerobatics! A Catalina v, ox-v, A2
An interesting photograph of a typical Repair and Salvage Unit, this one on Noemfoor Island. Machines of Nos. 75, 76, 78 and 80 Squadrons can be seen in this photograph.

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Fighter aircraft were frequently interchanged between squadrons, this example serving with No. 77 Squadron before being allotted to No. 76. The previous code letters AM-N can be discerned on the fuselage. This aircraft was hit by flak over New Britain and its landing gear was shot away. After a spectacular "arrival" on the coral strip at Momote its pilot walked away without a scratch.

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No.5 Squadron's Boomerangs on Bougainville Island led in strikes of R.N.Z.A.F. Corsairs carrying naval depth charges and other surplus ammunition. The "mother hen" aircraft on the strip is BF-T, A46--214, in overall foliage green finish.

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One of the machines which featured in the documentary film "Island Hopping With The R.A.A.F." (AWM ANZAC Series). From Left. LAC A. Walters, LAC E. Tappenden, Flt-Sgt D. Smyth and LAC J. Boothby. This aircraft, HU-P, A29-572 was camouflaged olive drab and neutral grey. It is believed that the same cowling was used on at least two different aircraft. "Watch My Form" appeared in yellow and the girl was a fleshcoloured redhead. "Lucky 13" was only chalked on for the convenience of the photographer that day and had no other significance. Note the dark blue and white spinner of "B" Flight. Taxiing out onto the Labuan airstrip, this Spitfire p-zp of the famous "Grey Nurse" squadron passes lines of R.A.A.F. Mustangs awaiting orders to move to Japan. The Spitfire was among the first R.A.A.F. planes to leave for the homeland after the mass exodus of aircraft which began from Borneo in August 1945. A line-up of No.2 Squadron Mitchells at Hughes, N.T., in 1945 showing one uncamouflaged and four foliage green machines. Ko-E, A47-34 in foreground was called "My Favourite" and shows eight bombing strikes forward of the cockpit.

A busy scene at Balikpapan as a No. 78 Squadron Kittyhawk moves out for the first stage of the long flight back to Australia. A number of Spitfires of No. 452 Squadron in the foreground stand idle awaiting their turn. The problem of forward vision whilst taxying a Spitfire is well illustrated in this photograph of uP-x, ES 307 of No. 79 Squadron. With a man on the wing it was not necessary to weave the nose to the same extent.

An unmarked Liberator, A72-97, of No. 23 Squadron trundles down one of the bomber strips in the Darwin area in July 1945.

Two Mk VIII Spitfires of No. 54 (R.A.F.) Squadron on the civil strip at Darwin, 1944. Upper is DL-R, A58-300 and lower is DL-Y, A58-48.

"Cleopatra III", BU-B, A29-629, a p-40N-20 of Australian ace Wg-Cdr G. Atherton, D.F.C., a pilot with five victories. His previous two "Cleopatra" machines were also Kittyhawks. Spinner and name on nose were in red and white.

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Victor and vanquished ... a No. 79 Squadron taxying accident in which up-s, A58-487 was struck by UP-R, A58-526 on 17th September 1945 whilst the former aircraft was returning to its dispersal bay.

A Kittyhawk repair depot at

Noemfoor Island, 1944. The No. 78 Squadron aircraft in the foreground has been damaged by the propeller of another Kittyhawk.

A selection of Kittyhawk nose decorations. Sqn-Ldr Clive Tolhurst with of No. 75 Squadron, 1945.

Two No. 78 Squadron pilots with "Sportsman Special", probably HU-S, bearing the red spinner of "A" Flight.

GA-C

Sgt Ted Quinn of No. 80 Squadron a few weeks before being killed in action on 9th August 1945. His machine was A29-647.

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F-O A. Watts of Katoomba, N.S.W., with his No. 80 Squadron Kittyhawk "Butch". Colour deduction for many wartime aircraft and insignia is largely a matter of careful comparison and estimation using other black-and-white photographs showing known colours. All the above machines had a basic colour scheme of olive drab and neutral grey.

A study in concentration. While pilots stand by for signs of enemy activity near Kiriwina Island in 1943, two members of No. 79 Squadron take time for a haircut. The Spitfire Vc is UP-Q, ER 735, and is not fitted with the usual tropical air filter. Insignia "Run Tojo Run", showing a khaki-clad tin-hatted kangaroo with fixed bayonet on a yellow background. The lettering was medium sea grey, the same as the squadron codes. This machine was flown by Sgt Peacock and is a Spitfire Mk VIII. Sqn-Ldr Tom Trimble and two of his ground staff, LAC's R. M. and V. C. Evans in front of his Spitfire "Sweet As A Song", zp-z, A58-457. This Mk VIII machine had a red and white spinner identical to that on zp-y on Page 104but the colour pattern was barely discernable and there was no ace of spades marking on the rudder. According to the pilot the colour scheme of this particular machine was dark earth, dark green and medium sea grey.

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Two crashes of No. 85 Squadron. W-SH, A58-137 on 27th February 1945, still bearing white leading edges and empennage. SH-D, A58-162 in overall natural aluminium finish with black antidazzle strip and red spinner and trim tab.

Kittyhawk SV-J, A29-314 of No. 76 Squadron taxies out from Momote strip in February 1945 to intercept a Japanese raider. The tiny grey serial used on many of the squadron's aircraft can just be discerned near the sternpost.

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Spitfire A59-601 received by the R.A.A.F. on 11th September 1944 and allotted to No.1 Aircraft Performance Unit for brief performance tests.

Flt-Lt L. S. Crompton of No. 457 Squadron had a lucky escape when his Spitfire G-zp, A58-617 overshot the strip at Morotai on 24th March 1945. Note the early-style small shark mouth and huge upper wing roundels with merely the red centres overpainted in white.

No. 85 Squadron Spitfire A58--163, in 1945.

L--SH,

A fine flying shot of No.5 Squadron Boomerangs over Mareeba, Q., before the move to Bougainv'ille Island. Inscription beneath the shanghai-toting wizard on near machine piloted by Fit-Lt D. Goode reads "V-Beaut 2". Other pilots are Flt-Lt Oberg, P-O Capell and P-O ]. McDavitt respectively. Waxed and polished zp-w, A58-606, the aircraft of Sqn-Ldr Bruce Watson of No. 457 Squadron glistens in the damp conditions following a tropical downpour.

Vengeance "BiddIes", NH-M, probably A27-219 warms up at Merauke. Many No. 12 Squadron Vengeances were named after Tivoli Theatre Showgirls.

A Kittyhawk repair depot at the time of the Allied advance towards the Halmaheras in 1944.

A fine flying shot of ZP-Y, A58-615 showing the upper surface camouflage scheme for most Mk VIII Spitfires. The pilot was Flt-Lt W. Ward. Lower. The same machine on the ground. There is some doubt on the point but it is probable that this machine had a red flight spinner with white backplate similar to that on Sqn-Ldr Trimble's aircraft.

Crash shots are an interesting and invaluable source of colour and markings information. SH-Z, A58-248 which is illustrated in colour on page 69.

SH~K,

A58-250 in overall aluminium finish with silverdoped fabric surfaces. The red spinner and name "Marge" can be clearly seen.

An all-yellow Wirraway of No.5 after a forced landing in 1945. The black bar across the fin and rudder appears to be a type of unit marking. S.F.T.S.

The end of "U-Beaut 2" after it ran off the strip at Bougainville on 13th March 1945 when the starboard tyre blew out.

A typical Boomerang used for fighter interception with No. 83 Squadron at the time of the anticipated Japanese invasion of Australia. The Boomerang was never given the chance to test itself against Japanese fighters but with its excellent manoeuvrability, high rate of

climb and lethal fire-power, would undoubtedly have proved a formidable opponent. Colour scheme shows the normal pattern of earth brown and foliage green upper surfaces with sky blue on lower surfaces. Codes and serial were shown in medium sea grey. Pilots of some of the Boomerang squadrons

used to wax and polish their machines, and especially in the early morning air, an improvement in performance by as much as 25 m.p.h. was frequently obtained. This machine was MH-F, A46-52, and was also coded MH-F on the starboard side. 106

..... Liberator A72-37 with West Australian black swan marking after a crash at Darwin on 28th November 1945. This was probably one of the aircraft used for P.o.w. evacuation from Japanese prison camps.

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Boomerang MH-T, A46-100 of No. 83 Squadron, after a belly landing at Strathpine on 11th June 1943. The machine was not badly damaged and was later repaired by the squadron. Earth brown, foliage green and sky blue scheme was used in conjunction with white spinner and medium sea grey codes. •

The Government Aircraft Factory Beaufreighter, an interesting modification of the Beaufort, was used specifically for transport duties.

Variation in roundel size is evident on these two shots of Beauforts o-FX, A9-351 of No.6 Squadron and DD-W, A9-500 of No. 15 Squadron in 1945. Both appeared in overall foliage green finish and the latter machine is ;llustrated on Page 124.

An attractive shot taken at Lake Boga of one of the Sunderlands whIch took part in a series of fund-raising Victory Flights in 1944. It is interesting to note that this machine, in foliage green finish, bears both the Australian serial A26-1 and its previous British serial NL 730.

An all-silver British-built Mosquito B Mk VI of No. I Squadron, 1945.

@Rare bird was this Beech F17-0, A39-1, ex VH-ACU in R.A.A.F. markings still carrying overall yellow scheme with sporty dark blue trim. @An Avro Anson of 1940 in dark green, dark earth and sky scheme but with partially black undersurfaces. The serial A4-5 was painted in white underneath both wings.

@Vega Gull A32-1 in R.A.A.F. markings of 1940. The colour scheme is believed to have been dark blue with aluminium-doped flying surfaces. @Curtiss Shrike A69-4, one of a batch of ten received by the R.A.A.F. @Noorduyn Norseman A71-10 in unknown three-colour shadow-shaded scheme. (DThe first production Wackett

Woomera dive-bomber A23-1 showing the twin 29 mm. cannon and huge belly tanks which gave the machine its remarkable range. ® The personal Hudson of the CAS, Air Mshl George Jones, C.B., C.B.E., O.F.C., at Higgins strip in February 1945. ®A Ryan STM, believed to be of No.3 Communications Unit, 1943.

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G)Two De Havilland Mosquitoes in flight. The machine in the foreground A52-1005 is a Britishbuilt T Mk III. (DAn all-yellow Tiger Moth of the Central Flying School in 1944. Two Vengeances and an Avro Anson can also be seen. ®Kittyhawks of No.2 C.T.V. at Mildura in February 1945. Centre machine is natural aluminium CD-A with only "28"

of serial visible over white tail. This aircraft's spinner was yellow. (DInteresting tangle of Wirraway A20-465 with a N.E.I. Kittyhawk on lith June 1945. @An unidentified "Black Cat", engines bellowing, takes off in a cloud of spray. @Taken in Japan immediately after the end of the war, this shot shows a No. 36 Squadron Dakota RE-R, A65-121 in natural aluminium finish.

@A formation of No. 81 Squadron Mustangs near Horn Island in August 1945. Red and blue spinner bands were carried on some machines. @The one-off cA-15 experimental fighter, designed as a Mustang replacement and one of the fastest piston-driven aircraft ever built. According to a contemporary press release its maximum speed in level flight was 502.2 mph.

In this Spitfire, zp-v, A58-631, Flt-Lt Scrimgeour scored the second last R.A.A.F. "kill" of the war on 20th June 1945. The machine took off from the Morotai fighter strip and intercepted a grey-green Dinah

which was quickly shot down into the sea. Colour scheme was dark green and dark sea grey on upper surfaces and medium sea grey below. Codes, wing leading edges and "Grey Nurse" stencilling were in white

with black, red and white shark mouth and red spinner. The No.1 Fighter Wing "Ace of Spades" emblem appeared on the rudder. This machine, a Spitfire HF VIII was formerly Mv-125. II2

An interesting example of an Australian-built Beaufort, E-UV, A9-567 of No.8 Squadron in September 1944. Close scrutiny of the photograph on Page 90 shows the same aircraft sporting an earth brown, foliage green and sky blue finish. However, a year later whilst based at Aitape, the same machine showed an immaculate semi-gloss twocolour finish upon which was painted a total of 37 bombing strikes! Explanation is offered by the fact that when the machine was given a major overhaul it was completely repainted, not, however in the correct scheme of overall foliage green as was officially required at the time, but in the illustrated two-colour scheme which was probably chosen to help use up existing stocks of the discontinued colour sky blue.

A No.8 Squadron Beaufort, G-UY. A9-685 with 87 missions to its credit. Three of the four emblems represent the coat of arms of New South Wales. Victoria. and Tasmania. These indi ated the home states of the respective crew members. Bombs were shown in ro s of twenty with seven in the bottom row.

An Australian-built Beaufighter Mk XXI, N-SK. A8-116 of No. 93 Squadron at Labuan. Borneo, in 1945. Though No. 93 was known as the "Green Ghost" squadron, several different types of motif were used for decorative purposes, . "Pistol Pakin' Gremlin" ing an interesting example.

StriKing colour scheme is evident on this o. 455 Squadron Beaufighter UB-F, NT 958 of Coastal Command in 1944. Black and white Invasion stripes (which completely encircled the wings) were often painted on in rough fashion. This machine was coded UB-F on the opposite side also. Positioning of the squadron'~ Australian flag can be seen by re~ rring to the photo on Page 26. However it is not absolutely certain whether or ot it was carried by this particular aircraft.

A Vultee Vengeance. MJ-M, A27-50 which was based at Nadzab, New Guinea in 1944. The Vengeance and Wirraway were the only R.A.A.F. two-seat aircraft to carry the white tail marking in the Pacific. Note natural aluminium propeller boss. Coded MJ-M on starboard side also. CY-Y, KH 624. one of No.3 Squadron's distinctively-painted Mustangs in early 1945. On account of its record with the Desert Air Force. this famous unit was the first British squadron to receive the Mus ng. The rudder marking indicates the stars of the Southern Cross carried on th Australian flag. Coded Y-CY on the starboard side.

Hudson "G", FH-359 of the little-known No. 459 Squadron which operated in the Middle East against shipping in the Mediterran an. Upper surface pattern of dark slate grey and extra dark sea grey was similar 0 that of the Baltimore on Page 88.

The specially-decorated Spitfire. CR-C. A58-464 of Gp-Capt Clive "Killer" CaldwelL D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar, Polish Cross of Valour in December 1944. This was one of three such machines on permanent readiness for this dynamic combat leader. A close-up of the similar scoreboard on A58-48 can be seen on Page 86. The aircraft was coded CR-C on the starboard side. Co ur scheme was quite un usual.

One of the Kittyhawks personally allocated to Gp-Capt John Waddy, D.S.O., D.F.C., the R.A.A.F.'S second-ranking surviving fighter ace of World War II. Machine is G-BU, A29-607, a photo of which will be found on Page 86. Scoreboard shows 1St German kills, and "VE" indicates the initials of the pilot's wife, not victories in Europe!

NO.2 Squadron Mitchell, K0-Z, A47-2 "Stormbird" which was based at Hughes Strip, Northern Territory during 1945. Coded "Z-KO" on the starboard side. Though Australian aircrew sometimes flew in Mitchells of the Fifth Air Force, No.2 was the only specifically R.A.A.F. squadron to operate the type in the Pacific. The second of four No. 460 Squadron "Fooship" machines flown by F-O Robinson, AR-P, JA 861 as seen in late 1943. Ice cream indicates the first trip over the Alps to Italy and the three Boomerangs indicate the safe return from three missions over Germany.

Hudson "Foo", AI6-236, a No. 2 Squadron machine which took part in many harassing raids from Hughes Strip in 1942 and 1943. The name appeared on both sides of the fuselage in the same position but the record of the Pete floatplane destroyed was only carried on the port side. A flying shot of this aircraft appears on Page 56. Pilot, Sqn-LdrJ. Whyte.

Halifax B III HD-T, NR 169 of No. 466 Squadron in 1945 bearing the yellow and black horizontal tail stripes of No.4 Group which were shown on outer surfaces of tail only. Coquette mascot was of wartime origin. The machine was purchased post-war by Mr. G. Wikner and flown to Australia to be exhibited to raise money for R.A.A.F. charities.

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Martin Mariner A70-5 at Rathmines, N.S.W. in November 1943. This was a No. 41 Squadron machine later allocated to No. 40 Squadron for transporting troops and equipment between Australia and New Guinea.

Bostons of No. 22 Squadron at Noemfoor Island in 1944. These machines appeared in olive drab and neutral grey finish.

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A flight of Wirraways of No.2 in flight, 1941.

S.F.T.S.

A Beaufort of No. 14 Squadron after a crash landing at Pearce, W.A. on 10th October 1943. The camouflage pattern of earth brown, foliage green and sky blue is easily discernible. Damaged dark green, dark earth and yellow Avro Anson of No.3 Air Observation School on lIth February 1944. Note that the yellow serial appears in three places on the port fuselage side.

No.13 Squadron Beaufort

II8

A formation of No. 80 Squadron Kittyhawks head out on a bombing and strafing mission over the Halmaheras in 1945. Note the repainted aileron on "Cleopatra III". BU-U was A29-684 flown by Flt-Lt Les Jackson, D.F.C., and far machine was BU-F, A29-613.

Kingfishers of No. 107 Squadron in August 1944. K-JE, A48-9 is on the left and JE-T, A48-18 is in the centre. Drawing on Page 125 shows earlier colour scheme of JE-K.

II9

R.A.A.F. Dakotas were used to airlift P.O.w's. from prison camps in South East Asia. This one, a patched olive drab and neutral grey aircraft, crashed shortly after the end of the war in a paddy field in Siam. The first of six troop-carrying gliders manufactured for the R.A.A.F. by De Havilland (Australia) Pty. Ltd. These aircraft, designed for towing behind a Spitfire, could carry six fully-equipped troops or an equivalent freight load.

Air Cdre Summers chats to a group of officers on a visit to No.9 Squadron at Bowen, Q., on 16th September 1944. Tiger Moth KF-Z in No.5 Communications Unit markings is seen in the foreground and in the distance is Seagull YQ-J of No. 9 Squadron. Members of the R.A.A.F. work side-by-side with R.A.F. ground crews on machines of No. 54 (R.A.F.) Squadron which served under Australian command. Cpl M. Michael of Perth makes adjustments inside the cockpit whilst LAC J. Kinnear of Stirling, Scotland, works on the canopy. Translation of the inscription underneath the winged dog is most uncomplimentary.

....

R.A.A.F. WORLD WAR II SQUADRON CODES AND AIRCRAFT SQUADRON 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 18 (N.E.I.)

20 21

22 23 24

25

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

38 40 12T

TYPE OF AIRCRAFT CODE US, NA Anson, Hudson, Beaufort, Mosquito KO Anson, Bulldog, Hudson, Beaufort, Mitchell cy Lysander, Gauntlet, Gladiator, Hurricane, Tomahawk, Mustang QE Moth Minor, Wirraway, Boomerang BF Wirraway, Tiger Moth, Boomerang FX Anson, Hudson, Beaufort KT Hudson, Beaufort UY Douglas Dc-2, Hudson, Beaufort YQ Douglas Dolphin, Seagull, Walrus RB Sunderland FJ Empire Flying Boat, Seagull, Catalina NH Anson, Wirraway, Vengeance, Liberator SF Anson, Hudson, Beaufort, Ventura PN Anson, Wirraway, Hudson, Beaufort DD Beaufort GM Mitchell RB Empire Flying Boat, Catalina GA, MJ Anson, Wirraway, Buffalo, Vengeance, Liberator DU Gypsy Moth, Anson, Wirraway, Boston, Beaufighter NY Anson, Wirraway, Hudson, Airacobra, Vengeance, Liberator GR Wirraway, Moth Minor, Hudson, Airacobra, Vengeance, Buffalo, Liberator SJ Anson, Wirraway, Hudson, Swordfish, Tiger Moth, Buffalo, Vengeance, Liberator LY Beaufighter EH Beaufighter JM Hudson, Beaufort BT D.H.84 Dragon, Empire Flying Boat, Anson, Tiger Moth, Dakota FD D.H.84 Dragon, Tiger Moth, Anson, Dakota BK D.H.84 Dragon, Fox Moth, Moth Minor, Fairey Battle, Tiger Moth, Anson, Northrop Delta, D.H.86, Dakota RE Douglas Dc-2, D.H.84, D.H.86, Beechcraft, Tiger Moth, Rapide, Dakota OM Northrop Delta, Lodestar, Stinson Reliant, Tiger Moth, Dakota PK Moth Minor, Tiger Moth, Hudson, Dakota HF Sunderland, Mariner

41

42 43 54 60 66 67 71 73 75 7.6 77

78 79 80 82 83 84 85 86 87 92 93 99 100 102 107 119 120 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 466 467 548 549

Empire Flying Boat, Dornier, Mariner Catalina ox Catalina Wirraway, Glider, Spitfire (R.A.F.) DL Wirraway EY IN Anson MK Anson Anson, Moth Minor PP Anson, Moth Minor NJ Kittyhawk GA sv Kittyhawk, Mustang AM Kittyhawk HU Wirraway, Kittyhawk Spitfire UP BU Kittyhawk Airacobra, Wirraway, Kittyhawk FA MH Moth Minor, Airacobra, Boomerang LB Boomerang, Kittyhawk, Mustang SH Buffalo, Boomerang, Wirraway, Spitfire Kittyhawk, Mustang MP Buffalo, Lancer, Lightning, Mosquito, Wirraway QK OB Anson, Beaufighter SK Beaufighter ux Liberator Beaufort QH BV Liberator Kingfisher JE MV Lodestar, Mitchell (N.E.I.) (N.E.I.) RR Kittyhawk Audax, Hurricane, Magister, Kittyhawk OK Lysander, Hurricane, Spitfire BQ, NI UD, FU,QY Spitfire Buffalo, Spitfire TD,FU Blenheim, Marauder, Baltimore vB,2 Hampden, Beaufighter PZ,RX Defiant, Beaufighter, Mosquito BP, KU, XB, ZP Spitfire sx Wellington BP Blenheim, Hudson, Ventura, Baltimore, Beaufighter UV,AR Wellington, Halifax, Lancaster UT Sunderland z5 Halifax JO Lancaster Hudson, Ventura, Mosquito S8 HD Wellington, Halifax, Lancaster PO Wellington, Lancaster (R.A.F.) TS Wirraway, Tiger Moth, Spitfire Spitfire (R.A.F.) ZF DQ RK

1 Comm. Unit

EV

2 Comm. Unit

JU

3 Comm. Unit

DB

4 Comm. Unit

VM

5 Comm. Unit

KF

6 Comm. Unit x

Xl

7 Comm. Unit

YB

y

8 Comm. Unit

ZA

11 Comm. Unit 9 L.A.S.U.

HM TX

10 L.A.S.U. 12 L.A.S.U. Survey Flight

UB

111 A.S.R.F. 112 A.S.R.F. 113 A.S.R.F. 200 Flight 201 Flight 16 A.O.P.F. 17 A.O.P.F.

KP

TA

su

LJ

NR NX LV NF KV

Demon, Bulldog, Avro Trainer, Vega Gull, D.H.84 Dragon, Moth Minor, Fairchild, Fairey Battle, Douglas Dc-2, Anson, Oxford, Miles Hawk, Tiger Moth, Hudson, Lodestar, Dakota, Beaufort. Miles Hawk, Moth Minor, Stinson Reliant, D.H.84 Dragon, Beechcraft, Dragonfly, Tiger Moth, Hurricane, Cessna, Wirraway, Douglas Dc-2, Waco, Oxford, Ryan Trainer, Anson. Moth Minor, Wirraway, Miles Hawk, Ryan Trainer, Beechcraft, D.H.84 Dragon, Anson, Dragon Rapide, Fairey Battle, Hudson, Vengeance, Beaufort, Norseman, Lockheed Vega, Fokker· F-7. Hudson, Anson, Wirraway, Tiger Moth, Miles Falcon, Dragonfly, Gannet, Fairchild, Beechcraft, Vega Gull, Beaufort, D.H.84 Dragon, Douglas Dolphin, Norseman, Vengeance, Moth Minor, Lodestar, Ventura, Beaufighter, Kittyhawk. Anson, D.H.84 Dragon, Walrus, Seagull, Tiger Moth, Oxford, Norseman, Vengeance, Beaufort. D.H.84 Dragon, Tiger Moth, Anson, Walrus, Vengeance, Fairey Battle, Hudson, Catalina, Beaufort. D.H.84 Dragon, Anson, Fox Moth, Fairey Battle, Moth Minor, Tiger Moth, Vengeance, Norseman. Boomerang, Walrus, Tiger Moth, Vengeance, Dornier, Anson, Beaufort, Catalina, Beaufighter. Ventura, Beaufort. Anson, Tiger Moth, D.H.84 Dragon, Wirraway, Norseman, Beaufort, Dakota Anson, Beaufort Beaufort, Anson, Tiger Moth Anson, Gannet, D.H.84 Dragon, Moth Minor, Tiger Moth, Hudson, Gypsy Moth, Mosquito Catalina Catalina Catalina Liberator Liberator Auster Auster, Tiger Moth, D.H.82 Dragon

Note: These officially allotted codes, though almost invariably used by operational squadrons, were seldom seen on aircraft of the latter supporting units unless precise identification was a matter of some importance.

Dark green, dark earth and sky was the colour of this Britishbuilt Beaufighter A19~54 of No. 30 Squadron, one of the first of

Wirraway A20-301 of No.5 Service Flying Training School in 1944. This all-yellow machine sported black fuselage serials and the black stripe across the fin and rudder evidently indicated a type of unit marking. The aircraft was very badly damaged in a crash on 22nd November 1944 when the port wing was almost bent into a semicircle!

these machines to strike against the Japanese ij1 the Pacific. ThIs is not the aircraft shown on Page60. Individual letter "V", was faded medium sea grey.

.·.A~:~~SO.I

O.

.'\17- 625 A typical R.A.A.F. Tiger Moth in overall yellow scheme of late 1944 after the change in camouflage orders effected in June of that year. "25" on cowling and the serial A17-625 on the fuselage and under the wing were all in black. The machine belonged to the Central Flying School at Point Cook.

Baltimore "G", FA 603 of No. 454 Squadron in 1943. The Baltimore was a good deal faster than the Lancaster and looked quite attractive in the extra dark sea grey, dark slate grey and white colour scheme shown here. Identification letter "G" was in red.

This Lockheed Hudson, A-I6--l0 of No. 13 Squadron was based at Darwin when the European War broke out, whereupon the unit was ordered to carry out anti-submarine patrols. Colour scheme was foliage green and dark earth with aluminiumdoped undersurfaces. Squadron code "N" and fuselage serial were medium sea grey.

.' C::::»'

Spitfire Vc of No. 452 Squadron, QY-C, A5S-S34, . No. 1 Fighter Wing at Darwm in 1943. Foliage green and earth brown upper surfaces with lower surfaces in sky blue. Small white "C" was carried under the spinner, facing forwards.

FA 603

Overall foliage green Beaufort W-DD. AS-500 of No. 15 Squadron shows emblem "BAMERA WAIKERIE", a gremlin tickling an unfortunate Japanese whose undersurfaces are being cooked over a large cigarette lighter. Propeller bosses were pale

green"/"'fl~;::::V~~7,7/7,/;~/;'l:07}~~

British-built Mosquito FB VI, NA-'-E, A52-526, the machine shown on Page 91, in its factory finish of dark green and medium sea grey. Code letters were white and the numbers "526" also appeared in white, in S inch-high numerals under the four nose cannon. Later this machine was repainted with aluminium dope.

Merlin-engined Kittyhawk s-cv, FL~304 of No.3 Squadron in North Africa, late 1942. No bomb racks had been fitted at this time. Colour scheme was dark earth, middle stone and azure blue with white codes.

A Spitfire IX of No. 453 Squadron at Ford, U.K., in 1944 showing the British day fighter scheme of dark green, dark sea grey and medium sea grey. Note sky-coloured spinner, rear fuselage band, and the striking Invasion markings.

r

during a windstorm at Benalla Avro Anson MK-H, DJ 171 of and finished with its tail No. 67 Squadron in overall foliage green finish with medium precariously perched on the rear fuselage of the next Anson. sea grey codes and serial. Just Coded MK-H on starboard side after the war this machine was also. involved in a freak accident

o

)

A

D,".~

oc-3

~~ #

,fN,." ..

Squadron, L-FD, A65-42, a'..r typical "biscuit bomber" of the R.A.A.F. Original colour scheme was olive drab and neutral grey but as the aircraft had been damaged it was extensively patched with foliage green. Radio call sign, VHC-UL was faded medium sea grey, codes white.

TO

/.

~~

British-built Beaufighter, EH-C, A19-173 still in its original colours of dark green, dark earth and sky but with the usual R.A.A.F. markings. Serial and codes were in medium sea grey.

This diminutive shark-mouthed Auster A8-11 was operated by No. 17 Communications Flight and was used for spotting and other miscellaneous duties on Bougainville Island in 1945. Colour scheme was overall foliage green with black, white and red shark's mouth.

A1'--40N-35 delivered to the R.A.A.F. on I st November 1944, o-GA, A29-1021 of No. 75 Squadron. Rather dull colour scheme of olive drab and neutral grey was considerably brightened by a red, white and bl ue spinner, white codes, and a black-underlined' white stripe across the fin and rudder.

No. 84 Squadron Mustang LB-N, A68-520, "Nuts To Nippon", one of the few AustralIan Mustangs to carry any personal markings. Exact colours on motif were probably yellow, red and black. Colour scheme was natural aluminium with olive drab anti-glare panel as this was a U.S.-built machine supplied under lend-lease.

This was a machine of No. 31 Squadron operating from Coomalie Creek, Northern Territory. EH-e on starboard side also.

Kingfisher JE:-K, A48-9 shortly after amval In Australia on 6th May 1942. Although the officially-designated scheme especially for the Kingfisher was dark ocean blue, night and sky blue, there is no evidence to hand to show that this scheme was ever used. Rather, the standard R.A.A.F. upper surface colours for landplanes were probably used instead.

One of the R.A.A.F.'S more successful Liberators, E-MJ, A72-5 of No.2 Squadron, 1945. Natural aluminium finish except for olive drab anti-glare panel. Lettering, serials, scoreboard and name were in black. "Penelope II" here shows a total of 38 missions during which two Japanese aircraft and three luggers were destroyed. Note black fin stripe and placement of identification flash.

LIST OF AIRCRAFT TYPES 1939-45 No. * POWER PLANT

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

Bell Airacobra I A 53

Single seat fighter

Cessna Airmaster A40

Four seat high wing cabin monoplane

Span 34 ft. Length 34 ft. 2 in. Empty weight 5,360 lb. Loaded weight 7,380 lb.

One 145 hp. Super Scarab

Warner

Span 24 ft. 1,300 2,220

33 ft. 10 in. Length 7 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb. 56 ft. 6 in. Length 3 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

982

Two 350 hp. ArmstrongSiddeley Cheetah IX

Span 42 ft. 5,375 8,000

Auster AOP Mk. III A 11

Two seat air observation post aircraft

58

One 130 hp. Major

Martin Baltimore Mk. III

Medium bomber

Two 1,350 hp. Wright Double Row Cyclones

Span 36 ft. Length 23 ft. 5 in. Empty weight 850 lb. Loaded weight 1,990 lb. Span 61 ft. 4 in. Length 48 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 14,435 lb. Loaded weight 22,000 lb.

Fairey Battle Mk. I A 22

Three seat light bomber, target tug or dual trainer.

366

One 1,030 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin I, II, III or V

Span 54 ft. Length 52 ft. 2 in. Empty weight 6,647 lb. Loaded weight 10,792 lb.

Bristol Beaufighter Mk. Ic, VIe, X, Xc and XXI A 19 Fairey built A 8 Australian built

Two seat strike fighter

582

Two Bristol Hercules XVII, XXI or' XVIII

Span 57 ft. 10 in. Length 41 ft. 8 in. Empty weight (XXI) 15,600 lb. Loaded weight 25,400 lb.

Bristol Beaufort (Australian built) A 9

Medium bomber and torpedo bomber

753

Two 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Twin-Row Wasps

Span 57 ft. lOin. Length 44 ft. 4t in. Empty weight 13,000 lb. Loaded weight 21,500 lb.

Beech 17 (Beechcraft) A 39

Four seat cabin biplane with retractable undercarriage

3

One 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior

Span 32 ft. Length 26 ft. 2 in. Empty weight 2,460 lb. Loaded weight 4,200 lb.

('.A.C. Boomerang A 46

Fighter interceptor and Tac/R aircraft

250

One 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Twin-Row Wasp

Span 36 ft. Length 26 ft. 9 in. Empty weight 5,373 lb. Loaded weight 7,699 lb.

Douglas Boston Mk. III (A20-C) and IV (A20-G) A 28

Medium bomber

69

Two 1,600 hp. Wright Double-Row Cyclones

(A20-C) Span 61 ft. 4 in. Length 47 ft. Empty weight 12,200 lb. Loaded weight 25,000 lb.

Brewster Buffalo A 51

Single-seat fighter

17

One 1,200 hp. Cyclone

Span 35 ft. Length 26 ft. Empty weight 4,479 lb. Loaded weight 6,840 lb.

Bristol Bulldog A 12

Single-seat fighter

8

C.A.C. ('A-IS A62

Single seat fighter

GR

T

I

One 1,150 hp. Allison

General reconnaissance and bomber aircraft

Avro Anson A4

I and

22

DIMENSIONS

* Indicates the total number delivered to

the R.A.A.F.

DH

Gypsy

Wright

One 450 hp. Bristol Jupiter VIF

Span 33 ft. II in. Length 25 ft. Empty weight 2,414 lb. Loaded weight 3,503 lb.

One 2,035 hp. RollsRoyce Griffon Mk 61

Span 36 ft. Length 36 ft. 3 in. Empty weight 7,540 lb. Loaded weight 12,340 lb.

tPERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

REMARKS

Max. speed 358 mph. Range 1,098 miles

One 20 mm. cannon firing through airscrew boss, two .303 in. guns in nose and four .303 in. guns in wings.

Lack of a turbo-supercharger limited high altitude performance. Supplied as an emergency fighter to help defend Australia against the anticipated Japanese invasion.

Max. speed 162 mph. Range 500 miles.

Nil

VH-UYG, impressed as A40-I and used for communications duties. Postwar it took part in the 1964 Ansett Air Race as VH-KWM.

Max. speed 188 mph. at 7,000 ft.

One fixed forward-firing .303 in. gun and one .303 in. gun in manually operated Armstrong-Whitworth turret. Bomb load 360 lb.

Used principally for aircrew training. In this capacity N 4876 and L 9162 received world-wide publicity in 1940 when they became interlocked in flight and were successfully landed by trainee pilot LAC Fuller in the upper machine.

Nil

Used operationally for spotting duties in the Bougainville campaign.

Max. speed 336 mph. at 11,500 ft. Range 1,200 miles.

Four fixed 0.5 in. guns in wings, two guns in dorsal turret and two handoperated guns firing through lower rear hatch.

Used extensively in Middle East and Mediterranean. Deep fuselage permitted easy crew movement and communication.

Max. speed 241 mph. at 13,000 ft. Range 1,050 miles.

One .303 in. Browning gun firing forward and one .303 in. Vickers gun aft.

Many shipped to Australia and Canada after becoming obsolete with the R.A.F. One machine, K 9297 was flown by p-o R. Givens in France, then later in Australia by the same pilot.

(Mk XXI) Max. speed 320 mph. at 10,000 ft. Range 1,470 miles.

Four 20 mm. cannon in nose, four 0.5 in. guns in wings, optional .303 in. gun in rear cupola. Provision for eight rockets or two 250 lb. bombs.

Capable of shaking off any type of Japanese fighter encountered in the S.W.P.A. by diving to sea level and drawing away at full throttle.

Max. speed 267 mph. at 15,900 ft. Max. range 1,600 miles.

Two or four fixed forward-firing .303 in. guns, two rearward-firing guns in turret. Some machines fitted with special rearward-firing guns in nose turret, others with two optional machine guns firing through side hatches.

First 180 built were designated Beauforts Mk. V, Va, VI and VII, remainder were Mk. VIII machines. Standard R.A.A.F. bomber for the greater part of the Pacific War. Three machines completed over 100 missions.

Max. speed 198 mph. Range 500 miles.

Nil

Three used as communications iiircraftA39-1 ex VH-ACtJ, A39-2 ex NC 20778 and A39-3 ex VH-UXP.

Max. speed 305 mph. at 15,000 ft. Range 930 miles.

Two 20 mm. cannon in wings, four .303 in. machine guns and provision for smoke bombs and belly tank.

Had few opportunities for aerial combat but used with great effect as Tac/R spotters in New Guinea, The Solomons and Borneo. Manoeuvrability comparable to Zero.

(A20-C) Max. speed 304 mph. at 13,000 ft. Range 1,020 miles.

Four fixed .303 in. guns in nose and two .303 guns in both dorsal and ventral positions. Bomb load 2,000 lb.

Highly successful R.A.A.F. bomber. FltLt W. Newton won first R.A.A.F. Victoria Cross in Pacific in a Boston squadron. Wg-Cdr Learmonth's "She's Apples" set a S.W.P.A. sortie record and Flt-Lt Williamson successfully bellylanded A28-5 with a full bomb load.

Max. speed 313 mph. at 13,500 ft. Range 650 miles.

Two 0.5 in. guns in fuselage and two 0.5 in. guns in wings.

The heroic record of 21 and 453 Squadron Buffalo pilots in Malaya has rarely been surpassed in R.A.A.F. history. 17 machines delivered for home defence.

Max. speed 174 mph. at 10,000 ft. 14t min. to 20,000 ft.

Twin synchronized Vickers machine guns and provision for four 20 lb. bombs.

Max. speed 448 mph. at 26,400 ft. Normal range 2,540 miles.

Six 0.5 in. guns and provision for underwing bomb load.

The highly aerobatic Bulldog thnlled thousands at pre-war air displays throughout the country. The last three Bulldogs survived until 1940. An outstanding technical achievement by Australian designers, this aircraft (unofficially called "Kangaroo") had a

Max. speed 130 mph. . Range 250 miles.

EX

t It is fairly well recognized that the performance of differe.nt machines varied considerably. These figures refer to tests on specific aircraft.

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

Avro Cadet A6

Two seat trainer

Consolidated Catalina I, II, III, IV, and VI A24

No. * POWER PLANT

DIMENSIONS

34

One 150 hp. ArmstrongSiddeley Genet Major Ia

Span 30 ft. 2 in. Length 24 ft. 9 in. Empty weight 1,286 lb. Luaded weight 2,000 lb.

General reconnaissance flying boat

168

Two 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Twin-Row Wasps

(Mk I PBY-5) Span 104 ft. Length 65 ft. 2 in. Empty weight 14,240 lb. Loaded weight 27,080 lb.

Douglas Dakota A65

Military transport

124

Two 1,200 hp. Pratt IV Whitney Twin-Row Wasps

Span 95 ft. Length 64 ft. Empty weight 16,865 lb. Loaded weight 25,200 lb.

Douglas Dc-2/3 A30

Fourteen (twenty-two) passenger airliner

14

Two 740/810 hp. (900 hp.) Wright Cyclones

Northrop Delta A61

Low wing eight seat cabin monoplane

Span 85 ft. (95 ft.) Length 62 ft. (64 ft. 6 in.) Empty weight 12,476 lb. (16,289 lb.) Loaded weight 18,200 lb. (24,000 lb.) Span 50 ft. Length 31 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 4,500 lb. Loaded weight 7,350 lb.

Hawker Demon I and II Al

Two seat army cooperation fighterbomber

DH 50A AlO

Four seat communications aircraft

DH DH DH DH DH DH

Two seat elementary trainer

60G Gypsy Moth 60 Cirrus Moth 60x Cirrus Moth 60M Metal Moth 60G Moth Major A7 83 Fox Moth A41

One 735 hp. Wright Cyclone

64

95

One 600 hp. Rolls-Royce Kestrel VDR

(Mk II) Span 37 ft. 2 in. Length 29 ft. 7 in. Empty weight 3,360 lb. Loaded weight 5,176 lb.

One 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp C Radial

Span 28 ft. 2,400 4,200

(DH 60G Gypsy Moth) One De Havilland Gypsy

(DH 60G Gypsy Moth) Span 30 ft. Length 23 ft. 11 in. Empty Weight 962 lb. Loaded weight 1,650 lb.

I

42 ft. 9 in. Length 9 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Five seat feeder airliner

4

One 130 hp. De Havilland Gypsy Major

Span 30 f1. lOt in. Length 25 ft. 9 in. Empty weight 1,100 lb. Loaded weight 2,070 Ib

DH 84 A34

Six or eight passenger airliner

98

Two 130 hp. De Havilland Gypsy Major I

Span 47 ft. 4 in. Length 34 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 2,300 lb. Loaded weight 4.200 lb.

DH 86 A31

Ten passenger airliner

8

Four 200 hp. DH Gypsy Six

Span 64 ft. 6 in. Length 46 ft. I in. Empty weight 6,140 lb. Loaded weight 10,250 lb.

DH 89 Dragon Rapide A3 and A33

Six or eight seat training or communications aircraft

7

Two 200 hp. DH Gypsy Six

Span 48 f1. Length 34 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 3,346 lb. Loaded weight 5,500 lb.

'.

I Douglas Dolphin A 35

Eight seat transport amphibian

4

Two 400/450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior

Span 60 ft. Length 43 ft. 10 in. Empty Weight 5,861 lb. Loaded weight R 'iRl1h '2l:l

I..

tPERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

REMARKS performance well in advance of many contemporary fighters. It was pleasant to fly, had a phenomenal range, and on one occasion is reputed to have reached a speed of 502.2 mph. in level flight.

Max. speed 116 mph. Range 325 miles.

Nil

Intermediate trainer introduced to bridge the gap between the Tiger Moth and Wapiti. Fine aerobatic aircraft with modified fuel system for inverted flight.

(Mk. I,PBY-5) Max. speed 190 mph. at 10,500 ft. Range 2,000 to 3,500 miles.

One .303 in. gun in bows, two .303 in. guns in each side blister and one in central fuselage. Bomb load 2,000 lb.

R.A.A.F. Catalinas were ferried across the Pacific by combined Qantas and R.A.A.F. crews. One of the most valuable types in the S.W.P.A. in the early war years.

Max. speed 230 mph. Normal range 1,500 miles.

Hand-held machine guns or rifles could be operated from passenger windows.

Mainstay of the R.A.A.F.'S aerial supply train in the island campaigns of the Pacific War.

Max. speed 202 mph. (230 mph.) Range 1,100 miles (1,500 miles)

Nil

The Dc-2's appeared in both silver and camouflaged finish. A30-8 was lost on operations between Surabaya and Koepang on 20th January 1942.

Max, speed 220 mph. Range 900 miles.

Nil

Obtained by Australian Government from famous Antarctic explorer Lincoln Ellesworth after the end of his 1938 expedition. As VH-ADR was impressed by the R.A.A.F. in December 1942.

Max. speed 182 mph. at 16,000 ft.

Two forward-firing Vickers Mk. V machine guns and one Lewis gun aft. Provision for light bombs beneath wings.

Differed from R.A.F. version by having a higher-rated Kestrel engine, ramshorn exhaust manifolds and a tailwheel. Some were used for training and communications in World War 2.

Max. speed 126 mph. Range 275 miles.

Nil

As G-AUAB this aircraft carried out the first landplane flight around Australia and was once owned by Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. Impressed in 1942.

(DH 60G Gypsy Moth) Max. speed 98.5 mph. Range 290 miles.

Nil

A seaplane Moth A7-55 flown by Flt-Lt E. Douglas located the lost Antarctic explorer Lincoln Ellesworth in 1936.

Max speed 123 mph. Range 415 miles.

Nil

Used as air ambulances in the Australian outback in the 1930's and impressed for similar duties during World War 2.

Max. speed 128 mph. Range 460 miles.

Nil

Specially impressed and rebuilt version to meet an urgent R.A.A.F. requirement for radio and navigational trainers Widely used by communications units.

Max. speed 170 mph. Range 760 miles

Nif

In 1941 seven machines were flown to the Middle East for service with No. I Air Ambulance Unit to evacuate wounded Australian soldiers. It is believed this was the first such scheme instigated in World War 2.

Max. speed 157 mph. Range 578 miles.

Nil

Three aircraft (VH-UUO, -UVI and -ADE) were impressed from Guinea Airways, three (VH-UFF, -UBN and -UZY) were obtained from Airlines of Australia and one (VH-UXT) from Australian National Airways.

Max. speed 150 mph. Range 550 miles.

Nil

Dolphins operated mainly from Rathmines and served with Seaplane Flight, 9 Sqn., 3 O.T.U. and 4 Communications Flight.

129

No. * POWER PLANT

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

Dornier oo-24K A49

Reconnaissance and bombing flying boat

DH Dragonfly A43

Five seat luxury cabin biplane

Short Empire Al8

Twenty-four passenger flying boat

Fairchild 24 A36

DIMENSIONS

Three 750 hp. Wright Cyclones

Span 88 ft. 7 in. Length 72 ft. I! in. Empty weight 17,011 lb. Loaded weight 28,600 lb.

Two 130 hp. De Havilland Gypsy Major I

Span 43 ft. Length 31 ft. 8 in. Empty weight 2,487 lb. Loaded weight 4,000 lb.

5

Four 920 hp. Pegasus Xc

Span 114 ft. Length 88 ft. Empty weight 23,500 lb. Loaded weight 43,500 lb.

Three or four seat high wing communications aircraft

4

(Fairchild 24R) One 150 or 175 hp. in-line Ranger

Span 25 ft. 1,482 2,562

Wackett Gannet A14

Higli-wing survey, photographic and ambulance aircraft

5

Two 200 hp DH Gypsy Six

Span 52 ft. Length 34 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 3,242 lb. Loaded weight 5,400 lb.

DHA-G2 Glider A57

Six passenger freight-carrying glider

or

8

Nil, towed by parent aircraft

Span 50 ft. 6 in. Length 33 ft. Empty weight 1,450 lb. Loaded weight 3,250 lb.

Percival Vega Gull A32

Four seat communications aircraft

2

One 200 hp. DH Gypsy Six

Span 39 ft. 6 in. Length 25 ft. 8 in. Empty weight 1,575 lb. Loaded weight 2,750 lb.

Handley-Page Halifax III

Heavy bomber

Four 1,650 hp. Bristol Hercules XVI

Span 104 ft. 2 in. (clipped wing version 98 ft. IO in.) Length 71 ft. 7 in. Empty weight 33,000 lb. Loaded weight 60,000 lb.

Handley-Page Hampden

Medium bomber

Two Bristol Pegasus XVIII

Span 69 ft. 2 in. Length 53 ft. 7 in. Empty weight 11,780 lb. Loaded weight 18,756 lb.

Miles Hawk A37

Three or four seat low wing communications aircraft

6

(Miles M 30 Falcon Six) One 200 hp. DH Gypsy Six

(Miles M 30 Falcon Six) Span 35 ft. Length 25 ft. Empty weight 1,550 lb. Loaded weight 2,525 lb.

Lockheed Hudson I, II, III and IV Al6

General reconnaissance bomber

247

Two 1,050 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasps or two 1,100 hp. Wright Cyclones

Span 65 ft. 6 in. Length 44 ft. 4 in. Empty weight 12,000 lb. Loaded weight 17,500 lb.

Hawker Hurricane Ie A60

Single seat fighter

One 1,029 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin III

Span 40 ft. Length 31 ft. 4 in. Empty weight 4,750 lb. Loaded weight 6,220 lb.

6

Bristol

36 ft. 4 in. Length lOin. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

tPERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

REMARKS

Max. speed 195 mph. Range 2,049 miles.

One 0.5 in. gun in nose and tail turrets. One 20 mm. cannon in mid-fuselage turret.

The Dornier Do-24K was built specially for the Dutch East Indies Navy. Some 30 machines fought a retreating action against the Japanese until March 1942 when all but one were destroyed in an attack on Broome.

Max. speed 144 mph. Range 900 miles.

Nil

EX

Max. speed 200 mph. Range 760 miles.

Temporary dorsal guns of .303 in. calibre.

Five impressed machines used for transport and evacuation with 11, 20, 33 and 41 Squadrons. A18-10 ex G-ADUT "Centaurus", AI8-11 ex G-AEUA "Calypso", A18-12 ex VH-ABC "Coogee", A18-13 ex VH-ABB "Coolangatta" and A18-14 ex G-AFPZ "Clifton".

Max. speed 132 mph. Range 640 miles.

Nil

Several impressed from private owners for duties with 1, 2 and 4 Communications Flights and 36 Squadron. A36-4 was sold to the Rt Hon R. G. Casey (now Lord Casey) in September 1946.

Max. speed 150 mph. Range 550 miles.

Nil

The first two aircraft were produced by the Tugan Aircraft Co. which was absorbed into C.A.C. and from 1936 onwards the aircraft became known as the Wackett Gannet after its designer Wg-Cdr Wackett.

Max. diving speed 200 mph., free 185 mph., towing 130 mph. Stalling speed 48 mph.

Nil

Produced as an emergency measure to quickly transport troops and equipment in the event of invasion. A57-1 was fitted with an experimental suction wing.

Max. speed 170 mph. Range 620 miles.

Nil

A32-1 ex VH-UVG was used at 1 Communications Unit and 82 Wing Headquarters. A32-2 ex VH-ACA was previously owned by the Rt Hon R. G. Casey and was also used by 1 Communications Unit.

Max. speed 282 mph. Range 2,510 miles.

One hand-operated Vickers K gun in nose, four .303 in. guns in upper turret and four guns in rear turret. Max. bomb load 13,000 lb.

No. 462 Squadron was the first and only Halifax unit in the Middle East and operated the Mk. II version with Merlin engines. Halifax Ill's were used by 462 and 466 Squadrons over Europe.

Max. speed 265 mph. at 15,500 ft. Range 1,790 miles.

One fixed and one flexible .303 in. gun in the nose, twin Vickers K guns in a manually-operated mounting amidships and twin Vickers K guns in the ventral position.

Lacked adequate defensive armament and the type was soon transferred to Coastal Command for mine-laying and anti-shipping duties.

(Miles Falcon Six) Max. speed 180 mph. Range 560 miles.

Nil

All Miles aircraft received the A-37 designation irrespective of type.

(Hudson I) Max. speed 246 mph. Range 1,700 miles.

Two fixed forward-firing .303 in. guns in fuselage, two .303 in. guns in dorsal turret and one .303 in. gun in ventral position. Provision for two .303 in. guns in beam positions. Bomb load 750 lb.

Hudsons of No. 1 Squadron led the first Allied attack missions against the Japanese in World War 2 and caused tremendous damage.

Max. speed 295 mph. at 18,500 ft. Range 300 miles.

Eight .303 in. guns in wings.

One survived the Malayan campaign to be crated and loaded on a ship bound for Australia where it was used as a communications aircraft. Great rivalry amongst R.A.A.F. pilots to fly this famous type.

VH-UXS, impressed by the R.A.A.F. from Mr McDonald of Cairns as A43-1 in 1942. Converted to an air ambulance and used by 2 Communications flight. Returned to owner in 1945.

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

POWER PLANT

DIMENSIONS

Junkers A44

General purpose low wing monoplane

3

(w34f landplane) One 450 hp. Bristol Jupiter VI

(w 34f landplane) Span 58 ft. 3 in. Length 36 ft. Empty weight 3,670 lb. Loaded weight 7,050 lb.

King-

Two seat reconnaissance floatplane

18

One 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior

Span 35 ft. II in. Length 33 ft. 7 in. Empty weight 3,335 lb. Loaded weight 4,980 lb.

Curtiss Kittyhawk I and III (P-40D, E, K and M) A29

Single seat fighter or fighter-bomber

295

(Mk III) One 1,600 hp. Allison v-171O-73 or -81

(Mk III) Span 37 ft. 3t in. Length 33 ft. 4 in. Empty weight 6,000 lb. Loaded weight 8,500 lb.

Curtiss Kittyhawk (P-40N) A29

Single seat fighter or fighter-bomber

546

One 1,200 hp. Allison v-1710 or -81

Span 37 ft. 3t in. Length 33 ft. 4 in. Empty weight 6,700 lb. Loaded weight 8,400 lb.

Vought-Sikorsky fisher A48

IV

No.*

Avro Lancaster I A66

Heavy bomber

2

Four 1,460 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin 20, 22, or 1,640 hp. Merlin 24.

Span 102ft. Length 69ft. 6in. Empty weight 36,900 lb. Loaded weight 70,000 lb.

Republic Lancer A56

Single seat fighter

8

One 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp

Span 36 ft. Length 28 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 5,996 lb. Loaded weight 7,435 lb.

Consolidated Liberator A72

Heavy bomber

291

Four 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasps

(B-24J) Span 110ft. Length67ft.l in. Empty weight 36,652 lb. Loaded weight 62,000 lb.

Lockheed Lightning (p-38E) A55

Single seat fighter

Two 1,150 hp. Allisons

Span 52ft. Length 37ft. lOin. Empty weight 13,600 lb. Loaded weight 15,900 lb.

Link Trainer AI3

Instrument simulator

flight

161

Lockheed Lodestar A67

Civilian transport or passenger aircraft

10

Two 1,200 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasps or two 1,2oohp. WrightCyclones

Span 65 ft. 6 in. Length 49 f1. 10 in. Empty weight 12,070 lb. Loaded weight 17,500 lb.

Miles Magister A15

Two seat elementary trainer

One 130 hp. DH Gypsy Major I

Span 24 ft. 1,286 1,900

Martin Mariner A70

Flying boat bomber

patrol

12

Two 1,700 hp. Wright Double-Row Cyclones

Span 118 ft. Length 78 ft. Loaded weight 39,000 lb.

DH 94 Moth Minor A21

Two seat elementary trainer

42

One 90 hp. Gypsy Minor

North American Mitchell A47

Medium bomber

145

Two 1,700 hp. Wright Cyclones

Span 36 ft. 7 in. Length 24 ft. 5 in. Empty weight 960 lb. Loaded weight 1,550 lb. (B-25J) Span 67 ft. 7 in. Length 52 ft. II in. Empty weight 19,480 lb. Loaded weight 35,000 lb.

3

33 ft. 10 in. Length 7t in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

132

tPERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

REMARKS

(W 34f landplane) Max. speed 162 mph. Range 490 miles.

Nil

All Junkers types including the thret:engined Junkers G 31, singlecengined w 34f landplane and w 34<:1 seaplane were allocated the A-44 designation.

Max. speed 171 mph. Range 908 miles.

One forward-firing machine gun and one free-mounted gun aft. Provision for 240 lb. bombload under wings.

Eighteen Kingfishers were off-loaded from refugee ships in April 1942 and most were used in No. 107 Squadron for anti-submarine duties.

(Mk III) Max. speed 364 mph. at 5,000 ft. Normal range 810 miles.

Six 0.50 in. guns in wings and provision for 1,000 lb. of bombs under wings.

Kittyhawks helped materially in halting Japanese aggression in New Guinea in 1942. A29-1/63, P40D and E (Mk I); A29-164/205, P40K (Mk III); and A29-3OO/389, P40M (Mk III)

Max. speed 343 mph. at 15,000 ft. Normal range 750 miles.

Six 0.50 in. guns and provision for standard bombload of 1,500 lb.

A29-4oo/587. P 4ON-I and N-5; A29-6oo/704, P 4ON-20; A29-8oo/811, P 40N-25; A29-819/828, P 40N-25; A29-9OO/92I, P 4ON-30; A29-1000/1079, P 40N-35 and A29-1100/1221, P 40N-40.

Max. speed 287 mph. at 11,500 ft. Range 1,660 miles.

Twin .303 in. guns in nose and dorsal turrets with four .303 in. guns in rear turret. Up to 22,000 lb. of bombs.

Lancaster ED 930, "Q for Queenie" was flown to Australia for war bond drives and recruiting campaigns. "G for George", the second machine (now in the Australian War Memorial) arrived in 1944.

Max. speed 356 mph. at 20,000 ft. Range 800 miles.

Two 0.5 in. and two 0.3 in. guns but cameras substituted for PR duties.

Used to augment the Buffaloes and Lightnings of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit keeping a check on Japanese movements in the North Western Area.

Max. speed 300 mph. at 30,000 ft. Range 2,500 miles.

Eight 0.5 in. guns in nose, dorsal, rear, and ventral turrets. Six optional handoperated guns in roof, floor, and beam positions. Max. bomb load 16,000 lb.

Liberators comprised the long-range offensive striking force of the R.A.A.F. in 1944-45 and carried out many spectacular missions deep into enemy territory.

Max. speed 395 mph. at 20,000 ft. Range over 3,000 miles with extra tankage.

Nil

Three machines received were converted to F 4-1 standard for use as unarmed photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The A-13 number was allocated for the first time to a device other than an aircraft for superstitious reasons, as any "crash" would result in nothing more serious than an embarrassed pilot!

Max. speed 265 mph. at 13,300 ft. Range 1,700 miles.

Nil

Used by No. 37 Squadron and Nos. 2 and 4 Communications Units. . An additional three were on loan from the U.S.A.A.C.

Max. speed 132 mph. Range 380 miles.

Nil

Max. speed 225 mph. at 5,000 ft. Range 3,200 miles.

Normally unarmed.

Flown aerobatically at pre-war air displays at Flemington and Richmond. Used at No. I Flying Training School and later became an instructional airframe. Largest aircraft operated by the R.A.A.F. in World War 2. Used as a troop transport, and could take off on one engine with 40 fully-laden men.

Max. speed 118 mph.

Nil

These aircraft were initially used as elementary trainers until replaced by Tiger Moths.

(B-25J) Max. speed 272 mph. at 13,000 ft. Range 1,350 miles.

(B-25J) Twelve 0.5 in. guns, eight 5 in. rocket projectiles, and up to 3,000 lb. of bombs.

Many U.S.A.A.F. Mitchells were converted for ground strafing at R.A.A.F. Townsville, the new type culminating in the highly successful B-251. Mitchells of Nos. 2 and 18 Squadrons were very successful on operations.

133

DIMENSIONS

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

No.* POWER PLANT

DH 98 Mosquito FB 40, PR 40, FB 42, TIll, T 43, B VI and B XVI A52

Low range high altitude fighter-bomber

285

North American Mustang p-51D and K A68

Single seat fighter or fighter-bomber

519

One Packard Merlin or one Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 or 70

Span 37 ft. Length 32 ft. 3in. Empty weight 7,000 lb. Loaded weight 11,600 lb.

Noorduyn Norseman A71

General transport

purpose

II

One 550 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp

Span 51 ft. 8 in. Length 31 ft. 9 in. Empty weight 4,575 lb. Loaded weight 7,400 lb.

Airspeed Oxford I and II A25

Three seat advanced trainer

391

Two 370 hp. ArmstrongSiddeley Cheetah X

(Mk I) Span 53 ft. 4 in. Length 34 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 5,380 lb. Loaded weight 7,600 lb.

Percival Proctor A75

Four seat low wing cabin monoplane

One 210 hp. DH Gypsy Queen II

Span 28 ft. 2,370 3,500

Stinson Reliant A38

Five seat high wing cabin monoplane

One 245 hp. Lycoming

Span41 ft. Length 27 ft. II in. Empty weight 2,500 lb. Loaded weight 3,700 lb.

Ryan Trainer STM-2 A50

Two seat monoplane primary trainer

34

One 125 hp. Menasco c-4 Pirate

Span 30ft. Length 21 ft.6in. Empty weight 1,100 lb. Loaded weight 1,600 lb.

vI

Three seat spotter-reconnaissance catapult amphibian

61

One 775 Pegasus

Span '37 ft. 4,900 7,200

Curtiss Shrike (Helldiver) A69

Two seat dive-bomber

10

One 1,700 hp. Wright Double-Row Cyclone

Span 49 ft. 9 in. Length 37 ft. I in. Empty weight 7,868 lb. Loaded weight 10,982 lb.

Supermarine Spitfire IIa

Single seat fighter

One 1,175 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin XII

Span 29 ft. 5,353 6,275

36 ft. 10 in. Length II in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Supermarine A58

Single seat fighter

246

Span 29 ft. 5,075 6,660

36 ft. 10 in. Length II in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Supermarine Spitfire VIII A58

Single seat fighter or fighter-bomber

410

One 1,470 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin 45, 1,415 hp. Merlin 46 or 1,470 hp. Merlin 50 One 1,520 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin 61, 1,710 hp. Merlin 63/63A or 1,475 hp. Merlin 70

Short Sunderland III A26

Long range general reconnaissance flying boat

6

Four. 1,065 hp. Bristol Pegasus XVIII

Span 112 ft. 9t in. Length 85 ft. 4 in. Empty weight 34,500 lb. Loaded weight 26,000 lb.

DH 82 Tiger Moth A17

Two seat elementary trainer

861

One 130 hp. DH Gypsy Major

Span 23 ft. 1,115 1,650

Supermarine Walrus A2

Seagull

Spitfire

Vc

(FB 40) Two 1,460 hp. Packard Merlin 31's or 33's

hp.

Bristol

(FB

40)

Span 54 ft. 2 in. Length 40 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 14,344 lb. Loaded weight 22,258 lb.

39 ft. 6 in. Length 2 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

45 ft. 10 in. Length 3 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Span 36 ft. 10 versions 40 ft. Length 31 ft. 3t Loaded weight

in. (some 2 in.) in. 7,767 lb.

29 ft. 4 in. Length II in. Empty Weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

134

tpERFORMANCE (FB

40)

Max. speed 373 mph. Range 1,855 miles.

135

ARMAMENT

REMARKS

40) Four 20 mm. cannon and four .303 in.

The FB 40 was the R.A.A.F. equivalent of the R.A.F. FB VI. Of the 209 R.A.A.F. FB 40's, 34 were converted to PR 41 's, and camouflaged bright medium blue. T~e~ served conspicuously well on PR miSSIOns.

(FB

g\lns. Two 500 lb. bombs in fuselage and two 500 lb. bombs or rocket projectiles under wings.

(cA-18 Mustang XXI p-51D) Max. speed 437 mph. at 25,000 ft. Normal range 950 miles.

Six 0.5 in. guns and up to 1,000 lb. of bombs. Provision for six underwing rocket projectiles.

The first 200 C.A.C. Mustangs were built mainly from semi-finished parts. Too late to see service in World War 2, they were first used in combat by the famous No. 77 Squadron in Korea.

Max. speed 148 mph. Range 1,150 miles.

Nil

The only Canadian-designed aircraft to serve with the R.A.A.F. Used with Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 7 Communications units and No.9 L.A.S.U.

(Mk I) Max. speed 188 mph. at 7,000 ft.

(Mk I) One manually-operated .303 in. gun in Armstrong-Whitworth dorsal turret.

Oxfords and Ansons were used for all initial multi-engined training in the R.A.A.F. for over 10 years. Mk II version had the turret removed.

Max. speed 160 mph.

Nil

Used for communications duties.

Max. speed 153 mph. Range 810 miles.

Nil

taken over from Mr W. .I. Smith for VIP and transport duties with No. 2 Communications Flight and No. 2 Communications Unit.

Max. speed 128 mph. Range 350 miles.

Nil

Used mainly for refresher training for aircrew and in communications units. Many received from the N.E.I.A.A.C. whilst other captured ones were used by the Japanese.

Max. speed 135 mph. at 4,750 ft. Range 600 miles.

Two Vickers guns in bows and amidships. Provision for light bombs beneath wings.

Max. spced 280 mph.

Two fixed 20 mm. cannon in wings plus eight rocket projectiles and one manually-operated 0.5 in. gun in rear cockpit. 2,000 lb. bombload.

Originally produced for a special R.A.A.F. contract of 24 aircraft and later became famous as the Walrus in the R.A.F. 37 Walrus machines delivered to the R.A.A.F. retained their British serials. Valuable ASR °aircraft, many fitted with radar. An order was placed for 150 aircraft but was later cancelled.

Max. speed 370 mph. at 18,500 ft. Range 575 miles.

Eight .303 in. guns in wings or two 20 mm. cannon and four .303 in. guns.

Early Spitfire II's and V's of 452 (Churchill's Own) Squadron helped establish a record Fighter Command score of "kills" in 1941 which was held consecutively for four months.

Max. speed 365 mph. at 22,000 ft. Range 459 miles.

Two 20 mm. cannon and four .303 in. guns.

Used principally as interceptor fighters in defence of the North Western Area during 1943.

Max. speed 408 mph. at 25,000 ft. (416 mph. for HF VIII). Range 1,180 miles with extra tankage.

Two 20 mm. cannon and four .303 in. machine guns. Provision for two 250 lb. bombs.

The Spitfire VIII saw little air-to-air combat in the Pacific and was used principally as a fighter-bomber and ground strafer.

Max. speed 212 mph. at 6,250 ft. Range 2,137 miles.

Four fixed .303 in. guns in nose and tail turrets plus two 0.5 in. beam guns. Some fitted with four fixed .303 in. guns in bow. Bombload 2,000 lb.

Two machines were flown on three occasions from No. 10 Squadron to the Pacific for transport service with No. 40 Squadron. Some were converted to Short S 25 Hythe flying boats in the post-war period.

Max. speed 109 mph. Range 300 miles.

Nil

Basic trainer for E.A.T.S. De Havilland (Australia) supplied 732 to the R.A.A.F. and exported a further 353. Most now withdrawn from private operation owing to compulsory fitting of heavy radio equipment for safety reasons.

VH-UXC,

No.*

AIRCRAFT

TYPE

Curtiss Tomahawk

Single seat fighter

Ford Trimotor A45

Passenger airliner and air ambulance

Lockheed 5 Vega Special A42

DL-IA

2

High speed high wing cabin transport for six

POWER PLANT

DIMENSIONS

One 1,040 hp. Allison v-1710-33

Span 31 ft. 5,475 6,978

(4-AT-E) Three 330 hp. Wright Whirlwind

(4-AT-E) Span74ft. Length49ft.lOin. Empty weight 6,500 lb. Loaded weight 10,130 lb.

One 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp

Span41 ft. Lengtli27 ft. 7tin. Empty weight 3,102 lb. Loaded weight 4,500 lb.

37 ft. 3t in. Length 8+ in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Vultee Vengeance A27

Two seat dive-bomber

342

One 1,700 hp. Wright Double-Row Cyclone

Span 48 ft. Length 40 ft. Empty weight 10,300 lb. Loaded weight 16,400 lb.

Lockheed Ventura A59

General reconnaissance bomber

75

Two 2,000 hp. Pratt & Whitney R 2800-31

Span 65 ft. 6 in. Length 51 ft. 9 in. Empty weight 20,197 lb. Loaded weight 31,077 lb.

Vultee-Stinson Vigilant A64

Two seat observation, communications and ambulance aircraft

One 295 hp. Lycoming

Span 34 ft. 2,670 3,400

C.A.C. Wackett Trainer CA-2 and CA-3 A3

Two seat intermediate trainer

(cA-2) One 200 hp. DH Gyp~y Six. (cA-3) One 175 hp. Warner Super Scarab

Span37 ft. Length27 ft. (26ft.) Empty weight 1,627 lb. (1,906 lb.) Loaded weight 2,522 lb. (2,592 lb.)

Waco YQc-6 A54

Five seat communications biplane

One 225 hp. Jacobs 1.-4M

Span 26 ft. 2,067 3,475

34 ft. in. Length 6 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Westland Wapiti lIA A5

Two seat general purpose biplane

One 550 hp. Bristol Jupiter

Span 32 ft. 3,180 5,400

46 ft. 5 in. Length 6 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

Vickers Wellington I

Medium bomber

Two Bristol Pegasus XVIII

Span 86 ft. 2 in. Length 64 ft. 7 in. Empty weight 18,556 lb. Loaded weight 28,500 lb.

202

43

50 ft. II in. Length 3 in. Empty weight lb. Loaded weight lb.

no

C'.A.C.

Wirraway A20

Two seat general purpose monoplane

757

One 600 hp. Australianbuilt Wasp

Span 43 ft. Length 29 ft. Empty weight 3,980 lb. Loaded weight 6,450 lb.

C.A.C.

Woomera A23

Three seat strikereconnaissance and dive-bomber

2

Two Australian-built 1,200 or 1,300 hp. Wasps

(cA-4 A23-IOOI)

Four 1,260 hp. RollsRoyce Merlin XX

Span 102 ft. Length 78 ft. 6 in. Empty weight 33,200 lb. Loaded weight 65,000 lb.

Avro York A74

Heavy transport passenger aircraft

or

Span 59 ft. 37 ft. 3 in. 12,383 lb. 20.124 lb. Span 59 ft. 37 ft. 3 in. 14,080 lb. 20.124 lb.

21 in. Empty Loaded (cA-IIA 21 in. Empty Loaded

Length weight weight A23-1) Length weight weight

tpERFORMANCE

ARMAMENT

REMARKS

Max. speed 345 mph. at 16,000 ft. Range 890 miles.

Two 0.5 in. guns in nose decking and two or four 0.30 guns in wings.

Australian pilots of No. 3 Squadron shot down large numbers of Bf 109F's and other aircraft in the Middle East using these sturdy and manoeuvrable machines. A greatly under-rated aircraft.

Max. speed 132 mph. Range 570 miles.

Nil

Used for emergency evacuations from New Guinea during the critical early months of the Pacific War.

Max. speed 185 mph.

Nil

Flown by Woods and (later AVM) Bennett in the 1934 MacRobertson U.K.-Australia Air Race. Outpaced a service Hawker Demon at an air pageant in 1935. Used for communications.

Max. speed 262 mph. at 14,700 ft. Range 1,100 miles.

Four .303 in. or 0.5 in. wing guns and twin .303 in. or 0.5 in. guns in rear cockpit. Bombload 2,000 lb.

Used operationally by five R.A.A.F. squadrons for ground-attack and antishipping duties. An exceedingly safe, fully aerobatic and viceless dive-bomber.

Max. speed 312 mph. Range 1,660 miles.

Two 0.5 in. fixed nose guns, two 0.5 in. guns in dorsal turret and two 0.3 in. guns in ventral position. Six 500 bombs or six 325 lb. depth charges. Optional torpedo.

Used chiefly in northern waters between Australia and New Guinea by No. 13 Squadron.

Max. speed 122 mph. Range 280 miles.

Nil

Aircraft used on loan from the U.S.A.A.C. during the emergency evacuation of A.I.F. troops from Malaya.

(CA-2) Max speed 142 mph. (CA-3) Max. speed 110 mph.

Nil

Two prototype cA-2's produced before the series were re-engined. It was a very safe machine to fly and was widely used for training.

Max. speed 142 mph. Range 400 miles.

Nil

Ex VH uvw. Impressed by the R.A.A.F. on 4th August 1942 for duties with No.3 Communications Flight.

Max. speed 135 mph. at 5,000 ft.

One fixed Vickers gun forward and one Lewis gun aft. Provision for 500 lb. bombload.

Used extensively pre-war for a multitude of duties including crazy flying demonstrations at air pageants, bushfire patrols, dive-bombing, and rescue work. Only 6 remained on strength in 1941.

Max. speed 250 mph. at 15,500 ft. Range 2,500 miles.

Two .303 in. guns in nose turret, four .303 in. guns in rear turret, two manually-operated .303 in. guns firing through side windows. 4,500 lb. bombload.

Exceptionally rugged aircraft on account of its unique geodetic structure and remained in service in variant form until the end of the War.

Max. speed 220 mph. at 8,600 ft. Range 510 miles.

Twin synchronized .303 in. guns in fuselage and optional rear-mounted .303 in. Provision for light bombload or stores beneath wings.

Remarkable accurate dive-bomber and many converted to this role as an emergency measure for the anticipated seaborne invasion of Australia. Most famous of all local aircraft.

(cA-4) Max. speed 270 mph. Range 2,000 miles with torpedoes.

(cA-4) Four .303 in. nose guns, four .303 in. rear guns and provisIOn for up to 3,200 lb. of bombs, torpedoes and drop tanks. (cA-lla) Two 20 mm. cannon and two .303 in. guns in nose. Flexible gun beneath fuselage. Other details as for cA-4.

Designed in 1940, the experimental Wackett Woomera was at the time one of the most advanced bombers in the world. Twin guns in the engine nacelles were remotely controlled from the rear of the cockpit, the nacelles also housing two 250 lb. bombs.

Nil

A long-range passenger aircraft developed from the Lancaster bomber for use on post-war international air routes.

(cA-lla) Max. speed 282 mph. Range 2,225 miles with torpedoes.

Max. speed 298 mph. at 21,000 ft. Range 3,000 miles.

137

Index of Aircraft Types Numerals in italics denote a reference in the text only. Page numbers shown in Roman face denote illustration.

Airacobra 126 Anson 14,44,48,70,110,111,118, 123, 125, 126 Auster 123, 125, 126 Avro Cadet 128 Avro Trainer 54, 123 Avro York 136 Baltimore 29, 36, 40, 42, 88, 124, 126 BattIe 44, 50, 68, 69, 123, 126 Beaufighter 13, 26, 60, 78, 88, 114, 123, 124, 125, 126 Beaufort 44, 45, 66, 67, 68, 69, 75, 77, 83, 90, 108, 113, 114, 123, 124, 126 Beaufreighter 7, 108 Beechcraft 123, 126 Blenheim 29 Bombay 28 Boomerang 52, 64, 71, 74, 79, 94, 103, 106, 126 Boston 51,61,81, 117,126 Buffalo 54, 126 Bulldog 126 Catalina 51,58, 59, 69,91,93,123, 128 Cessna 123, 126 Cirrus Moth 128 Dakota 35, 111, 120, 123, 128 Defiant 13 Demon 14, 123, 128 DH86 28, 34, 40 Dolphin 123, 128 Dornier 59, 123, 130 Douglas DC-2 123,128 Douglas DC-3 61, 125,128 Dragon 123 Dragon Fly 123, 130

139

Empire Flying Boat 130 Fairchild 123, 130 Fokker 123 Fox Moth 128

Norseman 123, 134 Northrop Delta 50, 128 Oxford 15, 34, 44, 123, 134

Gannet 123, 130 Gladiator 30 Glider 130 Gull 110, 123, 130 Gypsy Moth 128

Proctor 134

Halifax 12, 21, 23, 29,35, 116,130 Hampden 12, 18, 130 Hudson 29, 34, 44, 53, 54,73, 115, 116, 123, 124, 130 Hurricane 27, 38, 123, 130

Seagull 45, 48, 120, 123, 134 Shrike 110, 134 Spitfire 17,24,25,39; 41, 51,52,62, 69,71, 74, 75, 78, 84, 85, 87, 88, 95, 96, 97, 100, 102, 104, 112, 115, 134 Sunderland II, 12, 15, 16, 19, 109, 124, 134 .

Junkers 132 Kingfisher 119, 125, 132 Kittyhawk 27, 28, 31, 32,34,35,38, 39, 52, 59, 60, 74, 75, 76, 78, 80, 86, 96, 97, 98, 99, 101, 111, 115, 119, 123, 124, 132 Lancer 50, 132 Lancaster 12, 18, 22, 23, 132 Liberator 35, 96, 107,123,125,132 Lightning 65, 132 Lodestar 28, 123, 132 Mariner 93, 117, 132 Magister 132 Metal Moth 128 Miles Hawk 123,130 Mitchell 95, 115, 132 Mosquito 13, 20,25,26,70,89, 109, 111, 124,134 Moth Major 128 Moth Minor 132 Mustang 27, 28, 40, 42, 111, 114, 125,134

Rapide 123, 128 Reliant 72, 123, 134 Ryan Trainer 134

Tiger Moth 44, 49, 57, 111, 120, 123, 124, 134 Tomahawk 27, 31, 136 Trimotor 136 Vega 123 Vengeance 51, 70, 74, 77, 79, 83, 103,111,114,123,124,136 Ventura 12, 20, 29, 92, 136 Vigilant 136 Wackett 44,49,87,136 Waco 123, 136 Wapiti 136 Wellington 12, 18, 28, 29, 35, 41, 136 Wirraway 7, 44, 45, 47, 51, 53, 54, 57, 63, 64, 72, 73, 74, 75, 87, 105, 111, 118,123, 124,136 Woomera 136