Royal Australian Air Force Camouflage and Markings, 1939-45 vol 1

136 Pages·1981·71.77 MB·English

by  Geoffrey Pentland

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
r
LA ~ to :~ C'
First published 1970 by
Lansdowne Press
,48'
346 St Kilda Road Melbourne
Pt:(0
©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.
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
1 The U.K. and Europe 1939-45 11
2 The Middle East 1940-45 27
3 The Pacific 1939-42 43
4 The Pacific 1942-45 73
5 R.A.A.F. World War II Squadron Codes and Aircraft 121
6 Representative R.A.A.F. Camouflage and Markings 124
7 List of Aircraft Types 1939-45 126
Index 139
NOTES FOR MODELLERS
(1.) Emblems and mascots appeared on the port side ofthe 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 ofthat 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 ofthe 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
When Mr. Pentland first told me that he had, thereabouts. He had not flown a Wirraway
after many years'research, completed a book himself, so we took off for a practical demon
on aircraft and markings of the R.A.A.F. stration with myself in the rear seat of the
1939-45, I was surprised and even a little aircraft. At about 4000 ft. he repeated the
sceptical. Surprised that such a work had not steep ~urn which the gunnery pilot had been
been published long ago; and sceptical because doing; tightened it until the aircraft stalled (a
the temptation for the author to be superficial sharp flick into a near vertical dive) and then
would obviously be great. However, he has almost immediately hauled back on the stick
clearly been patient and thorough in his again to recover from the dive in which he
research. Equally, he has been deeply had found himself. The result was another
interested in the careful and painstaking "flick" (a high speed stall) but no recovery
preparation ofmaterial for the book. took place - wefinallyemergedabout 1000ft.,
The book is the first of its kind; it will having recovered very gently from the dive.
bringbackvivid memories to those who fought He .certainly found out what a high speed
in the air in World War II; and is a fine stall meant and how dangerous it could be to
collector's piece for those interested in flying. the uninitiated. .
I am honoured to be given the privilege of This brief discourse on high speed stalls
writing the foreword. reminds me of a spectacular success achieved
I was familiar with most of the aircraft, by a pilot of an L4 (a light reconnaissance
and have flown many of them. It was my aeroplane very similarto an Auster) belonging,
privilege to command an important element if I remember correctly, to No.4 Squadron
of the R.A.A.F. in the Pacific - No. 10 Gro~p R.A.A.F. when stationed at Nadzab in New
(later to become the First Tactical Air Force) Guinea. The pilot of the L4 was on a recon
from its formation until late 1944, and, again, naissance flight towards the top end of the
the then First T.A.F. from May 1945 until the Markham Valley, when he was attacked by a
end of the war. This command comprised Japanese Tony fighter. Fortunately he saw the
about 17,000 men and some hundreds of Japanese aircraft in time to turn underneath
aircraft of approximately 15 different types it. He then continued to avoid his opponent
i the most unusual of which was probably the very successfully by keeping just above tree
Beaufreighter (a transport-supply dropping top height and always turning towards his
conversion ofthe Beaufort). attacker before he got within firing range. The
Before the war it was my lot to do a good obviously frustrated Japanese pilot finally
deal of flying in the forerunners of the attempted a very tight steep tum, which
Wirraway; the N.A. 16 and the N.A. 33; and resulted in a high speed stall, and crashed into .
in the Wirraway itself. This family oflow-wing the jungle. The L4 pilot rightly insisted on
monoplanes were the first aeroplanes of my claiming to have destroyed one Japanese
experience to produce a high speed stall, fighter, and proudly painted a small Japanese
which they did with great celerity. On one flag on the L4 fuselage alongside his cockpit!
occasion during the war, my chief, the then The photographs and descriptions, as well
Chief of the Air Staff, found it difficult to as the stories of these World War II types in
believe that a pilot doing air-to-air gunnery the R.A.A.F. should bring back many nostalgic
could have crashed because he stalled while memories. Ex-pilots may find upon examining
turning steeply on to the target at 2000 ft. or their log books that they, in fact, flew some of
the actual aircraft depicted in this book. Like
wise, 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 fascinat
ing study which is sure to capture the attention
of all serious modellers and aviation enthusi
asts. 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 in this respect and the author is deeply
coverage of the principal aircraft types used grateful for permission to quote from the
by the Royal Australian Air Force during many official documents, orders and signals
World War II. In any work of this type it is concerning camouflage and markings to which
only natural that the majority of illustrations he was given access. Although a reallycompre
should depict aircraft flown by operational hensive exposition of this subject is outside
squadrons; a formidable undertaking on the scope of this book, the authoritative
account of the scarcity of high quality material presented should dispel many wide
material. Up until comparatively recently spread misconceptions and provide a useful
good pictures of front line aircraft have been guide to the conscientious modeller and
quite rare and relatively hard to obtain. How aircraft historian. Even with the publication
ever many invaluable photographs have been ofthis title the author is fully aware that little
especially released by the R.A.A.F. for the more than an introduction to R.A.A.F. colours
purposes of this book and thus appear in and markings has been presented, and this
print for the first time. In addition, many subject must of necessity be treated in greater
individuals have kindly rendered assistance detail in a later book. Because of this it
by making their personal albums available, would be most gratifying to hear from pilots
and many a snapshot for some reason or or aircrew who may have snapshots of their
other not suitable for reproduction has yielded old "kite" and who would like to see it illus
sufficient information for a quite detailed trated in print in a further volume. In the
painting to be found in these pages. meantime, this offering of a wide selection of
After the war in Europe commenced, aircraft in their authentic wartime colour
Australia could allocate only three permanent schemes will, it is hoped, please the most
and seventeen temporary squadrons to the exacting enthusiast and provide an attractive
Allied effort overseas. How this contribution choice of modelling subjects for some years
was to increase can, in part, be seen in these to come.
pages. However, it should be remembered that Finally, the author wishes to express his
concurrently with this activity, the majority of sincere thanks to the following people and
Australian personnel serving in Europe or the organizations whose practical help in the
Middle East were doing so as members of compilation of this book has been so much
either Royal Air Force or other Common appreciated:-
wealth squadrons; consequently it was left The Royal Australian Air Force; Ministry of
to the Pacific area to exhibit the sometimes Defence (Air), London; The Australian War
flamboyant touches ofthe really "fairdinkum" Memorial; ACM Sir Frederick Scherger, K.B.E.,
R.A.A.F. units themselv€s. Therefore, for the C.B., D.S.D., A.F.C.; Messrs. G. Sebastian;
purposes ofthis book, the aircraft descriptions L. Dervan; H. Drew; C. Stoneham; Wg-Cdr
are necessarily limited to those machines of K. Isaacs; Messrs. G. Odgers; F. Smith;
specifically Australian squadrons. R. Honisett; K. Meggs; B. Pattison; P. Yates;
As will be seen, many of the combat and P. Malone; P. Wallace; C. Caldwell, D.S.D.,
training markings of the R.A.A.F. were quite D.F.C. & Bar, Polish Cross of Valour; J.
unique and require some explanation in terms Waddy D.B.E., D.F.C., M.L.A.; L. Reid D.F.C.,
of the official policy of the time. Generous M.HR. C. Wawn D.F.C.; I. Southall, D.F.C.;
assistance has been provided by the R.A.A.F. C. Oldmeadow; N. Clifford; J. Archer,
AmericanSilverStar; 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 1969
U.K. AND EUROPE 1939-45
Upon the declaration ofwar 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 air
crews through the Empire Air Training Scheme announced in
London the following month. There was no shortage of volun
teers 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 out
standing aces and was commanded by the famous Wg-Cdr
"Paddy" Finucane, .c. and two Bars, who welded the
D.S.O., D.F
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 As such, No. 10 became the first
R.A.F.
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 Sunderland squadron formed for
R.A.A.F.
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
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