RAAF Marking's and Codes

[<simon>]

Anyone know when we stopped with the roundels and switched over to the Kangaroo?

[Wildcat]

2 July 1956.

[Micdrow]

Found this document in the book RAAF markings 1939-45 part II by George Pentland that I thought a few of our Australian members might like.

Enjoy

[Wurger]

[Wildcat]

Good one mate.

[Heinz]

great stuff

[Micdrow]

Thanks Guys!!!

[GordyB]

Hi

On the subject of Tac/R Boomers

Earlier in 1943, there were moves to have 4 Sqn equipped with P-40Es, but that was cancelled. Following the Tac/R use of Wirraways and Boomerangs for nearly 18 months from this initial consideration, it was felt that there was still a need for a faster tactical reconnaissance aircraft. It was felt that, given the greater numbers of P-40s available, that some could be modified to that role in SWPac.

Prior to this, during April 1944, there was a belly tank K.17/F.24 camera installation proposed for the Boomerang Fighter.

Reports back from the CO of 4 Sqn, Sqn Ldr C W Munro were encouraging on a local modification made to one of the unit’s aircraft (A46-118 ) and a surplus belly tank.

By July 1944, the proposal resulted in two aircraft being modified to accept this Belly tank installation. One further 4 Sqn Boomerang, A46-183, was modified for Tac/R trials.

The eventual trials resulted in the project being cancelled and the aircraft modification disapproved. A third Boomerang, A46-213 in Australia, was modified with only a single F.24 camera and prism aperture. This was a trial fuselage installation of a vertical F.24 camera with a prism aperture below the fuselage.
The performance results of this modification were encouraging; however space limitations in the fuselage would cause the demise of the project.

These details are extracted from National Archive Files in Canberra.

Towards the end of 1944, several alternative proposals were put forward that eventually gave rise to yet another proposal.

Given that there were RAF Tac/R Tomahawks for nearly two years and more recently, 5thAAF P-40N-6’s (converted P-40N-5s with oblique cameras) used by the USAAF, consideration was given to modify the P-40N for our own RAAF Tac/R requirements.

Authority was given on the 2nd March 1945 to install a single F-24 Camera under Kittyhawk Order #50.The total of sixty, to be modified, were enough for equipping two squadrons (No4 and 5 TacR Sqns) with enough reserves to cover attrition, maintenance etc.
An initial six aircraft were to be modified, with three aircraft a month to be converted thereafter.

A recently erected P-40N-40 aircraft was chosen to be the prototype aircraft for the installation of one F.24 camera between station nine and ten.

This location would allow for easier access to the camera for film retrieval through the existing portside fuselage radio hatch. A29-1150 (ex 44-47900) was allocated to 1AD for the trial installation of the F.24 Camera on 15th March 1945.

Meanwhile both 4 and 5 Sqns did get a limited number of war weary P-40Ns to use as conversion trainers

4Sqn (AC) had P-40Ns allocated ex 14 RSU on the 20th July 1945 and received A29-417, A29-451, A29-607 and A29-656 in August 1945 in theatre

One of these, A29-607 flown by F/Lt K H Stanfield, crash landed at Labuan Strip on the 24th August 1945. This aircraft was previously BU-G of 80F Sqn, the personal aircraft of Sqn Ldr John Waddy.

For 5 Squadron (AC), the first four Kittyhawks P-40N-1s, for training & conversion, arrived at Bougainville, on the 9th of September 1945. They were A29-403, A29-412, A29-480 and A29-495 from 13ARD.

For the next few months, the unit would operate three types, Wirraway, Boomerang and Kittyhawk aircraft, pending arrival of their new P-40N-35/40 Tac/Rs.
Three of these aircraft, except A29-495, would be disposed of and burned in accordance with the Lend-lease agreement in February 1946, never returning to Australia.


But alas, this is outside the scope of this thread, and is the story post Boomer.

Best
Gordy

[evangilder]

Alright, I have one for the RAAF markings and schemas experts. Since I have photographed and posted photos of the Mustang IV, I have had a number of questions from folks on the accuracy of the scheme and the roundels. I know the fuselage code is actually the initials of the aircraft owner, which is perfectly fine with me. He owns it! But is the camo pattern and national marking scheme accurate for a Mustang IV. I have heard it was an MTO theme.

[Wurger]

I have seen some pics of these mustangs with the way painted rudderes and it seems these were of RAF ETO camo pattern or silver (bare metal).I don't remember exactly.What is more these yellow stripes on wing edges seem to be too long.

[Wildcat]

Eric the blue rudder with the Southern Cross emblem was used by Mustangs from No. 3 sqn RAAF. The actual squadron code should be CV. 3 sqn operated Mustangs from Italy from Nov 44 until the end of the war. I doubt they were ever painted in desert colours instead it should be the green/grey combo as used by the RAF. Some were also bare metal as Wurgs mentioned. I'm sure Gordy knows more about this then me.
Here is a pic of a restored a/c in Australia painted in the camo scheme and also a pic of a bare metal bird. Source of pics unknown.

[wh1skea]

Yes, and as you will notice, the a/c of 3 sqn seem so be on loan from the RAF, as they still retain the RAF serial number, instead of being issued a RAAF serial number. Hence the RAF markings, with the exception of the rudder.

[Wayne Little]

Andy that restored Bird looks great mate!

[Wurger]

I agree with Wayne.

[Heinz]

On the money Andy


Also that Mustang you have above with the harvard there lives 10mins away from me.

Owned by Judy Pay. Often comes roaring over my house