Australian Military Aircraft - Chart 4

The Australian War Memorial

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT

CHART 4: 1942-1944

The fourth wall chart in the series reproducing the War Memorial mural painted by Harold Freedman features Australian Military aircraft which operated in the years 1942 to 1944. Aircraft flown by Australians are identified in the chart by the numbers 128 to 167, and representative enemy aircraft by the letters AB to AO.

The year 1942 saw most countries aligned with either the Allied or Axis Powers and the term Second World War came into use. The Allies were unprepared for a global conflict and, initially, suffered several major set-backs. Japanese aggression led to the subjugation of Malaya and Singapore, the crippling of the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour, disastrous Allied naval losses near Java, and the defeat of the American-Filipino forces in the Phillipines.

RAAF units in the Far East were greatly outnumbered but fought a de-laying action while withdrawing through the Dutch East Indies. In Australia the Empire Air Training Scheme was accelerated to provide air-crew members for the threatened in-vasion and for overseas operations.

Locally designed Wackett Trainers an Australian assembled Moth Minors augmented the Tiger Moths already in service as primary trainers. Some Australian aircrew proceeded overseas for advanced training and flew diverse aircraft including the Cessna Crane in Canada. Construction of locally designed combat aircraft gained momentum, and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation produced prototype CA-4 and CA-11 bombers and Australia's first single-seat fighter, the Boomerang.

The early months of 1942 saw the Japanese advance reach New Guinea, and bombing attacks were launched concurrently against north-west Australia and the Northern Territory. At  the same time American forces and aircraft reach Australia. The RAAF quickly formed Kittyhawk fighter squadrons to supplement the Hudson bombers and Catalina flying-boats already in service. These aircraft helped to turn the tide as the Allies first contained, then defeated, the advancing enemy forces. Other American aircraft - Lancers, Airacobras, Buffaloes, Lightnings, and King-fishers - were used in small numbers by the RAAF for home defence and reconnaissance. RAAF Spitfires later made their appearance, and the island-hopping advance to Japan soon became a reality.

In the United Kingdom EATS aircrew joined the RAF Bomber Command offensive against Germany and other European targets. Australians were attached initially to RAF squadrons, and two - Wg Cdr Edwards in a  Blenheim, and F Sgt Middleton flying a Stirling - were awarded Victoria Crosses. RAAF squadrons were then formed with RAF-serialled Halifaxes, Lancasters, Venturas, and Mosquitoes. They were supported by other RAAF squadrons flying Defiants, Beaufighters, Spitfires and Sunderlands. In June 1944 some of these squadrons - with black and white invasion stripe markings - participated in the assault  against Europe.

RAAF squadrons in the Middle East and Mediterranean areas continued to operate with the latest versions of Hurricanes, Mustangs, Wellingtons, and Halifaxes. In India and Burma, Australians in RAF squadrons flew many types ranging from pre-war Lockheed transports to Thunderbolt fighters.

Representative enemy aircraft which fought against the Australians included Japanese Mavis flying-boats, Glenn seaplanes, Zero and Hamp fighters, and Betty bombers in the SW Pacific; German Messerschmitt Bf 109, and Italian Macchi 200 and 202 fighters in the Middle East; German Messerschmitt Bf 109, Focke-Wulf FW 190, and Messerschmitt ME 262 fighters over Europe; and the ultimate German retaliation weapons, the V1 and V2 flying bombs.

128. CAC WACKETT TRAINER.  Two DH Gipsy-engined CA-2 monoplanes were designed and built in Australia for prototype tests as primary trainers. Speed: 142 mph. Engine: 200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 37ft

129. CAC WACKETT TRAINER. Two hundred Scarab-engineered CA-6 versions were used at RAAF EATS schools for pilot  and wireless-operator training. Speed: 110 mph. Engine: 175 hp Warner Super-Scarab. Span: 37 ft.

130. D.H. MOTH MINOR. Forty-two impressed, and Australian-assembled, Moth Minors served with RAAF EATS, communication, and survey units. Speed: 118 mph. Engine: 90 hp DH Gipsy Minor. Span: 36 ft 7 in.

131. CRESSNA CRANE. Representative trainer flown by Australians with Canadian EATS schools. Others included Harvards, Fleets, Fairchilds, and Ansons, plus Tiger Moths and Harvards in Rhodesia. Speed: 195 mph. Engine: 2x245 hp Jacobs. Span: 41 ft 11 in.

132. DE HAVILLAND 50A. As VH-UAB this communication aircraft operated with the RAAF in 1931-32, and was impressed as A10-1 in 1942-43. Speed: 126 mph. Engine: 450hp PW Wasp. Span: 42 ft 9 in.

133. VOUGHT-SIKORSKY KING-FISHER. No. 101 Sqn, RAAF, operated 18 Kingfisher seaplanes on anti-submarine patrols in Australian waters 1943-45. Speed: 164 mph. Engine: 450 hp PW Wasp Jnr. Span: 35 ft 11 in.

134. CAC WACKETT BOMBER. The prototype CA-4, A23-1001, carried out RAAF trials in 1942-43 as a reconnaissance, torpedo, and dive bomber. Speed: 270 mph. Engine: 2x1200 hp CAC PW Wasp. Span: 59 ft 2½ in.

135. CAC WOOMERA. A production prototype CA-11 Woomera, A23-1, was delivered to the RAAF in 1944 but was superseded by US bombers. Speed: 282 mph. Engine: 2x1300 hp CAC PW Wasp. Span: 59 ft 2½ in.

136. CAC BOOMERANG. First Australian-built single seat fighter; 250 were constructed as stop-gap defence against potential Japanese invasion, 1942. Speed: 305 mph. Engine: 1200 hp CAC PW Wasp. Span: 36 ft.

AB. KAWANISHI H6K. First RAAF air combat in SW Pacific occurred when a Wirraway intercepteda Kawanishi A6K4 (Mavis) flying-boat over Rabaul, 6 Jan 42. Speed: 211 mph. Engine: 4x1000 hp Mitsubishi Kinsei. Span: 131 ft 2¾ in.

AC. YOKUSUKA EI4Y. These submarine-carried E14Y1 (Glenn) small seaplanes made reconnaissance flights over Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart, 1942. Speed: 153 mph. Engine: 340 hp Hitachi Tempu. Span: 36 ft 1 ¹/₁₆ in.

137. CURTISS KITTYHAWK. As from March 1942 Kittyhawks (successive Mks I-IV) of eight RAAF squadrons defended New Guinea and Australia against Japanese attacks. Speed: 350 mph. Engine: 1150 hp Allison V-1710-39. Span: 37 ft 4 in.

AD. MITSUBISHI A6M. The famed A6M2 Zero, or Zeke, fighter of the Japanese Navy spearheaded attacks against New Guinea and Australia, 1942. Speed: 331 mph. Engine: 950 hp Nakajima Sakae. Span: 39 ft 4½ in.

138. REPUBLIC LANCER. Eight P-43 single seat Lancers - together with 17 Brewster Buffaloes - operated on RAAF  home defence and forward  reconnaissance. Speed: 356 mph. Engine: 1200 hp PW R-1830-57. Span: 36 ft.

139. BELL AIRACOBRA. In July 1942 the RAAF accepted, temporarily, twenty-two P-39 Airacobra cannon-equipped fighters for mainland defence. Speed: 358 mph. Engine: 1150 hp Allison. Span: 34 ft.

140. LOCKHEED LIGHTNING. Three P-38 Lightnings were flown on photographic-reconnaissance by the RAAF in 1942-43. Speed: 395 mph. Engine: 2x1150 hp Allison V-1710-27/29. Span: 52 ft. 

AE. MITSUBISHI G4M. The Betty was the most famous Japanese bomber of WWII, and the G4M1 carried out the first raids against North Australia and New Guinea, 1942. Speed: 266 mph. Engine: 2x1530 hp Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei. Span: 82 ft ^¼ in.

141. CAC WIRRWAY. Wirraway A20-103, now in the Australian War Memorial, was the first Australian-built aircraft to shoot down a Zero, 26 Dec 42. Speed: 220 mph. Engine: 600 hp CAC Wasp. Span: 43 ft. 

142. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. The Spitfire Vc commenced RAAF operations from Australia in 1943 with Nos 79, 85, 452, and 457 Sqns. Speed: 357 mph. Engine: 1440 hp RR Merlin. Span: 36 ft 10 in.

AF. MITSUBISHI A6M. The A6M3 Hamp, or Zeke 32, was an improved version of the A6M2 Zero, and operated in the SW Pacific and Burma in 1943. Speed: 338 mph. Engine: 1130 hp Nakajima Sakae. Span: 36 ft 1 ¹/₁₆ in.

143. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. In 1944 Spitfires Mk VIII replaced the Vcs and remained on RAAF active service until the end of the Pacific War. Speed: 404 mph. Engine: 1720 hp RR Merlin. Span: 36 ft 10 in.  

144. BRISTOL BLENHEIM. First WWII VC awarded to an Australian in the RAF was won by Wg Cdr H.I. Edwards in Blenheim IV, V6028, 4 Jul 41. Speed: 266 mph. Engine: 2x920 hp Bristol Mercury. Span: 56 ft 4 in.

145. SHORT STIRLING. F Sgt R.H. Middleton, RAAF pilot in the RAF, won first RAAF WWII VC in Striling Mk I, BF372, 28 Nov 42. Speed: 260 mph. Engine: 4x1590 hp Bristol Hercules XI. Span: 99 ft 1 in.

146. HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX. Nos. 460, 462, 466 Sqns, RAAF, flew RAF-serialled Halifax Mks II and III with Bomber Command, 1942-45. Speed: 281 mph. Engine: 4x1615 hp Hercules XVI. Span: 104 ft 2 in.

147. AVRO LANCASTER. Mks I and III of this leading British bomber were used by Nos. 460, 463, and 467 RAAF Sqns with RAF Bomber Command 1942-45. Speed: 270 mph. Engine: 4x1390 hp RR Merlin 28 or 38. Span: 102 ft.

148. AVRO LANCASTER-SPECIAL. RAAF aircrew flew modified Lancasters I and III, with  special bombs, for the RAF including No. 617 - "Dambuster" -Sqn. Speed: 270 mph. Engine: 4x1390 hp RR Merlin. Span: 102 ft.

149. SHORT SUNDERLAND. Australia's second overseas flying-boat unit, No. 461 Sqn, joined the Battle of the Atlantic in 1942 with Sunderland IIIs. Speed: 212 mph. Engine: 4x 1010 hp Bristol Pegasus XVIII. Span: 112 ft 9 in.

AG. FOCKE-WULF FW200C. These German Conder maritime-reconnaissance bombers operated in the Atlantic on anti-Allied shipping strikes. Speed: 224 mph. Engine: 4x1200 hp BMW-Bramo 323. Span: 107 ft 9¹/₂ in.

150. LOCKHEED VENTURA. RAF-serialled Venturas I and III, No. 464 Sqn, RAAF, operated with Bomber Command and Second Tactical Air Force, 1942-43. Speed: 300 mph. Engine: 2x2000 hp Double Wasp. Span: 65 ft 6 in.

151. D.H. MOSQUITO. The Mk VI version of the famous Mosquito was used by Nos. 456, 464 Sqns, RAAF, on operations with the RAF. Speed: 380 mph. Engine: 2x1230 hp or 2x1635 hp RR Merlins. Span: 54 ft 2 in. 

152. LOCKHEED ELECTRA. Several Lockheed 10A/12As were impressed by the RAF and one was flown by a RAAF pilot for the Governor of Bengal, Rt Hon. R.G. Casey. Speed: 205 mph. Engine: 450 hp PW R-985-13. Span: 55ft.

153. REPUBLIC THUNDERBOLT. One of the leading WWII American fighters, the Thunderbolt II was flown by RAAF pilots with RAF SE Asia Command, 1944-45. Speed: 427 mph. Engine: 2300 hp PW Double Wasp. Span: 40 ft 9¼ in.

154. HAWKER HURRICANE. Hurricane IIB fighter-bombers were used by RAAF pilots with the RAF in India and Burma, 1942-43. Speed: 330 mph. Engine: 1260 hp RR Merlin. Span: 40 ft.

AH. MESSERSCHMITT Bf109. Tropical versions of the Bf109E, F, and G, operated against RAAF aircrews in the North African campaigns. Speed: 390 mph. Engine: 1300 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 32 ft 6½ in.

155. NORTH AMERICAN MUSTANG. As from Nov 44 RAF-serialled Mustang IVs were flown by No. 3 Sqn, RAAF, with the Desert Air Force. Speed: 437 mph. Engine: 1400 hp Packard RR Merlin. Span: 37 ft ⁵/₁₆ in.

AI. MACCHI C.200. The Saetta (Arrow) radial-engined fighters of the Regia Aeronautica operated against Australians in North Africa, 1942. Speed: 313 mph. Engine: 870 hp Fiat. Span: 34 ft 8½ in.

AJ. MACCHI C.202. The inline-engined Folgore (Lightning) replaced the C.200 and was the best Italian fighter in the Western Desert. Speed: 370 mph. Engine: 1175 hp Alfa Romeo. Span: 34 ft 8½ in.

156. VICKERS WELLINGTON. Wellington VIIIs were used by No. 458 Sqn, RAAF, on anti-shipping strikes from North Africa, 1942-43. Speed: 235 mph. engine: 2x1065 hp Pegasus XVIII. Span: 86 ft 2 in.

157. VICKERS WELLINGTON. The Wellington XIV replaced the Mk VIII, No 458 Sqn, on operations in the Mediterranean area, 1944-45. Speed: 250 mph. Engine: 2x1735 hp Hercules XVII. Span: 86 ft 2 in.

158. HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX. No. 462 Sqn, RAAF, was the first to use Halifax Mk IIs in the Middle East, 1942; in 1943 it reformed in the UK with Mk IIIs. Speed: 260 mph. Engine: 4x1280 hp RR Merlin XX or 22. Span: 98 ft 10 in.

159. HAWKER HURRICANE. Hurricane IIC, D, and IV fighter-bombers were flown by RAAF pilots with the RAF in Burma, 1943-44. Speed (IIC): 339 mph. Engine: 1280 hp RR Merlin. Span: 40 ft.

160. BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER. No. 456 Sqn, RAAF, flew Beaufighter IIFs on night defence in the IK, 1941-42. Speed: 301 mph. Engine: 2x1250 hp RR  Merlin XX. Span: 57 ft 10 in.

161. BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER. The Beaufighter VIF replaced the IIF in No. 456 Sqn on RAF operations in 1942-43. Speed: 333 mph. Engine: 2x1670 hp Bristol Hercules VI or XVI. Span: 57 ft 10 in.

162. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. Spitfires I and IIa of Nos. 452, 457 Sqns, RAAF, operated with the RAF in the UK, 1941-42. Speed (IIa): 357 mph. Engine: 1150 hp RR Merlin XII. Span: 36 ft 10 in.

163. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. No. 453 Sqn, RAAF, used Spitfires Mk Vb and IX in the UK with the RAF during 1942-43.  Speed (IX): 408 mph. Engine: 1515-1729 hp Merlins 61, 63, or 66. Span: 36 ft 10 in.

164. BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT. The RAAF night fighter unit with the RAF, No. 456 Sqn, was equipped initially with Defiant Is. Speed: 303 mph. Engine: 1030 hp RR Merlin III. Span: 39 ft 4 in.

AK. MESSERSCHMITT Bf109. Standard versions of the Bf109E, F, G, and K operated against Australians in European areas, 1942-44. Speed (109K): 377 mph. Engine: 1550 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 32 ft 6½ in.

AL. FOCKE-WULF FW190. The FW190A, D, F, and G versions of the Focke-Wulf were the best German fighters operating against the Australians. Speed (190D): 426 mph. Engine: 1770 hp Junkers Jumo. Span: 34 ft 5½ in.

AM. MESSERSCHMITT ME262. Australians in the RAF encountered the first operational jet-fighter, the ME262, over Europe towards the end of 1944. Speed: 540 mph. Engine: 2x1980 lb st Junkers Jumo. Span: 40 ft 11½ in.

165. BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER. On 26 Apr 42, No. 455 sqn, RAAF, transferred from RAF Bomber to Coastal Command and used Beaufighters TFX during invasion operations in 1944. Speed: 303 mph. Engine: 2x1770 hp Bristol Hercules XVII. Span: 57 ft 10 in.

166. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. Spitfires IX, XVI, and XIV of No. 451 Sqn, RAAF, operated with the RAF, 1944-45. Speed (XVI): 405 mph. Engine: 1720 hp Packard Merlin. Span: 32 ft 8 in.

167. HAWKER TYPHOON. One Typhoon served with No. 451 Sqn, RAAF, in the Mediterranean 1943, and Australians flew RAF Typhoons during invasion and anti-VI operations,  1944-45. Speed: 412 mph. Engine: 2200 hp Napier Sabre IIB. Span: 41 ft 7 in.

AN. VI FLYING BOMB. German Fieseler 103 retaliation rockets -"Buzz Bombs"- were brought down by Allied pilots including Australians flying Spitfires, Typhoons, and Mosquitoes. Speed: 390/410 mph. Engine: 1100 lb st Argus Motoren Gesellschaft pulse-jet. Span: 17 ft 6 in.

AO. V2 FLYING BOMB. Interception of the V2 Flying Bomb was impossible and RAF squadrons, including RAAF aircrew, attacked and bombed the launching sites. Speed: 3600 mph. Engine: 56,000 lb st Turbopump-fed liquid oxygen and alcohol. Length: 46.1 ft.

AN AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL PUBLICATION
(Text by Keith Isaacs)
CHART No. 4