Australian Military Aircraft - Chart 3

The Australian War Memorial

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT

CHART 3: 1940-1942

In this series of reproductions from the Australian War Memorial aircraft mural painted by Harold Freedman the preceding two charts featured aircraft from 1901 to 1939. These machines were described under the sequence symbols 1 to 77 for Australian aircraft and A to M for enemy types. This chart continues the history of Australian military aircraft from the outbreak of the European War until a few months after the start of the Pacific War in December 1941.

When the 1930-45 War commenced in September 1939 Australian airmen were in England training on Short Sunderland flying-boats for the Royal Australian Air Force. In the event this squadron, No. 10, remained overseas and was the first RAAF unit to go into action. Other overseas deployments in 1940 included Nos. 1, 8 and 21 Squadrons to Malaya, and No. 3 Squadron to the Middle East. Throughout the year hundreds of Australian airmen also joined squadrons of the Royal Air Force. During the Battle of Britain in August and September Australian pilots, flying RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, were among the defenders. As the flow of airmen to the United Kingdom increased, RAAF fighter, maritime and bomber squadrons were formed. The latter units, operating Hampdens and Wellingtons, were well to the fore in the bomber offensive against Continental targets.

In Australia during 1940 the Empire Air Training Scheme came into being. Hundreds of Battles, Oxfords and Ansons were imported to augment the local production of Tiger Moth elementary trainers. Steadily the flow of pilots, navigators, wireless-operators and gunners began to build up. Fighter aircraft for home defence were conspicuous by their absence, but long-range patrol bombers of the Catalina and Hudson types were obtained from America. In addition a variety of local civilian aircraft, ranging in scale from the large four-engined Empire flying-boat to a diminutive Avro Avian of the 1920s, were impressed for transport and communication tasks.

As 1941 progressed the campaign in the Middle East grew in intensity, RAAF bomber squadrons included Wellingtons, Blenheims and Baltimores, while Kittyhawk and Spitfire fighters replaced the earlier versions of the Tomahawk and Hurricane. These operational squadrons were, in turn, supported by an air ambulance unit equipped with Bombay, Lodestar and D.H.86 aircraft.

Towards the end of 1941 the war situation on most fronts was grave. During this crucial period a new threat emerged in the Far East. At the time Australia was producing Beaufort torpedo-bombers and six of these aircraft were flown to Singapore to supplement the RAAF Hudsons, Buffaloes and Wirraways in the area.

They arrived just in time to witness the onslaught of the Japanese on 7-8 December 1941. The overwhelming rush of the enemy forced back the defending forces and Dutch aircraft, of the Dornier and Ryan types, withdrew to Australia. In New Guinea Junkers and Ford tri-motors were taken over for medical and evacuation operations. In the early months of 1942 Australia, facing possible invasion with limited defence forces and inadequate aircraft, was in a desperate position.

78. SHORT SUNDERLAND. These Mk 1 flying-boats were the first RAAF aircraft in action in the 1939-45 War. Speed: 210 mph. Engine: 4x1010 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 112 ft 9 in.

79. SHORT EMPIRE. Four S.23 and one S.33 civilian Empire flying-boats were impressed by the RAAF. Speed: 200 mph. Engine: 4x920 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 114 ft.

80. SUPERMARINE WALRUS. RAF version of the Seagull; 37 Walrus amphibians augmented the RAAF's 24 Seagull Vs. Speed: 135 mph. Engine: 775 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 45 ft 10 in.

81. CONSOLIDATED CATALINA. The American Catalina flying-boat introduced a strategic element to the RAAF. Speed: 190 mph. Engine: 2x 1200 hp Twin Wasp. Span: 104 ft.

82. DOUGLAS DOLPHIN. The RAAF used four Dolphin amphibians for training and communications. Speed: 150 mph. Engine: 2x400/450 hp PW Wasp Jnr. Span: 60 ft.

83. FAIREY BATTLE. 366 Battle light bombers were used by the RAAF mainly for EATS air-gunnery training. Speed: 241 mph. Engine: 1030 hp RR Merlin. Span: 54 ft.

84. AIRSPEED OXFORD. 391 EATS Oxfords were used for flying, navigation, gunnery, radio and bombing instruction. Speed: 188 mph. Engine: 2x370 hp AS Cheetah. Span: 53 ft 4 in.

85. D.H. TIGER MOTH. Most famous of all EATS aircraft, RAAF Tiger Moths served from 1939-57. Speed: 109 mph. Engine: 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 29 ft 4 in.

86. AVRO AVIAN. One two-seat Avian IV, VH-UKD, was impressed for RAAF ground instruction. Speed: 102 mph. Engine: 120 hp DH Gipsy II. Span: 28 ft.

87. LOCKHEED HUDSON. Two RAAF Hudson squadrons deployed to Malaya in 1940 for forward defence. Speed: 246 mph. Engine: 2x1050 hp PW Wasp. Span: 65 ft 6 in.

88. CAC WIRRAWAY. Camouflaged Wirraways were positioned in Malaya, Darwin and Rabaul during 1940. Speed: 220 mph. Engine: 600 hp CAC Wasp. Span: 43 ft.

89. BREWSTER BUFFALO. RAAF Buffalo single-seat fighters equipped Nos. 21 and 453 Sqns in Malaya. Speed: 292 mph. Engine: 1100 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 35 ft.

90. WESTLAND LYSANDER. Army co-operation Lysanders operated with No. 3 Sqn in the Middle East Sep 1940. Speed: 219 mph. Engine: 890 hp Bristol Mercury. Span: 50 ft.

91. GLOSTER GAUNTLET. No. 3 Sqn used four Gauntlets for dive-bombing practice near the Suez Canal. Speed: 230 mph. Engine: 645 hp Bristol Mercury. Span: 32 ft 9½ in.

92. GLOSTER GLADIATOR. Gladiators of No. 3 Sqn took part in the squadron's first air combat on 19 Nov 40. Speed: 253 mph. Engine: 840 hp Bristol Mercury. Span: 32 ft 3 in.

N. FIAT C.R.42. Falcos of the Regia Aeronautica were the first enemy aircraft shot down by No. 3 Sqn. Speed: 244 mph. Engine: 840 hp Fiat. Span: 31 ft 9¾ in.

O. SAVOIA MARCHETTI S.M.79 Many of these three-engined bombers were destroyed by RAAF squadrons in the Middle East. Speed: 270 mph. Engine: 3x1000 hp Piaggio. Span: 69 ft 6½ in.

93. CURTISS TOMAHAWK. This American P-40 fighter replaced the tropical Hawker Hurricane (see 104) in No. 3 Sqn, May 1941. Speed: 345 mph. Engine: 1040 hp Allison. Span: 37 ft 4½ in.

P. MACCHI C.200. The radial-engined Macchi fought against RAAF sqns over the Mediterranean, Greece and Nth Africa. Speed: 312 mph. Engine: 870 hp Fiat. Span: 34 ft 8½ in.

Q. JUNKERS Ju.87. Stuka dive-bombers of the Luftwaffe operated against RAAF sqns in the Mediterranean area including Tobruk. Speed: 255 mph. Engine: 1400 hp Junkers Jumo. Span: 45 ft 3½ in.

R. MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109. Tropical 109Fs of the Luftwaffe joined battle with RAAF sqns in the ME in 1941. Speed: 390 mph. Engine: 1300 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 32 ft 6½ in.

94. PERCIVAL VEGA GULL. Two Gulls, VH-UVG and VT-ACA, were taken over by the RAAF for communication duties in 1940. Speed: 170 mph. Engine: 200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 39 ft 6 in.

95. MILES AIRCRAFT. Six Miles mono-planes were impressed by the RAAF including a Falcon, A37-1, and a Hawk, A37-5. Falcon - Speed: 180 mph. Engine: 200 hp DH Gipsy Six: Span: 35 ft.

96. BEECH 17. Three impressed Beech biplanes with retractable under- carriages served as RAAF transports from 1941. Speed: 198 mph. Engine: 450 hp PW Wasp Jnr. Span: 32 ft.

97. DE HAVILLAND 86. Four were impressed for training in Australia and another three served overseas. Speed: 170 mph. Engine: 4x200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 48 ft.

98. D.H. DRAGON RAPIDE. Seven Rapides were taken over from civilian airlines by the RAAF. Speed: 157 mph. Engine: 2x200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 48 ft.

99. D.H. DRAGON. The RAAF im- pressed seven Dragons and 87 were built in Australia for training. Speed: 128 mph. Engine: 2x130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 47 ft 4 in.

100. DOUGLAS DC-2. Ten lease-lend DC-2 airlines were imported in 1940-41 as RAAF transports. Speed: 202 mph. Engine: 2x740/810 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 85 ft.

101. DOUGLAS DC-3. Four DC-3s were temporarily taken over for RAAF transport work and returned to ANA later. Speed: 230 mph. Engine: 2x 900 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 95 ft.

102. STINSON RELIANT. Reliant VH-UXL was used by the RAAF as a VIP transport. Speed: 153 mph. Engine: 245 hp Lycoming. Span: 41 ft.

103. FAIRCHILD 24G/24R. The RAAF impressed a radial-engined 24G and three inline-engined 24Rs. 24R - Speed: 132 mph. Engine: 150/175 hp inline Ranger. Span: 36 ft 4 in.

104. HAWKER HURRICANE. Tropical Hurricanes were used by No. 3 Sqn in the ME and individual Australians flew RAF Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 316 mph. Engine: 1030 hp RR Merlin. Span: 40 ft.

105. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. Flown by Australians in the RAF during the Battle of Britain and by Nos. 452, 457 Sqns, RAAF, in 1941. Speed: 357 mph. Engine: 1150 hp RR Merlin. Span 32 ft 10 in.

R. MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109. The 109E was the main fighter used by the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 348 mph. Engine: 1100 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 32 ft 4½ in.

S. MESSERSCHMITT Bf 110. A long- range fighter also used by the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 336 mph. Engine: 2x1100 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 53 ft 3¾ in.

T. HEINKEL He 111. The P version was the most vulnerable Luftwaffe bomber in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 247 mph. Engine: 2x1100 hp Daimler-Benz. Span: 74 ft 1¾ in.

U. JUNKERS Ju 88. The Ju 88A was the best of the Luftwaffe bombers in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 280 mph. Engine 2x1200 hp Junkers Jumo. Span 60 ft 3¼ in.

V. DORNIER Do 17. The Co 17Z was one of the main Luftwaffe bombers used in the Battle of Britain. Speed: 255 mph. Engine: 2x1000 hp Bramo Fafnir. Span: 59 ft ½ in.

106. HANDLEY PAGE HAMPDEN. Hampdens of No. 455 Sqn, RAAF, joined the RAF bomber offensive from the UK in 1941. Speed: 254 mph. Engine: 2x1000 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 69 ft 2 in.

107. VICKERS WELLINGTON RAAF sqns Nos. 458 and 460 flew Welling- ton bombers against German targets in 1941. Speed: 235 mph. Engine: 2x1000 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 86 ft 2 in.

108. D.H. DRAGONFLY. D.H.90 Dragonfly, VH-UXS, was impressed as an air ambulance in Australia by the RAAF. Speed: 144 mph. Engine: 2x 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 43 ft.

109. D.H. FOX MOTH. Four Fox Moths were impressed as transports and air ambulances. Speed: 123 mph. Engine: 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 30 ft 10½ in.

110. LOCKHEED VEGA. One Vega, VH-UVK, was impressed by the RAAF as a fast communication aircraft in 1941. Speed: 185 mph. Engine: 450 hp PW Wasp. Span: 41 ft.

111. CESSNA AIRMASTER. Impressed as a communication aircraft, Cessna VH-UYG became A40-1. Speed: 162 mph. Engine: 145 hp Warner Super Scarab. Span: 33 ft 10 in.

112. FORD TRIMOTOR: Two Trimotors were impressed as transports and air ambulances in New Guinea in 1942. Speed: 132 mph. Engine: 3x33 hp Wright Whirlwind. Span: 74 ft.

113. JUNKERS G31. This three-engined transport was impressed as an air ambulance in New Guinea in 1942. Speed: 180 mph. Engine: 3x525 hp PW Hornet. Span: 99 ft 5 in.

114. DORNIER Do 24K. Six Dornier flying-boats of the Dutch East Indies Navy were taken over by the RAAF. Speed: 195 mph. Engine: 3x750 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 88 ft 7 in.

115. JUNKERS W34. A Junkers W34d seaplane and a W34f landplane were impressed by the RAAF. Speed: 162 mph. Engine: 450 hp Bristol Jupiter. Span: 58 ft 3 in.

116. WACO YQC-6. One civilian Waco, VH-UVW, was impressed by the RAAF as a transport. Speed: 142 mph. Engine 225 hp Jacobs. Span: 34 ft 7¾ in.

117. NORTHROP DELTA. Taken into the RAAF as A61-1 the Northrop Delta VH-ADR was an 8-seat cabin mono-plane. Speed: 22 mph. Engine: 735 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 50 ft.

118. RYAN TRAINER. 34 ex-Dutch Government Trainers were taken over as communication and training aircraft. Speed: 128 mph. Engine: 125 hp Menasco. Span: 30 ft.

119. BRISTOL BEAUFORT. In December 1941 Australian-built Beauforts were deployed to Singapore to augment Hudsons and Buffaloes. Speed: 232 mph. Engine: 2x1200 hp PW Wasp. Span: 57 ft 10 in.

W. MITSUBISHI A6M. In December 1941 the Zeke, or Zero, fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy struck the first blows in the Pacific War. Speed: 365 mph. Engine: 950 hp Nakajima. Span: 39 ft 4½ in.

X. MITSUBISHI G4M1. These Bettys of the Japanese Navy comprised the main bomber attack force in SE Asia. Speed: 266 mph. Engine: 2x 1530 hp Mitsubishi. Span: 82 ft ¼ in.

120. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE. Trop- ical Spitfires Mk Vc later (1943) equipped No. 451 Sqn in the Medi- terranean area. Speed: 374 mph. Engine: 1440 hp RR Merlin. Span: 36 ft 10 in.

121. HAWKER HURRICANE. The tropical version of the Hurricane was first flown by No. 451 Sqn in 1941. Speed: 316 mph. Engine: 1030 hp RR Merlin. Span: 40 ft.

122. CURTISS KITTYHAWK. The P-40 Kittyhawk fighter-bomber was use by Nos. 3 and 450 Sqns in the ME. Speed: 362 mph. Engine: 1600 hp Allison. Span: 37 ft 4 in.

Y. SAVOIA MARCHETTI S.M.81. A contemporary of the S.M. 79 this Italian fixed undercarriage bomber-transport was used in the Western Desert. Speed: 209 mph. Engine: 3x 780 hp Alfa Romeo. Span: 78.74 ft.

Z. JUNKERS Ju 52. RAAF sqns encountered this transport-bomber in the Mediterranean and African areas. Speed: 189 mph. Engine: 3x830 hp BMW. Span: 93 ft 10 in.

AA. MESSERSCHMITT M.E.323. The Gigant 6-engined Luftwaffe transport operated in the Mediterranean in 1942. Speed: 157 mph. Engine: 6x 1140 hp Gnome-Rhone. Span: 180 ft 5½ in.

123. BRISTOL BLENHEIM. Blenheim Mk IV bombers were used by Nos. 454 and 459 Sqns, RAAF, in the North African campaigns in 1942. Speed: 266 mph. Engine: 2x920 hp Bristol Mercury. Span: 56 ft 4 in.

124. MARTIN MARYLAND. First American bomber used in North Africa and flown by Australians in the RAF. Speed: 278 mph. Engine: 2x1200 hp PW Wasp. Span: 61 ft 4 in.

125. MARTIN BALTIMORE. The Baltimore was used by Nos. 454 and 459 Sqns, RAAF, in the ME. Speed: 301 mph. Engine: 2x1660 hp Wright Cyclone. Span: 61 ft 4 in.

126. BRISTOL BOMBAY. One was used by No. 1 Air Ambulance Unit, RAAF, in the Western Desert. Speed: 192 mph. Engine: 2x1010 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 95 ft 9 in.

127. DE HAVILLAND 86. Three RAAF D.H.86 aircraft were also used by No. 1 Air Ambulance Unit. Speed: 170 mph. Engine: 4x200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 64 ft 6 in.

AN AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL PUBLICATION (Text by Keith Isaacs) CHART No. 3