Australian Military Aircraft - Chart 2

The Australian War Memorial 
AUSTRALIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT

CHART 2: 1919 - 1939

This reproduction of the second section of the Australian War Memorial aircraft mural painted by Harold Freedman continues the history of Australian military aircraft which began in Chart 1: 1909-1918.

At the end of the 1914-18 War aircraft of the Australian Flying Corps were in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East. Some of these machines took part in post-war operations - R.E.8s of the No. 3 Squadron initiated an airmail service between various AIF headquarters in Europe, and Snipes of No. 4 Squadron deployed to Germany with the occupation forces. Some Australians also served on with the Royal Air Force, taking part, for example, in VIP flights with D.H.4A cabin biplanes. Then, early in 1919, the eight squadrons of the AFC disbanded, the aircraft were handed back to the RAF, and the Australian flying men returned home. In Australia military flying continued throughout 1919 under army control, and several Peace Loan flights originated from the Central Flying School at Point Cook. In 1920 the army established the Australian Air Corps to operate the 128 gift aircraft presented by the British Government. It was not until 31 March 1921 that the Australian Air Force came into being as an autonomous service; on 13 August that year the prefix Royal was added.

During the 1920s the RAAF completed several important defence survey missions. Two outstanding achievements in exploration were the first flight around Australia in 1924 by Goble and McIntyre, and the long-range Pacific islands survey in 1926 by Williams and McIntyre. The decade also saw the production of several Australian-built prototype military aircraft; the aerial survey of the Great Barrier Reef; the introduction of the seaplane carrier, HMAS Albatross, for RAAF amphibians; participation  in Antarctic expeditions; and the replacement of the original 1921 aircraft - D.H.9As, S.E.5as, 504Ks, Pups, D.H.9s and IIIDs - with Moths, a D.H.50A, Seagull IIIs, Southamptons, Wapitis and Bulldogs.

The depression years curtailed the acquisition of new aircraft until the mid-1930s, although two aircraft types of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm temporarily augmented the Australian defence forces. One was the Osprey seaplane used by HMS Sussex in Australian water, and the other several Queen Bee target aircraft operated by HMAS Australia in the Mediterranean. RAAF expansion took place between  1935-38 and new aircraft included Demons, Seagull Vs, D.H.89s, Ansons, Cadets, Moths, Gannets and a Magister. In 1939 - the eve of war - Wirraways and Tiger Moths were coming off the production lines of the newly formed local aircraft factories.

This chart also features three other miscellaneous aircraft types: the Vickers Vimy, G-EAOU, the first aircraft to fly from England to Australia (it was presented to the Government in 1920 and tentatively allocated the RAAF serial number A5-1); the Fokker D VIII (ex Fok. EV), one of the German aircraft of the 1914-18 War ceded to Australia for exhibition; and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's famous 'Southern Cross', purchased by the Government and retained by the  RAAF, from 1935 to 1956.

43. R.E.8. The Reconnaissance Experimental 8s of No. 3 Sqn, AFC, operated the first post-war military airmail service before being phased out of operations in 1919. Speed: 102 mph. Engine: 150 hp RAF 4a. Span: 42ft 7 in.

44. SOPWITH SNIPE. While on duty in Germany during 1919 the Snipes of No. 4 Sqn, AFC, carried the occupation markings of three white stripes on the rear fuselage. Speed: 121 mph. Engine: 230 hp Bentley BR2. Span: 34ft 6in.

45. D.H.4A. Flown by an Australian in the RAF, Airco D.H.4A VIP aircraft were used to fly the Australian Prime Minister, Mr W. M. Hughes, to the 1919 Peace Conference. Speed: 121 mph. Engine: 360 hp RR Eagle. Span: 42 ft 4½ in.

M. FOKKER D VIII. Originally built  as a Fok. EV, the redesignated D VIII, 141/18, was one of several German aircraft ceded to Australia for exhibition after the 1914-18 War. Speed: 115 mph. Engine: 110 hp Oberursel. Span: 27 ft 6 in.

46. B.E.2e. In 1919 B.E.2e, CFS 18, flown by Capt Wrigley and Sgt Murphy became the first aircraft to cross the continent from Point Cook to Darwin. Speed: 82 mph. Engine: 90 hp RAF 1a. Span: 40 ft 9 in. 

47. VICKERS VIMY. After Ross and Keith Smith's famous Vimy  arrived in Australia in 1919 it was held in safekeeping by the RAAF and AWM until 1957. Speed: 98 mph. Engine: 2x360 hp RR Eagle. Span: 68 ft.

48. AVRO 504K. The CFS 504 landplanes and seaplanes were transferred in 1920 to the Australian Air Corps, and in 1921 to the RAAF. Australia built six in  1922. Speed: 105 mph. Engine: 130 hp Clerget. Span: 36 ft.

49. SOPWITH PUP. In 1919 CFS Pups were used to advertise sales of peace bonds. They later operated with the Australian Air Corps, and the RAAF with A4 numbers.  Speed: 111.5 mph. Engine: 80 hp Le Rhone. Span: 26 ft 6 in.

50. D.H.9A Thirty Airco D.H.9A gift bombers were the first aircraft used by the RAAF in 1921. They were numbered AI-1/30 and operated until 1929. Speed: 114 mph. Engine: 400 hp Liberty. Span: 46 ft.

51. S.E.5a. These Scouting Experimental single-seaters were the first fighter aircraft of the RAAF. They carried A2 serial numbers  and one became a two-seat trainer. Speed: 138 mph. Engine: 200 hp Wolseley Viper. Span: 26 ft 7½ in. 

52. D.H.9. The gift Airco D.H.9 two-seaters were numbered A6-1/29  and used on a variety of  duties including bombing, mail flying and army co-operation. Speed: 112 mph. Engine: 230 hp Siddeley Puma.  Span: 42 ft 4½in.

53. FAIREY IIID. Six IIID seaplanes A10-1/6, were used for naval co-operation. The crew of A 10-3 won the 1924 Britannia Trophy for the first flight around Australia. Speed: 106 mph. Engines: 375 hp RR Eagle. Span: 46 ft 1¼in.

54. WACKETT WIDGEON 1. This  flying-boat, G-AEKB, was built by Sqn Ldr Wackett in 1925 for the Defence Department. It was used later as an amphibian by the RAAF. Speed: 103 mph. Engine: 240 hp ADC Nimbus. Span: 39 ft 3 in. 

55. D.H. CIRRUS MOTH. In 1926 two D.H. Moths fitted with Cirrus engines, A7-1/2, were evaluated by the RAAF. Others later replaced the Avro 504K trainers. Speed: 91 mph. Engine: 60 hp DH Cirrus. Span: 30 ft.

56. SUPERMARINE SEAGULL III. Nine Seagull III amphibians, A9-1/9, joined the RAAF in  1926-27 for survey flying, and shipboard operations from HMA Ships Albatross, Australia and Canberra. Speed: 108 mph. Engine: 450 hp Napier Lion. Span: 46 ft.

57. D.H.50A. A sole D.H.50A, A8-1, with an interchangeable float and wheel undercarriage was acquired in 1926 for long-range surveys. VIP flights and transport duties. Speed: 112 mph. Engine: 240 hp Siddeley Puma. Span: 42 ft 9 in.

58. D.H. GIPSY MOTH. In the late-1920s improved Moths, fitted with Gipsy engines, joined the RAAF Cirrus Moths already in service. Several were built in Australia. Speed: 98 mph. Engine: 100 hp DH Gipsy. Span: 30 ft.

59. WACKETT WIDGEON II. Wg Cdr Wackett's second experimental amphibian entered service in 1928. It flew round Australia to escort four visiting RAF Southampton flying boats. Speed: 120 mph. Engine: 440 hp AS Jaguar. Span: 43 ft.

60. SUPERMARINE SOUTHAMPTON. Two wooden-hulled Southampton Mk 1 flying-boats, A11-1/2, were the RAAF's first twin-engined operational aircraft. They equipped the Coastal Reconnaissance Flight from 1928-39. Speed: 108 mph. Engine: 2x450 hp Napier Lion. Span: 75 ft.

61. WACKETT WARRIGAL I. The third experimental aircraft built by Wg Cdr Wackett for the RAAF was the Warrigal 1 two-seat advanced trainer of 1929. Speed: 110 mph. Engine: 200 hp AS Lynx. Span: 36 ft 6¾ in.

62. WACKETT WARRIGALL II. The fourth and last Wackett aircraft produced at the RAAF Randwick Experimental Station was the 1930 Warrigal II two-seat fighter. Speed: 140 mph. Engine: 450 hp AS Jaguar. Span: 37 ft 3 in.

63. WESTLAND WAPITI. Wapitis, A5-1/43, entered service in 1929 as general purpose aircraft. One Wapiti seaplane visited the Antarctic in 1935-36. By 1939 Wapitis were relegated to training. Speed: 135 mph. Engine: 550 hp. Bristol Jupiter. Span: 46 ft. 5 in.

64. BRISTOL BULLDOG. Eight Bulldogs, A12-1/8, were purchased in 1930 for the fighter squadron. They remained the nation's sole single-seat fighter defence for 10 years. Speed: 174 mph. Engine: 450 hp Bristol Jupiter. Span: 33 ft 11 in. 

65. HAWKER OSPREY. One Osprey seaplane of the RN Fleet Air Arm operated in conjunction with the RAAF when HMS Sussex replaced HMAS Australia on  exchange duties in 1934-35. Speed: 146 mph. Engine: 630 hp RR Kestrel. Span: 37 ft.

66. D.H. QUEEN BEE. Pilotless, radio-controlled, Queen Bee target seaplanes were operated by HMAS Australia for the Mediterranean Fleet in 1935 during the Abyssinian crisis. Speed: 98 mph. Engine: 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 29 ft 4 in. 

67. HAWKER DEMON. The beautifully streamlined Demon entered service in 1935 as a Wapiti replacement. The A series numbers  recommenced with the Demon  serials A1-1/64. Speed: 182 mph.  Engine: 600 hp RR Kestrel. Span:  37 ft 2 in. 

68. SUPERMARINE SEAGULL V. Seagull V amphibians, A2-1/24, replaced the Seagull IIIs in 1935. They operated mainly from the cruisers Australia, Canberra Sydney, Perth and Hobart. Speed: 135 mph. Engine: 775 hp Bristol Pegasus. Span: 45 ft 10 in.

69. D.H. DRAGON RAPIDE. Two D.H. 89 Dragon Rapide communications aircraft were acquired in 1935. They were tentatively numbered A3-1/2 and completed various survey and transport tasks. Speed: 157 mph. Engine: 2x200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 48 ft.

70. FOKKER F. VIIb 3m. In 1935 Kingsford Smith's famous 'Southern Cross' was purchased by the Government and held in trust by the RAAF pending permanent display in 1956. Speed: 129 mph. Engine: 3x223/237 Wright Whirlwind. Span: 71 ft 2 in.

71. TUGAN GANNET. Wackett designed the Gannet survey monoplanes in 1935. One, A14-3, flew  to Singapore in 1937, the first locally-built RAAF aircraft to fly overseas. Speed: 150 mph. Engine: 2x200 hp DH Gipsy Six. Span: 52 ft.

72. AVRO ANSON. In 1937 the Anson introduced three RAAF firsts - the first low-wing monoplane, the first retractable undercarriage landplane and the first enclosed gun turret. Speed: 188 mph. Engine: 2x350 hp AS Cheetah. Span 56 ft 6 in. 

73. AVRO CADET. As from 1935 34 Avro Cadet Mk II trainers, A6-1/34, were introduced to augment the Gipsy Moths still in service. Speed: 116 mph. Engine: 150 hp AS Genet Major. Span: 30 ft 2 in. 

74. MILES MAGISTER. One Miles Magister monoplane trainer, A15-1, was acquired in 1938 for trials. In the event the Wackett  Trainer was later purchased in quantity. Speed: 132 mph. Engine: 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 33 ft 10 in. 

75. NORTH AMERICAN NA 16-NA 33. The fixed undercarriage NA 16, A20-1, and the retractable undercarriage NA33, A20-2, were imported in 1937 as prototypes for the locally-built Wirraway. Speed: 220 mph. Engine: 600 hp PW Wasp. Span: 43 ft.

76. CAC WIRRAWAY. Adapted from the NA 33, the Wirraway goes down in history as Australia's first mass-produced military aircraft. The first Wirraway, A20-3, flew on 27 March 1939. Speed: 220 mph. Engine: 600 hp CAC Wasp. Span: 43 ft.

77. D.H. TIGER MOTH. The famous Tiger Moth elementary trainer of the 1939-45 War entered RAAF service in 1939 as a  replacement for the D.H. Gipsy Moth. Speed: 109 mph. Engine: 130 hp DH Gipsy Major. Span: 29 ft 4 in. 

AN AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL PUBLICATION

(Text by Keith Isaacs)

Chart No. 2