by Steve Mackenzie with much assistance from Peter May.

A29-132 'L' 'Maleesh Mk.II' accident Bankstown 13-11-1943. Former 75 Sqn airframe, complete with White tail, drawn in issue 4/2

Way back in issue 4/2 of this publication (then called 'News and Views') I did an article on the history of 82 Sqn illustrated by relatively basic hand drawn profiles of P-39, P-40 and P-51. Obviously we can do better now with more modern technology. This issue and part 2 (hopefully next time) will cover the P-40s used during WWII.

82 Sqn was formed at Bankstown on 18th June 1943 to provide Fighter cover for the Sydney area (although it was probably not required by that stage as there were no Japanese Air Force units within range to provide an attack). It was initially equipped with P-40E (Mk.I) Kittyhawks, mostly if not exclusively ex 75 Sqn who were re-equipping with later models, plus one flight of P-39 Aircobras (see 4/2 for a P-39 scheme).

A29-118 'FA' A29-118 05/11/43 Accident when on landing at Bankstown.

Profile of A29-118 in the simple scheme of Nat Metal overall with Black codes. Early example of being Stripped to Nat Metal.

At the end of 1943 some of the P-40Es, by then fully equipping the unit, were given white tails etc in anticipation of a move to PNG which did not eventuate.

A29-63 'U' 'Nigel' again ex 75 Sqn. First photo is before the White tail was added, part of which can just be seen in the second (as per a profile in one of the Pentland books). Landing accidents seem to have been very common while based at Bankstown.

A29-133 FA-B Bankstown 17-10-1943 Pilot Off Norm Rae. Again ex 75 Sqn this is the airframe now in the AWM displayed as Buster Brown's 'Polly'. But I would like anyone to come up with an image of it having that fancy cursive script on the nose, all available ones I have seen show no name at all.

A29-133 FA-B Bankstown. While in the standard colours for a P-40E, this airframe exhibits a VERY non standard camouflage pattern.

In May 1944, 82 Sqn by now equipped with P-40N airframes moved to Townsville to come under the control of 81 Wing. After months of training they moved to Noemfoor Island to begin operations in October 1944. In March 1945 the unit moved to Morotai and in June to Labuan Island.

This image is reportedly taken during the Townsville period

A29-648 FA-W at Townsville. Olive Drab over Neutral Grey with RAAF Sky codes, and standard Blue/ White roundels and fin flash.

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