by Steve Mackenzie with much assistance from Peter May.

FA-Q A29-524 being dragged out of the water after it's accident of 13th Jan 1945.

A29-524 spent most of it's time in 1944 with 75 and later 78 Sqns. On 03/10/44, while strafing and dive bombing oil wells in the Waroe Bay area, the gun tubes blew out damaging the starboard mainplane. After repair at 22 RSU it was issued to 82 Sqn on 10 Jan 1945 coded FA-Q. Only three days later (13 Jan 1945) during an engine test flight the aircraft forced landed into the sea near Kamiri. Although the damage does not look substantial, it was written off immediately and converted to components, likely because of salt water corrosion. In the last issue there is a comment from Peter that the tail bands were likely adopted in Jan 1945, as can be seen the airframe has them already on 13th Jan.

Profile of A29-524 FA-Q in the scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. RAAF Sky Blue codes, Grey serials and the usual Blue/ White roundels, no fin flashes being carried due to the presence of the tail band of White checks on the Olive Drab tail.

P-40N 'Tiger Tim' was a Kittyhawk A29-677 FA-P that served with 82 Squadron.

Several years ago there was on Facebook a batch of about 12 images of nose art of P-40 airframes awaiting disposal at Amberley post war. At the time I was able to identify all except one with the artwork 'Tiger Tim'. Peter was able to advise it's identity as being A29-677 FA-P which was originally with 82 Sqn in 1944, then 80 Sqn and it returned to 82 Sqn in Jan 1945. It went to storage at Amberley post war (Oct 1945). Standard markings (same as A29-524) with the 'Tiger Tim' markings on the nose in it is believed Black/ Orange/Blue uniform.

This image is via Peter May.

Another image supplied by Peter May.

Profile of A29-677 FA-P 'Tiger Tim' in the scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. RAAF Sky Blue codes, Grey serials and the usual Blue/ White roundels, no fin flashes being carried due to the presence of the tail band of White checks on the Olive Drab tail.

Hidden away in the corner of one of the images I had was this one of FA-W. As it was photographed at 22 RSU at the end of the war it's identity is A29-619 which joined 82 Sqn on 12th July 1945 after previous service with 77 and 86 Sqns then a long period with 80 Sqn till post war.

Profile of A29-619 FA-W in the scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. RAAF Sky Blue Sqn codes with a White "W" and the usual Blue/ White roundels, no fin flashes being carried. There is possibly a small #15 on the cowling (removed in the photo) as that was standard practice with 80 Sqn.

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