FA-N A29-614 'Avagrog', Labuan AHMWA image P026777 via Mick Mirkovic

A29-614 was a presentation airframe, presented by the Australian Victualling Association named "AVAGROG". Originally with 77 and 86 Sqns, it went to 80 Sqn on 25th April 1944. It had a taxying accident on 14th Oct 1944 when flown by John Waddy. After repair at 22 RSU it was issued to 82 Sqn to replace A29-679 on 26th Nov 1944 and coded FA-N. On 14th Jul 1945 it had a ground loop accident and did not return to service before the end of the war.

Profile of FA-N A29-614 in the scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey with RAAF Sky Blue Sqn codes with a White "N" and the usual Blue/ White roundels, no fin flashes being carried. There is likely a small #14 on the cowling (not seen in the photo) as that was standard practice with 80 Sqn. Peter advised that the name 'AVAGROG' (in White) and complete panel had been 'poached' from A29-361, a P-40M of 76 Sqn. The panel looks like it retained it's Green/Brown colours.

FA-A A29-625 of 82 Sqn in NMF is further back in this image. FA-A was at 22 RSU from 07-08-1945.

Possibly the longest standing 82 Sqn P-40N airframe was A29-625 joining them on 09th June 1944, till it left on 7th Aug 1945. It was in Natural Metal scheme for a long time (with Black codes) and at some stage gained the checkered band across the tail. As plain White checks as used on the camoed airframes would not have stood out on a plain Aluminium coloured tail, it is believed that they added Red behind the White parts. The images above show it at 22 RSU after it left 82 Sqn in Aug 1945.

Profile of FA-A A29-625 in the scheme of overall Natural Metal with Sqn codes and serials in Black and the usual Blue/ White roundels, no fin flashes being carried. Red/ White checkered tail band and the front of the spinner is also believed to be Red. Another image shows that there were at least 4 airframes at 82 Sqn in Jul-Aug with similar colours.

FA-Diamond A29-915 Labuan Oct 1945. AWM images OG3202 and OG3464.

Another long standing 82 Sqn airframe was A29-915 which was drawn in Part 1 (last issue) as seen at Morotai in Dec 1944, still carrying a White tail. Received by the unit on 07 Nov 1944, it was then flown on a regular basis by Wg Cmdr (acting Grp Capt) 'Woof Arthur' the 10 victory ace who commanded 81 Wing. After 'Woof' Arthur left 81 Wing, A29-915 was taken over by S/Ldr Bert Grace who flew it (sans White tail) as seen in Part 1. In July Bert Grace left the unit and A29-915 was taken over by Frank Schaaf who was acting as Sqn Ldr (although the records still listed him as Flt Lt). He modified the markings to replace the 'Y' with a Diamond shape (as he had used on more than one airframe earlier in 1943 with 450 Sqn in Tunisia) and put his insignia of 'Snifter' doing a job on the axis powers on the nose.

FA-Diamond A29-915 Labuan Oct 1945. AWM image OG3466.

A29-915 FA-Diamond 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. The background to the badge and centre of the diamond are a dark colour, believed to be the same Blue as the roundels. On the badge it can be seen to be not Black which the Swastika is.

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