by Steve Mackenzie with much assistance from Peter May.

FA-J A29-624 'Marie' on its nose, Labuan Aug 1945.

A29-624 was bounced around between 77, 86 and 80 Sqns for a while, finally settling with 80 Sqn after 7th June 1944. On 03 Jan 1945 it was damaged in the starboard mainplane by AA during a strafing attack. After repair at 22 RSU, on 21 Mar 1945 it was issued to 82 Sqn coded FA-J. On 12th Aug 1945, on landing at Labuan it swung to the side of the strip and nosed over, causing damage to mainplanes, airscrew, engine and engine reduction gear (ignore comments about it being coded FA-Q and ending up in the water on ADF Serials, there is obvious confusion there with A29-524 FA-Q).

Official signal reporting the accident.

AWM image OG1704 showing it had a row of bombs as mission markings while with 80 Sqn. They are only just visible on the first image of FA-J being much faded by that time. Also on the same first image note the Port wing has very faded remains of a White leading edge, the Starboard does not have it as it must have been replaced at 22 RSU after the damage of 03 Jan.

A29-624 FA-J 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 name 'Marie' and #24 on the nose (a carry over from 80 Sqn) are White and the mission markings a very faded Yellow. The Black spinner is also a 80 Sqn carry over.

AHMWA image P016503 via Mick Mirkovic. Taken at Cape York while returning to Australia in Aug 1945. After A29-915 FA-Y had it's code changed to FA-Diamond per the previous page, A29-632 became the replacement FA-Y.

A29-632 FA-Y in the scheme of Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. RAAF Sky Blue codes, Grey serials and the usual Blue/ White roundels and fin flashes this time. The serial is much larger than the other airframes in this article.

One final image showing 82 Sqn's airframes at Labuan in Aug 1945. At least four Nat Metal airframes are in this image. Harry Mellon via Peter May.

I would like to thank Peter May for the assistance he has given to me to do this series.

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