by Steve Mackenzie

Unfortunately the serial number is not known but this image shows a DH.84 Air Ambulance picking up a patient to transfer him to hospital.

de Havilland Australia produced 87 new-build aircraft at Mascot Aerodrome for the RAAF, supplementing 11 that were impressed from civil airlines, for a total of 98 aircraft. Many were used as light transports but one of the major uses was as Air Ambulances (2 Air Ambulance Unit (2 AAU)) being the major unit involved. Colour scheme for these Ambulances was Foliage Green and Earth Brown on the upper surfaces with Matt White on the lower surfaces. Dark Blue/ White roundels in six positions plus fin flashes were carried.

RAAF instructions issued end July 1942 stated: 'Ambulance aircraft must carry the Geneva Cross on a white roundel the same diameter as the blue ring of the fuselage roundel, placed immediately aft of the fuselage roundel. Red crosses are also to be carried on the upper and lower surfaces of the fuselage centre section, the upper cross having a white background. These crosses are to have 3 feet wide red arms which are to extend up and down the fuselage and across on to the surfaces of both mainplanes and are to be as large as possible. The colours are to be Identification White and Bright Red'. Not mentioned is that there were usually Red Crosses under each wingtip inboard of the roundel. Serials were Medium Sea Grey.

Well known in photos is A34-54 from 2 AAU taken at Mareeba QLD, of a patient from 2/2nd General Hospital being transferred for the trip to a Base Hospital. The airframe follows the standard colours listed above (with the exception that it does not have under wing Red Crosses for some reason, all the others in this article do). The emblem on the nose is of two bees carrying a stretcher with patient. Other 2 AAU airframes are known to have carried different nose art (see later in the article).

A34-54 as per above. Nose art is carried to port only. Below is the full set of images from this photo shoot. It can be seen in the last image that the lower fuselage Ambulance marking is just a plain Red Cross.

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The images below show the interior layout of the Air Ambulances and how the stretcher(s) was installed. (note these iamges show an earlier scheme)

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