by Steve Mackenzie

SV-Q A29-347 Dec 1944, page from the logbook of J.Morris, shown the photo of the airframe and entries in his logbook. Photo J.Morris via Peter May.

This is the 5th batch of 76 Sqn RAAF schemes for the P-40M variant which they operated for a long period, during which some airframes were repaired either after incidents or overhaul and repainted several times. The first large batch were received from 2 AD on 13/5/1943 and they flew this type on operations until Mar 1945 by which time they were replaced by P-40Ns, the first of which were received on 17/2/1945. This part continues the story of A29-347 SV-M/ later Q 'Little Audrey' (one of the nicer nose arts) from the previous issue plus some additional airframes. There will be one more part of schemes to follow once I get a chance to do the artwork.

Originally it was believed their P-40Ms were in the scheme of U.S equivalent colours (DuPont 71-009 Dark Earth, 71-013 Dark Green and 71-021 Sky Type S Grey) similar to the earlier Kittyhawk Mk.Is built for the RAF. However the latest info from Craig Busby (backed up by a comment from Gordon Birkett on Facebook), is that Curtiss painting diagrams show the P-40Ms were painted at the factory Olive Drab over Neutral Grey, these colours being overpainted at the Aircraft Depots in Australia upon receipt in Foliage Green/ Earth Brown with Sky Blue lower surfaces. Later photos show that many were repainted in Foliage Green upper surfaces and RAAF Sky Blue lowers when requiring refurbishing.

Continuing on from the last issue which has now been amended to say that A29-347 returned to the Sqn on 6.12.1944 it was coded SV-Q, replacing the previous SV-Q A29-351 (normally flown by J.Morris) which had gone off to 22 RSU for some work. J.Morris flew an acceptance test in the airframe on 7/12/1944 commenting 'it will do', he flew it regularly thereafter. It was last flown with the Sqn in Dec on 25th and was returned to 22 RSU (for a 480 hour overhaul per the note in the logbook above) on 26th (per the History card). A29-351 returned as SV-Q on 29th Dec.

In the photo attached to the logbook above it is still in the same scheme as it had previously as SV-M (see last issue) except it is coded Q now. One odd point however is that the panel above and below the exhausts which carried the name 'Little Audrey' has been replaced with a plain one without the name (really strange as they still had it at the RSU as we will see later). A29-347 returned to the Sqn again in Jan 1945 and was re-coded SV-G , Kevin Donald's log book records it was SV-G on the 15th February 1945. It was returned to 6 A.D (in Australia) in Mar 1945, being passed to 8 OTU for a final six months service. NOTE IMPORTANT - last issue (before I amended it to remove the photos and drawing) I said that it had returned as SV-K. This is incorrect, the airframe in question was actually A29-354 SV-K, fitted with the cowls carrying the artwork AND name of 'Little Audrey' (see I said that 22 RSU did have that errant panel hidden away somewhere..). All the above info re A29-347 in Dec 44/ Mar 45 is courtesy of Peter May (thanks mate).

76 Sqn A29-347 SV-Q Noemfoor c.Jan 1945. Foliage Green/ Earth Brown with Sky Blue lower surfaces. Codes in RAAF Sky Blue and Light Grey serials (2" only, just ahead of the rudder). White tail applied but no wing leading edge markings. Standard Blue/White roundels (in six positions) and fin flashes consisting of the Dark Blue portion only. Natural Metal spinner and canopy. Note the Black letter 'M' under the nose is overpainted and Yellow '35' on the fin (which MAY be part of the U.S serial 43-5774 showing through the White paint, however it is larger in size than the standard U.S serial should be).

SV-G A29-342 'Noela' c. January 1945, in flight from Kamiri for an operation. Photo Bob Hunter, S.Mackenzie collection.

P-40M-1 SV-G A29-342 originally "Daisie Noela" later just 'Noela' was originally coded SV-G, then coded SV-Z from 20/12/1944. Personal airframe of Bob Hunter he flew A29-342 early in mid June to late October 1944, then SV-V A29-322, before being reacquainted with A29-342 in January 45 after a service. After 76 Sqn service it went to 86 Sqn RAAF at Bohle River (near Townsville). It did not last long as on 9/3/45 it collided with A29-335 and crashed into the river bank near Bohle River airfield, killing F/Sgt Peter Collier with the a/c being written off.

A couple of extract from Bob Hunter's logbook. Of interest in the 2nd is Sept 14 where he flys A29-347 'Little Audrey' from Wadke to Noemfoor. This is almost certainly when the photo of SV-M 'Little Audrey' in flight in the last issue (34-4) was taken.

Two photos of 'Noela' showing the nose art, drop shadows to the lettering for the name and the remains of mission markings under the cockpit on A29-342 'Noela'. Photos Bob Hunter, S.Mackenzie collection.

A29-342 SV-G 'Noela' Noemfoor c.Jan 1945. Foliage Green uppers with the lower surfaces in RAAF Sky Blue. Codes in RAAF Sky Blue and Light Grey serials (2" only, just ahead of the rudder). White tail applied anhd also wing leading edge markings at his stage. Standard Blue/White roundels (in six positions) and fin flashes consisting of the Dark Blue portion only. Natural Metal spinner. 'Neola' in White with Red drop shadows and White bomb mission markings.

Hit next to go to the 2nd page on 76 Sqn P-40M colour schemes.