by Steve Mackenzie

Fairchild Argus DAF Comm Flight, Vasto early 1944. Photo IWM CNA 2287 .

The Desert Air Force Comm Unit formed July 1943, operated in Italy with a miscellany of types such as Fairchild Arguses, at least one Vultee Vigilant (see later) and also operated at least one captured Fieseler Fi-156 Storch which was often flown by the 'Boss' Grp Capt Harry Broadhurst. The photos here were taken at Vasto where they operated off a strip next to the beach in the period Dec 43 to Mar 1944. In these photos one can see the Vigilant 'P' serial HK926 and the Storch.

Royal Air Force communications aircraft parked on the beach at Vasto, Italy, which served as the landing ground for the Forward Headquarters of the Desert Air Force, based there from December 1943 to March 1944. In the foreground is the Fiesler Fi-156C Storch flown by the Air Officer Commanding DAF, Air Vice-Marshal Harry Broadhurst (then actually Grp Capt, promoted to AVM Jan 1945 - Steve) while in the background is a Vultee-Stinson Vigilant (s/n HK926 "P") of the DAF Communication Flight. Photo IWM CNA 2285

Stinson L-1 (aka Vultee Vigilant) HK926 'P' of DAF Comm Unit, Vasto early 1944. Dark Green / Dark Earth uppers with Sky lower surfaces. Code letter in White as are 8' serials on the rear fuselage. Ref: photos on this page.

Another image of the Vigilant HK926

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Fairchild Argus HK948 Photo AWM P00712.001

Finally while not directly connected with the DAF Comm Unit examples, there is one other known M.E based Argus with a RAAF connection. While based at Mursa Matra in Egypt 451 Sqn had an Argus HK948 for communication duties. This one was painted in the Dark Earth/ Midstone/ Azure Blue desert scheme with the serial in Black.

Argus HK948 of 451 Sqn RAAF. Dark Earth / Midstone uppers with Azure Blue lower surfaces. Black 8' serials on the rear fuselage.

Please note that the Argus & Vigilant drawings are NTS with each other. In reality the Vigilant is a fair bit bigger. Use the index button to return to the main issue 35/1 index.