by Steve Mackenzie

VHCAA at Port Moresby, with 'QANTAS' in a lighter colour painted on the camouflage on the nose. Also the lower surfaces are not Aluminium as per the other C-56Bs and no 'U.S ARMY' titles.

As noted on page 1, the seven remaining survivors of the C-56B Lodestars were transferred to ADAT control for use under contract by the major civil Airlines who had a pool of personnel very experienced in Transport operations who were largely under utilised as most civilian Airline routes had been shut down at the start of the war in the Pacific. Qantas was allocated VHCAK on 5-10-1942, VHCAA on 1-12-1942 and VHCAB on 05-01-1943. VHCAB crashed and was destroyed at Port Moresby on 26-11-1943, that one I did not locate a photo of, the other two which commenced operations on 21 Nov 1942 during the campaign to retake the Buna/ Gona area are illustrated here. They operated in their original NEIAF colours until stripped to Nat Metal in late 1943.

C-56 VHCAK and Lockheed 10 VH-AAU at Ward Strip near Port Moresby, New Guinea on 14 Dec 1942. Note it carried 'U.S Army' under the wings. Photo SLNSW FL7552816

C-56 VHCAK in flight near Port Moresby, New Guinea Nov 1942. Photo via internet

C-56B VHCAK and ADF troops awaiting evacuation from Dobodura Nov 1942. One can tell that this is VHCAK by the vertical demarcation of the colours on the engine cowling, visible in the image of VHCAK on the ground. Photo SLNSW FL7552815

QANTAS C-56B VHCAK, Jongblad (Young Leaf), Oudblad (Old Leaf) colours with Aluminium lower surfaces. Light Grey ADAT callsign, spinners Black and U.S Army under the wings officially Insignia Blue but often marked in Black. Insignia Blue/ White U.S Cocardes marked in the usual 4 positions. QANTAS titles on the nose looks to be plain Grey. Refs: photos above.

The nose of VHCAA showing style of the QANTAS inscription that has drop shadows on this airframe. Photo SLNSW FL8581054

This shot confirms that the QANTAS titles are on both sides of the nose.

QANTAS C-56B VHCAA, Jongblad (Young Leaf), Oudblad (Old Leaf) colours with lower surfaces repainted, believed to be Neutral Grey. Light Grey ADAT callsign, spinners Black. Insignia Blue/ White U.S Cocardes marked in the usual 4 positions. QANTAS titles on the nose looks to be Light Grey with Black drop shadows. It gained a DF Loop 'football' below the nose at some stage. Refs: photos above.

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vhcaa4.jpg	vhcaa5.jpg	vhcaa6.jpg
vhcaa7.jpg	vhcaa8.jpg	vhcaa9.jpg

As can be seen there are many images of VHCAA in this scheme. Extra ones in the table above, captions below.

ADF members awaiting to be airlifted in a QANTAS Lodestar. Photo AWM 013611.
Tail of Lodestar VHCAA at Townsville Airfield, Queensland.
Closeup of VHCAA showing the style of lettering used for the radio callsign. Photo SLNSW FL7551419.
QANTAS Capt Denny shown in a Lodestar during the Buna operations. Photo SLNSW FL8644695.
Qantas Empire Airways Lodestar VHCAA at Port Moresby, New Guinea in December 1942. Photo SLNSW FL7552814
Group of QANTAS and ADF personnel with VHCAA during the Buna operations. Photo SLNSW FL8581058

Hit next to go to the 3rd page on ADAT/USAAF/NEIAF schemes.