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  Bristol Beaufighter Mark Ic Serial Number A19-5 Code F
RAAF
No. 30 Squadron

Aircraft History
Built by Bristol. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number T4924. Shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
During May 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufigher Mark Ic serial number A19-5. On May 8, 1942 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). This was the first Beaufighter to fly in Australia when it took off from Bankstown Airfield piloted by S/L Ellis.

On August 3, 1942 assigned to No. 30 Squadron with code "F". No known nickname or nose art. One of the 24 Beaufighters piloted by FLTLT Welsh with navigator Sgt Witheford flown from Richmond Airfield to Bohle River Airfield for operational training. On September 12, 1942 flown from Bohle River Airfield northward to Wards Drome (5 Mile) near Port Moresby.

On November 22, 1942 on a mission against Lae Airfield fired a one second burst into a Zeke which had climbed up under its nose to attack another Beaufighter ahead. Moments later, Japanese anti-aircraft fire hit this plane's port engine and tire. The aircraft was further damaged while landing. Afterwards repaired by 15 RSU between January 14, 1943 until February 20, 1943.

On March 3, 1943 participated in the Battle of the Bismark Sea piloted by S/L Ron "Torchy" Uren with navigator FSGT Harry Suthons. During the battle, this Beaufighter had Australian war correspondent Damien Parer aboard as a passenger behind the pilot with his cine camera balanced on the pilot's head during strafing attacks against the Japanese ships.

On April 12, 1943, this Beaufighter was damaged on the ground a Wards Drome during the Japanese air raid. On April 15 - 17, repaired by 15 ARD. On April 27, ground Looped on takeoff when starboard engine failed wrenching off the starboard undercarriage. On May 2 - June 29 transfered to 15 ARD for repair. Afterwards, coded LY-R.

On July 12, 1943 developed fractures in the fuselage, and was again repaired by 5 AD on July 22 - September 9 for repair by 1 AD. On March 9, 1944 transfered to 5 AD, then April 25, to 5 OTU.

On December 13, 1944 crashed north of Williamtown NSW during night flying training when the aircraft hit trees on approaching the flare path. piloted FSGT Le Maistre.

References
Beaufighters in the Pacific: A History of the RAAF Beaufighter Squadrons in the South West Pacific Area (2005 revised), page 107
ADF Serials - Beaufighter A19-5

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Last Updated
March 19, 2023

 

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