A-24 Banshees in New Guinea

[Blimpyboy]

Hi again all,

 

As a possible alternative to making an A-24 from the 1941 Louisiana manoeuvres, I am considering making this bird:

 

 

Now, the only photo I can find of this aircraft is this one from the Australian War Memorial:

 

 

 

I've not been able to find any other photos of early A-24 models in New Guinea, and I am a little circumspect about the black-and-white strip on the cowling - part of me wonders if it's a possible misinterpretation of glint off the cowling in the photo.

 

Does anybody have any thoughts - or, hopefully, any other pictures of, or information - regarding 2nd ATF A-24s in New Guinea?

If so, my chief questions are:

1. Did these aircraft indeed have a black-and-white nose band? If so, can anyone provide any pictures (of A-24s or any other 2nd ATF aeroplane) with such a marking?

2. Could these aircraft have had a red band (or a band of any other colour) in front of the white tail section, as per the aircraft in the photo immediately below?

 

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance,

BB

 

[JWM]

On 10/19/2021 at 12:14 PM, Blimpyboy said:

Did these aircraft indeed have a black-and-white nose band?

For me on photo is all white, the lower part is darker due to shadow.

J-W

[jimmaas]

I would suggest doing both, since there is a chance they are the exact same aircraft.  The 1941 Maneuvers aircraft from the 27th BG were the ones sent to the Pacific, ending up in Australia with forward deployment in the NEI.  Some of these tired aircraft were left in Australia and ended up doing hack work.

[Magpie22]

G'day BB,

 

As Jim has stated, the first group of A-24-DE aircraft were from the 27th BG and came to Australia immediatly after the Louisiana war games. 52 aircraft had outer wing panels and enpennage removed and were loaded aboard SS Bloemfontein which docked in Brisbane on 21 December 1941. The aircraft were then trucked to RAAF Archerfield for assembly. They were originally intended to be sent to the Philippines but the rapid success there by the japanese negated this plan. The A-24s were reassigned to the ill fated Java campaign. Less than 20 returned to Australia. In February another 15 aircraft arrived and these, with the survivors, were allotted to equip the 8th BS of the 27th BG. On 31 March 1942 they moved up to 7 Mile Strip at Port Moresby in New Guinea. Their operations through April were escorted by the Kityhawks of No. 75 Sqn RAAF. The RAAF pilots had nothing but great admiration for the American aircrcrews in their outdated aircraft. Later, USAAF P-39 aircraft took over the escort duties. By the end of July, the squadron had been fought to a standstill and, with its few remaining aircraft, were evacuated to Australia. The few surviving A24-DE aircraft were assigned to observation, liaison, and communication duties and, as unit ''hacks'.

 

One of the first group of A-24-DE aircraft on arrival at RAAF Archerfield. The 27th BG inscription can be seen under the A/C number on the fin.

 

More Banshees awaiting assembly. I believe that these A/C are probably from the second group that arrived in February. Note the 'Navy style' rendering of the 

A/C serial on the fin.

 

  

A couple of aircraft, probably from the second group, shortly after assembly.

 

41-15766 was lost in late July 1942. The 'Navy style' rendering of the serial and the yellow(?) aircraft number are clearly visible.

 

 

 

The AWM shot you posted of 41-15801 was taken in February 1944, well after the exploits of the 8th BS operating out of Port Moresby. The aircraft had been assigned to a Liaison squadron by then. The shot below is a larger and, I think, clearer version of the one you posted. No. 4 Sqn did not move to New Guinea until November 1942 and White empennages weren't promulgated until August/September 1943. The photo shows a number of errors in the colour profile, particularly the serial, which is not stencilled but hand painted and, I believe, that the band on the cowling is painted on and not a reflection. I have not seen this band on any A24-DE of the 8th BS and I believe that it is peculiar to that particular aircraft or, to the Comunication Unit to which it belonged. If the aircraft had been painted accordance with the orders issued, it would also have had white leading edges on the outer wing panels added circa November 1943. 

 

Finally, the colour shot you posted is of an A-24B-DT, so the markings on it are irrelevant. These later, Tulsa built, aircraft, were produced in 1943, and were based on the SBD-5, whereas the earlier A-24-DE was based on the SBD-3. Most differences were internal equipment, but there are some noticable airframe differences, particularly around the front cowling. Not also the DF loop on the ventral fuselage. Below is another late war A-24B-DT.

 

Apologies for the long winded reply to your question, but I hope the above helps provide some answers.

 

Peter M

[iainpeden]

A random thought but could that band around the cowling actually be a strap of somekind?

[Blimpyboy]

On 10/21/2021 at 7:31 PM, Magpie22 said:

the first group of A-24-DE aircraft were from the 27th BG and came to Australia immediatly after the Louisiana war games.

 

Hey Maggie22!

 

Thank you very much for your detailed and most illuminating response. The information you provided answers questions I'd posted in two separate threads regarding the A-24 - the issue now is: do I try and buy another SBD/A-24 and do both (as suggested by Jim Maas)?

 

Your larger picture of 41-15801 is a cracker and certainly clears up the "is it glint or a coloured band of some sort?"

 

 

 

On 10/21/2021 at 7:31 PM, Magpie22 said:

the colour shot you posted is of an A-24B-DT

 

True - I posted that picture just to highlight the red fuselage band fronting the white tail surfaces.

Given your words about the black and white cowl band on 41-15801, I wonder if the red band on the A-24B is a different method of denoting a specific unit or flight.

 

 

To all who responded, thanks so much for taking the time to give my questions some thought.

 

じゃあね

BB

 

Edited October 23, 2021 by Blimpyboy