AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES

N! 6

CURTISS KITTYHAWK MR. I-IV

N I RAFmSAAFmRAAF=RNZAFmRCAFmNEIAF SERVICE

Mk. I..

N*. 16

Sauadron, RNZAF.

a8

abmva but with whlta rpinen, nett roundat dtmonrionr.

. .
Mk. Ill. No. 2 OTU. Mildura. New South Wales, RAAF. Crasn I brown upper rurfacc~, pslo blue undar #uttacer. A29-310.

Wath a d m t wwnw

en the wlng po~nl~ng the vvav a K~ftyhawk MB. tll 01 Mu. f t P '$mrk' Squelron tawlW cur Itom the dagerd area a t LG 91. Amtlyha, GA-F prubabty FRSOP

CURTISS KJTWHAWKMK.1- IV.

B1y i n 1940 Curbs Aviariou gosgtrr ta h p ~ m e ihe perfonname bf the srieces& Hawk BlA, the P-40 T w k , &ieh h d anjoyed s u b s ~ r i a lorders from 6btb the U.S. dad F r & pvemmmrs, by h e hsd14ri'bn ol a mori powerful Alfi9on V-17LQ-34 engine and aa ine&d a r t d f o u ~w k - m m t e d % h. machibe guns. f i w m rPd.e?ipn of the WIW of dlia new h r a f t r the Hawk ETA, slightly a&& the a E -, and the mrm v&s rn Kittyhawk, Xn May the %ti#*- , p h d an order f o r 568 ah& as & eI$h&wk h h k 1 , and uphen h 6 l ' S t w p k W a S was a h mdetsd fvr Lm on 23 May; 19q4 the USAM. It was $& 8 result of .m Apt&requirew n t far ht$w$ wamw Wt the ,=craft wais fimd wir& &x .5tlm. wmg gum, and rbis m d i % w i ~m:s n 8t price Wtid by the Btjtish, 540 of rht hitiaI oader b e * * sup lkd bi irichls Coitfiipa&n $k fhP Mark IA. Early i h IM! submtial b r l m n & c t w wwa ~ I W fw rfie ed t , inciudi W k I & for the R M , m h e d d e r L e a & L d funds. In the event? 15 af h s e mcrat were d&vered 'by surface mast o K& ReAF, W~tberswere sentto t i a e F a r & ~ f f w u s e ~ b p W md RmAF, fdowhg &e JIartaplrti m Allied

5A P d M s , ,a150 h w n as Maxk Ills. This W* was bYilr solely fm bswLcrrd, d l bw five k k ~&d initiauy t o romc s v n ig in d 1 e h r , rhough the m a ~ o r were ~ ~ phr ged to thc Fw East and m Runic. ~ h a u a h i l r sole& f a l e ~ r c - l t n da ILW fomd heir ~i hm the WSAAF. The f d produ* *.don .hc P 4 N , as a & i l &&n (d the a d t . It w w bfnit m kgpt m b w & M I qny @f the earlier m;odels, Pmd 586 of the main mdu& W1 with a revised 4f canqpy,.were suppie+ m the M P as i k M& lV3 semmg 111 I t a l y ,and WLrh &e A m , 2 e r a andDut&intheF~%Larl5eW~& qplied to Rhssia, this nation IEeieg a total o f2 8 % ' P 4 during ttre talthwh a small p a r t e m s af d m e were &e earher Tbmabvbl.

lm

*a

Kiwyhawk tn se?Viwe with the S.A,F.

suri=g mrnbe-

in Dccemkr W1. A ,numbs were dm M by fhe RdlF far dkii~erp to Ru&. $ a r t from &ly fen M e & the mawtg of the M s mxy~~wks were &linere$ r l i r e ~ tto the Miwe &?.As% c , d t o f the ~ ~ o r ~ e &arts wme made to w s t d a RalIs *c aimafh a d the next version t o produced, d e ~ fur d the t Y W as the P4F, was fitted with n Rckwbuilt Merlio V-1650-1. Mort were used by ihe fLnrchc@s, princi y Sn h e Mid& but 2 5 1 3 w m @ u c ~ I fur p" am-Lerld, I00 ming ,to R w i a the r&r kh$ ret&edr?d by ftu: U.S, or ~tpplrtd to the kxn& C$$e Iater pelbliqmoa on the P 4 WbhawU Rmwn in the IPAF a +c Xictyhawk. 1 1 , it bae s a t e d that t ~ n e o f rbe aimah went rnra servica wth h i s fom, bur in f b e ~ a few M#k 11s did fiDd tbcir wa imo idd die Enat uadrms summer ot 1 9 d
t&m?iqs

EdtXiZ

fmm Msus on 27& of that month; 112 Sqm&on wl~drew to similarly re-equip kfore the Turn sl the yearEmployed d w h g tbe fist part d 15142 as the W s main air suptrioritp fighter, the h r combsrs w ~ e fought by the A u s d i a m on New Pear's m y , whcn they chimed Qwr Ju 81s and a Bf 109 d-yed, oae qf a & prbhbiy aod four o r rbt 1 0 sof their ~ c ddesmyed e d ~ dam& f commanding of lit^. The tables were m d Bight L ~ s later, when HZ S q ~ johd h 3 R W at t h e front. On one mission the Augnalians were bounced by B f lW, losing r wo f their w h e r , and l a w i n Ihe d8y an airmft Df 112 S Lwdrgn was atso 5 h l down; no claims w e r e made by w ~ r r w e s ~ gilom t h A[ , b c end o f the ntanth a new sgudfon j~ined aperations for the first +a, +5 %ng 45Q (AusrsaIintn3 Sqmdron, a h flying

airc&

First unir in the Mid& Fsy w w h e R t t ~ b w k s Tw&awtr's for %we was 3 RAAF Squdmn,
bepirming-a

9te

KIVY+W~.

P40K hiw the next pmdnrdm wmm, and a rrtmrber d thtse w m supplied m the RC# late in lM2 for use in q k Alu~tWisarm* Where the type w a h emplayed by the USAAP. Tve~tywe were shipped t o Ehr W as thc Kiityhawk In, bttf tMw were s'oOD X o M b~

P ~ u r r i o n~l

pa-s

ant-,

U .

rtslm~ fihtera, ~ ~ O W W W , n i ~ and d -UWabie, the aircmfr was out-performed by tbei: *ling Messerdimitt B f BFMFs, w M used h i r h e w &w& ptrformm~t o sir a* the British , imaking diving atrada and &mbing away, avoding dog-fiphn whmqer p q blt. ~ Thtougbout t h e mmpafgn thtse farmid-

During the early mn&s d 1942 the K I t r y h W tlcw fighter sweeps, bomber exom and htereeprion ~@ssiw#, ftequmrly taking heavy d l of Axis dive-b&br~ and

:.

Ah*

B C m Mk. l in~llnaarid m m mmmfIqa

d l $

pilootedby a 9 of ' gyertgrmkycd piiaqroo*an t~,the~fitcyL%!on

a o ~ m & % % r n ~ w dsim. 0 & S WWC thogc 0n 14 aad 1s T$P& ~f F&ruw.i 1942 On the fww day, d&t Kinybwh Bf 3 Wk4F S~uacbn md 10 a f 112 S ~ d w n AIir m ,EL^- m * M ai*~t w r y pilot t n p plz forward a C M m , !he hsqlliw M M 200s and a M a & a& ibf w ZWa a d a 3 f IW.S&waJ dm& far p & b h d damaged wure dm madee Wem day I12 Swadmn W rn airoreft w Itx. Em&Xw&h MmeUc d E/JG 27 h the m m b &
a .st&?

b 2 6

mP&"& L
kdhydgh

-94 Sqwtl&wt&bff~'s?m& ~ l a n d i o sound. g 94 ~ q n d r a b h d-w p d r S~ha*,~ hnhg qrcs wry huw L u N r r m die txzmpa1gn whea f l m U i c m ~ e axrd , this was d l & &sf &oa, led by nmt vmwandiag * , $qnrLdE. E M. 'h t h i Miism,. W ~ U had . bcra t o p ~ W f r b& t o B t~ he&tLlbymh m r wk.one IOD? +Wn bg m ,Ow s s n m 27 ~ m , gt ~ t b e ~ t o t l ~ ~ tiwnrm&butthrs cp rWdownaadWMla~n &d thm N.QO. pilots of 94 Ssuadroa, aad badly

and in the 1mnmn 12

& Q w

from This wladmq

lhme was Kt* opm+KY fw a$ *'r"g a n d m k t d y , a f E W ~ e ~ - t o b e w~ i a 3 a -it~g hte d y ~ ~ T h t h s r ~ f ~ o n ? A p r arb F2 Eqhawlts o f 112 s u r p d 12 Fw % % taking h off fanm Rien 4 sbot down three-for tbe l m of twa. 5 0 0I b . bombs, dw support o f a vwy high w;fs afhded M the armies a d g ug t h z l w n b d , w$ though 112, m nrnd 3 R A M heit m h w k Iv., .nd 5 gave -dm h e i r ,#nghawk Ifis for the more d m

&,,Qerield

--

With the R.A.A.F. Wi+ the rapid faraw? a d . d r ha 2942, Australrarxl homeiaod &me la muym danger Bf lbvaM& and ie FebnmV 1942,25 m b w B XAr, rcI+ fmm the RArs +inirfal iamw~ & the bmnp Eormpd during Evlatcb ipfo 75 SquadEan around a splall nuckur of m e n d p i i o ~ wkbhm born the On 21 h h the q u a h dem m Port b y t o provide &r i rt o this potr &c gouth

~oastofNw~,~~vin8;tbedd~ofD

m e "" 9 P

t l r e ~ W e ~ x e m T ~ m ~ l ~ a n P

~ ~ h e y ~ t h t m ~ ~ r h e e m m p , ===%Ihe &Id on Nor& side of the W. T k 'whawh wixe int-rsd by the Mitabishi h 6 M

g of the was In the air Imtcf*-, am@ ctpting araid aaddahhg their,vi~tory,aady

~ , ~ r w o a f r h e u n u m b e f , b u t ~ g Ze~osshotdm.Bytheendof&efiattbreedaysse~ea o f the 1 7 E f q b w k s hud bem h t to or moxber. Dutin~ April the sqmlmn -ed U S A-24 Damova Lat, bdng be5ngdved ia stvml a ti&tswitI1~with~sanOnbsths~.Oa28Ap the ~ a w a t g, &m-LdrLdr J. p a f f k w led tbs last five savkeable &mdt r maW l 'tts eseortEd bomhrs, but bBth he and m t h t &t w m shot dow a n d k i 3 l e i l , w ~ e a W a ~ w a s lam. rwa squadrons .of P-39s o f U.S. 8rb EigttW Goup arrived t o r e * the A ,but ~ Q T ~d mme&ysw&aimaftasdlkgwiaPo.thtaiE acco1tl~*gtonmi85ioLISd0~9Maydyow aimaft was fit ro fly back r o fhc m i n I a n d , la U ~grwoaaySlater.fn#&ysOf~ttbt ma had sfiot down 18 m d destrqyed 17 on t k g r a d , ciabning four more probably demyed and 47 bwgcd E m a bs d 22 Erryhawh o f 3l reetiwd, ni~M in~at,fourmissing,~aathc~mdaix d b n t g ; 12 &3 w e ar d&b& Sqw-Ldr, G Jdaon*wha had &en m ~ & c his brother's d a had shot dowa four a i m & d F.a Piper Y. M h & two mom aqudmns bad k n formed, thcat bmg Mas. 76 and 77. .On 25 July, 75 and 7 6 Swadmm flew m Milne Bay, New Gslinea, an rn m danger of ia.vwh T h e h -&at w u m dQ II 4 A u w t when

--m e d

e m a h M af 76 d m n i n w e d a mid, Fl.-fir. A & W t h g d e w n=bmkr, but on lld 22 K i m

down. On 24tb

hawks born both s q hmvqhd 12 Z e w 2 hii ~ ~ h 8 w l l s f Q r r r c l a t m d f o u ~

and hadiap g a d e s d st contiworts swadmQs stt8iiq a d aen tht Japsmesr.mops a d u ~ & &asbnal air attacks were mcr, atrd on 27th fwr dive-bbers and m m s were shor d m but cia fbis day commadcr of 76 Squad-

an 'hvasbn b -a

-2zr

r a n , Sqn.-I&, P . +Tu&uX1, a * t a n o f the erashcd wad \qaa lulled W h h s-g. un 6 *mk, W y d u e t o l w v y t o s g e s i u i k d h y a u amathe rapeaese wirhdrew* ncva to remn, n~xr ,&y tbc &uyhnwks es&& the first oEensivd m i s h 0 a mb b m b Beauforts m d B c a The whn o f rht #rnyh*wk@irmg the bmsiwt was summed up by fbs
a d & " $

7Fy-&,E

; p *

was fql& at the f a r m c r p a s a , &a-y, u a w mC ammmd

&ace,'o ft k Fat

' -

ww1gs

i r~wr

mthpb " w h k e t ~ n h phs t h ! 1 1 . ~ 7 - @ ih. Y.$. 1 3 t h qqm m k 5th.Air F a r c e~ v m g opalred ody in a 9 ,is+ i&meaiate -r, ta .rat irurwid i n m am ~ @P ~ Ms g, -MY m i t h e m -s&rbg cm&kmbk 1 @ffpr rire

wZ%& ~~~

m-

%kyja&ed dt&n this period, b t rrtrrnpu were made f aM~erce ninht ~ %ombunrrtiminetix~ 6n 23 Nwanbw

m 1942, they providing the &is bf 14 S ~ W ~ ~ a du&& I l tp ~ f k ~ f 4.8W l ~S q w W MO had hst && i p k Im %h& r e m t h m d3c ,&st lwm lEttj%awW 'were m t c d to h e RNZkF, and b Jvae +4 of these k i d mi~ed, 15 & 16 Sq?&thaas being f~med,fdlml@ So OErabtr b 19 %lm~dr&~ %I this rnMIdz &st @bW pilots were Rat ows&wl 95 sqwdm~ptaking wm 23 m p w P a in paor a i h n fmm ~fieUS, && P I @ !lqwbm ~ m' h t s , for air d d u w &tie% X a April 194%14 Squedmn fItw ,th& d m e[rn$amb to 3aeror and t&csc wet# Ih%taken qtx ~ b 15 Scmdron. w k e . m m b h daubed wuh w M t -ition ~ICIB; the sqkbmn &i.a Q$&V U3, P-3h d F-40~us@ a@ and T$iFsl W X I S and EMa On 3 Jmc, IMs, m u r e $B a
WI*

we%

--

B"r),

Bd-C taxying our to the fidd ~

operarrng cmd~uans on Daserrtand~na Grounds. LG 91.Amr1yhe. Egvpt. 194Z

t b~llow~ng h cJaudsof dusr b e l n ~ whipped up by the airscrew, ly&i$ (PhotosIWM)

squadraE*i Of wegm lgit chmwid were equippea with these & c & , the 6 . w e r a Wug dwpatched at sne to assist the U.S- f m io Alaska a d the & u h s , w h m for seeeral mnrbs parding d -8 EI&SbRS flQWLon 25 sw-, 1%
Mencb

by l.llJ2.P. h m & . d umu. Q l u b Kittyhawks remained h the area until the la se wirbdrew from i n Auslgr W , & ? r e t o qmd~
With She Netherlands Ea8t InAir Force

p wae d q m , on by Gqn.-+ K A. Boamsr 111 Squadmn, bein t k anty vmnrg of the

shot
t h P 3

11 K i t q h w b & ~4 and 111 Squab -ed sirt U.5. P a p i 11 P-3+ *to d t F e rrymse Mse on KEska. &is o n two RU& f i D t p W

P ~ O EQf St k N~+$sn;ds East Indies thir Forcc who esraped t o A u s m b m 3942 f o r m e d s w d squmhm, opersthg imder BA.A,F. mynmd, a ? + ant-of chtsc, 124 Sqyadfop, was farmed dmmg 1943 wtb I b w h a w I c a T h e umt ankhtHy strvcd om homt defence d u b in the Ma&-Westem Territories, bur i n mid 1845 twk pan i opemuons o v a the East X & k in company &th AWrahawk unitsg flying s p f m g aad bornmissunr. $tr the aw, rt. squadma was bared on Java, flying alm&de Dutch Mwtapg liaira, and t d p m in sePeral actions aphn lndon&n naWEsr g u d h , the last ham cg~tianalmlrrioqr 8 0 by Qrtiss a i r e d . In 1949 c sqrltldron was lust Ixaglnalag m reequip with M u m when the Dut& mowd out d indmesia, and all d n h g were handed m the new Rtpubli~.The subscqueat fate of the temahhg &raft i uncertain

With the Ausslrma SO~E 2 3 W KStt~tiawksaf V-s models SUP plied to the % k t Won, bur little L known d & e u use by this mmw. W d g , W e tbe British d M~,T?JeR~~Sia3~~preftrtbRBlrotheB P-24 a m b r a , -sidering rhat theg d5d not a b s d battle e ds wdl as ttbe larter, have h stme
pnrpeh with rwrd to mmlaxn-t. It #a M k d t h maW were far &mad mhhs but swne were supplied ro the *kt Eaavy and Born on rhe North Russian f m t . T h e 8 a f m unit, WE&h d p fflawn I-16s, h3iG 3s s d Hunhmp, opera& &mairEFafr for same *the, BRd-s~vkdp e t s &a% a n u of starcesscs wrb rbe Krwh~wks, mdu&ng: S m i m L t Nibhi P a r d & Rtpznetsov, who d e d the war Rrith 36 vktorks. At Itmt w e R , m K i ~ h w k was caph m by P i fo=* and rhis, a d e d KB-51, was issued to Finnish f&m squadron EEL& 3 2 , to operare dongside the , e f s Cuds Hayk %As,. and thtlee captured 3% the latter m rbe h & speed, low h e 1 mmnalssmw

or

&.

Bomb rack de~alla250 lb with extendad fuse.

were supplied to rhe +CAR by mwe Iatu, and isjx home

Mq. 11 2 Sqquadmn Mk. la's at Sidl I-lgnaish. 14th APdl lM2. {R. A. B ' i I

une-up pf

.*,*: p*<,T
!.
I

~
T .
7
h.--

r'

-c % y..---:;

- .

- -- . --AI

?,*w#

hC

t . .

-'

. 7

,."

Detail shot bnnyvvaa,. ..,..* .-..-, camera gun and bor

A complere rudder and th%remalns broughr back by Ftt LL Bfuetr from a strafing op. No. 1 12 Sauadron.

GA-0. FRBBO damagrd by flak

Messtna.

quad!

Abaw Line-up of No. 772 'Shark' (via R. A ffiownj ltning W, lor take-off.

. .

- ..

->---

-..

--.-".-... ....., ..Y..3

w

(wr d A. Brown)

-.-,--..-...*.

,.uw

. I rqu

u v uvlltln uurwi I u 5 8 1 a ~

ana

* 4U ID

250 Ib b a m h taxyrng aut for take-of1 on an arrf~eld In it&. No. 112 Squadron. (IWM]

#&ht tin*-* af % h a r k m ~ ~ ~ ' . w&t yr$& ha$ panels. Brindis~La, SPteptbbr 1943. ElWbf)

~d[xw Line-# of

h~wb W 3 , k3mW *una dwb dftar the prHs p h o t W ~ k > h a d duly rakecan the gwatiron d b ~ OW& d the t r ~ m lm ZD, thm mils8 d ~ d & a

NO. 26Q *uadfOn aW-

:-. 1
,
I;:.

F -

.. A

"1.

-.

'-

-4
d
&/OW

Above

a imbed up Mk. la's of No. 3 RAAF Squadron on a desert landing ground.

Mk. la's of Nos. 3 and 450 RAAF Squadrons raxylng out for rake-off on bombing op.

7I

(Aususlren War Memmi/)

{Austre/,eo WatMr...-.st]

Above and h-l-a*, surfaces. W?

.,. ,,MF 11 pin.. ,...erne but wrlh Ature blue under '-:.up of No. 3 RAAF FKtyhawk,. . . ~ t cCi , r d wheel d ~ s A c l l afc w ~ t h Iull span v e l l 6 ~ lced~ng d y e strlpes. (Photos IWM)

,-.,

Lafi Mk. Ill. Mo. 3 R M f %u&amAZ#m Ttlp&tanle. $w mldlrr illustmtmn fw part srUe W a ~ ~ fvre s . R. C: JW)

S d w Mk Ill's d NO. 4& WAF squadron m . m airfieid 8n Malta,

{AWMJ

>AbaueKrttvhrtwksof arkher Mo. 775 01 76 Sqdn. at Mrtna Bay. Mew Gurnee, July 1942- Greenlbrown umeq. pale blue undem. R~dfwhitetbjut toundsls and fh M h . (IWrwJ

Rghr Mk. la. A29-96 01 No. 75 Sqdn R M F at M ~ l w Bay 7942. IU was 7 K s COde at thrs d m wbsequently changed lo E k 'U-Buie' on cowl. greenlbrdwn ~ W W S , pal% Mue undera AZ9-45 Peter* Revenge' in drsiance. ( A W N

Ahom 'Sharkmouthcd' Mk. la. A29-83 a1 Mu 1 OTU, Ean Sale. Vlc~or~a. see colour ~llus!ra~~on.

Iwe Frank F,

SmrthJ

Rwhr Mk. Ir. 428-310 o l Na 2 OTU. M~lduta. N w Sauth Walaa. ( v t 8 Frank F. $n;nrlt)r)

RrgAr 'Mk. Ilt. Na. 2 OTU, Mllduta. 1BsYr.'Bre metal and OD w . fum Fmnk h SmitPr)

Squadton

MF~. 1. N*. 2550 ' Sudan ' Sqmdmn, No, 239 Wln& RAF. Dwerl Air Form. 1942. Flqwn hy Sqdn.-Ldt. ) 9 , T. Judd, , OC. AK4IJI.

2 Mk. I, No. 250 ' Sudan1 S uadran, No. 239-~ing, RAF, Dertrr Alr Force, lstp sutnrner 1 W 2 . F I w ~ by P/O, I. L . ~ k d l v .AAK846,

Nm.210 .Ldnml iswv,4 ", N ; , Mt, by FI.-Lt. 0. H . C l a r k B Hiah* Command~r.

I

RAF, Dew,

*it

Fume,

flbcu. hnhl., March 19Mm Flown FR3 t 3.

~ k Ill, . NI. 160 Wsdmr, Ha 23s Wing. RAT.

i Mk. 111.

No.

210 Squadton, No. 233 Wing, W.

Desert

All Force. FRl ZZ.

MI.-It.

[-;@-,(- ;; -:
-

\
RAF, Dsrkrt d

L k , Ill, No. 112

Pachinp/Agnosa, Sicily. JuIy 1943.

ha*' SqEdron,
I

PI.. 239 Wag. KAF.

D&rt

Air

n by at.-Lt.

M . N. Marthias

Mk. ill, no. I in *shark ~ ~ ~ d fhw* ~ ~ , by, Sgdn.-'-dr. , P* F.

3

lilingw

S q u a h n OC, FR864.

Padms/Agm~ne, Sicily. l u l ~Aug. f 1943.

I I

Mlc. la. Nu. Z 'Ftying Chetah ' Sqlpdmn, SAAP, No. 263 Wing, RAF. Des F l m by Maj. D. 6. HauptfJefssh, AFC. Sqwdton OC. Serial unknpwa.

2 Mk. HI, #a. Z ' Ftyjng Chwtrh * squadm, S ~ A P , TIMm Desert Air Farw, 10QZ. unknown.

Maj. 0. 8 . HauMftaineh, AFC, Sqmdron BC.

h k , I V , probably No, 2 OTU Watarkleef, Snuth AF

. C

D 1 Mk, Is. No. 3 Sq~rdmn. RAAF. No. Z39 Wing, WF, Desert Air Fore+. ET9gj.

kt. la, No.

450 Squadron, RAAF, No. 239 Wing, RAF. Desert Alr Farce. Serlal unkmrwn.

:3, a , ,w*. q p & p p d ~ * . & *kL* r * . mr*d,

.,

"
--

Ha-

Mt. la.

Me, 1 OTU, RAAF, East Sale. Victorin. Aueralia. A29-83.

1 Mk. Ill, No. 76 Squadron, RAAF. Swial u n k n w r

LAAF. A19-113& Labvan. I.. B e r m ,

lw.

Mk. I l l . No. 77 Squadmn, RAAF. Serial unknwn.

' torpertop

Mk. IV, NQ.78 Squadme, R M f . Wmfow, Dutch Nsw 4urnea. kZs874. ' Hot S u l f l '.

5 Mk, 1Y. No. 80 Squedwn, W F . MorotaI, 1944. AZ&552.

I
6 Mk. IV, No. 82 Squadron. RAAF. M u e n I,, Bovneo, 1944. A29-844,

1 Mk. lm. No. 14 Squadron, RNZAF. 3skial unknown.

Mk. 111, No. 15 Squadron, RHZAF. Solomons, 1943. Serial unknown.

Gk. IV. mrobably No. 18 Squadron, RNZAF. NX3255.

Mk, IV, probably No. 19 Squadron, RNZAF.

Mk. IV, NQ. 19 Xquadmn. RNZAF. Guadnlcanal. 1944 ' f ,ma Lee NZ3287.

'.

t
1 ~ k IV, . No. 110 Squadron. Netherlands East
Snafu November 1944.

'.

Mk, IV. No. 120 Squadron. N e t M a n d s E d Indie* Air F s m . Msrauke. Dutch (NW Guinea, November 1944.

Mk. IV, No. IZQSquadmn. NElAF. ~robsbly at. Bilk,

1944, ' t s q the Injum:

Mk. 1, No. 11 1

Squrbn, R C A F . Patikla B q , Litish Cdombia. Wmtem Air Caminand, 1941. AKZO6.

Mk. In, No. 1 t8 Squadrpn, RCAF, Spa Island. Brltth Colombra, 1941-43.

$nit vnknown. 719.

' Vnncmuvor IX

'. RCAF.

Mk. 111, + t a n by Sanlor M. Nokehl Ku=netwv, Sovht Naval A3t S~rvler.

Line+upof Mk: IVsd Me. 75 S q u a d m . farrrkm ,lsl$nd, name ~n m a t s~rwaft r s 'Dororhy E ' . serial unknowri. OD and Qrm $elkme with white tail UniE NotG gaute Jf

lam

&@ Gedff, f . t l r m .

srorartro8rd haw. m ~ gm . u6rt staa PMM an aeM abowa pum. f~ fimt~-&tbj

m r aw q ww r b 4 ~ Q W a o m (tiy 76 Sqo&lm~~. Bat and

I )

#e!owAZ9-361 .SV-Y of No 76 Squad. ran. a Mk. 111 rn areenlkmwn and pale blue scheme. (AEMI

--u

Rdow Llne-u 01 M k Ill'$# No. 78 Squadron A ~ A F . hrtwlna ~ i t l p , Kiriwina Island. Solomon Sm. July 1943, Nofs grewnlbrown uppels pale blue under~,(A W M )

, &t

Mk 111, ~29-367 QT NO. 78 q w d f R#$ tanding on UivIgsfil Strfp. GeodmWR! ktmd in fha S~lemon SeB 1941

" 'F;":.
A

- . - ; - w ~ . q
' I

bx2

I : - 6
,ou

*
-

,Sh;p,
%,
,

:p

"A'

.@+d:;
I t .

/.".

\*, -

+3.

#&wt

B B metal ~ M& IV of No. 78 Squatlmn. h t s i w siruafi.t.ta land oil lsemiri Mp. M d o r . tAWMl

Above & right Neatfomtation by NO. 80 Squadron. BU-& In dark grsenl

gtey scheme, other sireraft in OD1 gtey scheme. BU-B with red tlp t a bpjnner, 'Cleopaua I1I' In red out-

Hnsd whtk {Allphola~ RMF VMB. P8ltim)

oode LB-, Note variation In s~zeand 'wsitions OF muntlala, all slrcmft virth darX gren ppetches afong

'Below Mk. IV's of No. 84 Squadron.

find tail

teading and ttaiIIng edge af wings plane and on fin and ruddr on etandard US&F OD/ qrm schema LB-K probably A29c 6lB. (AWMI

Top No. 82 Squadron drspersal area on Csbuan slffleld. No ,orneo. Nu18 redlwh~te checks on f ~ , .,, .,,der F&R In distance. Alsp note large and sm3ll rtlundels on nearesl: arrcraft, lAWMl Cmrre Rare metal Mk,IV. No 82 S ~ ~ a d r o AP9-626, n. code and ser~atIn black. Labuan. (vre 8 E . C Oarby)

and bare metal Mk IVcodsd

Below Bare metal Mk. IV. A29-1193.00 mtr-alate uanel Unrt unknown. /v/a F. Smith)

+:.

pxt!

'a: ,I
Ahma & I&

.. I

.,

.:. . _

I,

Mk. IVs on a New b a -

I!

Above Wlth a Hudson actlng as navigator Mk. IV's head out over the see for the rstsnds. OD end grey scheme. red/whltelblue roundsla on fuselage. ('Wm)

Below Mk. ill'^ of No. 16 Squadron. RNZAF. Solmom. 1863 Graen/brown uppars, pale blua undarr, (IWM)

Left Poor pho:ograph. bul apan

from The combat damage. bnteresrlng as ~ts h m s the tmv IEC cenrrelrr the loundel, rd% C Darbyj

Below Vic of Mk. IV's 01 an unknown squadron taking off. Redlwh~telblue roundcls. (vra d E . C Darbd

MZ 3118, Mk. It1 i n OD and grey finish, note bluelwhtt%,'blua under wtng roundel. (vie R. C. Jones)

Above Mr. la'@of No. I1 1 SQua&an* R W , Wtwfttrh #C Gommnd, $qua&# and kncharage, BjE - c ~ d euaw 1 1-41 to r 2 4 3 . fWM>

operated !tam h a tslmd. Patrida Bay. 8$.,

adow (a ~ u m s Hk, ) Ha of No. 118 Squadron, RCAF.WhwI disc m RE-C L l u e w f e w tllneil red.

{Ph~tos PCpj

Abnve M#, la in aandarrt grebnlhr when sqdn. codes were discontln

uppe~s, paleblua u o d e f ~ NO& . tna{wnite{btue roundels on wings, rnom promoly mpen arrer uct.

IUW

'or aetunty reasons

.-

.-

-.

A h v e Mk. la, serfat unknbwn. talihg &fmm P a t r i ~ a & y .

Mare Una-@ 01 Mk, le*.

&rlg

relue~Had at Pauide

Bay. 20.11,U.

A~rmft neaten camera AK 905.

LsH Mk la 'Vanowlvar IX' C 729. %E co1ou

Iltusnation for pwt rlde detailk RCAF.
f & k T

M. Bmwsj

R i ' f Mk i.a.1009. Black F-ah of roundel port~lnd srbd. RCAF. (vra P. W. Mmurd)

Below lefr Mk. la. 1073 In RAF Wart scheme. ( P e w M. 6 0 ~ 8 )

E e / p w ~ Mk. ~ h la, ~ serilrl,unknown wlth *blacKPN, on wwl, fhia particular Klttyhawk surrtkad t h a w a ~ and is prawnfly b ~ n g rirstor6d by G. A. M a w ,

FG. Al

WadJ

Rqht Mk, IV, 867. m bar6 I !lmh. O D ant glare panel and fin, See cover ~llustrenon, Unrt unknown. (Parer M. B O ~ B I S J

h / o w Mk. ta

In

bare map1 flnlsh. 1078 In black.

Wava and blew

Staneard RAF em md even d 6 e n aohamm. 'agpfiorbl~to ell dasnrr namauflaeed airnett wlth mlnoF panam ve2iatlvnt:

under surface ~aundel a3 iram 184%

Medurn add pala blue M far coda.

Eb RAAF. unpar surfs? derutlk m d a r sudwtea ldan%lcel.

9aqorr Pink schema.

wttom, inridsfronr

mver.

uppar surlacs dmlallt. dark w r e n on OD. MX. IV. l o . BP Soda RAAF.

~ 1 . 2 .uppnr ~ s ~ r r a dslaii% t~ under f l l r f a m identicnl. NO. Im Sqdn. N E I ~ F .

I\
Par#nnal Inslgnla and

under aurfacsa identlaal. No. 120 Sqdn. NEIaF.

All rtrlper a n thlnlv ourliral wllh dark red. Blaeh 1 9 pork and stbd Feunh down. Inslde lroer couar. uppm awrmce dofatlb. undar surhcm rouedn m uww. Mk. In. No. 1%Sqdn. RNZAF

a 6 ML. 1V. NEIAf

porn wmr. O8anoa centre to roundel. undmr r u r l r u r IdantIomL

ne ~

~ 6 rrn61.h 1 . AF. Uppar rurlace daalls, b d o w unPer rudmua drtall ahowlnu vnllnw autnr wIng.

ruaatsss wlth yallow outer rle Undar uurlburn Idantlwl.

Mica shot of four Mk 1Ws of No. 120 Squadron. N~Iherlsnds East Ifidlag Alf ICE See colour illusIration. h t w s on fm (virr d H, K m ~ h u i s )

an Memuke aifield. Dutch NEWGuinea. Wore aerial *5#,

..C_i.

semi sryle. repealed sn dmp tank.

- -

h A u l l e [V'hr#Jq wr i$ &p-$+.alpt& fG.'H K B I ? @ M ~

.BX t&&auk AthIW~thls'@ntawes Eaken

-

had ordy rmentbbaenpintal an fin m d r u in~white.

F::
"'

>-,
"

.;

A,..

'

-,n ,

Mk. tY of Ma 120 Squadmrt. 1IIElAF. Note W e rh v ,Wrlpainmd whit= thla rnar*krl( f o r stmn~imd"5~lly. a & w e the WM~ b&ds MUH wd w g s . fwa Fmmk E 8.mi1Irf

w~

,,,

Mk W of ko. 1224 Q u a d m h n g Py)me

and w~ng bands and w h i p rudder. our ~ I W a l i e h fwl G , M KmW'ldsI

'Itry the Injun' after forced landrng at Merauka, Dutch New Gu~nee.MIL lyls were flown by bath Dutch and Amer~can pilots which accwnls Qr the very Amer~can nemes of same of !he R~ltyhawkr (vre LF. H.Kamphuis)

Bare matat Mk. IV, pan war, see 1llus1ration. fvr# G,HL UumDhu~sj

h C3-526 m of No. I 2 0 Wuadton. NEIAF, note new rudder and prck-up truck. (via 6 H. Xentpnuis)

AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES

No. 6

Mk. IV. A 2 9 4 2 9 'Cleopatre lli' tlown by wtng Commander G. C. Athercon, OC No. 80 Squadron. WAF.

ACKNOWLEOGMEMTS

illustrated &
Richard Ward
Text by

by

Christopher F. Shores

Without the help of many friends this mctorial sunrev of the Kimhawk. the first real lighter-bomber o f the first ~ l l i P d Tactical 6ir Force. the Desert Air Force. could not have been published. My thanks ro all who helped whose names are listed below in alphabetical order: A Blake, Peter M. Bowers. R. A. Brown, d'E. C. Darby. J. F. Golding. Imperial War Museum. R. C. Jones, IPMS. G. H. Kamphuis. S. Kostenuk, W. 6. Klepacki. D. W. Menard. 0. Pattison, Eino Ritaranta, Frank F. Smith. R. Tester. Australian War Memorial, Roval Canadian Air Force. Roval New Zealand Air Force. south African Air Force. united States Navy.

Mk, IV. Royal Austrelren Air Fares, ~28-1193 in bare metal finl~h.black spinner, narrow OD anti glare panel

PubIiahed by : Osprey Publications Lim'ted, England

EaYtoriaI Of6w: P.O. Bax 6. C w ntcrbury.

& England a#,

Sc~hr&riorr8i Busifless O f h : P.0. Box 35.707 Oxford Fwd. Reading, Berkhite. England