W/Cdr Clive Caldwell and Pilots of No. 1 Fighter Wing RAAF
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W/Cdr Clive Caldwell (middle) posing with a group of pilots of No. 1 Fighter Wing RAAF. The photograph has been taken during 1943, at the time when the wing was engaged in the defence of Darwin, but the exact location or unit could not be established.
Upon his return to Australia from North Africa, Caldwell was already the highest scoring pilot of the RAAF and the most experienced Australian fighter commander. Leading the effective defence of Darwin between January and August 1943, Caldwell raised his tally to 28.5 aircraft destroyed, securing his position as the top Australian fighter ace of the entire war.
The dark coloring of the aircraft behind the group which seems to extend to its lower surfaces is intriguing. [National Library of Australia]
Labels: people, Spitfire Mk. V
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posted by
Tango India Mike on 25-Oct-2007 17:59:00
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Not 54 Sqn, as these boys are definitely Australian, so that leaves either 452 or 457 Sqn. Identifying some of the faces would be a big help.
ALL Mk Vc Spitfires supplied to Australia were, without exception, fitted with De Havilland Hydromatic propellers. The darkish undersides could well be Azure Blue as many aircraft were received in desert camouflage. Most of these a/c were repainted in RAAF colours on their upper surfaces - Foliage Green and Earth Brown - and this was frequently extended to cover the bulk of the Vokes filter, as seen here.