The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
This film was taken in late 1942 at '3 Mile' also known as Kila Kila Aerodrome and the home of the 89th attack Squadron (Douglas A-20s), 3rd Bomb Group, USAAF. The staff car is a 1940 Plymouth. Standing by the right front fender is Captain Robert 'Scout' Lauer, the Squadron armament officer. The pilot shown in the film is William J Beck. The aircraft, 40-109, named the 'Spook' was flown by Captain Ed Larner, before he became Commanding Officer of the 90th Squadron 3rd Bomb Group. He was killed on 30 April when a wing fell off his B-25 Mitchell while landing at Dobodura. The crew chief was Meredith Bryant. The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk taking off belonged to the 49th Fighter Group, USAAF; one of their squadrons was also located on 3 Mile. Take off started from the Port Moresby end of the field. Kila Kila hill can be seen in the background. According to official Army records, 40-109 crashed on take-off on January 26, 1942 [sic.] and the pilot, Lieutenant Williamson, was killed; the gunner returned to duty. Cause of the accident was a tire blow out on take-off. [Adapted from information supplied by Colonel W J Beck USAF (Rtd)]
The 9th Fighter Squadron USAAF camp at Dobodura. Flight line at Dobodura airfield. North American B25 Mitchell bomber landing at Dobodura. Harry Lidstrom standing beside Republic P47 Thunderbolt. Shot
Two unidentified men on bicycles pose in front of a United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24 D Liberator bomber, from 400th Squadron, of the 90th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, USAAF. This aircraft has
At Port Moresby wharf Australian soldiers take delivery of supplies, which they re-pack and load on to C-47 Dakota transport aircraft at Ward's Aerodrome. The transport planes take off and fly in sta
Fenton, NT. c. 1945. A Consolidated B24 Liberator Bomber aircraft of No. 319 Squadron, 90th Bombardment Group, US Army Air Force (USAAF) about to take off from the RAAF airfield. The crew of Aircraf
Activities of the members of No. 3 Squadron RAAF in the Middle East. Features No. 3 Squadron pilots and ground crew with their P-40 Kittyhawk aircraft. Official war photographers at work. A 25 Pounder
Two Caribou of No. 38 Squadron, Richmond and two Iroquois helicopters of 9 Squadron, Fairbairn, are flying into remote areas from first to last light delivering rice and fish. Food is flown into Mendi
