The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Pilot, Flight Sergeant Tim Forneau of Hawkers Bay, New Zealand, standing on a muddy tyre of his Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk fighter bomber aircraft. He is a member of the 'Desert Harassers', No 450 Squadron, RAAF, which operated in the Middle East, Sicily and Italy during the Second World War. This aircraft is loaded up with two 250 pound bombs and has been decorated with nose art depicting a boxing kangaroo. It has also been named 'Pete' (visible underneath the windscreen). Judging from the mud encrusted tyres, it would appear that the squadron is operating from a rough forward airfield. Another bombed up P40 is visible in the background.
Ground crew personnel of No 450 Squadron (Sqn), RAAF, at work on a Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft at Grottalgie airfield. Known as the 'Desert Harassers', 450 Sqn served in the Middle East, Sicily and
Cutella, Italy, 1944-04. Flight Sergeant Kelvin Hayes RAAF, who flew with No. 250 Squadron RAF, sitting on the wheel of his Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft. The aircraft has been covered for the night
Kairouan, Tunisia. c. 19 April 1943. "Scramble" signal has been given and Pilot Norm Caldwell of the Desert Harassers No. 450 Squadron RAAF has climbed into his Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft and is r
Kairouan, Tunisia. c. April 1943. Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft, code OK, of the Desert Harassers No. 450 Squadron RAAF lined up preparatory to an operation.
Malta. c. July 1943. Armourers of No. 450 or No. 3 Squadron RAAF bombing up a Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft for operations over Sicily.
Malta. c. July 1943. A Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk aircraft of No. 3 Squadron RAAF being bombed up in preparation for further operations over Sicily.
