The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Pilot Officer (PO) John S (Jack) Archer and Sergeant J L (Les) Coulston, both from Melbourne, Vic, seated in No. 4 Squadron, RAAF, Wirraway A20-103. On 26 December 1942 this crew was flying A20-103 on a tactical reconnaissance over a Japanese ship wrecked off Gona when they sighted an enemy Zero 1000 feet below. Taking advantage of his position Archer dived on the Zero firing a long burst with his two Browning .303 inch guns and as he pulled away the enemy aircraft was seen to crash into the sea. PO Archer later stated that he had acted on impulse and was lucky to get in an effective first burst. Wirraway A20-103 is now in the Australian War Memorial Collection.
CA5 Wirraway Mk II single engined, two seat low wing monoplane general purpose aircraft with tubular steel framed and fabric covered fuselage and aluminium wings. Type information: Crew: two; Power p
Informal portrait of Pilot Officer (PO) John S (Jack) Archer, No. 4 Squadron, RAAF, shaving. On 26 December 1942 PO Archer, with his observer Sergeant J L (Les) Coulston, both from Melbourne, Vic, wer
Pilot Officer (PO) John S (Jack) Archer seated in the cockpit of No. 4 Squadron, RAAF, Wirraway A20-103. On 26 December 1942 PO Archer, with his observer Sergeant J L (Les) Coulston, both from Melbour
Pilot Officer (PO) John S (Jack) Archer and Sergeant J L (Les) Coulston, both of Melbourne, Vic, standing in front of Wirraway, A20-103 aircraft of No. 4 Squadron, RAAF. On 26 December 1942 this crew
Berry Airfield. Wirraway A20-103 from No. 4 Squadron, RAAF, parked on the ground at the Berry (Bomana) airfield. This aircraft was flown by Pilot Officer (PO) John S (Jack) Archer, with his observer S
Popondetta, Papua, 1942-12-12. Two RAAF Wirraway aircraft stand on the grass shortly after landing close together at Popondetta airstrip. Before Wirraway A2-103 (left) had come to a complete stop, its
Two Wirraway aircraft of No. 4 Squadron, RAAF, in mirror formation over the Causeway. A20-160 was subsequently shot down by ground fire whilst on a tactical reconnaissance mission over Buna, New Guine
