The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua. 20 July 1943. Four Spitfire VC aircraft of No. 79 Squadron RAAF at "immediate readiness", two with batteries plugged in for engine starting, on Vivigani airfield. Left to right: probably A58-185, code UP-D (RAF JK231), "Sir Harry & Lady Oakes III, a gift aircraft; A58-104, code UP-A (RAF EE564); A58-163, code UP-Q (RAF ER735); probably A58-175, code UP-Z (RAF JG796). Note pilot's flying helmet covering the gunsight, almost certainly with the radio-telephone and oxygen leads plugged in and parachute in position (in Up-Q), suggesting the aircraft is at "immediate readiness" in the event of an enemy aircraft alert and "scramble" to intercept.
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua. 20 July 1943. Five Spitfire Mk VC aircraft of No. 79 Squadron RAAF at "immediate readiness", two with batteries plugged in for engine starting, on Vi
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Group, Papua. 26 June 1943. 251414 Flight Lieutenant J. W. L. (John) Atkinson, Medical Officer, No. 79 Squadron RAAF, beside the Spitfire Mk Vc aircraft, A58-104, co
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Group, Papua. 26 June 1943. 403434 Flying Officer J. R. (Jim) Richards, GD Pilot, sitting on the 20mm Hispano cannon of a No. 79 Squadron RAAF Spitfire Mk Vc aircraf
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Group, Papua. 26 June 1943. 402719 Flying Officer (FO) A. H. (Peter) Birch (left), and 403434 FO J. R. (Jim) Richards, GD Pilots, beside one of their No. 79 Squadron
Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Group, Papua. 26 June 1943. Group portrait of No. 79 Squadron RAAF personnel beside the Spitfire Mk Vc aircraft, A58-104, code UP-A (RAF No. EE564), at "readiness" o
Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands, Papua. September 1943. Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc aircraft of No. 79 Squadron RAAF on "Standby" for scramble from the airfield. Two of the pilots on "Standby", identified:
