ADF-SERIALS
 Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A47 North American B-25D & B-25J Mitchell

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B-25D Mitchell A47-19/KO-G 2 Squadron, c.1944 via Mike Mirkovic.
     
 

North American B-25 Mitchell Image Gallery

  
     
RAAF Serial Aircraft Type USAAF Serial NEIAF Serial Sqn Code Mission Tally Aircraft History
A47-1 B-25D 42-87607 N5-183 KO-Q 37 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-183.
26/04/44 2 AD.
05/06/44 2 AP.
28/06/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-Q.
18/07/44 14 ARD.
26/07/44 2 Sqn.
03/09/45 3 AD.
07/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/05/50 Sold by DAP.

  Highlight for Album: B-25D Mitchell A47-1

A47-2 B-25D 43-3422 N5-187 KO-Z 32 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-187.
27/04/44 2 AD.
26/06/44 2 AP.
07/07/44 14 ARD for repair and engine change.
06/08/44 2 Sqn KO-Z "Stormbird" or "Stinka" in olive drab over neutral grey (profile in Wilson p.88).
26/12/44 Severely damaged when crashed on landing at Hughes Airstrip NT.
29/12/44 18 RSU.
06/02/45 Converted to components.
A47-3 B-25D 43-3423 N5-181  KO-Y 24 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-181.
26/04/44 2 AD.
18/06/44 2 Sqn. Later stripped to a bare metal finish.
22/09/44 Crashed into the sea off Manatuto North Timor during an aggressive strafing attack on a Japanese barge. Whilst pulling out of a dive, the Mitchell was seen to high speed stall then flick to starboard and crash into the sea with no survivors.

The crew were FLGOFF A.W. Slater 414849; FLGOFF M.S. Millett 426641; FLGOFF J.F. Daggett 434341; FLGOFF B.A. Wisniewski 423966; FSGT K.R. Philipson 429669; SGT D.A. Harberger 435448.
A47-4 B-25D 43-3424 N5-189 Nil Nil 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-189.
26/04/44 2 AD.
13/12/44 14 ARD.
13/06/45 2 Sqn.
02/01/45 14 ARD.
27/03/46 12 ARD Stored.
02/12/46 Converted to components.
A47-5 B-25D 43-3426 N5-192  KO-N
 
38 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-192.
22/04/44 2 AD.
20/05/44 2 Sqn.
27/12/44. 18 RSU for 240 hour service and engine change.
06/02/45 2 Sqn.
27/09/45 18 RSU.
08/10/45 2 Sqn.
01/01/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/05/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25D Mitchell A47-6 KO-N Photo RAAF via Kas Grigonis

A47-6 B-25D 43-3427 N5-193 KO-P 22 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-193.
26/04/44 2 AD.
03/06/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-P.
02/09/44 Crashed into sea and disintegrated 5 miles off Perron Island whilst searching for the crew of A47-12.
A47-7 B-25D 43-3607 N5-194 KO-S 45 22/04/4 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-194.
26/04/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-S.
23/07/44 4 RSU.
20/07/44 Aircraft struck mast of a Japanese ship with the starboard mainframe during an air strike.
23/07/44 4 RSU.
10/08/44 2 Sqn.
01/09/44 Damaged by anti-aircraft fire during a shipping recon.
04/09/44 14 ARD.
11/09/44 2 Sqn.
27/12/44 18 RSU.
16/02/45 2 Sqn.
04/09/45 Port engine failure.
17/12/45 3 AD.
01/10/46 Stored.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

 B-25D Mitchells A47-7/KO-S and A47-16/KO-L 2 Squadron Hughes Field c.1944 via Mike Mirkovic
A47-8 B-25D 43-3613 N5-195  KO-E 10 22/04/44 B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-195.
27/04/44 2 AD.
14/07/44 14 ARD.
18/07/44 2 Sqn. Hughes Airstrip NT.
01/09/44 Damaged by anti-aircraft fire.
04/09/44 14 ARD for repair.
04/10/44 2 Sqn.
06/11/44 Shot down by 40mm anti-aircraft fire during a 4 aircraft formation attack on Japanese barges 5 miles SW of Atapoepoel near Timor.

Dean Norman notes "On an anti shipping sweep around the Timor, Alor and Wetar Islands, FLTLT Selway, with FLGOFF Dave McQuoid in A47-14 and leading, came in over land to attack and strafe some barges. During the attack FLTLT Selway"s aircraft was hit in the starboard engine by anti-aircraft fire and attempted to pull up, but rolled right into a steep dive and knifed straight in. A sweep for survivors was made for some time but no survivors were found".

The Crew were FLTLT J.H. Selway 403381; PLTOFF H.B. Worman 417438; FLGOFF A.E. Pott 405932; WOFF J.F. Storman 415057; WOFF A.E. Hawkins 418837; FSGT R.C Palfreyman 436941.
A47-9 B-25D 43-3621 N5-196  KO-V 33 22/04/44 B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-196.
24/04/44 2 AD.
22/05/44 2 Sqn.
20/08/44 Damaged by machine gun fire.
25/08/44 14 ARD.
09/09/44 2 Sqn.
30/09/44 18 RSU.
12/11/44 2 Sqn.
26/12/44 Crashed on take-off at Hughes airstrip and destroyed by bomb explosions.
A47-10 B-25D 43-3623 N5-197  KO-W 43 22/04/44 B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-197.
26/04/44 2 AD.
20/05/44 2 Sqn.
12/06/44 14 ARD.
16/06/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-W.
27/08/44 Holed in port stabiliser by Japanese anti-aircraft fire whilst bombing Langoer airstrip Kaw Islands.
28/08/44 14 ARD for repair.
07/09/44 2 Sqn.
13/10/44 Damaged in fuselage by Japanese aircraft attack.
18/10/44 14 ARD for repair.
26/11/44 2 Sqn.
11/06/45 7 RSU for double engine change.
30/08/45 2 Sqn.
22/04/45 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
29/10/49 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-11 B-25D 43-3624 N5-198 KO-C 30 22/04/44 B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-198.
27/04/44 2 AD.
06/07/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-C "Petunia", probably replaced A47-17.
Later stripped to a bare metal finish.
05/12/44 Hit in fuselage and starboard engine by Japanese anti-aircraft fire near Lago Island.
Aircraft crashed landed at Bathurst Island Mission airstrip.
22/12/44 18 RSU.
23/01/45 Converted to components.

B-25D Mitchell A47-11/KO-C 2 Squadron, c.1945, via Mike Mirkovic.B-25D Mitchell A47-11/KO-C. 2 Squadron, crashed Bathurst Is., 8 Dec 1944, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-12 B-25D 43-3625 N5-199  KO-B 13 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-199.
27/04/44 2 AD.
12/06/44 2 Sqn.
02/09/44 Ditched due to fuel shortage in water off Perron Island that was so shallow the Mitchell was exposed at low tide.
A47-13 B-25D 43-3626 N5-200  KO-D 19 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-200.
27/04/44 2 AD.
03/06/44 2 Sqn.
06/08/44 Bomb hung up when practicing medium level bombing at J Range.
The bombs were then salvoed but exploded beneath the aircraft which caught fire and crash landed.
12/08/44 8 CRD for conversion to components.
A47-14 B-25D 43-3766 N5-201 KO-F 44 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-201.
26/04/44 2 AD.
27/05/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-F.
19/08/44 Damaged by machine-gun fire in port mainplane and rear fuselage.
21/08/44 14 ARD.
26/09/44 2 Sqn.
01/12/44 18 RSU.
16/01/45 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25D Mitchell A47-14/KO-F. 2 Squadron, Truscott, Dec., 1944. via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-15 B-25D 43-3767 N5-202  KO-X 32 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-202.
24/04/44 2 AD.
20/05/44 2 Sqn.
19/07/44 Hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire in bombardiers compartment and rear fuselage.
P/O A J Pierce (Pilot)
F/O R James (Co-Pilot)
W/O S P Ryan (Navigator) slightly injured.
W/O Ian Stewart McCallum (W/AG) killed.
W/O V A Muir (W/AG) seriously injured.
Sgt W J Hensman (Air Gunner)
The aircraft was escorted back and force landed at Darwin Airstrip
26/07/44 14 ARD.
26/11/44 2 Sqn.
25/11/45 3AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
02/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-16 B-25D 43-3768 N5-203 KO-L 57 22/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-203.
25/04/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-L "Ell for Leather!" semi-circular on lower port nose.
The previous Dutch name "Kaladjati" was still visible forward of the RAAF name.
20/07/44 Hit by Japanese anti-aircraft fire in fuselage and port vertical stabiliser.
25/07/44 4 RSU.
26/08/44 2 Sqn.
24/10/44 18 RSU.
16/11/44 2 Sqn.
23/02/45 14 ARD.
13/08/45 8 CRD Converted to components.

B-25D Mitchell A47-16/KO-L 'Ell for Leather' 2 Squadron, Hughes Field, May, 1944 via Mike Mirkovic. B-25D Mitchells A47-7/KO-S and A47-16/KO-L 2 Squadron Hughes Field c.1944 via Mike Mirkovic

A47-17 B-25D 43-3769 N5-204 KO-O 24 21/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-204.
25/04/44 2 Sqn.
09/05/44 Aircraft swung when engines were being run-up by a fitter and it collided with its revetment, badly damaging the nose and port wing.
19/05/44 4 RSU.
10/06/44 14 ARD for repair.
10/08/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-O.
19/03/45 3 AD for double engine change and 240 hour inspection.
27/03/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-18 B-25D 43-3770 N5-205 KO-J 46 21/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-205.
26/04/44 2 AD.
06/06/44 2 Sqn.
19/08/44 4 RSU.
08/09/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-J.
30/10/44 15 RSU.
06/12/44 2 Sqn.
06/07/45 14 ARD.
08/08/45 2 Sqn.
25/09/45 3 AD.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-19 B-25D 43-3790 N5-206 KO-G 44 21/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-206.
26/04/44 2 Sqn. Possibly coded KO-G and thinly outlined in black.
01/05/44 14 ARD.
10/05/44 Damaged in starboard mainplane by Japanese anti-aircraft fire during an anti-shipping strike in the Aru Islands.
20/11/44 18 RSU.
19/12/44 14 ARD for repair.
19/02/45 2 Sqn.
16/09/45 Aircraft crashed whilst escorting a Catalina from Balikpapan to Banjer Mission Borneo with only E. Booth 433083 the rear gunner surviving.

Dean Gorden notes:- "Crashed whilst escorting a Catalina to an area near the southern tip of Borneo. As the Catalina landed and sent a party ashore to talk with the natives, FLTLT Kirk circled the area then left but flew too low and did not pullout of a shallow dive in time before the aircraft struck a coconut tree sending it crashing into the ground. It was only later that the Catalina crew were advised the Mitchell had crashed and proceeded to the area where the Mitchell had gone down and discovered two survivors.

They were FSGT Booth and FSGT Stolweather who died soon afterwards". Killed were - FLTLT Lawrence A. Kirk 407439 (Pilot); FLGOFF L. Bishop 433889; FLGOFF P.A. Taylor 440106; WOFF C.R.M. Ricketts 429384; FSGT F.J. Stolweather 439530; CPL R.O. Byrne 33210 (Mess Staff); LAC M.S. White 141075.

B-25D Mitchell A47-19/KO-G 2 Squadron, c.1944 via Mike Mirkovic. 
A47-20 B-25D 43-3791 N5-207 Nil Nil 21/04/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-207.
25/04/44 2 Sqn.
17/10/44 2 Sqn.
17/05/44 Belly-landed at Hughes airstrip NT following hydraulics failure.
19/05/44. 4 RSU for repair.
01/06/44 During a test run-up of newly installed engines, the brakes failed and the aircraft ran into a wall.
04/07/44 14 ARD Converted to components.

B-25D Mitchell A47-20 2 Squadron,,belly landing Hughes, 17 May, 1944 via Mike Mirkovic. B-25D Mitchell A47-20 2 Squadron, N.T. May 1944, recovery by 4 R.S.U. via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-21 B-25D 43-3789 N5-213 KO-I 
KO-L
 35 09/06/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-213.
12/08/44 14 ARD.
20/08/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-L. Large nose art on port side of a bird with a gun in a circle. 24/10/44 18 RSU.
08/12/44 2 Sqn.
17/12/45 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25D Mitchell A47-21/KO-L. 2 Squadron, Hughes, c.1944, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-22 B-25D 43-3830 N5-190  KO-T 39 13/06/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-190.
15/07/44 14 ARD.
24/07/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-T.
11/10/44 Japanese anti-aircraft fire holed port wing outer fuel tanks.
16/10/44 14 ARD for repair.
01/12/44 2 Sqn.
10/05/45 Damaged during test flight from excessive "Gs" which damaged the tail stabilisers and the upper gun turret Perspex was smashed by excess ammunition. 16/07/45 14 ARD.
08/08/45 3 AD for repairs.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-23 B-25D 43-3832 N5-212 KO-M
 25 09/06/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-212.
11/07/44 14 ARD.
18/07/44 2 Sqn.
29/07/44 Damaged in fuselage by Japanese anti-aircraft fire during strafing attack. 28/09/44 14 ARD for repair.
02/11/44 2 Sqn.
12/03/45 Damaged by "friendly" .5 machine gun fire during test flight.
20/03/45 14 ARD.
13/08/45 2 Sqn.
09/01/45 Aircraft damaged when starboard airscrew fouled jacks at the edge of the airstrip. 13/12/45 2 Sqn. Converted to components.
A47-24 B-25D 43-3867 N5-216 Nil Nil 10/06/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-216.
10/06/44 1 AD.
20/09/44 14 ARD.
11/12/44 Caught fire and dived into the sea at 11.10am during test armament flight at the Torquay Bombing range out from Anglesea and 20 miles south of Port Phillip Heads VIC.

Two crew survived but three were killed:- SQNLDR F.R. McGrill 575 and FLTLT R.A. Wines DFC and 402432 LAC R.J. Cavanagh 51756 (Dean Norman).

Pierce Dunn notes that in 2002 an attempt was being made to salvage the aircraft, which lies in deep water.
A47-25 B-25D 43-3869 N5-215 KO-U
 43 09/06/44 B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-215.
24/07/44 14 ARD.
29/07/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-U.
05/03/45 14 ARD.
07/07/45 2 Sqn.
18/12/45 3 AD.
01/10/46 Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

 B-25D Mitchell A47-25/KO-U. 2 Squadron, Hughes Field, c.1944, via Mike Mirkovic. B-25D Mitchell A47-25/KO-U 2 Squadron, c.1944 over Timor. via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-26 B-25J 43-27689 N5-220 KO-K 49 09/06/44 3 AD. B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-220.
29/06/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-K (Picture Wilson p.81 in Olive Drab over black).
06/02/45 18 RSU.
23/02/45 2 Sqn.
09/11/45 3 AD.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-27 B-25J 43-27691 N5-219 KO-A 22 09/06/44 3 AD. B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-219.
29/06/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-A.
01/09/44 Hit in starboard mainplane by Japanese anti-aircraft fire.
04/09/44 14 ARD for repair.
09/09/44 2 Sqn.
04/10/44 14 ARD.
08/11/44 2 Sqn.
13/02/45 Damaged during training flight over the Darwin NT area.
19/02/45 14 ARD for repair.
24/04/45 2 Sqn.
21/12/45 3 AD Amberley QLD.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-27/KO-A. Nose art 2 Squadron, Hughes, May, 1944 via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-28 B-25J 43-27927 N5-224  KO-B
KO-M
 13 11/07/44 3 AD Amberley QLD. B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-224.
06/09/44 14 ARD.
07/09/44 2 Sqn.
19/02/45 Taxied into tree at side of Hughes airstrip NY and damaged the port mainplane.
26/03/45 14 ARD for repair.
07/06/45 2 Sqn.
21/01/46 3 AD.
01/10/46 Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-29 B-25J 43-27928 N5-225 KO-D 33 12/07/44 3 AD. B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-225.
12/08/44 14 ARD.
20/08/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-D (Photo AWM P00630.1010 at the Sepinggang airstrip Balikpapan Borneo). Large shark mouth nose art.
29/08/45 18 RSU.
06/09/45 2 Sqn.
21/12/45 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-30 B-25J 43-28185 N5-229 Nil Nil 27/07/44 Received at 3 AD from USA.
01/08/44 B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-229.
22/08/44 1 APU.
10/11/44 1 AD for fuel consumption trials and testing of chemical and photoflash bombs.
06/03/45 1 APU.
02/10/45 CFS Point Cook.
18/04/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-30. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit, Laverton, c.1945, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-31 B-25J 43-28183 N5-231 KO-P 38 27/07/44 Received at 3 AD from USA.
01/08/44 B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-231.
02/09/44 14 ARD.
03/09/44 2 Sqn Coded: KO-P (Photo: Pentland Vol 2 p.86).
21/11/44 18 RSU.
11/01/45 2 Sqn.
21/12/45 3 AD.
01/10/45 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-31 KO-P Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial's TB-25J 44-86791 (VH-XXV) was displayed as A47-31

Highlight for Album: ex-USAAF Mitchell 44-86791 displayed as A47-31
A47-32 B-25J 43-28181 N5-227  KO-Y 19 31/07/44 3 AD. B25J NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-227.
27/09/44 14 ARD.
19/10/44 2 Sqn.
08/11/44 18 RSU.
24/11/44 2 Sqn.
Large nose art port side of a reclining bikini clad woman with the name "Bitova- Manance".
08/08/45 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-33 B-25D 42-87259 N5-175  KO-R 2 15/08/44 3 AD. B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-175.
24/11/44 14 ARD.
01/12/44 2 Sqn.
20/12/44 Aircraft departed Hughes airstrip NT and did not return to base. There was no communication from the aircraft and a three day search failed to locate it. The operation was "to conduct a shipping reconnaissance that saw them fly for the first time a new route along the east coast of Jamdena Island, in the Tanimbar Group and around the Kai Island group. However post war searchers believe the aircraft was shot down with no survivors with the wreckage located about 500mtrs south of Saumlaki." Dean Norman.

The crew were:- FLTLT W.F.E. Thompson 406741 (Pilot); FLGOFF L.T. Forsyth 418377; WOFF J.E.S. Thompson 415921; WOFF F.H. Mathews 418970; FSGT J.A. Rolfe 432434; FSGT T.H. Rowlands 419918.
A47-34 B-25D 42-87608 N5-186 KO-E 19 15/08/44 3 AD. B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-186.
09/10/44 14 ARD.
08/11/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-E "My Favourite" (profile in Wilson p.88).
03/10/45 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25D Mitchell A47-34/KO-E 'My Favourite' 2 Squadron, Batchelor, c.1944, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-35 B-25D 42-87416 N5-168  KO-R 7 05/09/44 3 AD. B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-168.
During 18 Squadron service it was coded GM-AC then GM-Y
09/10/44 14 ARD to fit engines and types.
12/05/44 2 Sqn. Coded KO-R. (the second R)
27/08/45 Forced landed at Sepenggang airstrip Borneo when nose wheel failed to lock down due to hydraulic failure from dust accumulation from the unsealed airstrip.
03/09/45 18 RSU.
04/10/45 2 Sqn.
08/01/46 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-36 B-25D 42-87255 N5-171 KO-Z   02/09/44 3 AD. B25D NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-171.
During 18 Squadron service it was coded GM-V
12/01/45 14 ARD.
26/03/45 14 ARD engine change.
22/04/45 2 Sqn. Coded KO-Z. Later stripped to a bare metal finish with black codes. 28/02/46 3 AD Amberley QLD.
Re-camouflaged from natural metal finish by the time it got to Borneo after mid 1945
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25D Mitchell A47-36/KO-Z. 2 Squadron, Hughes, c.1945, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-37 B-25D 42-87258 N5-174 KO-V 1 28/08/44 B25D Dutch aircraft renumbered from N5-174.
During 18 Squadron service it was coded GM-C
02/09/44 3 AD.
29/01/45 14 ARD.
22/03/45 2 Sqn. Coded KO-V. Later stripped to a bare metal finish.
14/08/45 Aircraft failed to return from flight to Biak. There was no communication from the aircraft and it was not located despite a 3 day intensive search.
As Dean Norman notes "After the successful landings at Balikpapan, Borneo by the Allied forces Sepinggang airfield was soon ready to take Allied aircraft and was also to become the new home to 2SQN. 2 Squadron's move from Hughes airstrip began on this day when a flight of six Mitchells, led by FLTLT Neil Sharpe, departed for Sepinggang airfield and were to fly via Biak and Morotai. During the approach to the New Guinea coast on the first leg the formation encountered low cloud and FLTLT Sharpe descended to 3,000ft. He also noted that FLTLT White turn away, to the right before disappearing behind cloud. FLTLT Sharpe then dropped to 1,000ft and radioed the formation that he was going to fly below the cloud and upon reaching the coast would orbit and wait for the remaining aircraft. Arriving over the coast FLTLT Sharpe realised that two aircraft, which had broken formation were no longer with them. Arriving at Mokmer, Biak one of the missing aircraft soon landed but A47-37 was not seen again. Despite a search for the aircraft and crew it was many years later that the wreckage would be located in Dutch New Guinea (PNG). The war ended the very next day".

Crew: FLTLT Edward M. White 402097; FLGOFF A.K. Morrell 7246; FSGT B.M. O"Brien 431510; FSGT R.A. MacGregor 433732; CPL W.J.C. Maxwell 34759; LAC I.S. Coleman 140811; LAC B.A. Marshall 73231; LAC V.A. Morgan 88726.

B-25D Mitchell A47-37/KO-V. 2 Squadron, Hughes, c.1945, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-38 B-25J 44-29021 N5-232 Nil Nil 13/07/44 3 AD. B25J direct from USA.
NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-232.
08/10/44 Central Flying School Point Cook VIC.
10/01/45 Aircraft suffered minor damage to starboard mainplane when it struck other aircraft during low level dummy bombing run, Repaired at CFS.
09/04/46 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-39 B-25J 44-29024 N5-235  KO-C 15 19/09/44 3 AD. B25J direct from USA.
NEI (Dutch) aircraft renumbered from N5-235.
18/10/44 Central Flying School Point Cook VIC.
18/11/44 14 ARD for 80 hour inspection.
27/11/44 18 RSU.
06/12/44 2 Sqn.
24/04/45 Damaged by Japanese ground fire when a bullet hole in the port oil cooler led to total oil loss and subsequent engine seizure. All loose objects were jettisoned for single engine flight, including both waist machine guns, a rifle and a Thompson sub-machine gun.
19/05/45 14 ARD for engine change and 300 hour inspection.
24/ 09/04/46 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-40 B-25J 44-30888 n/a Nil Nil 12/04/44 3 AD. B25J direct from USA.
15/06/45 1 AD.
07/10/45 1 APU for trial installation of SCR 729 equipment.
12/10/45 Crash landed shortly after take-off at Laverton VIC.
22/10/45 1 CRD.
05/11/45 Converted to components.

B-25J Mitchell A47-40 1 A.P.U.,landing accident Laverton, October 1944, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-41 B-25J 44-30889 n/a KO-U 14 13/04/45 3 AD. B25J direct from USA.
27/06/45 2 Sqn.
01/10/45 18 RSU.
08/10/45 2 Sqn. Coded KO-U.
01/01/46 3 AD Amberley QLD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-41/KO-U 2 Squadron, Morotai, c.1945 via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-42 B-25J 44-30890 n/a Nil Nil 13/04/45 3 AD Amberley QLD. B25J direct from USA.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-43 B-25J 44-30895 n/a KO-B 8 24/04/45 3 AD Amberley QLD. B25J direct from USA.
26/06/45 2 Sqn. Coded KO-B.
21/12/45 3 AD.
1/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off. 07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-43/KO-B 2 Squadron, Higgins Field, late-1945, via Mike Mirkovic.
A47-44 B-25J 44-30896 n/a Nil Nil 28/04/45 B25J received direct from USA.
26/11/45 3 AD Amberley Qld. Photo of aircraft being flown by FLT A. Egan in Natural Metal Finish at AWM NEA0738 and in Squadron Signal p.41 01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

B-25J Mitchell A47-44 via Wal Nelowkin
A47-45 B-25J 44-30897 n/a Nil Nil 01/05/45 B25J received direct from USA.
26/11/45 3 AD Amberley Qld.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-46 B-25J 44-31255 n/a Nil Nil 26/05/45 3 AD Amberley Qld. B25J received direct from USA.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-47 B-25J 44-31254 n/a Nil Nil 28/05/45 B25J received direct from USA.
26/11/45 3 AD Amberley Qld.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-48 B-25J 44-31253 n/a Nil Nil 03/06/45 3 AD Amberley Qld. B25J received direct from USA.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-49 B-25J 44-86859 n/a Nil Nil 19/08/45 3 AD Amberley Qld. B25J received direct from USA.
01/10/46 3 AD Stored.
19/11/46 Struck Off.
07/10/48 DAP.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.
A47-50 B-25J 44-86855 n/a Nil Nil 27/08/45 3 AD Amberley Qld. B25J received direct from USA.
11/01/46 Central Flying School Point Cook VIC.
08/05/46 3 AD Stored.
03/09/47 Queensland Squadron Air Training Corps as Instructional Airframe No1.
10/03/49 3 AD Stored.
10/03/50 Sold by DAP.

 B-25J Mitchell A47-50. Central Flying School, Guildford, W.A., c.1946, via Mike Mirkovic.
     
 

B25 at Higgins field, Jacky Jacky, Cape York, 1945. Photos- LAC Ted Jones, Clerk Signals, 33 OBU, RAAF.  Unknown B-25 Photos- LAC Ted Jones, Clerk Signals, 33 OBU, RAAF.  B-25 Marty Bee at Higgins field, Jacky Jacky, Cape York, 1945. Photos- LAC Ted Jones, Clerk Signals, 33 OBU, RAAF.  From: Joe Barr; 18 Squadron, made up of NEI and RAAF personnel with NEI aircraft captains formed at Fairbairn with Mitchells and Bostons 4 April 1942 and relocated to Darwin in January 1943. This looks like it could be the occasion of the first delivery of a NEI Mitchell in August 1942 with RAAF on right and NEI on left.

  
     

The Author of this page is Ron Wynn updated by Brendan Cowan and Martin Edwards

Source:  Australian War Museum Web Site, http://www.awm.gov.au/database/collection.asp ,  Pierce Dunn, Australia at War Web site http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ , Dean Norman, Unpublished work titled RAAF Aircrew Losses Part 8 1945 Generously made available to fellow adf-serials researchers, Steve Mackenzie provided information on aircraft codes in 2 Squadron service extracted from the book "Highest Traditions", Geoffrey Pentland, , RAAF Camouflage and Markings 1939-45 Vol 2, Kookaburra Technical Publications Pty Ltd, Melbourne 1989 , Squadron Signal No 34 B25 Mitchell in Action, E. McDowell, Michigan, 1978, Stewart Wilson, Boston, Mitchell and Liberator in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications, Weston Creek ACT, Australia, 1992.

Emails: Joe Baugher, Coert Munk, Joop de Wit, Mark Harbour, John Bennett, Gordon Birkett, Daniel Leahy, Gary Shepherdson

Updated 15th November 2018
 

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