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

RAN Vultee Vengeance

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Message board Discussion of RAN Spifires & Vengeances

  
     
 

Introductory Notes:

1.  From April 1948 to November 1951, several smal batches of RAAF Vultee Vengeances were allocated and issued to the RAN FAA at Nowra for use as Fire Fighting Training Aids.

2. The first batch of 4 allocated in 1948 were not taken up by the RAN FAA.

3. In all, 12 airframes (described in some sources as "hulks') were actually transferred.

4. One other airframe (A27-627) has an RAN association of another kind as it was destroyed by Royal Australian Navy using explosives 17/08/45 following an accident in Western Port Bay, Victoria on 30/07/1945.

5. Several RAAF Vengeances also made it to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. 25 RAAF Vengeances were allocated for RN use in Australia but only 9 were actually delivered. Those not delivered were: A27-401,509,511-516, 540, 542, 543, 546, 548, 564, 612, and 614.

There are limited records of the use of those that were delivered but they are believed to be:

A27-502 (ex 41-31300) Issued from 1 AD Laverton 7/10/45
A27-520 (ex 41-31436) Issued from 1 AD Laverton 7/10/45. 791 Sqn Sembawang 1/46
A27-529 (ex 41-31430) Issued from 1 AD Laverton to Bankstown 19/10/45
A27-539 (ex 41-31431) Issued from 1 AD Laverton 9/9/45. Modified for DDT spraying. 721 Sqn Kai Tak 1946
A27-545 (ex 41-31421) Issued from 1 AD Laverton 9/9/45. Modified for DDT spraying. 721 Sqn Kai Tak. Loss of power on take off 6/4/46 (Sub Lt N.C. Burrage). Fire in engine bay 24/9/46 (Sub Lt G.R. Harrison)
A27-547 (ex 41-31425) Issued from 1AD Laverton 7/10/45. Papers deposited as having been struck off charge 25/6/46.
A27-549 (ex 41-31438) Issued from 1 AD Laverton 7/10/45
A27-619 (ex 42-94379) Issued from 1 APU Laverton to Bankstown 6/9/45. Modified for DDT spraying. 721 Sqn Kai Tak 9/46. Force landed after engine fire 29/11/46 (Sub Lt M.H. Simpson)
A27-625 (ex 42-94401) Issued from 3 AD Amberley 10/10/45. Returned to 3 AD 6/12/45.

 		  
     
 

RAAF Vengeances Allocated or Transferred to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm

  
     
 
Aircraft Serial US Serial RAF Serial Maker Model Aircraft History
A27-4 BPC AN856 Northrop A31 (V72) Rec ex USA 30/05/42 to 2AP for errection.
First Vengeance to be test flown in Australia on 24/06/42.
Rec 2OTU 10/08/42.
Eng modification 2AD 30/09/42.
Not serviceable for an extended time till 30/07/43 when rec at SDF.
Rec at 1APU for gun camera installation and tests 18/01/44
.Rec at SHQ Flight Laverton for Target towing duties on 16/06/44.
15/10/44 rec at 5 Comm Unit.
18/10/45 to 7OTU, then to 7AD for storage 05/12/45.
Approved for disposal 10/04/46.
01/11/50 issued to RANFAA.
Departed to RANFAA to Nowra 005/02/51 for firefighting.
A27-9 BPC AN876 Northrop A31 (V72) Rec ex USA to 3AD 27/07/42.
Rec 2OTU 14/09/42.
25/09/42 rec at 1AD for modifications.
Rec 12Sqn 16/11/42.
02/05/43 rec at 2AD.
Rec 12/01/44 at 4OTU.
Rec 1AD 03/02/44.
Rec 7OTU 10/05/44.
Rec 7AD for storage and disposal 4/12/45.
Approved for disposal 10/04/46.
06/11/50 issued to RANFAA.
Departed to RANFAA to Nowra 26/02/51 for firefighting.
A27-14 BPC AN897 Northrop A31 (V72) Rec 3AD ex USA 27/07/42.
Erection 3AD 31/07/42.
Allocated 2OTU ex 3AD 01/09/42.
Rec 2OTU ex 3AD 07/09/42.
Allocated 12Sqn RAAF ex 2OTU 27/09/42.
Rec 1AD for W/T fitting prior to 12Sqn RAAF 28/09/42.
Rec 12 Sqn RAAF ex 1AD 16/11/42.
Rec 2AD ex 12 Sqn RAAF 28/06/43.
Allocated to be modified as Target Towing Aircraft.
Rec 1AD ex 2AD 04/02/44.
Issued 3 Comm Unit ex 1AD 24/03/44.
Rec 7OTU ex 3CU 06/08/44.
Issued 7AD ex 7OTU 03/12/45.
Approved to be stored Cat E 22/03/46.
Held Det B 1AD Tocumwal 11/07/49.
Approved allocation to RAN 05/11/50.
Issued to Dept of Navy 01/05/51.

Highlight for Album: Vengeance A27-14
A27-402 41-31235 FD106 Vultee A-35A-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 12/07/43.
Deemed not suitable for operations.
Airscrew and cowls issued to 3CU to be fitted to A27-405 15/02/44.
Issued and rec 2AD Storage ex 2AD 03/11/44.
Rec 2AD storage ex 2AD 22/06/45.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD Storage 28/11/45.
To be stored insitu 22/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Approved for free issue to Royal Australian Navy 27/04/48.
Issued to RAN 02/03/49.
A27-403 41-31237 FD108 Vultee A-35A-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 12/07/43.
Deemed not suitable for operations.
Issued and rec 2AD Storage ex 2AD 30/11/44.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD Storage 28/11/45.
To be stored insitu 22/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Approved for free issue to Royal Australian Navy 27/04/48.
Issued to RAN 02/03/49.
A27-404 41-31238 FD109 Vultee A-35A-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 12/07/43.
Rec 1AD ex 2AD 23/07/43.
Issued 4 Communications Unit ex 1AD 23/01/44.
Accident 1115hrs 22/01/44 when aircraft was forced landed in a wheat field due to falling oil pressure at Culcairn on a ferry flight from Laverton to Archerfield, during Forrest Hil Leg.
Crew; Pilot, F/O J F Rumbold Serv#408704 and Navigator (W) F/O D T Brown both of 1AD were un-injured.
Rec 5AD ex 1AD 30/01/44.
Rec 4CU ex 5AD 24/02/44.
Issued 3CU ex 4CU 07/07/44.
Accident 11/07/44 at Mascot Aerodrome when aircraft whilst being taxied for take-off, stoop into hole, causing aircraft to stand on nose, damaging airscrew and cowl.
Crew; Pilot, F/Sgt M G Thomas and Navigator F/O K S Ascough not injured.
Repaired by 4CU.
Issued 3CU ex 4CU 25/06/45.
Accident 31/11/45 when damaged on landing. NFDs.
Rec 2AD ex 3CU 09/04/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Approved for free issue to Royal Australian Navy 27/04/48.
Issued to RAN 02/03/49.
A27-506 41-31305 N/A Vultee A-35B-5-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 24/12/43.
Rec 4ADRP ex 2AD by 2AP Ferry 30/03/44.
Rec 1AD ex 4ADRP 15/06/44.
Rec 7OTU ex 1AD 26/10/44.
Rec 7AD Storage ex 7OTU 13/12/45.
Store Cat E CMU Tocumwal.
Held by Det B 1AD 11/07/49.
Issued to RANFAA ex Tocumwal 14/03/51.
SOC 15/03/51.
NFDs in RANFAA Service.
A27-526 41-31445 N/A Vultee A-35B-5-VN Rec 3AD ex USA 24/01/44.
Rec 1AD ex 3AD 14/07/44 for Target Towing Modifications.
Reserved for Target towing 13/10/44.
Rec 7OTU ex 1AD 07/12/44.
Rec 7AD Storage ex 7OTU 13/12/45.
Authorised for write-off 16/05/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Held by Det B 1AD Tocumwal 11/07/49.
Approved fro issue ex Det B 1AD Tocumwal to RAN 01/11/50.
Issued to RAN 14/03/51.
SOC 15/03/51.
A27-530 41-31435 N/A Vultee A-35B-5-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 01/02/44.
Rec 25Sqn RAAF ex 2AD 22/03/44.
Rec 1AD ex 25Sqn RAAF 115/06/44 for Target Towing Modifications.
Reserved for Target towing 13/10/44.
Rec 7OTU ex 1AD 05/02/45.
Rec 7AD Storage ex 7OTU 30/11/45.
Authorised for write-off 16/05/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Held by Det B 1AD Tocumwal 11/07/49.
Approved for issue ex Det B 1AD Tocumwal to RAN.
Issued to RANFAA 02/04/50.
A27-563 42-94222 N/A Vultee A-35B-10-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 26/03/44.
Aircraft issued 1AD ex 2AD for Target Towing Modification 11/10/44.
Rec 1AD ex 2AD 13/10/44.
Rec 3CU ex 1AD 27/07/45.
Accident 11/10/45 on approach of Runway 22 at Mascot Aerodrome, the pilot was advised that A27-626 was on the runway and to go around. The pilot did another circuit and attempted to land on runway 29 with a cross wind. The aircraft did not touch down until it covered 1/3 of the strip, and owing to spongy brakes, ground looped to the right to prevent it from running into a ditch, causing the port mainplane to strike a boundary light and the aircraft to tip on its nose, bending the airscrew blades.
Crew: Pilot, F/O P R Irwin Serv#424186 and WAG F/Sgt R S Simpson Serv#439498 were not injured.
Repairs made at 3CU 23/10/45.
Rec 2AD ex 3CU 09/04/46.
Category E Storage 01/10/46.
Offered to RAN 27/04/48.
Issued to RAN FAA ex 2AD 02/03/49.
NFDs per RANFAA Service.
A27-600 42-94458 N/A Vultee A-35B-15-VN Rec 2AD ex USA 05/03/44.
Allotted Target Towing modification 1AD ex 2AD 14/06/44.
Rec 1AD ex 2AD 20/06/44.
Aircraft reserved for target towing 13/10/44.
Allotted 5CU ex 1AD 28/10/44. Canc.
Rec 7OTU ex 1AD 05/04/45.
Rec 7AD Storage ex 7OTU 30/11/45.
Store Cat E CMU Tocumwal.
Held by Det B 1AD 11/07/49.
Issued to RANFAA ex Tocumwal 14/03/51. SOC 15/03/51.
NFDs in RANFAA Service.
A27-617 42-94371 N/A Vultee A-35B-15-VN Rec 1AD ex USA 16/04/44.
Aircraft reserved for target towing 13/10/44.
Allotted 14ARDRP 19/10/44. Canc.
Rec 7OTU ex 1AD 09/03/45.
Rec 7AD ex 7OTU 13/12/45.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Held by Det B 1AD Tocumwal 11/07/49.
Approved for issue RAN 01/11/50.
Issued Dept of Navy ex Det B 1AD 01/05/51.
NFDs per RAN FAA Service.
Four airframes allocated to the RAN but not transferred:
A27-97 41-31049 EZ997 Northrop A-31-NO RAN A-31C/Mk111? Rec 2AD ex USA 20/06/43.
Rec 2AD 30/10/44.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD for storage 12/02/46.
Authorised for write off 16/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Approval to transfer to RANFAA for ground instruction 27/04/48.
Cancelled 11/06/48.
Passed to DAP 24/06/48.
Issued to DAP 17/09/48.
SOC 06/09/49.
A27-98 41-31050 EZ998 Northrop A-31-NO RAN A-31C/Mk111? Rec 2AD ex USA 20/06/43.
Rec 2AD 30/10/44.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD for storage 12/02/46.
Authorised for write off 16/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Approval to transfer to RANFAA for ground instruction 27/04/48.
Cancelled 11/06/48.
Passed to DAP 24/06/48.
Issued to DAP 17/09/48.
SOC 06/09/49.
A27-99 41-31051 EZ999 Northrop A-31-NO RAN A-31C/Mk111? Rec 2AD ex USA 20/06/43.
Rec 2AD 30/10/44.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD for storage 12/02/46.
Authorised for write off 16/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Approval to transfer to RANFAA for ground instruction 27/04/48.
Cancelled 11/06/48.
Passed to DAP 24/06/48.
Issued to DAP 17/09/48.
SOC 06/09/49.
Still exists as the only complete Vengeance in the world. It is based at the Camden Museum of Aviation at Narellan NSW.

Highlight for Album: Vengeance A27-99
A27-400 41-31230 FD101 Vultee A-35A-VN MV Vito.
Rec 2AD ex USA 12/07/43.
Deemed not suitable for operations.
Issued and rec 2AD Storage ex 2AD 30/10/44.
Allocated 2CRD ex 2AD storage 30/08/45.
Issued 2CRD ex 2AD Storage 28/11/45.
To be stored insitu 22/05/46.
Authorised for Write-off 16/05/46.
Rec 2AD ex 2CRD 05/06/46.
Stored Cat E 01/10/46.
Approved for free issue to Royal Australian Navy 27/04/48.
Cancelled 11/06/48.
Passed to DAP 24/06/48.
Action completed 06/09/49.
Issued to DAP 17/09/48.
And,...... one more that was destroyed by the Royal Australian Navy
A27-627 42-94405 N/A Vultee A-35B-15-VN Rec 3AD ex USA 26/04/44.
Aircraft reserved for target towing 13/10/44.
Rec 1AD ex 3AD 13/03/45.
Issued SHQ Flight Laverton Vic ex 1AD 25/07/45.
Accident 1105hrs 30/07/45 when aircraft suffered an explosion in flight , followed by engine failure causing the pilot to force land on the mud bank near the western passage opposite of Fairhaven, Western Port Bay.
Crew: Pilot, W/O L M Bennett Serv#437042 and W/O B G Scholes were not injured.
Allocated 1CRD ex SHQ Laverton 10/08/45.
Approval to dispose of aircraft insitu 14/08/45.
Aircraft destroyed insitu by Royal Australian Navy using explosives 17/08/45 .
Remains Rec 1CRD ex 1AD by road 29/10/45.
 
     
The Author of this page is Brendan Cowan with help from the crew.

Sources: RAAF Status Cards, www.adf-serials.com.au/2a27.shtml , Ray Sturtivant's "Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945" published by Air Britain in 1995,

Emails: Batman, Phil Thompson, Gordon Birkett, Joe Barr.

Updated 28 November 2013
 

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