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Destination’s Journey

It’s About the Journey Not Just the Destination

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Well That’s it for us. Have had enough abuse from Social Media (particularly Reddit). Site will run until current subscription expires. Had just hoped to share pictures and our travels with people . Was also a great help with my mental health, but just can’t take the shit anymore. Enjoy the existing pages while they last.

Bell P-39D A53-9 23 Sqn RAAF 1943

Bell P-39 Airacobra in RAAF Service

Bell P-39 Airacobra in RAAF Service

The rapid advance of Japanese forces at the start of the Pacific war led the Australian Government to request fighter aircraft from the US. In response, the US supplied 14 Bell P-39 Airacobras in Mid 1942, a further five in early 1943 and three more mid-year. With the arrival of more advanced types, the Airacobras were returned to the US Army by the end of 1943.

Royal Australian Air Force P-39s were used as an interim fighter, to equip new or re-equip existing squadrons. They were operated by Numbers 23, 24, 82 and 83 Squadrons and replaced by the Vultee Vengeance (23 and 24 Sqn), Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk (82 Sqn) and CAC Boomerang (83 Sqn).

The Service Record Cards for all the RAAF’s Airacobras are provided below the photographs.

Bell P-400 Airacobra RAAF with RAF Serial BW-114
Bell P-400 Airacobra RAAF with RAF Serial BW-114
Bell P-39F Airacobra A53-1 of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39F Airacobra A53-1 of 23 Sqn RAAF
A53-1 Bell P-39F-1-BE (ex USAAF 41-7119) flown by Flight Lieutenant Davidson from No. 24 Squadron
A53-1 Bell P-39F-1-BE (ex USAAF 41-7119) flown by Flight Lieutenant Davidson from No. 24 Squadron
Bell P-39D A53-9 23 Sqn RAAF 1943
Bell P-39D A53-9 23 Sqn RAAF 1943
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-13 T-Y of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-13 T-Y of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-20 RAAF This aircraft was never issued to a squadron
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-20 RAAF This aircraft was never issued to a squadron
Bell P-39D (A53-20 ex 41-6858) photographed at Amberley Qld during the summer of 1943
Bell P-39D (A53-20 ex 41-6858) photographed at Amberley Qld during the summer of 1943
Bell P-39F Airacobra 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39F Airacobra 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39 Airacobra RAAF
Bell P-39 Airacobra RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-9 T-Z of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra A53-9 T-Z of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra T-X of 23 Sqn RAAF
Bell P-39D Airacobra T-X of 23 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF
A crashed P-39D Airacobra A53-6 FA-F of 82 Sqn RAAF

Service Record Cards For All P-39s Operated by the RAAF

Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-3
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-3
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-4
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-4
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-5
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-5
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-6
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-6
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-7
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-7
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-8 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-8 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-8 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-8 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-9 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-9 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-9 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-9 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-10
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-10
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-11
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-11
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-12 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-12 #1
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-12 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-12 #2
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-13
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-13
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-14
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-14
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-15
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-15
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-16
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-16
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-17
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-17
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-18
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-18
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-19
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-19
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-20
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-20
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-21
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-21
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-22
Record Card for Bell P-39 Airacobra A53-22