A-64 Vultee Vigilant in RAAF Service Addendum

By Steve Mackenzie


33 Squadron New Guinea c.Nov 1942. Loaned Stinson L-1 Ambulance #41-19050. Photo:AWM P02424.097

Back in issue 34-3 I published a full article detailing the history of the three Vultee Vigilants (aka Stinson L-1s) that were briefly in service with 33 Sqn RAAF in 1942/43. This follow up article concentrates on the markings carried by serial #41-19050 (the airframe for which we have a number of images). Our airframes are believed to have never been marked with their allocated A64 serials (likely because we returned them to the USAAF very quickly).

Now that I have the necessary blank profile for an L-1 (drawn for use with the RAF one 'P', HK926 in the last issue) I have done Port and Starboard profiles of #41-19050, a number of interesting points to it's markings have surfaced. A study of the photos show that the airframe carries USAAF cockades and Red Cross markings in 4 positions (the usual both sides of the fuselage, above the Port wing and below the Starboard carried by USAAF airframes). It does NOT carry RAAF roundels, presumedly as the Vigilants were only on short term loan. It also has 'U.S Army' under the wings, looks Black in the photo but officially should be Insignia Blue.


In this photo we can see the Port upper wing markings of #41-19050 (none to Starboard). Photo:AWM P02424.086

L-1 #41-19050 had fuselage markings of the standard USAAF Cockade of the time (Insignia Blue and White) with Red/White cross Ambulance markings. The serial was carried on the tail in Yellow (as usual ommiting the '4' prefix) and the 'last 2' (#50) on the nose. There is also a name 'Frances' in Black above the #50. (see heading photo).


Photo:AWM P02424.085

On the Starboard nose of #41-19050 there were also fifteen Red crosses on a White field area to indicate missions (these replaced the different markings on the port nose). I believe that there is also a Red Kangaroo above this panel (perhaps to indicate a mission flown by the RAAF, versus the missions it had flown earlier with 22 TCS USAAF), however others are much less sure of it's existence.


Standard Olive Drab and Neutral Grey scheme. USAAF Cockades and Red/White Ambulance crosses as discussed above. Yellow serials. Insignia Blue U.S and Army markings under the Starboard and Port wings respectively. Detail markings on either side of the nose per the notes and drawings.

A64 Vultee Vigilant L-1 Kits

a. MPM - Nice little kit.
b. Execuform Vacform.
c. Red Roo Decals RRD7226, they represented serial #41-18959, the airframe seen pranged in the photo below. We have no further images to see if this airframe carried mission markings but it should have carried the last 2 #59 on the nose and have U.S Army under the wings.

 

Since doing the original article I have also located a good build review of the MPM kit at 'https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/usaaf/hamml1.htm' which is well worth having a read of.

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