by Steve Mackenzie

A20-92 23 Sqn 'GT'. Note the aerial going from the fin to the Starboard wing which is unusual and no aerial mast. Photos RAAF Official.

23 and 24 Sqns were 2 units that used Wirraways in an operational capacity (not training) into 1943. 23 Sqn initially used an unusual coding system for the period, 'T' identifying the Sqn plus the individual letter.

Another example of this coding system sporting 'TO', serial unknoen unfortunately.

Profile of A20-92 in colours similar to Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey with RAAF Sky Blue lower surfaces with 'Blue/White' roundels in six positions, plus fin flashes. The airframe is fully armed with 2 forward firing guns. Fuselage serials and codes in Med Sea Grey.

Later 23 Sqn used their allocated (from Jan 1943) coding of 'NV' per this image. There has been much speculation on the colours of these machines with Pentland suggesting Dark Ocean Blue and Dark Sea Grey as used on some Catalinas. However the colours do not look dark enough in the photos to me and I think it may have been similar to the FAA scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey. Photo from Aviation History Museum WA (AHMWA) #P921106.

Profile of A20-444 in colours similar to Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey with RAAF Sky Blue lower surfaces with 'Blue/White' roundels in six positions, plus fin flashes. The airframe is fully armed with 2 forward firing guns. Fuselage serials and 'NV' code in Med Sea Grey, individual letter 'J' Sky Blue.

Later 23 Sqn repainted the 'NV' codes and serials in Black. Note the lack of an aerial mast on these machines.
Profile of A20-562 in colours similar to Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey with RAAF Sky Blue lower surfaces with 'Blue/White' roundels in six positions, plus fin flashes. The airframe is fully armed with 2 forward firing guns. Fuselage serials and 'NV' code in Black, individual letter 'N' Sky Blue.

Formation of airframes in the above scheme.

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