Identification WWII aircraft - can someone please identify the aircraft in these circa 1944-5 photos

[jaydeeem]

 

[rochie]

1st and 4th pics are an Douglas A-20, 3rd pic could be a Bristol Blenhiem or maybe a Beaufort ?

 

[buffnut453]

3rd pic is definitely a Beaufort. The last pic is a Lockheed Ventura.

 

[EwenS]

All seem to of RAAF aircraft. First & fourth are Douglas DB-7B Boston III (22 in RAAF service) or A-20C Havoc (9 in RAAF service). These would be from 22 squadron RAAF. The third is a Beaufort and the fifth is a Hudson.

 

[buffnut453]

All seem to of RAAF aircraft. First & fourth are Douglas DB-7B Boston III (22 in RAAF service) or A-20C Havoc (9 in RAAF service). These would be from 22 squadron RAAF. The third is a Beaufort and the fifth is a Hudson.

Hi Ewan, I think the fifth is a Ventura not a Hudson. The door is adjacent to the wing trailing edge; on a Hudson, it's further aft

Here's a Hudson door for comparison:

 

[EwenS]

Hi Ewan, I think the fifth is a Ventura not a Hudson. The door is adjacent to the wing trailing edge; on a Hudson, it's further aft

Here's a Hudson door for comparison:

View attachment 889531

On reflection, I agree it's a Ventura.

Note the radar aerial for ASV.II just aft of the door in photo five. It makes it one of the ex RAF Lend Lease order Ventura IIA (USAAF RB-34A-VE). 20 delivered to RAAF May-Aug 1943 rather than the ex-USN PV-1 Ventura V. Only operational RAAF user of both versions was 13 squadron.

 

[Wurger]

If I may .. the first pic is not the Boston or Havoc but the Bristol Beaufort. I guess it is the same kite in the third shot. The front windshield of the cockpit canopy has the characteristic in shape, small opening window ...

 

[jaydeeem]

1st and 4th pics are an Douglas A-20, 3rd pic could be a Bristol Blenhiem or maybe a Beaufort ?

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

 

[elbmc1969]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

Assuming that it's an RAAF Boston/Havoc, it may be one of the aircraft shown here: The RAAF's New Guinea Boston Tea Party

 

[rochie]

If I may .. the first pic is not the Boston or Havoc but the Bristol Beaufort. I guess it is the same kite in the third shot. The front windshield of the cockpit canopy has the characteristic in shape, small opening window ...

View attachment 889539

I agree, didn't notice the slope of the fuselage first time, obviously a tail dragger

 

[Wurger]

I agree, didn't notice the slope of the fuselage first time, obviously a tail dragger

True. Also the short carburetor air intake only. In the fourth pic it can be noticed that the Boston/Havoc has the one but with the tropical air filter housing making it looking very long. Additionally the wing leading edge at the wing root for the A-20 started a way farther behind the rear edge or the cockpit hood while the Beaufort has it just started there.

 

[pb43]

1st and 4th pics are an Douglas A-20, 3rd pic could be a Bristol Blenhiem or maybe a Beaufort ?

1. Beaufort
3. Beaufort
4 A-20 Havoc
5. Ventura

 

[Nogo99]

To add some extra details to these fantastic photos, I would guess we are looking at the post-war aircraft disposal in Australia, most likely at a site like Oakey Airfield in Queensland around 1946–1949.
The RAAF aircraft types can be identified as a DAP/Bristol Beaufort, a Douglas A-20 Boston, and a Lockheed Ventura. The photos perfectly capture the Commonwealth Disposals Commission era, where private buyers or farmers used tractors to clear these proud twin-engine veterans from temporary strips and melt them down for post-war aluminum.

 

[Gilder]

If they were awaiting disposal, wouldn't the guns have been taken out?

 

[Nogo99]

If they were awaiting disposal, wouldn't the guns have been taken out?

One should think so.... Just wonder why he's the only one in the picture and looks like a "civilian worker"... but you got a point

 

[Dr. Odendahl]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

Thanks guys. This was a wonderful and thorough discussion learned a lot.