Introduction On the 17th February 1943, Flying Officer William Torrens Hinds, a cousin of the direct descendants of Harry Watson, who settled Gregory Downs, in the Gulf of North Queensland, was posted to Darwin with 54 squadron of the RAF flying Spitfires out of Parap airfield defending Darwin against Japanese attacks. On the 7th September … Continue reading Flt Lt William Torrens Hinds
A Darwin Spitfire Defence Fail
The No 1 Fighter Wing Spitfires that defended Darwin comprised RAAF Squadrons 452 and 457 as well as British RAF Squadron 54. The Wing had their first engagement on the 2nd of March of 1943 however April was a quiet month. The enemy did not send one raider against them during that month, whereas in … Continue reading A Darwin Spitfire Defence Fail
Restoration of RAF 54 Squadron Leader E M Gibbs Spitfire Mk Vc
During the time in 1943 that William “Bill” Hinds was with RAF 54 Squadron in Darwin, his commanding officer was Squadron Leader Eric Malcolm “Bill” Gibbs. RAF Nos 562696 (NCO) and 43200 (Officer) Spitfire Mk Vc Tropicalised of 54 Squadron RAF, No.1 Fighter Wing being pushed into its camouflaged bay at Parap airfield, Darwin in … Continue reading Restoration of RAF 54 Squadron Leader E M Gibbs Spitfire Mk Vc
The First Spitfire
The Spitfire Prototype The prototype Supermarine Spitfire – K5054 -- first flew on the 5th of March 1936 and, by 1940, sufficient numbers had been produced to turn the tide in the Battle of Britain. This remarkable fighter -- of which 20,351 were built in 40 major variants -- fought on every front with practically … Continue reading The First Spitfire
The First Spitfire Defence over Darwin
When 15 Japanese ‘Kate’ bombers appeared with fighter escorts over Coomalie airfield, south of Darwin, at 1430 on the 2nd of March 1943, the attackers had the unexpected experience of encountering Mk Vc Spitfires of the RAAF’s No 1 Fighter Wing. Spitfire Mk Vc at a Darwin airfield The three squadrons of the Wing (Nos … Continue reading The First Spitfire Defence over Darwin
The Lion and the Swans
In the 1943 air campaign over Darwin, a Spitfire Wing or also known as the ‘Churchill Wing’ took on the Imperial Japanese Forces. The Spitfire Wing, or No 1 Spitfire Wing RAAF, comprised three squadrons – No 54 Squadron RAF and two RAAF squadrons serving with RAF Fighter Command in Britain, Nos 452 and 457. … Continue reading The Lion and the Swans
Killer Clive Caldwell’s Spitfire over Darwin
"The Battle for the Skies of Darwin"Artist: Jim Laurie and Gareth Hector Group Captain Clive Robertson Caldwell, DSO, DFC (and Bar) (1911–1994) Clive Caldwell In late 1942 Caldwell returned to assist in the defence of Australia against the Japanese. He took command of No. 1 Fighter (Spitfire) Wing based at Darwin comprising RAF 54 Squadron … Continue reading Killer Clive Caldwell’s Spitfire over Darwin
Darwin Spitfires & Rolls Royce Merlin Engines
Royal Air Force personnel in Darwin servicing 54 Squadron Spitfires in 1943 and 1945 (images AWM) Royal Air Force personnel servicing the Rolls Royce Merlin engine of a RAF No.54 Supermarine Spitfire, Darwin, 1945. Spitfire of 54 Squadron being rolled back under camouflaged parking bay. June 1943 No.54 Squadron Royal Air Force armourers replenishing ammunition … Continue reading Darwin Spitfires & Rolls Royce Merlin Engines
54 Squadron RAF Scoreboards
54 Squadron RAF Scoreboard painted on A6M Zero wing tip. Note that the kill scores are in Nip Glasses and not Rising Sun Flags. The section of the wing is believed to have returned to the UK with Squadron and later went missing. "The tally of Japanese aircraft destroyed by No. 54 (Spitfire) Squadron RAF… … Continue reading 54 Squadron RAF Scoreboards
Spitfire in Litchfield National Park
Flt Sgt Col Duncan Tuesday the 12th of November 2019 marked a significant event in preserving the Territory’s heritage with the handover of the wreckage of Flt Sgt Colin Duncan’s RAAF Spitfire A58-2 to the Northern Territory Government for continued preservation. The handover coinciding with the 76th anniversary of the last Japanese bombing raid over … Continue reading Spitfire in Litchfield National Park
Bob Alford – Aviation Historian
Bob Alford is the Honorary Consultant Historian to The Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory Inc. Bob is a life-member of the Society and the author of “Darwin’s Air Wars”, widely acclaimed as the most authoritative tome on the events leading up to, and beyond, the 19th February 1942 when Darwin was heavily bombed … Continue reading Bob Alford – Aviation Historian
A Spitfire over Darwin 