An Illustrated History Commemorating the Darwin Air Raids Published 1991 - Author Bob Alford (Reprinted 1997 and 2001) This is the most authoritative work on Darwins air war, and has been compiled from a wide range of sources worldwide, including Japan. This edition contains many new photos, most of them from private collections. The entire … Continue reading “Darwin’s Air War 1942-1945” →

"Horses, Spitfires and Kittyhawks" Published 2003 - Author Edward 'Ted' Sly DFC MID In his youth Ted Sly worked on an outback Queensland cattle station. He joined the 7th Light Horse, then the RAAF. After training in Rhodesia he served with 452 RAAF and 450 RAAF Squadrons, 92 RAF East India Squadron and as an … Continue reading “The Luck of the Draw” →

The Real Battle for Australia Published in 2011 - Author Anthony Cooper Shines a light on a much neglected history - that of 1 Fighter Wing, the RAF unit manned by British and Australian pilots during the Second World War, who protected North West Australia from a series of relentless Japanese raids from 1942-43. The … Continue reading “Darwin Spitfires” →

Australia's Greatest Fighter Pilot Published 2005 - Author Jeffrey Watson Written after Clive's death in August 1994, Jeffrey Watson had the benefit of interviews with a number of people in the book, including Clive Caldwell. He also had access to his personal papers, thanks to the generosity of Mrs Jean Caldwell. Clive Caldwell, himself, would … Continue reading “Killer Caldwell” →

From the Battle of Britain to the Defense of Darwin Published 2008 - Author Wing Commander R W Foster DFC AE (Co Author with Norman Franks) Bob Foster was a well known figure at book and print signings in many parts of the UK. Although recognized as a Battle of Britain veteran, little is known … Continue reading “Tally Ho!” →

The Battle of Britain to the Timor Sea. The War Diaries of RKC Norwood 1940-46 The Battle of Britain to the Timor Sea. The War Diaries of RKC Norwood 1940-46 Published 2016 - Authors Ralph and Gay Murphy  This is the diary of a Spitfire Pilot, Robin Norwood, who served in RAF Volunteer Reserve before the … Continue reading “The Making of a Spitfire Pilot” →

Published December 2021 - Author Sarah Weatherhead-Kous  "Boldness to Endure Anything" - RAF 54 Squadron Motto An insight into what life was like for members of 54 Squadron RAF stationed in Darwin during WWII. Not just the engagements with the enemy but also the rigours of camp life and how they entertained themselves and kept … Continue reading “A Squadron Diarist’s Year At Nightcliff Camp: Darwin” →

Most units of the Royal Air Force (RAF) are identified by a two character alphabetical or alpha- numeric combination squadron code. Usually, that code is painted on the aircraft belonging to that unit. The squadron code is usually presented along with an individual letter or character to form a call sign for the particular aircraft. Location of the call sign … Continue reading Hinds Spitfire DL Code? →

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 →

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 →