Signboard : Group Captain C R Caldwell, RAAF

Painted masonite signboard for the Commanding Officer of 80 Fighter Wing, RAAF. The board is painted in brown, yellow, blue, red, white and black on a white ground, and has a narrow green edge. It features an RAAF crown and eagle above the words 'Commanding Officer.' in white on a blue and red scroll. Below this are the words 'Group Captain C. R. Caldwell, D.S.O. D.F.C & BAR. Polish Cross of Valour' painted in black. The words 'Group Captain' have been painted over a previous title ('Wing Commander') which has been carefully obscured with white paint. At the bottom of the sign in white on a black band is the title '- 80 FIGHTER WING -'. Two pairs of nail holes approximately 25-30 mm apart are centrally located at the top and bottom of the sign.

Clive Caldwell was born in Sydney on 28 July 1911. He began his flying career in 1938 when he joined the Aero Club of New South Wales. Nevertheless, by the time the Second World War began he had logged only 11 hours of solo flying. He was 29 years old when he joined the Empire Air Training Scheme, completing the entire course in Australia and graduating as a pilot in January 1941. Caldwell was sent to the Middle East, posted to 250 Squadron, RAF. The squadron flew Tomahawks and in late June Caldwell scored his first victory, against a BF 109. After that his score rose quickly and he became known for practicing gunnery against the shadow of his own aircraft over the desert. When his score had reached 18 enemy aircraft, Caldwell was transferred to 112 Squadron, RAF as commanding officer. By the time he joined them, the squadron was equipped with Kittyhawks; and not long after the squadron began to convert to a fighter-bomber role. But before the conversion was complete, Caldwell was on his way to Australia. With Japan having entered the war, experienced airmen were needed at home. Before he left, Caldwell - who had served with many Polish airmen in RAF squadrons - was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour. Caldwell was made Wing Leader of 1 Fighter Wing, which comprised three Spitfire squadrons. There he emphasised the importance of gunnery. The wing flew operations over northern Australia and was involved in the defence of Darwin. By June 1942 he was a group captain in command of 1 Fighter Wing; in August, having raised his tally to 28.5, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and appointed Chief Flying Instructor at an operational training unit. In May 1944 Caldwell returned to an operational posting, being appointed Wing Leader of 80 Fighter Wing. The unit was based in Morotai but was employed in a ground-attack rather than a fighter role. The signboard dates from this period. For Caldwell and other fighter pilots, Morotai meant the chance to increase his score had passed. By the end of 1944, having been left out of the main battle, RAAF pilots in the Pacific were aggrieved at having to fly dangerous - but in their eyes - unimportant operations against heavily defended ground targets. With nothing having been done to meet the pilots' concerns, Caldwell and other senior officers resigned in protest. An investigation resulted in two senior officers being relieved of their appointments. Caldwell and the other officers that had resigned were cleared and each was reinstated. After the war Caldwell went into business. His effectiveness as a fighter pilot had earned him the nickname 'Killer'. Caldwell was the highest scoring RAAF pilot of the Second World War. He died on 5 August 1994.