| Accession Number | P09655.006 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Singapore: Sembawang |
| Date made | c 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Pilots of "A" Flight Sembawang- Singapore
Description
Group portrait of unidentified pilots of 453 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), at Sembawang airfield. The 453 Squadron arrived in Singapore between 15-21 August 1941 and were equipped with the obselete Brewster Buffalo aircraft. By 5 February 1942, when 453 Squadron withdrew from Singapore to Sumatra, only six Brewster Buffalo aircraft remained operational, the others having been damaged or destroyed. With no replacement aircraft available, 453 Squadron was disbanded. The Squadron was reformed in Drem, Scotland, on on 18 June 1942. The Buffalo aircraft in the background has a small white coloured boomerang 'nose art' painted on the right side of the fuselage.