Kokoda, Papua, 1942-11. A United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Stinson L-1 Vigilant ambulance ...

Kokoda, Papua, 1942-11. A United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Stinson L-1 Vigilant ambulance aircraft prepares to take off from the Kokoda airstrip with two sick or wounded Australian soldiers aboard. The aircraft is evacuating the men to Port Moresby from the Main Dressing Station (MDS) of the 2/4th Field Ambulance which is established near the airstrip. The Stinson was capable of carrying two patients, one lying and one sitting, on its evacuation flights. Painted on the wing and the fuselage of the aircraft are two USAAF stars and two Red Crosses, the latter indicating the Stinson's medical function. Another larger USAAF aircraft stands at rear, while rising above the clouds in the background (left) is the peak of a lofty mountain.