Pilots of 77 Squadron RAAF assemble for an informal group portrait on and around one of their ...

Pilots of 77 Squadron RAAF assemble for an informal group portrait on and around one of their Mustang P-51D aircraft. Many are kitted up in US style flying clothing and associated safety equipment. They had assembled together to mark their return to Japan from operations in Korea. Left to right; standing: A33296 Sergeant (Sgt) Roy Robson (killed in an accident over Japan on 17 April, 1951) 033109 Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) R L Dawson, Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) R L R Lamb (RAF), 04218 Pilot Officer (PO) L R Klaffer, A4443 Sgt K H Foster, 022094 Flt Lt V B Cannon, 0383 Squadron Leader R C Cresswell, 05879 Flying Officer (FO) L J F Reading, 033061 Flt Lt C R Noble, A11389 Warrant Officer (WO) R C A Hunt, 022058 FO R W Wittman, A33283 Sgt K R Meggs and 033196 Flt Lt F W Barnes. Seated on wing: A22223 Sgt Ronald Daniel Mitchell (killed in operations over Korea on 22 August, 1951), 033188 Flt Lt C D Murphy, 033201 FO G Thornton and 04410 Flt Lt I R Olorenshaw. Top row cockpit: A5895 Sgt M E Colebrooke, 02179 Flt Lt F R Coburn and A22218 Sgt F T Collins. Sgt Robson was killed when his aircraft was lost over Japan. Sgt Mitchell and Flt Sgt Lamb were both killed in a flying accident, on return from a mission, when their aircraft collided. Sgt Colebrooke was killed in action. The Mustangs were withdrawn from service and the Squadron re-equipped with Gloster Meteor Mk 8 jet aircraft.