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===Ground Crew No. 12 Squadron RAAF===
 
===Ground Crew No. 12 Squadron RAAF===
 
*[[Ivan Lindsay Dunn]] 5 May - 25 Nov 1943
 
*[[Ivan Lindsay Dunn]] 5 May - 25 Nov 1943
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===Ground Crew No. 21 Squadron RAAF===
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*[[Avon William Mills]] 13 Sep 1943 - 20 Jul 1944
  
 
===Ground Crew No. 25 Squadron===
 
===Ground Crew No. 25 Squadron===

Revision as of 02:07, 9 February 2020

Vultee Vengeance
Vultee Vengeance.jpg
12 Squadron RAAF Dutch New Guinea Dec 1943
Vultee Vengeance 2.jpg
Vengeance aircraft on Nadzab strip in New Guinea - Feb 1943.
History
Type Dive bomber
Role Army ground support
Manufacturer Vultee Aircraft, Northrop Corporation
Produced USA
Number built 1,931
Primary users USAAF, USN, RAF, RAAF
Out of service 1946


Remarks

Australian received 342 Vengeance aircraft - 99 Mark 1s, 122 mark IIs, and 121 Mark IVs. They were flown by Nos 12, 21, 23, 24, 25 Squadrons and RAAF Communication Units Nos 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Some of these planes had already seen service with the USAAF, and the majority were received after April 1943 after the threat of Japanese invasion had receded. By late 1942 it had been recognised that the Vengeance was obsolete, and by March 1943 the front line Squadrons had returned to Australia to re-equip with more suitable aircraft. No 12 Squadron was the last to leave New Guinea, remaining at Merauke until July 1944. No.25 Squadron was he last RAAF combat unit to operate Vengeance aircraft in an anti-submarine role out of RAAF Pearce in WA until January 1945 when it also converted to Liberator aircraft.


The RAAF Communications Units then used the Vengeance for light transport and training tasks in addition to being used as aerial target tugs.

General characteristics

  • Crew: two - Pilot, navigator/gunner
  • Length: 12.12 m
  • Wingspan: 14.63 m
  • Height: 4.67 m
  • Empty weight: 4,411 kg
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,486 kg
  • Powerplant: 1 x Wright Twin Cyclone 14 cylinder radial air cooled engine 1,600 hp
  • Maximum speed: 443 km/h
  • Range: 2,253 km
  • Service ceiling: 6,860 m
  • Armament
  • Guns: 4 x 7.6mm Browning machine guns in wings; 2 x 7.6mm or .303 machine guns in rear cockpit
  • Bombs:Internal 2x 230kg bombs; 2 x 110 kg bombs on wing racks.

Crew members

Ground Crew No. 12 Squadron RAAF

Ground Crew No. 21 Squadron RAAF

Ground Crew No. 25 Squadron