THE CAMDEN MUSEUM
OF AVIATION
OF AVIATION
Beaufighter 156 Mk 21 A8-186A8-186 was built in Australia by Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) during 1945 and delivered to 5AD RAAF. It operated with 22 Squadron base at Moratai during the closing stages of the Pacific campaign and carried out successful reconnaissance missions in September 1945. These missions in the Philippines were flown to Mindanao by F/L Johnson and F/O Ryan and to Ambon by F/O Williams and F/S Woodford and on 5/9/45 F/O Tovey and F/O Allan Miller flew to Balikpapan. Later A8-186 was stored at GTU Wagga Wagga and in 1947 she was approved for conversion to Instructional Aircraft No 8, finally being retired from RAAF service in 1949 and passed to DAP for disposal.A8-186 was saved from being scrapped by being purchased in 1950 by Mr W Strong and lay on his wheat property at Boree Creek, NSW until purchased by the Museum in 1965. The restoration presented many problems as parts had been removed, with the outer wings located in South Australia, the cowls in Victoria, and various other items in scrap yards all over NSW.The prototype Beaufighter, built by Bristol Aircraft Co, flew in 1939 and the British built Beaufighters began operations with the RAAF 30 Squadron in New Guinea in 1942. In 1944, production under licence was commenced in Australia, 364 being built by DAP. They had a distinguished career with the RAAF with smooth running engines, combined with the heavy firepower from cannon, rockets and machine guns earned the title from the Japanese of the "Whispering Death". |
 Photograph courtesy of Department of Defence  Photograph courtesy of Department of Defence  A8-186 at Balikpapan, Borneo having a tyre change Photograph courtesy of Allan Miller  A8-186 at Camden Airport Photograph courtesy of N M Parnell |
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