What is this vehicle

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

More importantly, what is that thing slung under the wing that the bloke on the roof of the ute seems to be filling?

Beer carrier? There were reports of cross channel beer flights to ensure that those who preferred English beer over French wine didn't have to go dry. If they climbed to suitable altitude the beer would arrive cool or cold depending on preference and chosen altitude.

[David Dunlop]

In the first Beaufort photo the tank under the wing has a large diameter tube clamped at the lower back end of it with what appears to be a nozzle at the end of it facing aft.

A similar sized tank looks to be sitting vertically in the back of the Ute.

Could this be smoke screen laying equipment being prepped?

David

[Lang]

I think David is getting close.

It is obviously some improvised object as the big tube hanging down has no aerodynamic consideration and in fact it must be pushed up almost horizontal by the air flow in flight. If it is strong enough to stay vertical - does not look like it - it would be serious drag.

I will ask the Beaufort restoration mob at Caboolture about it (I was not aware a Beaufort had external racks)

Lang

[Lang]

Well, halfway there.

After looking at lots of photos showing no external load racks on Beauforts found this one. The aircraft in flight is the standard set-up in dozens of photos.

[Mike Cecil]

DAP Beaufort Mk VIII had provision for a single 250 pound bomb under each wing.

Mike

[Lang]

Good find Mike.

Looks like my New Guinea line up aircraft is not a rack but directional aerials.

[Lang]

Mike Kelly can you give us the captions for your AWM Beaufort photos (I can't find them)

Lang

[Lang]

Found it. Whatever the gas is it can not be too bad with the blokes in shorts and bare arms. Ute is a 1938 model.

COROWA, NSW. 1943-03. FILLING THE CONTAINERS ON A BEAUFORT BOMBER OF THE RAAF WITH A MIXTURE (MODIFIED S. 2) USED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES AT THE LAND HEADQUARTERS GAS SCHOOL AT BONEGILLA. THIS MIXTURE WILL BE SPRAYED FROM THE PLANE OVER A PREPARED AREA AT THE GAS SCHOOL.