RAAF jeep markings?

Rick W · #1 23-04-11, 13:14

Hello, My '42 GPW is about to hit the road. I want it to have the markings of a RAAF Grey Nurse Squadron jeep, circa 1942 while based in Britain. Has anyone any pics of vehicles used by that lot while in the UK, or what the badge/markings would have been?
Thanks in advance.

Larry Hayward · #2 13-05-11, 23:05

Firstly as an aviation historian as well as a military vehicle owner I would like to know what you mean by 'Grey Nurse' Sqn RAAF in Britain 1942.

Secondly I actually doubt an RAF or RAAF Sqn in the UK in 1942 had a Jeep unless it was to be a mobile unit like those of the 2nd TAF a few years later.

Nearly all 4x4 went to the Army at this time

Lastly please don't paint it RAF blue as that colour ended in 1941 at the latest and re-appeared in 1946

Keith Webb · #3 13-05-11, 23:16

This was 457 Squadron RAAF which was transferred back to Australia. I don't think they had Jeeps or were called Grey Nurse until they were here and re-equipped with Spitfire VIIIs.

By that stage (1944) the shark mouth was a popular thing. For those not in the know a Grey Nurse is a type of shark.

Here's a pic of the Temora Aviation Museum's Spit painted as a 457 machine with the RAAF Museum's Mustang.

Bob Carriere · #4 14-05-11, 03:26

Wonderful picture and fantastic restoration job....

Bob

Keith Webb · #5 14-05-11, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Wonderful picture and fantastic restoration job....

Bob

The Spitfire has an interesting history, to tell it briefly: It was the last Spitfire accepted by the RAAF and stayed unassembled for many years, being sent to a tech school and finally it was bought and rebuilt by the late Col Pay, a well known warbird collector here. The Temora Aviation Museum purchased it and added the 457 squadron markings. It depicts the personal aircraft of the famous Bobby Gibbes, DFC*. The codes were not the standard ones for the squadron, it was the CO's privilege to have his initials, in this case the RG for Robert Gibbes and V for victory.
The Mustang pictured is in fact a CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk 23, serial A68-170 and has never been out of RAAF ownership.
Here's a close-up of it's smile as seen from the Hudson's turret:

Sorry to sort of derail the thread...

Keith Webb · #6 14-05-11, 07:58

This is from a 457 Squadron album - you can see the squadron logo.

Rick W · #7 14-05-11, 13:25

Good jeep pic Keith, thanks for posting up.