Handcrafted Wooden Spitfire

Object/Artifact

-

Henley & Grange RSL

2023.114: Spitfire DL-A, 54 Squadron RAF
2023.114

Spitfire DL-A, 54 Squadron RAF

Name/Title

Handcrafted Wooden Spitfire

Entry/Object ID

2023.114

Description

A handcrafted, wooden model of a Spitfire aircraft, mounted upon a modern, wooden stand. The aircraft markings include the roundels of the RAAF (1942-44) and its designation.

Use

A model of the RAF 54 Squadron Spitfire, DL-A, which served in the defence of the Northern Territory against the Imperial Japanese Forces during 1943-44. The unique national marking – the WWII RAAF Pacific roundel - was implemented after a US Navy Wildcat fighter mistakenly identified the red inner circle as Japanese, and attacked an RAAF PBY-5 Catalina. The RAAF WWII Pacific 5:3 roundel (as illustrated on the model) and the 5:2 roundel, would be used in the region from 1942 until late 1944. The fin stripes, also represented on this model, would changed to make the blue/white stripes equal widths, but of varying height according to aircraft type.

Category

Art, Memorabilia, Sculpture, War Memorabilia

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1943 - circa 1944

Time Period

20th Century

Place

State/Province

Northern Territory, Australia

Continent

Oceania

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Fuselage DL-A

Location

Building

Henley & Grange RSL Sub-branch

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Donation