History of this particular aircraft
Date of Manufacture - 04/02/45
Squadron assigned to - 93 Sqn Kingaroy
Markings
Code - SK-N
On Nose – “Babs”
On Rudder - large gremlin “pistol pakin' gremlin”
Crew Members
Pilot WOFF L.W. Mutton
Nav FLTSGT C.G. Curthoys
Incidents - 09/11/45 forced landing at Neomfoor after starboard engine seized.
Aircraft Stored - 09/02/46
Struck Off - 08/08/49

The RAAF had their unique variant of the Beaufighter. It was built by the Department of
Aircraft Production and was referred to as the DAP Beaufighter or Mk.21. The DAP
variant was given new engines, a tail-plane with dihedral and enhanced armour. These
aircraft were used as an attack/torpedo bomber. Australian production ended in 1946 but
not before 365 Mk 21s had been built. Because of its quiet engines and heavy firepower
the Japanese referred to the Beaufighter as “Whispering Death”.

The 93rd Squadron was formed on January 22 1945 without an official name or motto.
So unofficially it became the “Green Ghost Squadron” and the unofficial motto was
“Spookus Sneakinus”. Mid 1945 the squadron transferred to an island off Borneo called
Labuan. Their task was to disrupt Japanese shipping and airfields. In August 1945 the
squadron was tasked with destroying a Japanese oil tanker. The ship was destroyed but
turned out to be the 800 ton private yacht of the Rajah of Sarawak. The 93rd Squadron
was disbanded on 22 August 1946.

Specifications for the DAP Beaufighter Mk.21

Role – attack/torpedo bomber
Entered Service – 1944
Crew – (2)

Performance
(2) Bristol Hercules 14-cylinder radial engines, 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) each
Speed – 320 mph   (515 km/h)
Service Ceiling – 19,000   (5,791 m)
Endurance – Maximum range 1,470 miles   (2,365 km)

Dimensions
Length – 41.67 ft   (12.7 m)
Wing Span – 57.84 ft   (17.63 m)
Height – 15.9 ft   (4.84 m)

Weight
Empty – 15,600 lb   (7,076 kg)

Armament
4 x 20-mm cannons in the nose
4 x .5-in machine-guns in the wings
Able to carry (8) 5 inch HVAR rockets
(2) 250 lb (110 kg) bombs
(2) 500 lb (230 kg) bombs
(1) Mk.13 torpedo

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