This is not a Navy SBD III !

When first introduced to combat, the A-24 suffered badly at the hands of enemy fighters, so a decision was made early in the piece to completely withdraw it from combat.

However, obsolete aircraft never die, they just get reassigned as hacks ! Several of the Fifth Air Forces's original A-24s which had been evacuated from the Philippines in early 1942 wound up with service and repair outfits, such as this example assigned to the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt, Townsville, seen here in early 1944.

'Hack' aircraft were used to ferry supplies, conduct liaison with other units, and transport people as required.

Other 'hacks' used in the Fifth surprisingly included O-47s (the Foose), Curtis Falcons, and Brewster Buffalos, and even a RAAF Tiger Moth.

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