Bruster Buffalo F2-A 488[NZ] Sqn in Singapore 1941 to 1942

Design:
Dayton Brown

Company:
Brewster

Wing Span:
35 ft 0 in 10.67 M

Wing Area:
208.9 sq ft 19.4 sq M

Length:
26 ft 4 in 8.03 M

Height:
12 ft 1 in 3.68 M

Ceiling:
32,500 ft 9,906M

Speed at 16,500 ft:
321 MPH 517KPH

Cruising Speed:
258 MPH 415 KPH

Range Typical:
965 Miles 1,553 Km

Maximum:
1,680 Miles 2,704 Km

T/O Weight:
7,159 lbs Max 3,247 Kg

Empty Weight:
4,732 lb 2,146 Kg

Fuel Capacity:
265 Imp Gallons 1,204 Liters
318 US Gallons

Crew:
1

Role:
Fighter
Fighter/Bomber

Total Manufactured All Marks:
467

Ordered by Great Britain:
170

First Flight:
Dec 1937

Armament:
2 x .5 in Sync in Upper Engine Cowl
2 x .5 in in Wings

Years Served:
1941 to 1942

Qty Served:
25

ENGINE

image source

Type:
Wright Cyclone R – 1820 - 40
9 cylinder, radial, air-cooled, supercharged

Horse Power:
1,200 HP 894.59 KW

Bore:
6.125 in 155.6 mm

Stroke:

1. 875 in 174.6 mm

Volume:
1,823 cu in 29.88 L

Compression Ratio:
6.45 : 1

T/O RPM:
2,200 RPM

Fuel:
87 Octane

Length:
47.75 in 1,213 mm

Diameter:
54.25 in 1,378 mm

Weight:
1,184 lb 537 kg

Power to Weight Ratio:
0.84 : 1 hp/lb 1.39 KW/KG

488 [NZ] Sqn RAF Buffalo

W 8135

Constructors No: 151
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Force landed in a swamp near Seletar 12 Jan 1942
A fractured oil pipe caused the engine to fail
Sgt V Meacleam uninjured
A/C written Off

W 8136

Constructors No: 152
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Crash landed between trees at Tengah Air Base 29 Jan 1942
A/C written off

W 8138

Constructors No: 154
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letter NF - O
Crash landed with most of rudder shot away 18 Jan 1942
P/O N Sharp uninjured
Repaired and flown to Palembang,
Destroyed in a bombing raid 7 Feb 1942

W 8141

Constructors No.: 157
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Last seen diving into cloud above Phillip’s Strait Singapore
after being engaged in a dogfight with enemy A/C at 16.000 ft 1230 on 18 Jan 1942
P/O Ernest Cox killed

W 8148

Constructors No: 164
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letter NF - J
Engine seized during a patrol over Palau Batu 13 Jan 1942
P/O Frank Johnstone bailed out

W 8150

Constructors No.: 166
To: 67 Sqn RAF
Code letter RD - E
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letter NF - I
Test flown by F/L J MacKenzie 28 Oct 1941
Crashed after combat in Sembawang area 12 Jan 1942
P/O K J McAneny unhurt

W 8153

Constructors No.: 169
To: 67 Sqn RAF
Undercarriage failed, belly landing 3 Jun 1941
Repaired and returned to service
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Crashed at Kallang after landing with wheels up 14 Nov 1941
Repaired and returned to service
F/L J Hutcheson uninjured
To: 21 Combined Sqn RAAF 24 Dec 1941
Code letters GA - P
To: 453 Sqn RAAF 27 Jan 1942
Flown to Sumatra 5 Feb 1942
Used by Dutch air Force in their colours
and captured by the Japanese at Andir Feb 1942

W 8156

Constructors No.: 169
To: 67 Sqn RAF
Engine failed, forced landing at Kuala Lumpur 8 Aug 1941
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
To: 21 Combined Sqn RAAF 24 Dec 1941
To: 453 Sqn RAAF Jan 1942
Destroyed in bombing raid 27 Jan 1942

image source

W 8168

Constructors No,: 184
To: 67 Sqn RAF
Crashed on landing 16 Aug 1941
F/O J F Lambert RAF uninjured
To: 453 Sqn RAAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF 15 Dec 1941
Code letters NF - T
Shot down by Japanese 19 Jan 1942
Sgt C D Charters taken prisoner

W 8171

Constructors No.: 187
Shot down while on a strafing run near Batu Pahat 23 Jan 1942
P/O Kenneth McAneny killed

W 8173

Constructors No.: 189
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Slight damage in combat 17 Jan 1942
Written off, warped in flight due to high
speed pull out 20 Jan 1942
P/O P D Gifford uninjured

W 8174

Constructors No.: 190
To: 243 Sqn RAF
Code letters WP - V
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Destroyed by enemy action.
Hit by red hot bomb splinters while on the ground,
Burnt out 22 Jan 1942

W 8175

Constructors No.: 191
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Test flown by F/L J MacKenzie 23 Oct 1941
Starboard wing hit a tree while formation
Landing at Kallang 18 Dec 1941
Sgt Alexander Craig killed

W 8177

Construction No.: 193
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letters NF - B
Crash landed on a small island 10 Miles
South of Kallang 18 Jan 1942
Had suffered damage from enemy A/C
F/L J Hutcheson uninjured
Rescued by SAR Launch

W 8181

Construction No.: 197
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letters NF - P
Took off on an Interception flight and was
Not seen again 15 Jan 1942
Sgt John Oliver killed

W 8183

Constructors No.: 199
Damaged in combat over Singapore
F/Lt MacKenzie survived

Crash landed on a strip of ground near
Alexander Hospital after being shot down
By enemy action.
Died before ground crew could get to him 15 Jan 1942
P/O Grenville Hesketh killed

W 8185

Constructors No. 201
To: 453 Sqn RAAF 26 Aug 1941
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF Nov 1941
Code letters NF - V
Shot down by enemy A/C over Singapore,
Ditched half a mile from shore 13 Jan 1942
Picked up by Chinese in a Sampan
P/O F Oakden uninjured

image source

W 8186

Constructors No.: 202
To 67 Sqn RAF
To” 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letters NF - X
Shot down by enemy A/C over Johore 12 Jan 1942
Sgt R McMillan bailed out uninjured

W 8191

Constructors No.: 207
Test flown by F/L J MacKenzie 18 Oct 1941
Code letters N F - U
Damaged in combat 12 Jan 1942
P/O G P White uninjured

Crashed into petrol dump on take off
During a bombing raid 22 Jan 1942
P/O Len Farr serious injury, died 3 days later

W 8195

Constructors No.: 211
Crashed after engine failure on climb out
From take off 17 Jan 1942
Pilot bailed out, picked up by Air Sea
Rescue Patrol
P/O S Johnstone uninjured

W 8198

Constructors No.: 214
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Code letters NF - U
Taken over from Seletar 26 Oct 1941
Destroyed by enemy action, hit by red hot
Bomb splinters while on the ground,
Burnt out 22 Jan 1942

W 8200

Constructors No.: 216
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Test flown by F/L J MacKenzie 28 Oct 1941

Mid air with a MVAF Tiger Moth 29 Dec 1941
The Tiger Moth crashed into Lavender Street, [Red light area]
P/O W W G Felton RNZAF P/O W Smith RN
The Buffalo landed at Kallang
Repaired and returned to service
Sgt W De Maus uninjured

Shot down by enemy A/C over Johore at 12.000 ft 12 Jan 1942
Sgt T Honan bullet wound to left arm,
Into Johore Military Hospital

W 8223

Constructors No.: 239
To 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Crashed into a house after engine failure
in the circuit at Kallang 4 Jan 1942
P/O J Godsiff minor injuries

W 8235

Constructors No.: 251
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Shot down by enemy A/C over Singapore 13 Jan 1942
Pilot bailed out and landed in sea 400 m
From a small island, he then swam to a larger island,
Picked up by Air Sea Rescue Launch
Sgt D Clow uninjured

AN 187

Constructors No.: 286
To 243 Sqn
To 488 Sqn RNZAF
Crashed after engine failure, on a test flight,
pilot bailed out and was rescued
by some Chinese in a Sampan 13 Jan 1942
Sgt E Kuhn uninjured

AN 189

Constructors No.: 288
To: 453 Sqn RAAF 26 Aug 1941
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF Nov 1941
Shot down near Batu Pahat while on
strafing run, bailed out, captured by Japanese 23 Jan 1942
Sgt C Charters POW Died 25 Dec 1943

AN 198

Constructors No,: 297
To: 67 Sqn RAF
To: 488 Sqn RNZAF
Test flown F/L J MacKenzie 24 Oct 1941
Crashed landing at Kallang, hit windsock
mast and stalled into the ground 24 Nov 1941
Sgt E Kuhn uninjured

AN 199

Constructors No.: 298
To 67 Sqn RAF
To: Kallang Station Flight
Struck water while low flying near
Batu Pahat 11 Nov 1941
Stalled on landing at Kallang with
Damaged propeller
P/O E Cox unhurt A/C written Off

Brewster Buffaloes Known To Have Been In Singapore/Malaya Area

Tail No Code Sqn

W1834 WP – M 243 Sqn Written off After U/C failed landing at Kallang 18 Aug 1941
W8137 WP - C 243 Sqn Ground looped, damaged Sgt R A Weber RNZAF Unhurt 5 Nov 1941
Crash landing after combat Sgt R J Newman RNZAF Died of wounds 12 Jan 1942

W8140 243 Sqn Used for gun firing training
First to exceede 200 Hrs flying time

W8142 WP – N 243 Sqn
453 Sqn 26 Jan 42

W8143 RD – B 67 Sqn Crashed on landing at Kallang Sgt C Mc Donald RNZAF Unhurt 13 Aug 1941
243 Sgn Converted to night fighter “Black Bess”
Damaged in combat P/O T B Marra RNZAF Unhurt 18 Jan 1942

W8144 RD - C 67 Sqn Crashed on night landing Sgt E E Pederson RNZAF Unhurt 19 Sep 1941

W8146 RD – D 67 Sqn Engine failure, wheels up landing Sgt C V Bargh RNZAF Unhurt

W8147 WP – O 243 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt G B Fiskin RNZAF Unhurt 12 Jan 1942
And 14 Jan 1942
Damaged in combat P/O G L Bonham RNZAF Unhurt 17 Jan 1942
Shot down Sgt V Arthur RNZAF Killed 22 Jan 1942

[A Brewster Buffalo fighter destroyed on the ground during one of the heaviest raids on Kallang airfield]

W8149 WP - 243 Sqn Skidded into irrigation ditch Kallang P/O E A Pevreal RNZAF Unhurt 8 Apr 1941

W8151 TD – C 453 Sqn Eng failed on takeoff Sgt V A Collyer RAAF Unhurt 9 Dec 1941

W8152 TD – F 453 Sqn Shot down over Butterworth P/O G L Angus RAAF Leg Wound 13 Dec 1941

W8155 WP - 243 Sqn Damaged beyond repair in bombing raid 27 Jan 1942

W8156 67 Sqn Eng failed, forced landing Kuala Lumpur 8 Aug 1941
243 Sqn Returned to Singapore 23 Dec 1941
Destroyed in bombing raid 27 Jan 1942

W8157 453 Sqn Damaged in combat F/L J R Kinninmont RAAF Unhurt
Damaged by enemy shell while taxiing P/O FS Johnstone RNZAF Unhurt 5 Feb 1942

RAAF colour scheme

W8158 TD – N 453 Sqn Crashed in Sumatra P/O D R L Brown RNZAF Killed 13 Dec 1941

W8159 453 Sqn

W8160 453 Sqn Shot down Sgt S G Scrimgeour RAAF Bailed Out 22 Dec 1941

W8161 67 Sqn Mid-air with a Blenheim F/O J S Wigglesworth RAF Unhurt 23 Sep 1941

W8162 243 Sqn Stalled during approach 14 Nov 1941
Damaged in combat P/O N C Sharp RNZAF Unhurt 20 Jan 1942

W8163 GA – P 21 Sqn RAAF Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941
To N E I and captured by Japanese at Andir Feb 1942

W8164 243 Sqn Damaged in crash landing P/O G L Bonham RNZAF Unhurt 14 Nov 1941
Damaged in combat P/O G L Bonham RNZAF Wounded 18 Jan 1942

W8165 21 Sqn RAAF

W8166 488 Sqn PR Mods + extra fuel tanks Nov 42
4 PRU Destroyed in shelling at Kallang 6 Feb 1942

W8167 453 Sqn

Dutch colour scheme

W8169 21 Sqn RAAF

W8170 21 Sqn RAAF Shot down Sgt G R Board RAAF Bailed out, unhurt 22 Dec 1941

W8172 21 Sqn RAAF

W8176 453 Sqn Crashed in Sumatra W/C L J Neale RAF Killed 13 Dec 1941

W8178 WP – Y 243 Sqn Shot down Sgt J B Oliver RNZAF Killed 15 Jan 1942

W8179 243 Sqn Collided with W8199 P/O A Shield RNZAF Killed 5 Jan 1942

W8180 253 Sqn Force landing in Sumatra P/O T W Lindsey RAAF Injured 13 Dec 1941

W8182 243 Sqn Eng failure, ditched off Singapore P/O F W J Oakden RNZAF Unhurt 22 Jul 1941

W8184 WP – G 243 Sqn Collided with Tiger Moth Sgt A R Reynolds RNZAF Unhurt 7 Nov 1941
Shot down Sgt M A Greenslade Bailed Out 23 Jan 1942

W8187 WP - R 243 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt M J F Baldwin RAF Unhurt 12 Jan 1942
Shot down Sgt M J F Baldwin RAF Killed 22 Jan 1942

W8188 453 Sqn U/C collapsed Sgt A W B Clare RAAF Unhurt 12 Sep 1941

W8189 WP – Q 243 Sqn Eng failure, overshot Kallang, into the sea 25 Nov 1941

W8190 RD – F 67 Sqn Hit obstruction landing at Seletar Sgt E E Pedersen RNZAF Unhurt 8 Sep 1941

W8192 453 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt M D O’Mara RAAF Unhurt 13 Dec 1941

W8193 67 Sqn
WP – V 243 Sqn Damaged in combat F/S M Garden Unhurt 12 Jan 1942

W8194 243 Sqn Undershot landing at Kallang Sgt A P Saul RNZAF Unhurt 12 May 1941

488 Sqn line up

W8196 453 Sqn

W8197 453 Sqn Eng failure, forced landing Sgt H H Griffiths RAAF Unhurt 18 Sep 1941

W8199 WP – S 243 Sqn Collided with W 8179 Sgt P L Elliot RNZAF Killed 5 Jan 1942

W8201 243 Sqn Damaged in combat P/O N C Sharp RNZAF Unhurt 18 Jan 1942

W8202 453 Sqn Wheels up landing Sembawang P/O F Leigh Bowes RAAF Unhurt 17 Aug 1941
21 Sqn RAAF / 453 Sqn Collided with AN 171, forced landing Sgt G T Harrison RAAFUnhurt

W8205 TD – H 453 Sqn Flown to Palembang Feb 1942

W8206 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Shot down and bailed out Sgt K R Leys RAAF 22 Dec 1941

W8208 453 Sqn Crashed doing forced landing P/O M Irving-Brown RAAF Killed 8 Oct 1941

W8209 TD – E 453 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt M N Reed RAAF Unhurt 13 Dec 1941
Taxied into bomb crater at Kluang 8 Jan 1942
Written Off

W8210 453 Sq Collided on ground with a Dutch Martin 139 at Sembawang
Sgt E A Peterson RAAF Unhurt 9 Dec 1941

W8211 453 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt G E G Seagoe RAAF Wounded 14 Dec 1941
Damaged landing at Ipoh Sgt V A Collyer RAAF Unhurt 18 Dec 1941

W8211 21 Sqn RAAF

W8214 21 Sqn Caught fire, bailed out F/O R H Wallace RAAF 26 Sep 1941
RAAF

W8216 453 Sqn Crashed on takeoff at Ipoh Sgt G R Board RAAF Unhurt 18 Dec 1941

W8217 TD – B 453 Sqn Hit bomb crater on landing at Ipoh P/O F Leigh – Bowes RAAF Unhurt 13 Dec 1941

W8219 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Taxied into car at Kluang Sgt G R Board RAAF Unhurt 10 Jan 1942

W8221 WP – X 243 Sqn Damaged in combat, one wheel landing P/O J M Cranstone RNZAF Unhurt 17 Jan 1942
Damaged in combat P/O Gifford RNZAF Unhurt 25 Jan 1942
453 Sqn Flown to Palembang 9 Feb 1942

W8222 21 Sqn RAAF Damaged beyond repair at Singei Patani 8 Dec 41

W8224 21 Sqn RAAF Shot down, bailed out F/O C R Mc Kenny RAAF 9 Dec 1941

W8225 453 Sqn Shot down Sgt R R Oelrich RAAF Killed 13 Dec 1941

W8226 453 Sqn Overshot landing Sgt K Gorringe RAAF Unhurt 5 Nov 1941
243 Sqn Attacked by a hurricane, crash landing at Tengah
Sgt C T Kronk RNZAF Unhurt 31 Jan 1942

W8227 21 Sqn RAAF

W8230 151 MU [Maint Unit] U/C collapsed on test flight 24 Dec 1941

W8231 TD – G 453 Sqn Damaged in combat Sgt H H Griffiths RNZAF Unhurt 22 Dec 1941
243 Sqn Converted to night fighter “ Black Magic”
Damaged in combat P/O T B Marra RNZAF Unhurt 13 Jan 1942

W8232 21 Sqn RAAF Force landed following combat F/L F H Williams RAAF Unhurt 9 Dec 1941
Destroyed on ground

W8234 243 Sqn Shot down Sgt N B Rankin RNZAF Killed 12 Jan 1942

W8236 21 Sqn RAAF Shot down F/O H V Montefiore RAAF Unhurt 9 Dec1941

W8237 453 Sqn Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941
Damaged in combat Sgt G B Fisken RNZAF Wounded 1 Feb 1942
Flown to Palembang Feb 1942

W8242 WP – K 243 Sqn Tail wheel shot off in combat Sgt C T Kronk
453 Sqn Flown to Palemban 9 Feb 1942

AN170 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Shot down Sgt W H Parsons RAAF Killed 19 Jan 1942

AN171 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Collided with W8202, ditched, rescued F/O R H Wallace RAAF

AN172 21 Sqn RAAF Overshot landing and overturned while landing at Port Swettenham
F/L J R Kinninmont RAAF Unhurt 15 Dec 1941

AN173 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Destroyed in bombing raid at Sembawang 17 Jan 42

AN174 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Shot down Sgt N R Chapman RAAF Killed 18 Jan 1942

AN175 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Collided with Japanese Ki 43 Sgt M N Reed RAAF Killed 22 Dec 1941

AN176 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Flown to Palembang 9 Feb 1942

AN178 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN179 21 Sqn RAAF

AN180 GA – B 453 Sqn to 21 Sqn RAAF
& 453 Sqn Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941

AN181 21 Sqn RAAF

AN183 21 Sqn RAAF

AN184 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Crash landed at Kuala Lumpur P/O T W Livesey RAAF Wounded 22 Dec 1941

AN185 TD – V 453 Sqn Damaged on landing F/L R G Vanderfield RAAF Unhurt 9 Jan 1942

AN186 21 Sqn RAAF

AN188 21 Sqn RAAF Shot down, force landed on Penang F/L A M White RAAF Unhurt 9 Dec 1041

AN194 GA – D 21 Sqn RAAF Captured by Japanese in Northern Malaya Dec 41

AN195 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN196 WP – W Captured by Japanese at Kota Bharu Dec 1941

AN197 243 Sqn Crash landed at Pulau Bukum Sgt C F Powell RAAF Injured 3 Jan 1942

AN 199 67 Sqn to Kallang Station Flight Force landing P/O E W Cox RNZAF Unhurt 11 Nov 1941

AN201 21 Sqn RAAF Shot down F/L A M White RAAF Killed 14 Dec 1941

AN203 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN204 453 Sqn Shot down, crash landing P/O W Dury RAAF Died of Wounds 22 Dec 1941

AN205 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Force landing on Bintan Island Sgt M D O’Mara RAAF Rescued 30 Jan 1942

AN206 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941

AN207 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN208 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN209 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Flown to Palembang 6 Feb 1942
Damaged in bombing raid 6 Feb 1942
Repaired and flown to Batavia 10 Feb 1942
Destroyed in strafing attack

AN210 TD – J 453 Sqn Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941

AN211 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Crashed while forced landing at Pulaku Koenboer
Sgt H H Griffiths RAAF Injured 3 Jan 1942

AN212 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn

AN213 453 Sqn Shot down bailed out F/L T A Vogors RAF Injured 13 Dec 1941

AN215 21 Sqn RAAF & 453 Sqn Returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur 23 Dec 1941
Destroyed in bombing raid on Sembawang 17 Jan 1942

KNOWN COMBAT CLAIMS AND CREDITS

Date Pilot Air Force Sqn Claim Buffalo

9 Dec 41 F/O H V MONTEFIORE RAAF 21 Sqn RAAF Ki – 27 W8236

13 Dec 41 F/L R D VANDERFIELD RAAF 453 Sqn 2 x Ki – 48 AN185
Ki - 51
Sgt M N READ RAAF 453 Sqn 2 x Ki – 51 W8209
{Sgt V A COLLYER RAAF 453 Sqn} Ki – 51 AN180
{Sgt M N READ RAAF 453 Sqn} shared W8209
F/L B A GRACE RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 27 W8159
Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 48 Prob W8147

14 Dec 41 Sgt G R BOARD RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 51

15-Dec 41 {Sgt G R BOARD RAAF 453 Sqn } Ki – 48
{Sgt M D O’MARA RAAF 453 Sqn } shared

21 Dec 41 Sgt E A PETERSON RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 51 W8207
2 x Ki 51 Prob

22 Dec 41 Sgt A W B CLARE RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 51
Ki – 51 Prob
Ki – 48 Prob
Sgt M N READ RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 43 AN175
By collision
Sgt H H GRIFFITHS RAAF 453 Sqn 2 x Ki – 27 W8231
Sgt G R BOARD RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 48 W8170
F/L R D VANDERFIELDRAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 27 Prob AN210
Ki – 43 Prob
Sgt K GORRINGE RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 27 Prob
Sgt V A COLLYER RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 43 Prob AN180
Sgt S G SCRIMGEOUR RAAF 453 Sqn Ki – 27 Prob W8160

10 Jan 42 {Sgt B S WIPITI RNZAF 243 Sqn} Ki -46
{Sgt C T KRONG RNZAF 243 Sqn] shared WP – A

12 Jan 42 F/L M GARDEN RAF 243 Sqn 2 x Ki – 27 W8139
Ki - 27 Prob
F/O M H HOLDER RAF 243 Sqn 2 x Ki – 27
Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27 W8147
P/O N C SHARP RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27 Prob W8138
P/O G L BONHAM RNZAF 243 Sqn G3M WP – F
G3M Prob
Sgt A R REYNOLDS RNZAF 243 Sqn 2 x Ki – 27 Prob W8238
Sgt W J M MacINTOSH RNZAF 488 Sqn Ki – 27 Prob W8171

13 Jan 42 F/L M GARDEN RAF 243 Sqn Ki- 27 W8242
P/O N C SHARP RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27 W8138
{P/O E A PEVREAL RNZAF 243 Sqn } Ki – 43 Prob W8184
{Sgt C T KRONK RNZAF 243 Sqn } shared W8139
P/O W J GREENHALGH RNZAF 488 Sqn G3M Prob W8168

14 Jan 42 Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M W8147
Sgt P E E KILLICK RNZAF 488 Sqn Ki – 46 Prob

15 Jan 42 P/O T B MARRA RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27 W8143
{F/L M GARDEN RAF 243 Sqn } A6M W8242
{Sgt R A WEBER RNZAF 243 Sqn } shared W8139
Sgt E E G KUHN RNZAF 488 Sqn Ki – 27
{Sgt D L CLOW RNZAF 488 Sqn} Ki – 27 W8235
{Sgt W J N MacINTOSH RNZAF 488 Sqn } shared W8171
{Sgt H J MEHARRY RNZAF 488 Sqn } shared
F/L R D VANDERFIELD RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 48 TD - O
F/L J R KINNINMONT RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 48 W8157
P/O F LEIGH BOWES RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 48 Prob

16 Jan 42 S/L F J HOWELL RAF 243 Sqn C5M W8193
Sgt C T KRONK RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 43 Prob WP – A

17 Jan 41 F/O M H HOLDER RAF 243 Sqn Ki – 48
Ki – 48 Prob
Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 48 W8147
{F/O M H HOLDER RAF 243 Sqn} 2 Ki -48
{Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn} shared W8147
Sgt A W B CLARE RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 27
{F/L R D VANDERFIELD RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn} A6M TD – O
{Sgt A W B CLARE RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn} shared
{F/L R D VANDERFIELD RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn } Ki – 27
{F/L B A GRACE RAAF 21 RAAF /453 SQN shared

18 Jan 42 F/O D M SPROULE RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 27
Sgt H W PARSONS RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 43 Ptob
P/O N C SHARP RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M W8138
Sgt M J F BALDWIN RAF 243 Sqn A6M W8187
Sgt V ARTHUR RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M Prob
Sgt C T KRONK RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M Prob W8242
P/O T B MARRA RNZAF 243 Sqn Me 109 Prob ? W8143
P/O E A PEVREAL RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki - 48 Prob WP – E
Sgt E E G KUHN RNZAF 488 Sqn 2 x A6M
Sgt P E E KILLICK RNZAF 488 Sq A6M
F/L J R HUTCHESON RNZAF 488 Sqn A6M W8177
Sgt V E MEACLEM RNZAF 488 Sqn A6M Prob W8158
SGT W J N MacINTOSH RNZAF 488 Sqn 2 x A6M Prob W8198

19 Jan 42F/L J R KINNINMONT RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 51 W8157
Ki – 43
F/L J KIRKMAN RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 51
A6M Prob
F/L R D VANDERFIELD RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 51
Sgt K GORRINGE RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 51

20 Jan 42 Sgt C T KRONK RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 48 W8184
P/O N C SHARP RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 48 W8162

21 Jan 42 Sgt B S WIPITI RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M W 8147
Sgt M J F BALDWIN RAF 243 Sqn G4M
Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M W8147
Sgt C T KRONK RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M Prob W8242

22 Jan 42 Sgt B S WIPITI RNZAF 243 Sqn 2 x G3M
Sgt M A GREENSLADE RNZAF 243 Sqn G3M Prob WP – H

26 Jan 41 F/L M GARDEN RAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27
Sgt WIPITI RNZAF 243 Sqn Ki – 27
P/O J M CRANSTONE RNZAF 243 Sqn A6M W8226
F/L B A GRACE RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 27
F/O G M SHEPPARD RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki – 27
Sgt K ROSS LEYS RAAF 21 RAAF / 453 Sqn Ki -27

29 Jan 42 Sgt K GORRINGE RAAF 453 Sqn G3M Prob

1 Feb42 Sgt G B FISKEN RNZAF 243 Sqn Me 109? W8237
A6M Prob

Also

9 Dec41 Sgt C B WAREHAN RNZAF 4 PRU
While on a PR run the attacking fighter crashed while trying to follow the Buffalo’s evasive action
and was credited to Sgt C B Warehan

ROLL OF HONOUR

4 Apr 41 F/O J MANSEL-LEWIS RAF 243 Sqn Killed On Active Service A Passenger in a Blenheim that Crashed

8 Oct 41 P/O M IRVING-BROWN RAAF 453 Sqn K O A S W8208

13 Dec 41 W/C L J NEALE RAF OC IPOH K O A S W8176
P/O D R L BROWN RNZAF 453 Sqn K O A S W8158
Sgt R R OELRICH RAAF 453 Sqn Killed In Action W8225

14 Dec 41 F/L A M WHITE RAAF 21 RAAF K I A AN201

18 Dec 41 Sgt A G CRAIG RNZAF 488 Sqn K O A S W8175

22 Dec 41 Sgt M N READ RAAF 453 Sqn K I A AN175
Sgt E A PETERSON RAAF 453 Sqn K I A W8207
P/O R W DRURY RAAF 453 Sqn Died Of Wounds W8137

5 Jan 41 P/O R S SHIELD RNZAF 243 Sqn K O A S W8179
Sgt P L ELLIOTT RNZAF 243 Sqn K O A S W8199

12 Feb42 Sgt R J NEWMAN RNZAF 243 Sqn D O W W8189
Sgt N B RANKIN RNZAF 243 Sqn K I A W8234

13 Jan 42 Sgt A R REYNOLDS RNZAF 243 Sqn K I A W8238

15 Jan 42 Sgt J B OLIVER RNZAF 243 Sqn K I A W8178
P/O G L HESKETH RNZAF 488 Sqn D O W W8183

18 Jan 42 P/O E W COX RNZAF 488 Sqn K I A W8141
Sgt N R CHAPMAN RAAF 21 RAAF/453 Sqn K I A AN174

19 Jan 42 P/O K J Mc ANENY RNZAF 488 Sqn K I A W8171
Sgt H W PARSONS RAAF 21 RAAF/453 Sqn K I A AN170

22 Jan 42 P/O L R FARR RNZAF 488 Sqn D O W W8191
Sgt M J F BALDWIN RAF 243 Sqn K I A W8187
Sgt V ARTHUR RNZAF 243 Sqn K I A W8147

           W/C R A CHIGNELL RAF C O RAF Kallang     Killed while Attempting to Escape From Singapore        

1 Mar 42 P/O N C SHARP RNZAF 488 Sqn Posted Missing while flying Hurricanes from Java on 605 Sqn

29 Nov 43 F/L G P WHITE RNZAF 488 Sqn Died while P O W when the Ship “ Suez Maru” was Sunk by USN Submarine “Bonefish” North East of Kangean Island in the Java Sea

25-12-43 W/O C D CHARTERS RNZAF 488 Sqn Died Of Dysentery while P O W

DECORATIONS

F/L M GARDEN RAF DFC
P/O SHARP RNZAF DFC
Sgt [F/O] G B FISKEN DFC Sep 43
P/O [ S/L] J CRANSTONE DFC
F/L J HITCHESON DFC
Sgt [ OFFICER} D CLOW DFC
P/O G BONHAM DFC KIA 25 Sep 44 In England
Sgt E KUHN DFM
Sgt B WIPITI DFM KIA 3 Oct 43 In England
Sgt C T KRONK KIA 28 May 42 In India

F/O M HOLDER KOAS 27 Aug 42 In England
S/L R BOWS KIA 20 Feb 44 In England Bomber Command
F/O C W FRANKS MBE Equip Off
F/S W A CHANDLER BEM Acting Eng Off
Sgt J REES BEM Ground Crew

There is a difference between the quantity taken over from No 67 Sqn at Kallang in Singapore
One says 21 plus 4 attrition spares, another says 17 with no mention of spares,
488 Sqn RAF at the time of the invasion was not yet fully operational.

By 25 Dec 1941 there were 16 A/C left.

First Combat was 12 January 1942, 2 lost, 5 damaged, and No Claims

By 23 January there was only 2 Buffalos remaining on 488 Sqn which were handed over to
243 Sqn and 488 Sqn was re-equipped with Mustangs

The Buffalo was the first Mono Wing Fighter to enter service with US Navy

27 Modifications had to be made to the Buffalo before it could be used in Battle

One of very few aircraft to be flown by both sides in the war.
Finland flew the Model B-239

In an attempt to improve the performance of the Buffalo some
Sqn’s removed all unnecessary equipment to lower the weight.
Even replacing the .5” machine guns with lighter .303” and reducing the ammunition and fuel loads.

243 SQN PERSONNEL

S/L G B M BELL RAF C O

F/L T A VIGORS DFC RAF A Flt Cmdr
F/O M GARDEN RAF
P/O G L BONHAM RNZAF
P/O F W J OAKDEN RNZAF
P/O G L HESKETH RNZAF
P/O E A PEVREAL RNZAF
SGT R J NEWMAN RNZAF
SGT C B WAREHAM RNZAF
SGT M A GREENSLADE RNZAF
SGT R A WEBER RNZAF
SGT G B FISKEN RNZAF
SGT C T KRONK RNZAF
SGT A R REYNOLDS RNZAF
SGT C F POWELL RAAF

F/L R BOWS RAF B Flt Cmdr
F/O M H HOLDER RAF
P/O T B MARRA RNZAF
P/O J M CRANSTONE RNZAF
P/O R S SHIELD RNZAF
P/O D R L BROWN RNZAF
SGT V ARTHUR RNZAF
SGT N B RANKIN RNZAF
SGT P L ELLIOTT RNZAF
SGT J B OLIVER RNZAF
SGT B S WIPITI RNZAF
SGT A R P SAUL RNZAF
SGT A J LAWRENCE RNZAF
SGT B K BABER RNZAF

488 SQN PERSONNEL

S/L W G CLOUSTON DFC RAF C O

F/L J N Mac KENZIE DFC RAF A Flt Cmdr TO S/L CO Sqn
P/O F W J OAKDEN RNZAF Ex 243 Sqn
P/O J C GODSIFF RNZAF
P/O K J Mc ANENY RNZAF
P/O H S PETTIT RNZAF
P/O G P WHITE RNZAF
P/O P D GIFFORD RNZAF Ex 100 Sqn
SGT E E G KUHN RNZAF
SGT T W HONAN RNZAF
SGT H J MEHARRY RNZAF
SGT W J N Mac INTOSH RNZAF
SGT R W Mac MILLAN RNZAF

F/L J R HUTCHESON RNZAF B Flt Cmdr
P/O G L HESKETH RNZAF Ex 243 Sqn
P/O W J GREENHALGH RNZAF
P/O N C SHARP RNZAF
P/O F S JOHNSTONE RNZAF
P/O E W COX RNZAF
P/O FARR RNZAF
SGT D L CLOW RNZAF
SGT V E MEACLEM RNZAF
SGT P E E KILLICK RNZAF
SGT J F BURTON RNZAF
SGT C D CHARTERS RNZAF
SGT A G CRAIG RNZAF

488 Sqn Hurricane at Singapore

Nakajima Ki – 27

Crew 1 Power Plant Nakajima Ha – 1 Radial 650 HP
Max Speed 292 MPH Armament 2 x 7.7mm Machine Guns
Range 390 Mile Introduced 1938

Mitsubishi A6M Reisen Zeke – Zero

Crew 1 Power Plant Nakajima NK1F Sake Radial 1130 HP
Max Speed 350 MPH Armament 2 x 20mm Cannon
Range 1190 Mile 2 x 7.7mm Machine Guns
Introduced Sep 1940

Nakajima Ki – 43 Oscar

Crew 1 Power Plant Nakajima Ha – 115 Radial 1150 HP
Max Speed 331 MPH Armament 1 x 12.7 mm Machine Gun
Range 995 Mile Introduced Apr 1941

Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty

Crew 7 Power Plant 2 x Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei Radial 1530 Hp
Max Speed 266 MPH Armament 1 x 20mm Cannon
Range 3750 Mile 5 x 7.7 mm Machine Guns
Introduced 1937

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner