Suitcase issued to aircraft captains or crew by RAAF during World War II. The contents of M D Frecker's suitcase include World War II medals awarded to the owner, photographs, maps, pilots' handbooks, language dictionaries (Malay, Pidgin, Japanese), propaganda leaflets dropped by Japanese.Has historical and social significance, also research significance. Provenance known, owner piloted B-24 Liberator bombers and General Blamey's personal aircraft; item was donated by son. Great interpretive potential.Worn dark suitcase belonging to Mason Day Frekker, strong cardboard covered with 'leatherette', metal fasteners on front, with carry handle. Suitcase contains Flying Log Book RAAF, Wedding Photo, National Archives Record Search Mason Day Frecker, Distinguished Flying Medal Register WW2 x 3, Papers on Medals and Victorian Ground Crew Numbers, Files 1 - 2 - 3 - Photographs, Leaflets, Pilots' Notes, Maps - Germany (28 maps), Buttons and badges and other medals."RAAF/402653/Frecker/M.D." on top surface, "M.D.F." on front surface under handle.b24 liberator bomber, world war ii, raaf pilot, world war ii aerial photographs, a22.00

Framed copies of newspaper photos of Liberators of 21 SQN

The seven photographs shown above are part of an anonymous donation, by a relative, of the photographic collection of a former member of No. 3 Squadron RAAF 1939-1945. They cover the African, Sicily and Italian campaigns. The entire collection comprises 175 photographs. The collection has been divided into sets depicting various aspects of 3 Squadron operations. The above images are representative of this particular set of 34 photographs, featuring allied aircraft from British and American squadrons that that shared airfields with 3 Squadron in Africa and Italy. Of note are the photographs from Foggia in Italy, home to dozens of bomber and fighter squadrons. The museum has digitized the complete set.Set of 34 black and white photographs featuring Allied aircraft from other squadrons, Australian, British and American. The full set numbering and description is as follows: 9664.01P Avro Anson Africa.jpg 9664.02P B 17 Italy 2.jpg 9664.03P B17 Italy.jpg 9664.04P B17 Lil Joan 346 Bombr Squadron 99th bomb group Italy.jpg 9664.05P B17.jpg 9664.06P B24 Foggia Italy.jpg 9664.07P B24 Liberator Italy.jpg 9664.08P B24 Transport.jpg 9664.09P B25 Mitchell 1943.jpg 9664.10P B25 Mitchell Italy.jpg 9664.11P Beaufighter with nose radar.jpg 9664.12P Beaufighter.jpg 9664.13P Beaufort.jpg 9664.14P Bristol Blenheim.jpg 9664.15P Bristol Bombay 1st Ambulance Air Unit Africa.jpg 9664.16P Crashed Havoc.jpg 9664.17P Crashed Liberator Italy.jpg 9664.18P Crashed Spitfire.jpg 9664.19P DeHavilland DH86 .jpg 9664.20P Formation of Baltimores at Mtapin Malapis.jpg 9664.21P Havoc.jpg 9664.22P Hawker Fury Africa.jpg 9664.23P Lightening.jpg 9664.24P Lockheed Hudson.jpg 9664.25P Mosquito.jpg 9664.26P P38 Lightning Italy.jpg 9664.27P P47D Thunderbolt.jpg 9664.28P P47G Thunderbolt .jpg 9664.29P Shanghai Lil insignia on Mitchell Loggia Italy 1943.jpg 9664.30P Vultee Vengeance .jpg 9664.31P Walrus.jpg 9664.32P Wellington.jpg 9664.33P Wimpy.jpg 9664.34P Harrow.jpgno. 3 squadron raaf 1939-1945, african campaign ww2, italian campaign ww2, raf squadrons, usaaf squadrons

This particular aircraft was modified with a search radar in the lower fuselage to help locate and track targets and was then redesignated as a B-24R model. The RAAF took A72-176 on charge in late 1944 and this saw it issued to 7 OTU (Operational Training Unit) based at Tocumwal, south west NSW. The training saw bomber crews learn how to fly the bomber, operate as a team and work with fighters. Towards the end of the war there were up to 50 aircraft located at Tocumwal along with 5000 personnel. A72-176 was noted as flown on training missions by various aircrew.This aircraft is one of the only remaining B-24 bombers in the southern hemisphere and 1 of only 8 remaining B-24 airframes still existing in the world, out of the nearly 19,000 which were originally built. The restoration honours the contribution of one of the RAAF’s main bombers of the WWII era. This restored Liberator aircraft was assembled from parts salvaged from B-24M models, manufactured during the 1940s in the USA. Made from aluminium, the plane is 68 feet long, with a wingspan of 110 feet, and is metallic silver with a distinctive blue and white target design on each side. The aircraft is powered by four wing-mounted engines, and is fitted with 10 heavy machine guns.Registration number on side of fuselage at rear of plane: 'A72-176' Inscription on side of fuselage at front of plane: 'ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE / US ARMY B24-10 CO / AIR FORCES SERIAL NUMBER 44-41956' aircraft, liberator, bomber, wwii

F/SGT. P F Thomas qualified as Air Bomber on B24 Liberators 13.11.44Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover bookForm A.73. (June 1938) Royal Australian Air Force Observer's, Air Gunner's and W/T operator's Flying Log Book No 443350 P F Thomas