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| RAAF 5 OTU Former Assignments 1 OTU 7 Squadron 14 Squardon |
Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark VII serial number A9-141. Wartime History Assigned to No. 14 Squadron. Later to No. 7 Squadron. Next to 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU) then 5 Operational Training Unit (5 OTU). Coded VH-KTW. No known nickname or nose art. During 1943, Flt/Lt John Lempke earned a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) flying Beaufort A9-141 over New Guinea. Mission History On January 14, 1944 this Beaufort ground looped at Tocumwal Airfield. No one was hurt in the crash. Wreckage Afterwards, converted to components at Tocumwal Airfield. Restoration In 1984, Ralph Cusack purchased components of A9-141 and began restoring them in his workshop in Hendra, Queensland. On February 7, 2001 this Beaufort was registered in Australia as VH-KTW owned by Ralph Cusack. Since the early 2000s, this Beaufort has been under restoration by Beaufort Restoration Group (BRG). When completed, it will be the only complete and flying example in the world. The restoration includes parts from Beaufort A9-501, Beaufort A9-622 plus other Beaufort parts salvaged from Papua New Guinea. Ralph Cusack Beaufort Restoration Group (BRG) adds in early 2002: "The nose and cockpit were 90% restored. During February 2002, the nose and tail sections were completed (apart from fabric covering) and the wing center-section well on the way. We're half way thru building the jig for the rear-fuselage using Beaufort A9-501 (as it's not bent just corroded). 141's wing centre-section is well on the way to being completed sheet- metal wise and we're starting on the control tubes for the throttles in the leading-edges etc. Also recieved a complete Beaufort fin [salvaged from Beaufort A9-622 by Robert Greinert]. This part was used to rebuild the top of 141's fin and rudder to an accurate profile. We collected the entire aircraft apart from engines and guns (both salvaged by RAAF) and stolen items like instruments etc. New parts are limited to things like bomb doors (none left anywhere), damaged skin, hydraulic and electrical lines, elastic cable (undercarriage-door retract) , different wheels/tires (old size tires no longer available). We have had to make some changes to comply with modern safety practices like new engine firewalls in stainless steel, replace the original solid steel engine-mounts with contemporary 1940's rubber-bush type, modern disc brakes (old brakes were cable operated!) and the extra hydraulic drives to run the new systems. The plane will fly in its full original wartime markings (we have reserved the civil registration of VH-KTW) we have the full service history of 141." References ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-141 ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-141 Photo Archive Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority - VH-KTW Wings of Destiny (2008) pages 370-371 Thanks to Ralph Cusack for additional information Contribute
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