April 24, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
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FRIDAY, 24 APRIL 1942

(SWPA, 5th Air Force): 8th Photographic Squadron, 5th Air Force (attached to Allied Air Forces), transfers from Melbourne to Brisbane with F-4's; first mission was 16 Apr. Lost on a ferry flight are: B-25C "Tojo's Nitemare" 41-129?? (MIA/KIA), B-25C "Chattanooga Choo Choo" 41-129?? (survived) and B-25C "Salvo Sadie" 41-129?? (survived).

In the morning, twelve A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) attack Port Moresby, six dog fighting with RAAF No. 75 Squadron P-40E Kittyhawks and six attacking other aircraft and bombers. They claimed nine shot down (five P-40s, one P-39, two B-26s) and damaged a PBY. In fact, they destroyed two B-26s including B-26 "Hell's Angel" 40-1428. Also destroyed is PBY A24-5 and three P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron were shot down: P-40E A29-43 (Channon, KIA) and P-40E A29-76 (Crawford, survived).

RAAF: USAAF A-24 Tail 14 piloted by 1st Lt. Virgil A. Schwab took off on a mission escorted by No. 75 Squadron P-40E Kittyhawk piloted by John Piper to rescue Squadron Leader John F. Jackson and while returning is intercepted by a Zero but manages to land safely at 3 Mile Drome.

USN: A new specification for color of naval aircraft went into effect. The color of service aircraft remained non-specular light gray with non-specular blue-gray on surfaces visible from above. Advanced trainers were to be finished in glossy aircraft gray with glossy orange yellow on wing and aileron surfaces visible from above while primary trainers were to be finished glossy orange-yellow with gray landing gear.