The RAAF aircraft marked as A9-705 (all RAAF aircraft were identified in a serial
style - and still are today - which identified the aircraft type by an "Ax"
code; the Beauforts were all A9-xxx) was originally built as a Beaufort VIII bomber
serialled A9-672. n mid-1944 the RAAF asked for a number of Mk.VIIIs to be converted to
unarmed communications and freight/personnel transports. The RAAF called them Beaufort
Communication Aircraft initially, later changed to Beaufort Mk.IX and unofficially known
as the Beaufreighter. After being stripped out & having a cabin
installed, the Beaufreighter was around 2000lb lighter than the bomber & could carry
4000 lb of freight 15mph faster than the Mk.VIII. By this stage of the war the RAAF were
painting their aircraft Foliage Green (something like USAAF Medium Green but various
shades darker depending on batch) all over; RAAF aircraft were much more likely to be
destroyed/damaged while on the ground than in aerial encounters by 1945 so lighter
undersides were unnecessary. Forty-six were built, this particular aircraft surviving the
war to be damaged and written off in July 1946.
(Courtesy Guy Allbright)
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