What is this vehicle

[Lang]

Mike

I think the Air Force description is "erk" which is a corruption of the private-equivalent rank of Aircraftsman (Ac)

A RAF Slang list notes it as: Erk (or Irk) - Aircraftman (from cockney erkraft)

Lang

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks Lang, for the correction - I'd always known it as 'erg' as that was what my father always referred to he and his fellow RAAF engines & airframes fitters' as. He was an RAAF LAC during '44-45.

He's long gone, so I can't ask him to see if it was his mispronunciation or my bad hearing as the cause of the error (probably both!)

More importantly, what is that thing slung under the wing that the bloke on the roof of the ute seems to be filling?

Mike

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

More importantly, what is that thing slung under the wing that the bloke on the roof of the ute seems to be filling?

Beer carrier? There were reports of cross channel beer flights to ensure that those who preferred English beer over French wine didn't have to go dry. If they climbed to suitable altitude the beer would arrive cool or cold depending on preference and chosen altitude.

[David Dunlop]

In the first Beaufort photo the tank under the wing has a large diameter tube clamped at the lower back end of it with what appears to be a nozzle at the end of it facing aft.

A similar sized tank looks to be sitting vertically in the back of the Ute.

Could this be smoke screen laying equipment being prepped?

David

[Lang]

I think David is getting close.

It is obviously some improvised object as the big tube hanging down has no aerodynamic consideration and in fact it must be pushed up almost horizontal by the air flow in flight. If it is strong enough to stay vertical - does not look like it - it would be serious drag.

I will ask the Beaufort restoration mob at Caboolture about it (I was not aware a Beaufort had external racks)

Lang

[Lang]

Well, halfway there.

After looking at lots of photos showing no external load racks on Beauforts found this one. The aircraft in flight is the standard set-up in dozens of photos.

[Mike Cecil]

DAP Beaufort Mk VIII had provision for a single 250 pound bomb under each wing.

Mike

[Lang]

Good find Mike.

Looks like my New Guinea line up aircraft is not a rack but directional aerials.