Ryan STM in Netherlands East Indies and Australian Service

Taken over from the Dutch East Indies Air Force the Ryan STM aircraft created a minor problem for the RAAF in that they were from the outset designed as primary training aircraft. The 34 Ryan ST-M aircraft were allocated the group/section number A50 by the RAAF stores section and given the serial range A50-1 to -34. Many of these aircraft remained in storage for some time at contractors' facilities while undergoing conversion to land planes. The aircraft served mainly with Air Observers, Wireless Air Gunner, and Bombing and Gunnery Schools as refresher trainers. Some were used simply as transport 'hacks' by Numbers 1, 2 and 3 Communications Units. Most of the surviving aircraft were sold off postwar to eager civilian owners. A number have survived to the present as prized veteran aircraft. This book explores fully the type's history, structure, camouflage and markings to provide a unique reference for the modeller