Octane and Megan (#11739 and 740),
Fixer not needed: gave laptop a severe talking to, and pulled the battery to teach it to mind its manners - should work for a while !
The black colour is a mystery, all our bombs and fins were yellow. Both the pics are wartime, would be Mk.Is or IIs. 2x500 and 2x250 was the standard load for a VV. These 500s have their trunnion bands fitted ready for loading (the trunnions engage in a fork in the bay, which swings out and throws ths bomb clear of the prop disc in a vertical dive).
The fuses would normally be fitted at this stage, but I cannot be sure (poor definition and poor old eyes) that the nose fuses are in. At least, there is no sign of fusing link wires, but perhaps the RAAF armourers fitted them only at the last stage, in the bay. Bad practice IMHO, with the the fusing links (highly visible) locking the fuse cap, you know the fuse is "safe".
Which RAAF Squadron was "GR" ?
Danny.