Aircraft crash sites in the Northern Territory in WW2

Subject:     Crashes
Date:             Fri, 19 Nov 1999 21:13:33 -0800
From:          c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Just joined your list. I live in the Northern Territory and have visited some of the crash sites here. I must admit that some of the crash sites for the NT need to be updated. I'll try to get the info together from my records and post it here.

Subject:      Crashes
Date:              Sun, 21 Nov 1999 00:26:15 -0800
From:             c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Subject:      "Beautiful Betsy"
Date:               Sun, 21 Nov 1999 02:16:42 -0800
From:             c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Here's what I have on "Beautiful Betsy". I hope it helps. B-24D-53-CO 528th BS. On a flight from Fenton to Eagle Farm on a Fat Cat mission.

Some recent photos of "Beautiful Betsy" from Buz
Warning - these files are fairly large and will be slow to load

171 Kbytes

212 Kbytes

161 Kbytes

Aircraft crashed on 29 July 1943 on return from a Fat Cat Mission. The aircraft became lost and the pilot, Maj Everett, CO 530th BS decided to put the aircraft down whilst it was still under controlled flight. He managed to do so with light injuries to pasengers and crew.

The Aircraft was found by another from 530th BS, after the crew of "Poochie" fired flares. The same flares that saved the crew started a bush fire which burnt out the centre section of the bomber.

Photo of "Poochie" taken shortly after the crew was rescued

Photo of "Poochie" taken about 2 years ago (about 1997)

Subject:    Darwin Kittyhawks
Date:             Mon, 22 Nov 1999 00:59:58 -0800
From:           c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

The two Kittyhawks you talk about are the aircraft of Lt Sauber and Lt Preddy (of P-51 Fame in ETO). They were involved in a Practice Intercept when they collided. Lt Sauber was flying aircraft #87 (this aircraft had an Eagle on a Yellow background on the fuselage sides ala Lt Reynolds aircraft "Stardust") and was killed, he had approx 3 Confirmed Kills with the 49th Fighter Group at the time. Lt Preddy Bailed out and was found with numerous Injuries, His aircraft was #85 named "Tarheel".

Subject:   B-24 "Poochie"
Date:           Fri, 26 Nov 1999 13:23:12 -0800
From:          c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

In answer I don't think that the centre section would have been useable as the fuselage centre section was burnt out , I do believe that they recovered numerous smaller parts (engine bearers, cowls etc) for their rebuild. I remember seeing these items in storage at RAAF Tindal awaiting shipment to Point Cook

Subject:    Darwin Kittyhawks
Date:             Fri, 26 Nov 1999 13:28:31 -0800
From:           c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Althought the book "Protect and Avenge" makes the top pic of Preddy standing infront of the P-40 with the Dragon on it, it is thought that that is not his aircraft.

This is still open to debate but its thought that that aircraft is Clay Tice's after the crash when Preddy was out of hospital or its possible that it is before Preddy took over the no.85. I have a very bad pic of Preddy's aircraft that shows that Tarheel was painted on both sides of the Aircraft.

Are we confused yet? I know I am. I do have someone looking into this question for me as I cannot find any more on the subject.

Subject:    Darwin Kittyhawks
Date:             Sat, 27 Nov 1999 14:02:09 -0800
From:           c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Problem with the picture has to do with something within the 9FS called the Dragon flight. Dragon flight was lead by Kruzel (he had a dragon painted on the nose of his aircraft whilst flying during the early engagements with the Japanese over Java.

Preddy was never part of Dragon flight, so its highly unlikely that he had the Dragon painted on the nose of his aircraft. For other flights I refer you to Lt. Reynolds Aircraft "Star Dust". If you look on the side of his aircraft there is a Eagle painted on a yellow background (all his flight members had this on their aircraft) lt Sauber being in the same flight as Reynolds also had one. Preddy's aircraft according to all my references (Protect and Avenge, Darwin air war, 49FG by Squadron sigs, and a few others I cannot remember of the top of my head) indicate that this was correct. There is also a pic of Preddy's "Tarheel" with the name "Tarheel" on the
Starboard side. If you notice in the Picture of him standing in front of the dragon there is no indication of repainting or the Name "Tarheel".

Subject:     B-25 N5-156
Date:              Sat, 04 Dec 1999 20:20:46 -0800
From:            c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

Heres another for everybody. This aircraft came down killing 1 member. The first picture is standing in the impact point(depression) looking towards the wreckage.

As for the Info on "Poochie" posted last week, I cannot find whether the first pic is of "Foil Proof Mary" or "Poochie". They both came down in similar country. The reverse of the photo says its "Poochie" but I cannot confirm this. Maybe some one has a picture of "Foil Proof Mary" as she is today and we can work it out from there.

Subject:     More Crashes added
Date:              Sun, 26 Dec 1999 20:47:57 -0800
From:            c busby <sandylowlead@hotmail.com>

A quick question about this list. Are you interested in crashes where the aircraft is destroyed or all landing accidents etc. most of the aircraft involved in accidents in the Northern Territory were repaired and flying again fairly quickly thanks to the RSU's based at Pell or Sqn maint people. In some cases the aircraft will appear 2 or 3 times in the crash list otherwise. Also in reality the amount of actual sites is greatly different from no of "crashes".

This is mainly so that I can go through the lists I have a send the info to you. I have only been supplying info on wrecks not crashes.

I need your help

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