CRASH OF A BOOMERANG
AT GUILDFORD AIRFIELD, WA
ON 2 OCTOBER 1943

Boomerang A46-122 "Suzy-Q"

Boomerang A46-22 of 85 Squadron RAAF crashed at Guildford airfield in Western Australia on 2 October 1943 killing its pilot Flight Sergeant Archie Harold Duncan McDonald (420031). There was a structural failure in the tailplane of the Boomerang. The aircraft hit the ground near the airfield and was totally destroyed by fire. Many 85 Squadron members witnessed this crash while they were at their morning parade.

Gunner Maxwell Albert Ampt (VX25419) of the 102 Composite Anti-aircraft Regiment (AIF) with the assistance of another unidentified soldier, dragged the body of the pilot, F/Sgt McDonald, from the burning aircraft. Gunner Maxwell Ampt was awarded the Commander-in-Chief's Card for gallantry, with the award authorised personally by Lt. Gen. H. Gordon Bennett, Commander, 3 Aust. Corps, on 13 December 1943. The citation read:-

"At Guilford West Australia 2 Oct 43 after Boomerang Aircraft A 46-22 had crashed and was burning fiercely Gnr. AMPT with the assistance of an unidentified person, dragged the body of the pilot the late Flight Sgt McDONALD from the burning aircraft, thereby exposing himself to a grave risk of being burnt and injured by exploding ammunition."

The hinges of the control surfaces of all Boomerangs were subsequently inspected and some cracks were found through the rivet holes.

F/Sgt Archie McDonald was buried on 4 October 1943.

In Memory of

ARCHIE HAROLD DUNCAN McDONALD

Flight Sergeant (420031)
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Saturday, 2nd October 1943. Age 20.

Son of George Elliott McDonald and Helena Victoria McDonald, of Chipping Norton, New South Wales.

Cemetery: PERTH WAR CEMETERY AND ANNEX, Western Australia, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: H.C.4.

NOTE:- Alan Mitchell's book, "The Flying Inventor" incorrectly states that this crash occurred on 1 October 1943.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Andrew Turner and David McDonald for their assistance with this web page.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"The Flying Inventor"
By Alan Mitchell

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 13 April 2001

This page last updated 18 January 2023