Mosquito crash in Gippsland 1952

Mike K · #1 08-12-12, 10:18

Hi

I was down at the local library yesterday . A elderly guy was asking the librarian about a Mossie that crashed at Stratford in Gippsland in 1952 . Turns out he was in the RAAF down there and the pilot was his mate .

The librarian was looking at old copies of the GIPPSLANDER newspaper on line , after he left she found the article about the crash . Both crew were killed , this chap knew the pilot , Wilson, and flew with him.

Keith Webb · #2 08-12-12, 11:00

Mike, do you have the details of the fellow who was looking for articles?

Mike K · #3 08-12-12, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Mike, do you have the details of the fellow who was looking for articles?

Hi Keith

I believe the chap is local , he said he was 19 at the time . I don't know his name . I know the librarian , I will ask her if she remembers his name . She printed out the old 1952 newspaper article reporting the crash, for the chap , but the guy had left the library .

You might find the 1952 newspaper article yourself, maybe it was on the state library web site ? The paper was called the 'Gippslander ' , it covered Sale and surrounds .

Mike

Keith Webb · #4 08-12-12, 19:28

Thanks Mike

Luke R · #5 08-12-12, 21:59

Mike, Ill have a word with a friend of mine when im back home.
I believe he has some info on that crash.
Ill let you know.

Luke

Richard Coutts-Smith · #6 09-12-12, 00:57

Write up in Hobart Mercury is online:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27076287
I note that the Kiwis' lost one in the same month, sounds like it was doing a victory roll.
Rich.

Mike K · #7 09-12-12, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Write up in Hobart Mercury is online:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27076287
I note that the Kiwis' lost one in the same month, sounds like it was doing a victory roll.
Rich.

Nice bit of detective work Richard

The guy at the library said the crew were not related , same surname .

Mike K · #8 12-12-12, 10:31

Thanks to Jason Stagg of Heyfield, , I have a copy of the official report on this crash .

They didn't find a definite cause of the crash . But they suspect that something jammed the elevator control mechanism . I will upload the report at the library tomorrow, for all to read

Mike

Mike K · #9 12-12-12, 11:14

page 1..................

may be too small to read !

Mike K · #10 12-12-12, 11:29

couple more ..........

Richard Coutts-Smith · #11 12-12-12, 12:11

Thanks Mike, great effort.
Rich.

Mike K · #12 15-12-12, 05:04

hi

The court of inquiry transcript ( 105 pages ) is available on line at :

naa.gov.au type in the serial nr. (A52-1067) of the mosquito in the search

Mike