LATE 1942
CRASH OF AN OXFORD

Oxford

The above crash is described in Rod Cardell's book about the Stock Route airstrip which was located where Dalrymple Road now runs:-

"Wings Around Us" Page 111
An Oxford aircraft landed from the west, and just a few yards past where Duckworth Street crossed the Strip, the aircraft ground-looped and ended up on the southern verge of the Strip, balancing on one wheel and one wing tip.  I went over to investigate, and as the aircraft belonged to the R.A.A.F. Base next door, they set up a guard there complete with an old .38 revolver in its floppy canvas holster.  I rather fancy this was the only one they had.  There was some discussions that the pilot might have been attempting a baulked approach after some vehicle crossed from Duckworth Street ahead of him, but Oxfords were said not to be the gentle forgiving aircraft like the Avro Anson, and so he came to grief.  It was also speculated he landed with his brakes on!  On one was hurt, the aircraft had relatively minor damage, so I walked around it carrying on a learned discussion with the guard about the wherefors and whyfors of the accident, until I was eventually told to keep quiet, that I had asked too many questions.  I was quite taken aback by his sudden outburst, because of all the dealings I had had with the Military and Air Force guys so far, both American and Australian, I had never been 'ticked off' before (or since).  What I took exception to was the fact that his outburst seemed excessive for the small part he had to play in the drama.  I had enough nouse not to ask questions of the pilot.

REFERENCE BOOK

"Aircraft of the RAAF 1921- 71"
By Geoffrey Pentland & Peter Malone

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 June 1998

This page last updated 21 February 2020