CRASH OF A SPITFIRE
OFF WEST POINT, DARWIN, NT
ON 2 MAY 1943

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Mark VC Spitfire, A58-42 (RAF Serial BR536, C/n 3077, Marking DL-H of 54 Squadron RAF, piloted by G. Spencer, made a forced wheels-up landing into the water just off West Point, in Darwin Harbour on 2 May 1943. The aircraft had ran out of fuel after being heavily involved in a dog fight with Japanese aircraft over Darwin.

The aircraft was retrieved by 14ARD and reissued to 7RSU on 17 May 1943. It was re-issued to 14ARD on 25 October 1943, and then re-issued back to 54Squadron RAF on 28 October 1943. 

It was inspected on 7 January 1944 and found to have considerable damage due to its earlier immersion in salt water. The airframe was then later converted into an Instructional Airframe # 5 on 2 March 1944. It was converted to Components in October 1945.

The aircraft was originally supplied under SM.Contract No. B19713/39 Order 5 on 24 October 1940. It arrived in Australia on the SS Hoperidge on 23 October 1942. It was delivered on 30 October 1942 and issued to 54 Squadron RAF on 15 November 1942. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birkett for his assistance with this home page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

 

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This page first produced 2 April 2004

This page last updated 02 February 2020