FORCED LANDING OF A WIRRAWAY
ON GREAT PALM ISLAND, QLD
ON 10 MAY 1942

 

Wirraway A20-457, Mk11 Eng. SIHIG No 380, of 24 Squadron RAAF made a forced landing on Great Palm Island north of Townsville on 10 May 1942. Pilot for flight was Sgt. R H Glassop 403921 and Wireless Observer Gunner was Sgt. J R McVinish 406643, both of which were unharmed

It was initially abandoned and written off. The wreckage was recovered from its resting place by a large bullock team which dragged the aircraft to a barge, ready for transport back to Townsville by the 18 May 1942. Approval was given to convert to components on 4 June 1942. Conversion completed at 12 RSU on 25 September 1942.

Wirraway A20-457 was received at 1AD from Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) on 4 December 1941, and was allocated to 22 Squadron on 6 December 1941. It was issued to 22 Squadron on 13 December 1941 and received by 22 Squadron on 20 December 1941. It was allocated to 24 Squadron in Townsville on 26 January 1942, and issued to 24 Squadron on 1 February 1942. It was received by 24 Squadron on 9 February 1942. 

A US Naval Air Station was built on Palm Island in mid 1943.

 


Photo via Bill Cooper

 


Photo via Bill Cooper

 


Photo via Bill Cooper

 


Photo via Bill Cooper

 


Photo via Bill Cooper

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Bill Cooper and Gordon Birkett for their assistance with this home page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

 

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This page first produced 22 May 2004

This page last updated 02 February 2020