CRASH OF A KITTYHAWK
AT BATCHELOR AIRFIELD, NT
ON 12 OCTOBER 1942

On 12 October 1942, P-40 Kittyhawk, A29-62, #41-5734, of 77 Squadron RAAF was on a test flight over Batchelor airfield at 25,000ft. The pilot, P/O J.C. Griffith, used the electric pitch control, increased the revs to 4,000 rpm, and put the aircraft into a climb to effect control. This caused the engine to overheat, resulting in a fire. Griffith bailed out at 26,000 ft. The aircraft was destroyed.

On 13 October 1942, 13 aircraft from 77 Squadron participated in some formation flying and carried out a search for Pilot Officer Griffith. A Wirraway from 12 Squadron RAAF located P/O Griffith on a beach in Anson Bay, 5 miles north of the mouth of the Daly River. He was later picked up by the Wirraway and flown back to Batchelor Airfield.

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?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 16 March 2003

This page last updated 02 February 2020