CRASH LANDING OF A P-39 AIRACOBRA
IN GYMPIE SHOWGROUNDS, QLD
ON AN UNKNOWN DATE

Kevin Collins and Gordon James of the Australian Army Light Horse Troops that were camped in the Gympie Show Grounds during WWII remember a USAAF P-39 Airacobra trying to land in the Gympie Show Grounds. The aircraft came in low over the hotel and hit the cross bar over the main entrance to the Show Grounds and tore its undercarriage off. The P-39 crashed to the ground on its belly and slide into the central arena.

Stan O'Hanlon, one of the Light Horse troopers was ordered to guard the P-39 wreck. He asked the USAAF pilot why he tried to land in the Show Grounds. He apparently said something along the lines as follows:- "Why buddy, I needed a pee".

REFERENCES

Book on Gympie - Unknown title

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 16 October 2022

This page last updated 16 October 2022