GROUND LOOP OF A DC-2
AT COOKTOWN, QLD
ON 12 SEPTEMBER 1942

 

Douglas DC-2 A30-14, RE-H, VHCRH, "Me Mate", of 36 Squadron RAAF, did a ground loop at Cooktown, in far north Queensland on 12 September 1942.

 


Photo:- E.A. Crome Collection 17 September 1942

Douglas DC-2 A30-14, RE-H, VHCRH, "Me Mate", of 36 Squadron
RAAF dismantled ready for transport. Note the call sign VHCRH
painted on the fuselage adjacent to the aircraft serial No.

 

RAAF Handwritten "History (Movements, Casualties. Etc" Report Card is reproduced below:-

17.9.42 Inspection after crash Cooktown
Salvage & repair job recommended. Extensive repairs necessary S/bd. U/carriage, 2 oleo legs, 1 retracting strut, rear guard, upper truss, centre section outer skin & under corrugated skin; U/carriage centre section U/S.

19.9.42 If serv., S/bd aileron, S/b wing to Iron Range for fitment A30-12.

Remainder A30-14 to return Melb. on first ship available.

Consigned ANA Ess. for repair.

This aircraft originally started its operational life with Eastern Airlines with registration No. NC13738. It was taken on strength with the RAAF on 9 May 1941 as A30-14. It was transferred to Australian National Airways as VH-CRH on 13 October 1943 with nose art "Me Mate" still evident. It was taken back on strength with the RAAF on 19 February 1944, again as A30-14.

This aircraft survived the war and was sold to Marshall Airways on 25 February 1947. After a period of being stored in a dismantled state, it went to the Dutch Dakota Association (DDA) on 25 February 1987as PH-AJU, and then to Aviation Museum Aviodrome, Lelystad Airport, Lelystad, Flevoland on 19 December 1988. Only the fuselage was preserved with the latter museum. It was eventually restored using the wings from A30-9 and went to the Nederlands Transport Museum, Nieuw-Vennep, Noord-Holland on 14 July 2018 where it was on display and painted as PK-AFK, KNILM. In November 2023, the Nederlands Transport Museum was still closed down and looking for new housing options for the Museum.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Bas Kreuger, Will Porrio, Gordon Birkett and Fred Niven for their assistance with this web page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

 

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This page first produced 14 November 2023

This page last updated 16 November 2023