GROUND ACCIDENT OF A B-26 MARAUDER
AT WOODSTOCK AIRFIELD, QLD
ON 15 MAY 1943

On 15 May 1943, B-26 Marauder #40-1476 "The Flying Parson" of the 33rd Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group was running up its left engine prior to takeoff at Woodstock Airfield south of Townsville when the nose wheel shimmy broke and the nose gear collapsed. The nose and propellers hit the runway and the left engine caught fire and spread to the fuel tanks. The B-26 burnt to the ground on the runway. The pilot was Captain Frederick C. Nichols. There were no injuries.

It had recently been overhauled and stripped of its paint in readiness for its transfer to the 19th Bomb Squadron to be part of the new "Silver Fleet". This transfer had not happened at the time of the accident.

Photo:- Kevin Ginnane, Leon G. Lewis, Richard W. Robinson via David Gehn Collections

B-26 Marauder #40-1476 "The Flying Parson" burnt to the ground

Photo:- Robertson M. Pearson, Robert E. Jones Collections)

B-26 Marauder #40-1476 "The Flying Parson"

Photo:- Albert H. Hutchinson Collection)

Crew of pilot 1st Lt. John H. Disbro standing in front
 of B-26 Marauder #40-1476 "The Flying Parson"

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 5 May 2024

This page last updated 05 May 2024