Crash of a P-40 Kittyhawk at Essendon Airfield in Victoria on 15 January 1945

CRASH OF A P-40 KITTYHAWK
AT ESSENDON AIRFIELD, VIC
ON 11 JANUARY 1945

P-40 Kittyhawk A29-171, #42-100185, piloted by Squadron Leader Andrew William "Nicky" Barr (250774), the Chief Instructor of 2 Operational Training Unit, crashed on landing at Essendon Airfield, in Melbourne, Victoria on 11 January 1945 when the starboard wheel did not lock down properly. The accident was considered unavoidable.

Photo:- via Gordon Birkett

P-40 Kittyhawk A29-171

"Nicky" Barr had been a member of the Australian national rugby union team. "Nicky" Bar was shot down on 26 June 1942 and captured by Axis forces, and became a POW in Italy just after he took command of 3 Squadron RAAF on 26 May 1942 from Squadron Leader Bobby Gibbes. "Nicky" Barr escaped and helped other Allied escapees to safety. He received the Military Cross for these actions, which was a rare honour for an RAAF pilot. He then returned to England, and took part in aerial action during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He then returned to Australia as Chief Instructor with No. 2 Operational Training Unit 2 OTU. He was a fighter ace scoring 12 aerial victories whilst flying the P-40 Kittyhawk. These achievements earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Photo:- AWM Accession No. UK1197