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RAAF 7 Squadron Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot F/Lt Richard K. Ottaway, 411941 (survived) Artarmon, NSW Navigator/Bombardier F/O Maxwell Hamilton Osbiston, 419739 (survived) Sydney, NSW W/AG F/O Aubrey Selby Townsend, 403290 (survived) St. Leonards, NSW W/AG F/Sgt William Matthew Lock, 431630 (survived) Long Gully, VIC Navigator/Bombardier F/O Fred Bell, 293882 (survived) Wigan, England Force Landed March 8, 1945 Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark VIII Serial Number A9-637. Wartime History Assigned to No. 7 Squadron with code KT-B. No known nickname or nose art. This Beaufort operated from Tadji Airfield. On December 22, 1944 took off piloted by F/Lt O'Farrell as one of four Beauforts on mission TJI.75 a strike mission to Tong to bomb a target indicated by ground station. On January 28, 1945 took off piloted by F/Lt O'Farrell as one of five Beauforts on mission TJI.59 a strike mission to bomb and strafe Terawon. On January 31, 1945 took off piloted by F/L O'Farrell as one of six Beauforts strike on mission TJI.82 to attack Balaga. Mission History On March 8, 1945 took off from Tadji Airfield piloted by F/Lt Richard K. Ottaway on a bombing mission. Returning, this Beaufort made a wheels up landing at Tadji Airfield at 12:45pm with the crew surviving unhurt. Afterwards, written off due to damage sustained in the landing. Wreckage This Beaufort was moved to the bone yard area at Tadji Airfield and stripped for usable parts including the nose section and outer wings. During April 1945 officially converted to components and abandoned. Wreckage The center section remains in situ at Tadji Airfield. During 2000, parts of this aircraft, including the tail rudder were removed by Robert Greinert / HARS. Justin Taylan adds: "I visited this wreck in 2003, the center section minus the nose section, outer wings and tail section were all that remained." References WW2 Nominal Roll - Raymond Herbert O'Farrell, 405321 WW2 Nominal Roll - Richard Kent Ottaway, 411941 WW2 Nominal Roll - Maxwell Hamilton Osbiston, 419739 WW2 Nominal Roll - Aubrey Selby Townsend, 403290 WW2 Nominal Roll - William Matthew Lock, 431630 WW2 Nominal Roll - Fred Bell, 293882 NAA RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) Number 7 Squadron Jun 40 - Dec 45 (NAA: A9186, 271) (Page 435) "22-12-45 A9-637 F/L O'Farrell TJI.75 strike - proceed to Tong and bomb target indicated by ground station. See appendix S. 71W/G3/21 Dec" (Page 454) "28-1-45 A9-637 F/L O'Farrell TJI.59 strike - bomb & strafe Terawon. Map reference 71W/G4/28Jan. See appendix G1" (Page 456) "31-1-45 A9-637 F/L O'Farrell TJI.82 strike - attack Balaga 71W/G3/6Jan see appendix K1" (Page 467) "8/3/45 - At 1245 hours Beaufort Aircraft A9-637 on returning from a strike on the enemy belly landed on Tadji strip, with undercarriage retracted. The aircraft was piloted by F/Lt. R. K. Ottaway, other members of the crew are as follows: F/O M. H. Osbiston (Nav B) F/O A. S. Townsend, F/Sgt. Lock, W. M. (W Op'a Air), F/O F. Bell (Nav B). An investigation, ordered by the Air Officer Commanding, Headquarters Northern Command is at present in progress." ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-637 Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 24 (upper left) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 5, 2022 |
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