RAAF
33 Squadron
Former Pilot F Lt Norm Fader (11 Sqn)
Destroyed March 13, 1942
Aircraft History
Previously registered as G-ABEF and NC9678. Registered as VH-UDY
October 7, 1935 - October 10, 1936 and April 12, 1937. Used with Holden's
Air Transport Services in New Guinea in 1935. And, later Ginea Airways
airlines.
RAAF Service
Impressed into RAAF service from Guinea Airways on February
6, 1942. F Lt Norm Fader of 11 Sqn was called upon to fly this aircraft
in to Wau, Bulolo, Kokoda,
and Garina to bring out engines, instruments, and mercury belonging
to Bulolo Gold Dredging. Fader had flown this aircraft on many occasions
prior to the war.
Destroyed On the Ground
After four successful flights, it was destroyed on the ground
at 7-Mile Stripat Port Moresby during a
Japanese strafing attack in March 1942. The exact date of the straffing
is not exactly known. Sources list the date of the strafing as March
11th or 13th, or 20th.
Bruce Hoy recalls:
"I brought in one of the main undercarriage and wheel in 1979/80
and when last seen was in the PNG Museum, probably not recognised these
days for what it is!"
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy and Wynnum Graham for this information.
Ford 5 AT
