Pilot A. J. Bond
Navigator Dennis S. Holmes
Ditched August 4, 1943 at 12:50 hours
Aircraft History
RAF Serial Number AN561. Delivered from the United States to the RAAF on April 24, 1943 to 1 AD. Received by 12 Squadron July 26, 1943 and assigned tail code NH-R.
Wartime History
One of three Vengeance that took off on a submarine patrol. In flight, it experienced a fuel line failure, causing it to ditch on Ruby Reef 35 Miles
south-east of Cooktown. The crew were rescued three hours later by a by a PBY Catalina.
Wreckage
The wreck today lies on Ruby Reef in about 2 m of water.
It is very exposed to the elements & has suffered damage from both
the elements & souvenir hunters. The tail of the aircraft has been
broken off by the weather & is rumored to be in the lagoon behind
the wreck in about 20 m of water. The front of the fuselage including
the engine & wing sections are slowly being engulfed by the coral.
The pictures I have attached are both taken from the front of the aircraft
& you can see how much has been encased in the coral. Photos 18 December 2001
References
Thanks to Daniel
Leahy for aircraft history.
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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