RAAF
M Hughes 20001
Pilot A.J. Bond
Navigator Dennis S. Holmes
Ditched August 4, 1943
Aircraft History
RAF Serial Number AN561.
Wartime History
Ditched at Ruby Reef 35 Miles
south-east of Cooktown at 12:50 hours. A faulty or broken fuel line which caused an engine failure. The aircraft
was on submarine patrol at the time. The crew were rescued 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 of the RAAF Database
for this aircraft's exact model number and Serial. Vultee A-31 Vengeance
Mk. II, allocated the RAF serial AN561.
Vengence
2m
