Warbird Information Exchange

Hey John:



Shouldn't we in the USA be asking that question? Australia is your playground isn't it? I'd suggest finding out where the bad boys got in trouble, and that might be your lake.

YOU MEAN I"VE BEEN IN HIDING ALL THIS TIME FOR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!

would love to know who it was, I have my suspicions but will keep them to myself at this stage although I do recall someone bringing to my attention a message on another forum site, time will tell.

Seriously, Lake Victoria in Victoria has no access restrictions to the best of my knowldge. Just need to deal with that states Heritage protection laws, get this, In Victoria if an aircraft is in the water they consider it to be a "shipwreck".....me laugh so much.........

My research indicates it is rather deep with the deepest section being towards the south west.

Lake Wellington and Lake King near Bairnsdale should not be ignored either. It would cost big $$$ and we are most definately talking salt water environments there.

cheers

Digger

Hi Digger

I suggest we need to gather a bit more evidence first and see what we can dig up and then get CSIRO involved as they have the right gear to do something like this and I may be able to help there - I have a few contacts

Perhaps there is a local historic society and the RAAF historic section may have some useful info...

Regards
John P

_________________
Air Vice Marshall
Sunshine State Air Farce

Hi Digger and John:

I'd like to hear what you blokes (Australian for Buddies?) come up with..

Chris

Just been doing some looking over of my papers and found this report, will give you some idea as to the use of the Lake.........

[i][i][i]RAAF Mark V Bristol Beaufort, A9-41 ( RAF serial No T9593), crashed into the shallow waters of Lake Victoria on 9 March 1943 when the port airscrew struck the water during an authorised low flying exercise. This aircraft was originally delivered to RAAF in April 1942. It was not taken up. It was coverted to components after the crash.[/i][/i]

A check of other records indicates this aircraft operated from Sale.

Its been my experience that converted to components may have been just the recovery of the engines and the rest left at the crash site.

cheers

Digger