Mark's 1940s RAAF Spitfire & Liberator accident image

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:14 pm

Let's see if this works. From the 'Per Request' thread... I've not seen the image before, so thanks!

51fixer wrote:

Mark Allen M wrote:

JDK wrote:

Perhaps a new thread for each new batch of photos? Way too many on this thread to usefully discuss any of them.

James I had that in mind a few pages ago but I have some reservations about starting any new threads on WIX for obvious reasons. I think this thread has finally calmed down thanks to some help from a few mature and considerate members. I hope it stays that way. I welcome anyone who has an interest in any particular image to start a new thread themselves. This thread has mostly been a request thread, even though I really enjoy the contributions by a few others, such as Barry, with their great photos. Thanks for posting them. The mods can feel free to relocate this thread to a more appropriate location if necessary. All that being said ...

Any idea where this took place below? Another oops!!!

Mk VIII I believe. Since the brakes are air if you start without 90-100 psi in the air system and aren't chocked you will go for a ride. Or land without any air pressure which means no flaps or brakes.
The fastest way to stop is to retract the gear. Moving the gear handle in the cockpit will release the downlocks and fold the mains.
This one also has a slipper external fuel tank on the belly to cushion it.

But I don't know where though.

Rich is right. The tailwheel doors are the clue, with the high back, Merlin, and fighter, makes it an eight.

It's a Spitfire Mk.VIII, of 457 "Grey Nurse" Squadron, RAAF (codes 'ZP') crashed into an RAAF B-24 Liberator of 24 Squadron RAAF (codes GR).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._457_Squadron_RAAF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._24_Squadron_RAAF

Given that, I'm guessing it'll be a base in the Northern Territory (Australia) going by the trees, or less likely, somewhere like Morotai. Someone better on RAAF history than me might know the pic and the story.

Regards,

51fixer · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:39 am

Why is there always this British vs American thing going on?

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

Great job fellas, love to see such threads created this way. I wonder shall I omit any image that one would like to dedicate a separate thread to from the 'per request' thread? I completely understand your concerns about two threads having a cross conversation. Not a problem at all and thanks for starting a discussion on a particular image. Great fun learning new stuff. :drink3:

Btw I believe there are a few more images related to this particular image, if only I can go back and find them.

M

airnutz · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:55 pm

Am I blind? I've checked and can't find the "Per Request" thread. It was there this morning...

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:04 pm

Think the 'Per Request' thread is having a bit of a makeover in the quarantine 'spa' to remove a number of unsightly growths...

51fixer wrote:

Why is there always this British vs American thing going on?

Why indeed! And they're all Australian driven here, too!

Mark, if you can find a few more images, that'd be great.

By the way, this Spitfire is a sharkmouth equipped example (as are all 457's). if you know, you can just see the eye on the cowl.

Regards,

airnutz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:19 am

Ahhh...thanks, makeover...nice. Will she go, will she go?

PR May · **Posted:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:02 am

[/quote]

From the ADF Serials site

A58-611 HF.VIII MT829 Arrived in Australia on SS Chanda 12/09/44. Rec 3AD ex UK 16/09/44. Rec 457 Sqn RAAF and coded ZP-B 15/12/44. Accident 19/04/45 when the aircraft landed from a patrol at North Strip at Pitoe when on taxying back to the squadron bays, suffered a port main blowout at 10-15 miles per hour and collided with a RAAF B-24 (A72-78)despite selecting wheels up to halt his speed. Damage to both aircraft. Pilot, Sgt B Miels Serv#442430 was not injured. Rec 1 RSU 01/11/45. Converted to Components 11/01/46. photo exists of collision.

Cheers

Peter

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:41 am

Thanks Peter! And kudos to Rich for diagnosing the situation from observation pretty accurately, too!

Regards,

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:44 am

Link to ADF Serials, an excellent resource: http://www.adf-serials.com/

Looks like the Lib was less damaged, though not much of a record: Serial: A72-78 44-41405 B-24L-1-CO - Served with 7 OTU. Served with 24Sqn. GR-T.

regards,

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7818

Good stuff all, thanks for the info and photo credit. Still searching for the other images and will post asap. And I would like to think the "per request" thread is simply getting purged and not deleted, but that's a management call.

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Mark's 1940s RAAF Spitfire & Liberator accident image

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