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  Gloster Meteor F.8 Serial Number A77-464 
RAAF
77 Squadron

Pilot  P/O Richard George Robinson, RAAF O22422 (MIA / KIA)
Crashed  February 16, 1952


Aircraft History
Originally assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) Serial WA958. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on February 12, 1951. Served with 77 Squadron, RAAF, during the Korean War.

When lost this aircraft had Derwent 8 engines installed carrying numbers 6255 and 6330.

On February 6, 1952, the aircraft was one of four Meteors taking part in a rocketing and strafing attack. The aircraft was damaged while attacking enemy anti-aircraft weapon pits. At the time it was being flown by W/O K G Hill, RAAF.

According to the Squadron Operations Book:
"...Flight proceeded to SIBYON-NI (CT0042) where strafing attacks were made against two .50 calibre weapon pits. 20mm flak was also seen. Immediately after this attack smoke and flame was seen to emit from A77-616, pilot called for a steer to base and commenced to gain height, however pilot was forced to eject. The parachute was seen to open but due to rugged terrain pilot was not seen to reach ground. Other aircraft searched area and called Patrol Three to assist. Aircraft A77-616 crashed at BT9328. Patrol Three remained in area when this flight (remainder) returned to base where it was found that A77-464 had been hit in starboard aileron".

Mission History
During a rocket and strafing attack the aircraft was hit by flak which caused the tail section and about 8 feet of fuselage to break off. The aircraft then crashed on to the side of a mountain about 6 miles west of HUNG-SU-RI where the wreckage burned. P/O Robinson was not seen to bale out and it is believed he was probably still in the aircraft when it crashed.

According to the Squadron Operations Book:
"Cleared by area control and rocketed buildings with unobserved results. The flight then followed the road south, over SINMAK (BT5855) heavy and automatic flak was encountered. Over YC6260 A77-464 called that [he was hit] and was getting out. His altitude was about 200 feet and the aircraft was streaming fuel. Number 3 advised him to jettison the ventral tank but at the same time the tank burst into flame. Number 3 stated that he saw the tail come off. The aircraft crashed at YC5459. The other aircraft called emergency and searched the wreckage but their [sic] was no sign of life and the flight (remainder) returned to base".

Memorials
P/O Robinson is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Wall of Remembrance at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK).

References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for his assistance with this profile.
77 Squadron Operations Record Book (NAA: A9186, 103)
RAAF Casualty Card
ADF Serials - Meteor A77-464
Korean War Nominal Roll - R G Robinson
UNMCK - R G Robinson
RAAF DB - R G Robinson



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Last Updated
February 18, 2020

 

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