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| RAAF 17 AOP   AWM February 18, 1945 |
Pilot F/Lt. William R. Goldsworthy, 407321 (survied) Unley, SA Crashed February 19, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited in the United Kingdom as Auster Mark III. Constructors Number 299. Fuselage code TAY5007. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number MZ174. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard SS Samanco departing the United Kingdom on July 30, 1944 bound for Australia. On September 4, 1944 arrived at Melbourne. Wartime History During September 1944, delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On September 28, 1944 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). On October 2, 1944 assigned serial number A11-8. On October 25, 1944 assigned to No. 17 Air Observation Post Flight (17 AOP) and operated in Bougainville. This aircraft was painted with shark mouth nose art. On February 18, 1944 photographed in flight during an artillery spotting mission off the coast of Bougainville. Mission History On February 19, 1945 took off from Piva South Airfield on Bougainville during the morning piloted by F/Lt. William R. Goldsworthy, 407321 made the first landing on the newly constructed Vernon Strip on southwest Bougainville. After successfully landing, this aircraft took off from Vernon Airfield and dropped two messages to forward companies of troops. While landing at Vernon Airfield, the pilot's left foot slipped off the break pedal and the plane to ground looped, resulting in damage to the left landing gear leg when it folded under the fuselage. Pilot Goldsworthy was unhurt in the landing. Afterwards, repaired and assigned to No. 5 Squadron then on April 9, 1945 allocated to 10 Repair Salvage Unit (10 RSU). On May 25, 1945 approval for conversion to components and finally on June 11, 1945 assigned to 15 ARD. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References Accident Report Auster A11-8 WW2 Nominal Roll - William Raymond Goldsworthy ADF Serials - Auster A11-8 Australian Military Austers - Auster Mk.III c/n 299 ex MZ174 A11-8 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated August 22, 2023 |
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