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| RNZAF No. 14 Squadron Former Assignments No. 15 Squadron No. 23 Squadron No. 20 Squadron  Justin Taylan 2006 |
Pilot FSgt Ian M. Thorburn, 432864 (MIA / KIA) Hastings, Hawkes Bay Crashed December 24, 1944 at 9:40am Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 5807. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 50560. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Grand Mesa. On July 24, 1944 departed the United States as part of defense aid to New Zealand. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5429. On August 11, 1944 reassembled in Espiritu Santo and BOC Unit 60. On September 23, 1944 assigned to No. 15 Squadron. Next on October 9, 1944 assigned to No. 23 Squadron. Then on October 26, 1944 assigned to No. 20 Squadron. During December 1944 assigned to No. 14 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 24, 1944 took off from Nissan Airfield (Green Island) piloted by Flight Sergeant Ian Morrison Thorburn on a ground attack mission against Rabaul. During a strafing run, this aircraft flew into the ground and crashed near Vunapope. Pilot Thorburn was unable to bail out and died in the crash. Afterwards, this aircraft was written off the books at Green Island. Wreckage The center section of this aircraft remains on the south side of the main road on the grounds of Vunapope. Memorials Thorburn was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial on panel 7. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 50560 "50560 (MSN 5807) to New Zealand as NZ5420" [unclear if this is the correct bureau number] ADF Serials - NZ Serials NZ5429 CWGC - Ian Morrison Thorburn Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 6, 2024 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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