Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed. Constructors Number 6342. On December 24, 1941 delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO serial number 41-23525. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number BW663. Disassembled and shipped overseas as part of Defense Aid consignment to Australia on January 22, 1942.

On March 29, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson A16-186. Reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On April 27, 1942 assigned to 32 Squadron. On June 8, 1942 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On June 30, 1942 returned to 32 Squadron. On July 20, 1942 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) and painted with black lower surfaces for night operations. On August 6, 1942 returned to 32 Squadron.

Afterwards, assigned to 5 AD on September 14, 1942 and returned to 32 Squadron on November 27, 1942. Then to 1 AD on December 9, 1942 and to 13 Squadron on December 23, 1942, after to 1 RSU on February 6, 1943 then back to 13 Squadron on March 28, 1943 Finally, assigned to 2 Squadron on April 4, 1943.

Mission History
On June 12, 1943 took off from Hughes Field piloted by F/Lt John Frederick Mason on a test flight. Returning at 8:23am, this Hudson experienced engine problems and attempted to return to Hughes Field. At 500' with the landing gear extended over the threshold of the runway and the left propeller feathered. The pilot raised the undercarriage and applied power to starboard engine, but the aircraft pulled to port and begun to loose height and crashed one mile northeast of the runway. During the crash, the entire crew was killed and the Hudson was destroyed in the ensuing fire.

Wreckage
On June 14, 1942 allocated to 4 Repair Salvage Unit (4 RSU). On June 23, 1943 officially stricken from charge.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The crew were buried at Adelaide River War Cemetery. Mason at R. D. 12. Wood at R.D.11. Swann at R.D.13. Flaherty at R.D.14. Woods at F.A.1. Rowland at R.D.16. Knauer at R.D.15.

References
CWGC - John Frederick Mason
CWGC - John Richard Wood
CWGC - Thomas Wallace Swann
CWGC - Raymond James Flaherty
CWGC - Robert Donald Woods
CWGC - George Ridgway Rowland
CWGC - Louis George Knauer
ADF Serials - Hudson A16-186

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Last Updated
March 4, 2019