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| RAAF 1 OTU Former Assignments No. 76 Squadron 15 RSU 75 Squadron 2 OTU  RAAF 1945 |
Pilot F/O William R. Binning, 421881 (KIA, BR) Sydney, NSW Crashed January 16, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Curtis in Buffalo, New York during 1941. Constructors Number 16624. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number 41-5632. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History During March 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Kittyhawk serial number A29-71. On April 1, 1942 assigned to No. 76 Squadron. On July 19, 1942 collided with P-40E Kittyhawk A29-85 piloted by Squadron Leader William "Bluey" Truscott while landing at Townsville. On August 10, 1942 arrived in New Guinea. Afterwards, force landed on a beach and was salvaged and issued to 15 Repair & Salvage Unit (15 RSU). On November 12, 1942 flown back to mainland Australia. On December 9, 1942 assigned to 75 Squadron and based at Strauss Airfield. On December 20, 1942 while taxing at Strauss Airfield piloted by Sgt Terrence D. Madigan, this P-40 swung off the runway and ran into trees damaging the aircraft but the pilot was unhurt. Afterwards, repaired. On January 17, 1943 returned to No. 76 Squadron. On February 7, 1943 involved in another landing accident at Strauss Field piloted by F/O E. Crossing when this plane collided with P-40 Kittyhawk A29-34. On October 24, 1943 issued to 2 Operational Training Unit (2 OTU). On November 25, 1943 suffered another crash landing. By December 14, 1943 marked to be put into storage and not used without authority. On December 31, 1943 assigned to 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU) and received by January 7, 1944 for training missions. Mission History On January 16, 1945 took off from East Sale Airfield piloted F/O William R. Binning on a training mission. After a mock attack against a Beaufort, this aircraft made a half roll then crashed into Lake Seeve roughly eight miles from Seaspray, Victoria near Sale. The pilot was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, the remains of Binning were recovered to Sale for burial. Memorials Binning was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Sale War Cemetery at plot B, row C, grave 5. Wreckage The wreckage of this P-40 remained in situ until 1999. Restoration During 1999, the wreckage was salvaged and was under restoration by Ben Saunders in Melbourne. Reportedly Saunders sold the project in October 2006. Whereabouts today unknown. References WW2 Nominal Roll - William Robert Binning USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E Warhawk 41-5632 "5632 (MSN 16624) to RAAF as A29-71 Mar 1942. Crashed near Seaspray, Victoria, Australia Jan 16, 1945. Recovered 1999-2002" Oz@War "Crash of a Kittyhawk into Lake Reeve, 8 Miles from Sale on 16 January 1945" (photos) CWGC - William Robert Binning FindAGrave - William Robert Binning (grave photo) Thanks to Graeme McDermott and Daniel Leahy for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 14, 2022 |
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