Pacific Wrecks - Vultee Vengeance Mark IA Serial Number A27-92

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Vultee Vengeance Mark IA Serial Number A27-92

RAAF
1 APU

Pilot F/Sgt Roy John Hall, 426002 (KIA, BR) Calen, QLD
Observer Cpl William John Falahey, 51407 (KIA, BR) Elsternwick, VIC
Crashed May 25, 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Vultee in Los Angeles. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number EZ972 and was intended for use by the British but instead shipped across the Pacific to Australia.

Aircraft History
During June 1943 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Vengeance Mark IA serial number A27-92. Reassembled by No. 1 Air Depot (1 AD) and assigned to No. 4 Operational Training Unit (4 OTU) for a short time before being received at No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit (1 APU) at Laverton Airfield.

Mission History
On May 25, 1944 took off from Laverton Airfield piloted by F/Sgt R. A. Hall with Vengeance A27-49 on a ferry flight via Wagga Wagga Airfield bound for Bowen Airfield. At around 11:50am, both aircraft collided in midair and the crews of both were killed. The wreckage of both aircraft landed on Mount Disappointment approximately six miles north of Whittlesea.

Wreckage
The wreckage of both aircraft can still be found at their respective sites, though it is impossible at this stage to determine what wreckage is from which aircraft.

Recovery of Remains
After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered.

Memorial
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are buried at Springvale War Cemetery. Hall at 1.R.B.7. Falahey at 1.R.B.11.

References
ADF Serials - Vengeance A27-92
CWGC - Roy John Hall
CWGC - William John Falahey

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Last Updated
March 18, 2023

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