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| RAAF No. 24 Squadron |
Aircraft History Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Manufacture number 521. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as CA-8 Wirraway serial number A20-319. Wartime History On August 29, 1941 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On October 11, 1941 assigned to No. 24 Squadron and was based at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. No known nickname, nose art or code. On January 20, 1942 took off from Vunakanau Airfield piloted by Sgt Robert A. Blackman, 402844 with observer SGT S. E. Woodcroft, 22630 as one of eight Wirraways scrambled to intercept Japanese planes striking Rabaul. Intercepted by escorting A6M2 Zeros and within seven minutes they with three shot down, two crash landing and one damaged. Afterwards, this Wirraway was parked among palm trees and camouflaged at Vunakanau Airfield. Later, the outer wings were removed and the plane was abandoned. On January 24, 1942 listed as destroyed by enemy action. In fact, this Wirraway was camouflaged among palm trees and abandoned at Vunakanau Airfield. Wreckage In late January 1942, captured by the Japanese and photographed at Vunakanau Airfield. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References WW2 Nominal Roll - Robert Alfred Blackman WW2 Nominal Roll - Stanley Ernest Woodcroft ADF Serials - Wirraway A20-319 NAA 24 Squadron Operations Record Book - January 1942 (NAA A50_068_194201) Ohashi-Butai Commemorative Photo Album (photo) via Jim Lansdale Contribute
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