Search found 17 matches

by Funta
Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:34 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Makin/Butaritari Location(s)
Replies: 0
Views: 5115

Makin/Butaritari Location(s)

In the LOCATIONS section of PW, "Maikin" airfield is co-named "Butaritari/Antakana/Starmann." But Makin airfield is on Makin Island, to the North of the major atoll. Butaritari Island, on the Southern side of the major atoll, has a clear airstrip (see Google Earth), and Wiki is clear about the origi...
by Funta
Thu Sep 21, 2017 6:22 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: WWII Pilot's Logbooks
Replies: 4
Views: 28983

Re: WWII Pilot's Logbooks - DropBox Link to download them

For anyone interested in copies of these Logbooks, below is a link to DropBox which will enable you to download them,,

Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rtzcyspgcehm ... iwZWa?dl=0
by Funta
Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:58 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Warbird Rides
Replies: 0
Views: 29687

Warbird Rides

I'm not sure if it's totally relevant to this Forum, but as a break from 'academic' studies of WWII History, can I suggest active particpation in an experience or two of a lifetime? In the last 12 months, following my father's footsteps quite some time ago, I've been for back-seat rides in a CAC Wir...
by Funta
Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:01 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Wreckage of 'Bluey' Truscott's P-40 Kittyhawk
Replies: 1
Views: 29715

Wreckage of 'Bluey' Truscott's P-40 Kittyhawk

I have read the Official Accident Report of the death of S/L 'Bluey' Truscott, C/O of 76 squadron RAAF. A close friend of mine's father was his wingman when the accident occurred just off the coast in W.A. During a mock attack on a US PBY flying boat, Truscott hit the water. With the help of US pers...
by Funta
Sat Jun 17, 2017 6:53 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: WWII Pilot's Logbooks
Replies: 4
Views: 28983

Re: WWII Pilot's Logbooks

Hi, Sorry about the delay in replying - my wife has been crook (Pacemaker installed etc)... When I said I'd "copied" the Logbooks, I've produced .PDF Acrobat files of them. I'm not sure how you'd make up a "Logbook" for use on-stage from these. Maybe you'd have to fake a booklike object, print the f...
by Funta
Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:09 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

It's about a four hour drive to Canberra. I'll have to talk to them to check whether they would allow digital photography of the originals they hold.
by Funta
Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:47 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

You're quite correct it was the 593rd. It was through mention of a reunion of theirs on the Web I managed to contact & chat to members whilst briefly in the US many times in my flying career. They described Yancey as an 'enthusiastic warrior' who felt if he HAD to go to war he might as well get on w...
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:00 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

One of the other guys said the second Catalina - the next morning - was also reluctant to land. Allegedly certain "threats" were made over the radio that the PBY might join my Dad in the water if it didn't attemp to land & pick him up. Can't vouch for the truth of this bit of "Inter-Allied Cooperati...
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:54 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

Many years ago now I located three surviving 76 Squadron pilots who were overhead at various stages of the rescue. One was a gent who dropped the replacement dinghy. He said it was difficult removing his dinghy from underneath all his other gear. Then after opening his cockpit hood, the talc powder ...
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:48 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

Here are pages 3 & 4.
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:47 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

Further research in his Logbook - I've looked at 4 typed pages recording the incident, pasted in the back of his Logbook. Obviously the "Official" report as disctated to the Squadron Intelligence Officer. The dates are given as 8th & 9th Dec!! See attached pages, 1st 2 of 4, this post.
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:31 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

I've also just noticed a discrepancy in dates between the Squadron Record Book and my father's Logbook. The Logbook entry reads "Dec 8 Kittyhawk A29-381 Self Bomb & strafe RANSIKI 1hr 15min 1x1000lb Engine hit, baled out 20 miles form base 19 1/2hrs in dinghy." Given that the previous entry was also...
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:23 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

Sorry, my line in the fourth-last-paragraph should have read "for the name change TO "Yancey Lee James."
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:12 pm
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: Google Earth and Airfield Locations
Replies: 14
Views: 36761

Re: Google Earth and Airfield Locations

My father was Flying Officer RJA (Bob) Hunter 425664 RAAF. The 76 Squadron Record Book entry (edited): "Dec 9 (1944): 4 Peters divebombed RANSIKI. F/O R.J.HUNTER (425664) had engine trouble and was forced to bail out over the water 20 miles s.w. of NOEMFOOR..... The pilot was covered until last ligh...
by Funta
Sat Apr 16, 2016 3:20 am
Forum: Pacific Wrecks Updates & Information
Topic: WWII Pilot's Logbooks
Replies: 4
Views: 28983

WWII Pilot's Logbooks

Some years ago now I visited surviving members of my father's P-40 Kittyhawk Squadron - 76 Squadron RAAF. They allowed me to scan their Logbooks, and I've PDF'd each one to high quality. There are some 20-odd, of various ranks and experiences. Some saw service in Europe before returning to Oz to for...