Location
The Cape York Peninsula is located in the far north of Queensland in Australia. Also known as simply Cape York. Located at the northern tip is Bamaga. Offshore to the north is the Torres Strait including Horn island ((Ngurapai).

Escape River
The Escape River is located on the Cape York Peninsula. On May 1, 1942 a group of P-39 Airacobras took off from Antil Plains Airfield near Townsville on a ferry flight bound for Port Moresby. After refueling at Cooktown Airfield, they ran into a heavy storm near Horn Island. Flight leader Charles Faletta decided to head back to land to find a suitable place to land. Faletta and his wingman Harvey chose to land at a spot near the Escape River on the Cape York Peninsula.

P-39D Airacobra Serial Number 41-6951
Pilot Faletta force landed May 1, 1942 salvaged 1972 today displayed at The Beck Museum

P-39F Airacobra Serial Number 41-7215
Pilot Harvey force landed May 1, 1942 salvaged 1971

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019