CRASH LANDING OF A DUTCH B-22 FALCON
AT EAGLE FARM AIRFIELD, BRISBANE, QLD
ON 25 NOVEMBER 1942

visits since 24 November 2002

Lieutenant Colonel Fry, the Commanding Officer of the 81st Air Depot Group, went for a joy ride and familiarisation flight from Eagle Farm airfield in a Dutch B-22 (known as a Falcon) on approximately 25 November 1942. He was accompanied by his assistant, Major Monay on the flight. When he took off he neglected to retract his undercarriage. He was not impressed with the performance of the B-22 and returned to Eagle Farm airfield to land. 

He pushed the wrong button and retracted his undercarriage. Despite the noise of a warning klaxon, and the shouting and waving from Major Monay, Colonel Fry made an unexpected belly landing in the B-22. It was apparently a very smooth belly landing!!

General Connell presented Colonel Fry with a dumbbell at the Officer's Thanksgiving Party at "Neville Court" on 26 November 1942 as an "Award" for his accomplished belly landing.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"The 81st A.D.G."

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

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This page first produced 24 November 2002

This page last updated 24 November 2002