CRASH LANDING OF TWO KITTYHAWKS
AT FISHERMEN'S BEND, MELBOURNE
POSSIBLY IN 1942

visits since 10 June 2001

The first P-40 Kittyhawks to be seen in Melbourne made a surprise visit to Fishermen's Bend, when 24 USAAF Kittyhawks unexpectedly landed there, possibly in 1942.

Fishermen's Bend in about 1942-43

Two of the Kittyhawks landed with their wheels still up. They had thought they were landing at Point Cook airfield.

The serviceable Kittyhawks were refuelled and took off for Point Cook. The two damaged Kittyhawks were repaired.

Rick Hanning told me another story about a flight of USAAC Kittyhawks lost between Canberra and Laverton:-

"On the 13th Feb not March. The 14 P-40 Kittyhawks lost there way to Laverton. A Oxford piloted by W/Cmdr. Mackey & S/Ldr Ellis assisted the P-40's to 3 BAGS West Sale. They left the next day for Laverton."

Was this the same flight or a separate incident?

Can anyone help with a precise date and any other details
on this incident, e.g. aircraft Serial Nos.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Wirraway to Hornet - A History of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Pty Ltd"
By Brian L. Hill

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I'd like to thank Rick Hanning for his assistance with this home page.

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This page first produced 26 September 1999

This page last updated 13 June 2001