Outlook AHSA Newsletter November 2023 – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

1945 Consolidated B-24M-10-CO Liberator A72-160 (44-41949) of 12 Squadron RAAF crashed at Truscott airstrip on 20 May 1945. Taking off at night the aircraft became airborne approximately halfway down the strip. It is believed the aircraft became airborne early due to a noticeable hump in the airstrip, causing the aircraft to suddenly climb approximately 20 feet. According to the witnesses who were part of a working party directly in front of the aircraft when it became airborne, the aircraft apparently veered left moving rather slowly, gaining little speed or height. The aircraft then rose to about 40 feet and then fell sharply to the ground a short distance away from its initial point of take off. With fire crews quickly making their way to the scene any hope of finding survivors was lost when a number depth charges the aircraft was carrying exploded. There were 11 fatalities. Sources: ADF-Serials; aviation-safety.net website

2021 On 20 May 2021 RAAF Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II A35-029 landed at RAAF Base Tindall for the first time. F-35 aircraft were not permanently based at Tindall until December 2021 so this first visit, as part of Exercise Arnhem Thunder 2021 was just temporary. Source: Department of Defence.