This Day in History: 1955-08-30

On the morning of 30 August 1955 Auster J/4 Archer VH-AET flew over Sydney for several hours without a pilot, and was eventually shot down by Hawker Sea Furies of 805 Squadron RAN. Mr Anthony Thrower hired VH- Auster light aircraft from Kingsford Smith Aviation Flying School. He had completed one circuit of a training flight when the aircraft’s engine failed as he was coming in to land at Bankstown airfield. Having successfully landed the aircraft dead-stick, Thrower jumped out and swung the propeller (there was no self starter). Unfortunately for the pilot, the Auster’s brakes failed as the engine roared to life. Thrower made a valiant attempt to board the aircraft as it gathered speed down across the field but was forced to jump clear and could only look on as the plane became airborne. Emergency services were notified and it was decided to shoot the aircraft down. A Wirraway advanced trainer was scrambled from RAAF Richmond, west of Sydney, however the Wirraway’s guns froze and jammed. Then a Gloster Meteor F.8 jet fighter RAAF Williamtown, flown by Squadron Leader M. Holdsworth, attempted to down the Auster, but the aircraft’s guns also jammed. Two RAN 805 Squadron Sea Furies (VW645 flown by Lt John. Bluett and WZ650 flown by Lt Peter McNay – both Royal Navy officers on exchange duty with the RAN) had been engaged in gunnery practice over Nowra and they were diverted to attack the Auster. Both Navy pilots struck the Auster with bursts from their guns and sent it splashing into the sea three miles off Broken Bay at 11.43 a.m. Sources: RAN 805 Squadron History; The Daily News (Perth, WA) Tue 30 Aug 1955, Page 1, NAVY PLANES SHOOT DOWN PILOTLESS RUNAWAY