Sunday History Photo / Qld

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 03:48

Member - Doug T (NT)

Call Sign VH-CXD belonged to a DC-3 / C47 Airplane , it’s Constructors Number 1944. USAAF Serial Number 44-83228. This aircraft was owned by ANA (Australian National Airways) and leased to the USAAF. It was delivered to the RAAF in August 1943.
The aircraft was severely damaged during a Japanese air raid against 7-Mile Drome, PNG on August 17, 1942. and out of commission for two months.
An entry in a log for this plane is shown as DC-3, CXD on 2 April 1944 with ANA Capt Hack, P/O Bennet and Sgt Freeman as crew. This flight was Brisbane - Charleville - Cloncurry - Gorrie - Batchelor - Gorrie - Fenton - Cloncurry - Brisbane, involving 21hr 30min daytime flying and 4hr 15min night flying on 2nd and 3rd of April- a real marathon.
On 23 April 1944 it again flew with Capt Hack with F/Sgt Herrigan as crew to Brisbane- Melbourne (6hr 20min) and returned the next day in 5 hours flying.
On May 5th 1945 it crashed on top of a hill while approaching Higgins Field (Bamaga) in the early morning to land. All on board were killed.
Pilot Capt N L Taylor, ANA (civilian pilot), Co-Pilot W/O J H Hornbrook, (432183)
Co-Pilot #2 F/Sgt N T Browne, 436542, RAAF (co-pilot trainee) Radio W/O A H Gidley, 415975, RAAF

Fuselage Section
Fuselage Section

Tail Section
Tail Section


W/O J H Hornbrook, (432183)
W/O J H Hornbrook, (432183)

HORNBROOK, James Hillman - (Warrant Officer); Service Number - 432183; - Casualty - Aircraft - DC3 VHCXD; Place - Higgins Field, Queensland; Date - 5 May 1945

Memorial Plaque
Memorial Plaque

The wreckage still remains. It is fenced off, and a memorial plaque is near the tail to honor the crew.

Accident Report
Accident Report


Thanks goes to my good friend Peter Dunn's Oz@War website in Brisbane for the Info and photo's.


.
My sadly Missed Mate
Dusty, 8/6/1996 - 20/1/2010
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AnswerID: 446009   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 08:04

Madfisher replied:

Thanks Doug.
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 718331   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 09:46

Member - John L (WA) posted:

Thanks Doug, Love your Sunday stories. 8th March is Centenary of International Woman's Day - could we please have a post about one of our wonderful Aussie women?
Cheers Heather
Heather L (WA)
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AnswerID: 446031   Submitted: Sunday, Feb 20, 2011 at 10:57

Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) replied:

Hi Doug

Thanks for another great post.


Cheers


Stephen
Roxby Downs Special
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
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AnswerID: 446204   Submitted: Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 20:23

Member - Michael John T (VIC) replied:

Doug,

Many thanks for your regular postings I really look forward to them. You do a marvelous job at bringing a wide variety of historical events to our attention, I for one (and I suspect a great many others) appreciate them.

I,m already looking forward to next weeks already.

Keep it up

Regards

Mike.
We retired to travell
It's time to go again...
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