Aussie Wirraway – new project?

Hi,
this was not a fatal crash. though the Pilot later died in a Mirage crash. see info from ADF Serials Website below

A20-714 CA-16- Accident 1030hrs 20/10/50 when flying low level navigational exercise (No 17)at 50 feet over Lake Corangamite after taking off from Point Cook 0948hrs; the pilot, proceeding to re-synchronise Direction Indicator with compass, in-advertently applied forward stick pressure which caused the airscrew to strike the water surface. He immediately attempted to climb but at 50-100 feet the engine vibration and the inability of the aircraft to climb, forced him to ditch the aircraft, canopy opened and tail down, on the lake. The aircraft had settled in 8 feet of water and 2-3 feet of mud. Pilot; T/Plt Vance Drummond Serv#A336624 injured slightly after striking forehead and nose on cockpit (He would become a Pilot in 77Sqn and would be shot down and captured in North Korea. Sadly in 1966 he would be killed in a Mirage crash) After being rescued by local Camperdown resident, he was flown back to Point Cook by Oxford. Approved for conversion 22/01/51. Tail section recovered 06/02/51. The fuselage and wings remain on site this very day. S R Wasp Eng # 647 fitted at time of crash.

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Wirraway-2A20-714
Cheers Dan

We shall see I guess if the guy gets the all clear. He was good enough to send me the Tactile Survey of the wreck and surrounds and there may be hope for some sections for sure – the tyres are still inflated under the mud and the wings themselves have a large proportion in mud rather than the full salty conditions. Whatever the case I wish him all the very best and hope he has some success – he is very smart on these things and well aware of what needs to take place once raised.

There is one in Lake Victoria indeed but IIRC it is protected under indigenous laws and cannot be touched – this is due to it crashing on their land and there being at least one fatality, they don’t want the dead disturbed

Thanks for bringing it to a wider audience, Phil.

Given that Lake Corangamite has salinity issues, it may be a Fizzaway rather than a Wirraway!

Cheers,
Matt

I only live about 10k’s from the Wirraway and i think it is a bit late to recover. it spent five years exposed and is now completly submerged again. i dont see it being in great shape as it was touch and go in 2008.
Cheers Dan.

Wasn’t there one in a lake in Victoria as well?