I apologize if this has been posted before. Most of the video linked to below pertains to the “Flight of the Phoenix” crash which claimed the life of Paul Mantz. However, there is some other accident related video mixed in incuding a very nasty Beaufort mid-air starting at 2:12. I had not seen it before and thought it may be of interest.
By: Chad Veich - 7th April 2009 at 05:39
I’m not sure about the story of the Widgeon, it seems to have an Australian “VH-” civil registration marking on the wing, suggesting a post war PNG accident?
I came across the link on the Hyperscale forum and one of the responders gave the reggie on the Widgeon as VH-AZO at the time of the accident. Apperently it is still extent and now registered ZK-AVM.
By: mark_pilkington - 7th April 2009 at 05:24
that it is Chad,
smiles
Mark Pilkington
By: Chad Veich - 7th April 2009 at 04:32
Thanks for the additional info Mark. Just FYI, the belly landing A-20 is actually a B-26.
By: mark_pilkington - 7th April 2009 at 04:26
.
The two Beauforts are RAAF aircraft that collided over Jervis Bay NSW in April 1943, A9-27 and A9-268, while performing a “Prince of Wales” display the starboard wingman struck the tail of the lead aircraft with its wingtip, as the lead aircraft commenced to climb away, causing both aircraft to crash into the sea with loss of both crews, a third Beaufort survived unscathed.
The B-17 ditching is a radio controlled ditching test, a USAF film narrated by Ronald Reagan, the A-20 belly landing is a famous series of footage taken in PNG by famed Australian wartime photographer Damien Parer, reknowned for filming on front line ,and behind enemy lines.
He filmed some unique Coral Sea combat footage from behind the pilot’s seat of an Australian Beaufighter.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/78005.asp
I’m not sure about the story of the Widgeon, it seems to have an Australian “VH-” civil registration marking on the wing, suggesting a post war PNG accident?
Regards
Mark Pilkington
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April 7, 2009 at 1:13 am