On the full video clip, they said that there were multiple controllers, I think one for each axis, maybe another on engines. The Canberra was not taking off, it was doing a low slow pass along the runway centreline or thereabouts.

The controllers were all located outdoors and had visual on the jet. The eyewitness commentary describes how there was a sudden silence in the chatter between the controllers as control was lost, and then it speared in.

The commentary says that the press was asked not to show what happened, but they were already packing their gear and heading for the studio with their exclusive.

I have the full clip on VHS , I will see if I can convert and post it.

What an interesting reminder of life at the time. Can you post some more please Tango Charlie – who is George, do you know much more about him?

Here’s a link to a clip of Mustang VH-BOY (ex-RAAF A68-39) in its civilian colour scheme. This aircraft is a CAC built CA-17 which is now a USA registered P-51 N551D. This Super8 film clip is from the start of the New South Wales Air Race of 1974 and shows the aircraft departing Bankstown airport.

Film clip is with permission of the copyright owner, a friend of mine who looked after his old film footage and recently had it converted to video.

http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o1/eshe02/Aircraft/?action=view&current=VHBOYBankstown1974.flv

GFR