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07/03/2005. Remarks by John Voss: "Ex USAAF P-40E 41-5741 served with 77, 76 Squadron and 2 OTU (Operational Training Unit); arrived at 77 Squadron, Pearce, Western Australia on April 13, 1942; on April 16, while on take-off at Dunreath strip Western Australia this 77 Squadron aircraft encountered some heavy sand causing it to tip onto its airscrew and causing extensive damage including writing off the engine and undercarriage, the pilot was Flight Lieutenant Daryl Maxwell Sproule; it was issued back to 77 Squadron on July 23, 1942; while with 77 Squadron in late 1942 it had on the cowling a picture of Pluto running flat out chasing a Jap who was trying to sprint away; this was the usual aircraft of Pilot Officer Dick Sudlow in late 1942; it was sent to 3 Air Depot on February 3, 1943 and from there issued to 76 Squadron on March 13; on May 9, 1943 it was received at 2 OTU from 76 Squadron; on June 19, 1944 it was bounced on landing at Mildura, Victoria and the undercarriage collapsed causing a good deal of damage (pilot error?); approval given to write-off on December 19, 1947." |
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