ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 300247
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| Date: | Tuesday 3 March 1942 |
| Time: | 10:00 |
| Type: | de Havilland DH-84A Dragon I |
| Owner/operator: | 34 Sqn RAAF |
| Registration: | A34-9 |
| MSN: | 6045 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | RAAF Wyndham, WA -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Taxi |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Darwin International Airport, Darwin, NT (DRW/YPDN) |
| RAAF Wyndham, Western Australia |
25.8.33: Telegram from De Havillands in England to CAB requesting registration markings for the two Dragons for Western Mining Corporation so that they can be painted on the aircraft while in the factory. CAB allocate VH-URF and VH-URG.
(Western Mining Corporation had been formed in 8.33 by a group of mining interests, to carry out a large survey of gold-bearing country in Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia. Two DH.84s ordered, which would be fitted with Williamson Eagle cameras. The aerial team would be accompanied by a fleet of ground vehicles to provide logistical support and be able to process exposed film. A hangar was built at Kalgoorlie aerodrome to house the two aircraft for the expected duration of 2 years of survey flying). Two pilots were selected: Captain Charles W. Snook of Perth and RAAF Flight Lieutenant S.C.Campbell, both sent to England to prepare the aircraft at the DH factory.
3.10.33: British C of A issued in name of Western Mining Corporation Ltd, Perth, WA
3.10.33: VH-URF and VH-URG were christened in a ceremony at Stag Lane by the wife of Western Mining Corporation Director Mrs.W. Robinson.
10.33: Special modifications to both aircraft included strengthened undercarriage and oversize tyres, extra fuel tanks to give a range of 8 hours, a wind driven generator mounted on a wing root to provide power for Marconi radio and radio direction finding equipment. Other instrumentation included directional gyro and a larger than normal compass. To improve sound-proofing thicker glazing was fitted in the main cabin. and a toilet was provided.
10.33: Both DH.84s for Western Mining Corporation were shipped from England to Fremantle packed in 8 wooden cases on board the s.s "Largs Bay"
14.11.33: s.s."Largs Bay" berthed at Fremantle. Crates moved by road to Mayland Aerodrome same day and unpacking commenced immediately.
15.11.33: VH-URF and VH-URG assembled at Maylands. Allover pale cream. Both will be based at Kalgoorlie WA while conducting a photographic survey of the Eastern Goldfields covering 80,000 square miles in search for new ore bodies. The aerial operation was under the command of Captain Charles W. Snook of Perth, who had sailed to England to arrange the purchase of the two Dragons and installation of survey cameras and specialist navigational equipment. Each Dragon was fitted with a Williamson Eagle IV camera, 6 seats and lavatory.
27.11.33: Registration application: Western Mining Corporation Ltd, Perth, WA. Named "Gay Prospector"
6.12.33: Test-flown at Maylands after assembly by two ground engineers hired by the survey project
15.12.33: Registered VH-URF and C of A issued same day.
19.12.33: Wester Mining Corporation’s two Dragons (VH_URF and VH-URG departed Maylands for Kalgoorlie where they will be based.
20.12.33: Dragons commenced survey flying from Kalgoorlie
9.34{ The aerial component of the survey was completed well ahead of the scheduled 2 years. The ground organisation's geological investigations based on the aerial photographs continued for some time.
9.34: WMC continued to use the two Dragons for company transport of staff and equipment. The early termination of the aerial survey resulted in some staff being laid off, and a disgruntled employee painted over the "Gay" on the nose of the Dragon. Western Mining Corporation had the name repainted as "Golden Prospector"
20.11.34: Change of ownership: MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth, WA. Named "The Kimberley". Purchased by MMA to replace their Dragons damaged on their newly commenced North West run. 291 lbs weight of non-standard fittings were removed. Equipped for 7 passengers, initially retained Western Mining Corporation pale cream colour scheme, later re-doped all silver.
12.34: Entered service on the Broome-Daly Waters section of MacRobertson Miller Aviation’s North West service Perth-Daly Waters, replacing Dragon VH-URX.
20.9.36: Forced landing 12 miles south of Dongara, WA, due fuel problem, no damage. Was operating the Perth-Geraldton sector of the North West Service with 5 passengers. Pilot C. Clarke.
25.11.36: Forced landing Watheroo, WA, no damage. Pilot C. Clarke.
14.10.37: Pilot log: Maylands local endorsement flights, new MacRobertson Miller Aviation pilot E.D.Anderson, and the next day
24.7.38: VH-URF in service on MacRobertson Miller Aviation Wyndham-Daly Waters branch service and Australian Air Medical Service flying doctor contract, replacing DH.83 Fox Moth VH-UTF which flew its last medical flight from Wyndham to Argyle Downs Station 23.7.38
1.8.38: Named "Dunbar Hooper II" in ceremony at Wydham by Minister of the Interior John McEwan. VH-URF operated the MacRobertson Miller Aviation Wyndham-Daly Waters sector and also operated for the Australian Air Medical Service
31.12.38: Still operating Wyndham-Daly Waters branch service
1.39: VH-URF based Wyndham, housed in a small hangar that only just accommodates the Dragon with its wings folded. Operates the MacRobertson Miller Aviation Wyndham-Daly Waters sector also for Australian Air Medical Service.
5.39: At Maylands for overhaul. Radio fitted for Australian Air Medical Service work.
3.10.39: Departed Maylands for Wyndham to replace DH.84 Dragon VH-UVN which required C of A renewal
5.10.39: Returned to Wyndham from Maylands after C of A renewed
mid-1940: Impressment order by RAAF
5.7.40: Still Operating Wyndham-Daly Waters branch service
6.7.40: Director General of Civil Aviation advises MacRobertson Miller Aviation that it is not proposed to impress this aircraft at this date.
11.40: RAAF advise MacRobertson Miller Aviation that VH-URF will be impressed. MacRobertson Miller Aviation are instructed to have the aircraft ready at Maylands in 12.40
11.12.40: VH-URF replaced MacRobertson Miller Aviation DH,84 Dragon VH-UVN for the period it was under repair to damage in forced landing Meda Station, via Derby, WA.
12.40: RAAF agreed to MacRobertson Miller Aviation request to defer impressment of VH-URF because it was urgently needed by MacRobertson Miller Aviation to replaced damaged DH,84 Dragon VH-UVN
21.4.41: DH.84 Dragon VH-UVN C of A renewed after repair. VH-URF now available for impressment
5.5.41: Impressed by Australian Government for RAAF under Impressment Requisition No.8188 from MacRobertson Miller Aviation
5.5.41: Delivered to 3 EFTS Essendon by MacRobertson Miller Aviation founder Horrie Miller. Arrived Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria this date.Struck-off Civil Register and Brought on RAAF charge as A34-9 same day. Issued to ANA Essendon ex 3 EFTS for modifications
10.5.41: Inspection report at Essendon
4.7.41: Received 1 Aircradft Depot RAAF Laverton ex ANA for fitting W/T (Wireless Telegraphy equipment)
16.8.41: Received 2 Air Observers School, RAAF Mount Gambier ex 1 Aircraft Depot
18.1.42: Issued ANA Essendon ex 2 Air Observers School for conversion to air ambulance
30.1.42: Under conversion to air ambulance at ANA
1.2.42: Allotted Darwin (Transport Unit) ex 1 Aircraft Depot
9.2.42: Received 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF Laverton ex-ANA
25.2.42: Received 34 Squadron, RAAF, Darwin, NT ex-1 Aircraft Depot
3.3.42: Destroyed on ground by Japanese air raid at Wyndham, WA. Destroyed by strafing and incendiary bombs during Japanese air raid at 10 am. A34-9 had been flown Darwin-Wyndham by Flight Lieutenant Warwick. The raid involved eight Zero fighters from Koepang, in Timor. According to one source (see link #6): "Japanese aircraft carried out bombing raids on the Wyndham meatworks and Wyndham airfield in Western Australia on 3 March 1942.
A De Havilland DH-84 Dragon was attacked while landing at Wyndham airfield by a flight of Japanese Zeros during the first enemy air raid on the town on 3 March 1942. The crew and passengers abandoned the Dragon which trundled along the runway on fire. It stopped at the end of the runway where it burnt itself out. A group of nine "Betty" bombers then bombed the Wyndham airfield leaving a number of large mud holes in the runway.
One of the passengers on the Dragon was Snow Bradshaw, a RAAF Kana Operator who had been evacuated from the Darwin Intercept station following the major Japanese air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942. Snow Bradshaw belonged to a special intelligence group attached to the RAAF involved in the interception of Japanese Naval and military traffic".
16.4.42: Struck-off RAAF charge. RAAF Status Card states “destroyed by incendiary bombs”
Sources:
1. https://air-britain.com/pdfs/production-lists/DH84.pdf
2. https://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/dh84-pt1/dh84-dragon-pt1.htm
3. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a34.htm
4. http://www.airhistory.org.uk/dh/p060.html
5. https://www.airforce.gov.au/sites/default/files/minisite/static/7522/RAAFmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A34.htm
6. https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/wyndham.htm
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raids_on_Australia,_1942%E2%80%931943#March
8. https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/06/12/wyndham-attacked/
9. Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.smh.com.au/national/from-the-archives-1942-japan-attacks-wyndham-and-broome-20220225-p59zq0.html
10. https://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2010/10/27/3049997.htm
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyndham_Airport
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Oct-2022 22:58 | Dr. John Smith | Added |
| 28-Oct-2022 21:49 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 27-May-2023 11:08 | Ron Averes | Updated [[Operator, Operator]] |
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