A55-1 - The Lockheed File

1AD	No 1 Aircraft Depot based at Laverton, Vic.
14ARD	No 14 Aircraft Repair Depot based at Gorrie, N.T.
8CRD	No 8 Central Recovery Depot based at Darwin, N.T.
1PRU	No 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit based at Hughes, N.T. and later Coomalie Creek N.T.
1RSU	No 1 Repair and Salvage Unit based at Manbulloo, N.T.
4RSU	No 4 Repair and Salvage Unit based at Pell, N.T.
NEA	North Eastern Area
NWA	North Western Area

Issue	Date	Remarks
6	07JAN08	Added a photo of A55-1 thanks to Bob Livingstone.
5	22FEB04	Added movements before and after RAAF service from USAAF History Card supplied by Terry Geary.
4	17FEB04	Added several references from RAAF Command HQ files (NAA Series 11093 Item 3081559) and a report on the final crash (NAA Series A9845 Item 7127491)
3	04JAN04	Added date for diversion to Australia from USAAF History Card thanks to Terry Geary.
2	28SEP01	Deleted reference to having been loaned to 75 Sqn RAAF as now believed to be incorrect.

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17JAN42	Received by USAAF.
22APR42	Received Long Beach.
25APR42	Received Lowry (8PRS).
25MAY42	Received Dallas.
14JUN42	Received Lowry.
23JUN42	Received Sacramento Air Depot.
15JUL42	Received San Francisco (Port of Embarkation).
15AUG42	Departed USA.
25AUG42	Diverted to Australia.
31AUG42	Received at 1AD, Laverton, Vic. The Form E/E88 for A55-1 shows "Late 41-2158".
15OCT42	Issued to 1PRU ex 1AD.
30OCT42	Departed Laverton in company with A55-2 on delivery to 1PRU.
31OCT42	Received 1PRU Hughes N.T.
19NOV42	Unserviceable at Hughes.
06DEC42	1PRU moved from Hughes to Coomalie Creek, N.T.
02JAN43	Recce flight, F/O P.B. Sinnott.
03JAN43	Recce flight, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
05JAN43	Recce flight, Flt Lt W.H.S. Talberg.
14JAN43	Recce flight, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie. Unserviceable due failure of port supercharger.
12FEB43	Ferried to 1AD, Laverton by Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie for 240 hourly inspection.
14FEB43	Received 1AD Laverton ex 1PRU.
24MAR43	Ferried from 1AD, Laverton to 1PRU, Coomalie Creek by Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott.
28MAR43	Photography Dili, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Engine unserviceable.
31MAR43	Photography Penfoei, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Engine unserviceable - faulty intercooler and supercharger.
21APR43	Photo recce Fuiloro, Sqn Ldr L.W. Law.
24APR43	Photo recce Dili, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott.
25APR43	Photography North Goulbourne Island, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
26APR43	Photography Cape Helvetius, Flt Lt F. Robilliard.
27APR43	Photo recce Atamboea, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
28APR43	Survey flight of Timor, Sqn Ldr W.L. Law. Aircraft unserviceable.
29APR43	Survey flight of Timor, Flt Lt W.H.S. Talberg. Weather unfavourable.
APR43	Aircraft unserviceable with rough-running engine.
03MAY43	Photo recce Gaumlaki, Alilit & Seframat, Flt Lt F. Robilliard. Weather unsuitable.
06MAY43	Photography Wessel Island, Flt Lt F. Robilliard.
11MAY43	Survey of Portuguese Timor, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Weather unsuitable.
13MAY43	Survey of Portuguese Timor, Flt Lt F. Robilliard. Weather unsuitable.
24MAY43	Survey of Portuguese Timor, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Weather unsuitable.
29MAY43	Photo recce Dili and Fuiloro, Flt Lt W.H.S. Talberg. Weather unsuitable.
19AUG43	Issued to 14ARD for 240 hourly inspection.
17SEP43	Signal from NWA advises that initial equipment Lightning aircraft are beyond repair and suitable only for conversion. (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
18SEP43	RAAF HQ advises NWA that replacement F-4s are not available and arrangements have been made for "complete overhaul first priority by USAAF. Can you fly both Lightnings to Townsville?" (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
18SEP43	A note on stationery "From the Desk of Lt. Gen. George C. Kenney" to Col Victor E. Bertrandis, C.O., Advanced Echelon, Fifth Air Force Service Command, Townsville states simply: "2 P.38's for 1PRU to be repaired there". (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
20SEP43	Aircraft still awaiting return of items despatched to 1AD for overhaul.
13OCT43	A signal from NWA states that A55-1 is u/s awaiting inner tube for nosewheel, 1100 lb capacity bomb shackles for auxiliary fuel tanks, Bendix door control valve and hydraulic hose. These parts are required to make A55-1 serviceable for a ferry flight to Townsville for a complete overhaul. (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
05NOV43	Issued to USAAF at Townsville. (Form E/E88)
12DEC43	Signal from 1PRU states that operations are held up pending return of A55-1. (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
16DEC43	Signal from 1PRU states that F/L Talberg will be arriving in Townsville on 19DEC to ferry A55-1 back to 1PRU after overhaul. (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
01JAN44	Signal from NEA to 1PRU advising that A55-1 departed Townsville at 1000 hours but returned on one engine at 1130 hours owing to a runaway prop. ETD indefinite but probably three days. (NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
06JAN44	A55-1 received at 1PRU (signal from 1PRU, NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
10JAN44	Damaged in non-flying accident. Aircraft moved from chocks in high winds at Coomalie Creek, N.T. and ran into a drain causing structural damage.
12JAN44	Allotted 4RSU for repair.
	NOTE: The sequence of events from 16MAY to 15AUG is unclear, but events are presented here as shown on the Form E/E88.
16MAY44	Allotted 5th Air Force No 2 Depot ex 1PRU for 240 hourly and double engine change.
02JUL44	Issued Eagle Farm ex 1PRU.
04JUL44	Aircraft leaving for 5th Air Force Townsville.
15AUG44	Received PRU ex Eagle Farm.
01SEP44	The aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair in a landing accident at Coomalie Creek. The following report on the accident is drawn from a memo to the Air Board contained in NAA Series A9845 Item 7127491. "The aircraft was being flown by F/LT. C.J. Rush, who was ordered to carry out a test flight. After a normal approach and landing the aircraft was observed to swing violently to port and burst into flames. From the tracks left by the aircraft it appeared that the nose wheel collapsed and then the aircraft weathercocked into wind, dug its nose into the ground and caught fire in the belly tanks. The pilot suffered superficial burns to face, arms and hands and was admitted to No 1 M.R.S. on 1st Sep, 1944 and placed on the slightly injured list."
12SEP44	Received 8CRD ex 1PRU.
26SEP44	Approved for conversion to components.
31OCT44	Condemned by Fifth Air Force, Brisbane.
09JAN45	Struck off by USAAF.

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