A55-1


Type:L222-62-13 Lightning F-4-1-LO
Msn: 5376 *
Previous Identities:

  • 41-2158 *

* IMPORTANT: See here for clarification of identities.

History:



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".
03OCT42 Flt Lt Talberg, Flt Lt Sinnott and Flt Lt Lawrie received their twin endorsements in Oxford AS311 prior to converting to the Lightning. (Source: 2)
07OCT42 Local flight 1hr 55min (presumably at Laverton) (Source: 2)
09OCT42 Laverton-Hobart-Laverton 4hr 30min "circumnavigation of Tasmania" (Source: 2)
15OCT42 Issued to 1PRU ex 1AD.
30OCT42 Departed Laverton in company with A55-2 on delivery to 1PRU.
31OCT42 Received 1PRU Hughes N.T.
09NOV42 R/T Test 45min. (Source: 2)
09NOV42 R/T test 30min. (Source: 2)
10NOV42 Photo Recce Dili, Aileu, Moabisse 4hr 45min. (Source: 2)
19NOV42 Unserviceable at Hughes.
06DEC42 1PRU moved from Hughes to Coomalie Creek, N.T.
11DEC42 High altitude engine test 50min. (Source: 2)
12DEC42 High altitude engine test 45min. (Source: 2)
20DEC42 High altitude engine test 30,000ft 1hr 15min.(Source: 2)
29DEC42 Photo Recce Timor but returned owing to unsuitable weather, continuous solid cloud and lightning in the dark along with heavy turbulence. 1hr 50min day, 1hr 30min night plus 2hr instruments/cloud. (Total: 5hr 20min - Talberg's longest flight in a Lightning.) (Source: 2)
02JAN43 Recce flight, F/O P.B. Sinnott.
03JAN43 Recce flight, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
05JAN43 Photo Recce Fuiloro-Dilli. Four runs over Fuiloro at 14,000ft. Zero waiting over Dilli but managed to dodge and took photos. 4hr 40min. (Source: 2)
14JAN43 Recce flight, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie. Unserviceable due failure of port supercharger.
02FEB43 Engine test 25,000ft 1hr. (Source: 2)
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.
18APR43 Aircraft test 1hr 15min. (Source: 2)
21APR43 Photo recce Fuiloro, Sqn Ldr L.W. Law.
22APR43 Conversion to type by Flt Lt F.H.W. Robilliard. Altitude test 20000 ft Anson Bay - Pine Creek - Base (presumably Coomalie Creek) 1hr. (Source: 1)
23APR43 Local flying Coomalie Creek 1hr 35min. (Source: 1)
24APR43 Photo recce Dili, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott.
25APR43 Photography North Goulbourne Island, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
26APR43 Photography Cape Fourcroy 6000ft 2hr. (Source: 1)
(1PRU ORB states Cape Helvetius).
27APR43 Photo recce Atamboea, Flt Lt C.C. Lawrie.
28APR43 Aircraft and R/T test 25,000ft 1hr. (Source: 2)
28APR43 Survey flight of Timor, Sqn Ldr W.L. Law. Aircraft unserviceable.
29APR43 Photo Recce Portuguese Timor 4hr 5min. (Source: 2) 1PRU ORB states that weather was unfavourable.
APR43 Aircraft unserviceable with rough-running engine.
01MAY43 Alt and wireless test 26000ft 1hr 15min. (Source: 1)
03MAY43 Photography Saumlaki and vicinity 20000ft 3hr 30min. (Source: 1)
(1PRU ORB states photo recce Gaumlaki, Alilit & Seframat. Weather unsuitable).
05MAY43 Photos Wessel Is 20000ft 4hr 40min. (Source: 1)
06MAY43 Photography Wessel Island, Flt Lt F. Robilliard.
11MAY43 Survey of Portuguese Timor, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Weather unsuitable.
13MAY43 Photo COO-67-2 Fuiloro 20000ft 4hr. (Source: 1)
(1PRU ORB states survey of Portuguese Timor. Weather unsuitable).
18MAY43 Engine and camera test 25,000ft 1hr 30min. (Source: 2)
24MAY43 Survey of Portuguese Timor, Flt Lt P.B. Sinnott. Weather unsuitable.
26MAY43 Engine test to 25,000ft 1hr. (Source: 2)
29MAY43 Engine test 25000ft. COO 32-1 Koepang, Atamboa, Penfoei survey 1hr 15min. (Source: 1)
29MAY43 Photo Recce Fuiloro and Dilli 4hr 35min. (Source: 2) 1PRU ORB states that weather was unsuitable.
06JUN43 Timor 26000ft 5hr 25min. (Source: 1)
06JUL43 High altitude engine test 1hr. (Source: 2)
09JUL43 Test 21000ft intercooler and camera. COO 25 Kie Is., Tanimber, Saim trimetrogon 1hr 20min. (Source: 1)
15JUL43 Test intercooler and turbo 21000ft 1hr. (Source: 1)
21JUL43 Alt test 21000ft 1hr 10min. (Source: 1)
21JUL43 Photo Recce Fuiloro, Cape Chater and West Lautem. (Source: 2)
23JUL43 COO 37 Dili, Atamboea 28000ft 4hr 25min. (Source: 1)
28JUL43 Engine test 7000ft 40min. (Source: 1)
19AUG43 Issued to 14ARD for 240 hourly inspection.
24AUG43 Engine test "starboard engine cutting out at 22,000ft" 1hr 20min. (Source: 2)
25AUG43 Test 24000ft 1hr. (Source: 1)
01SEP43 Engine test "starboard engine cut out at 24,000ft" 1hr 5min. (Source: 2)
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)
04NOV43 Coomalie Creek-Batchelor 25min. (Source: 2)
05NOV43 Batchelor-Cloncurry 4hr 20min. (Source: 2)
05NOV43 Cloncurry-Townsville 2hr 15min. (Source: 2)
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)
31DEC43 Test flight at Garbutt after installation of new engines 33,000ft 1hr. (Source: 2)
01JAN44 Took off from Garbutt but port airscrew ran away. Landed Garbutt with port airscrew feathered. 1hr 30min. (Source: 2)
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)
03JAN44 Test flight 45min. (Source: 2)
04JAN44 Cloncurry-Boomara 2hr 30min. (Source: 2) (Presumably this also includes flying time from Townsville/Garbutt to Cloncurry. Boomarra is 75 miles north of Cloncurry)
05JAN44 Boomara-Cloncurry 30min. (Source: 2) (This backtracking suggests that Boomarra was a forced landing and overnight).
06JAN44 Cloncurry-Camooweal 50min. (Source: 2)
06JAN44 Camooweal-Daly Waters 2hr. (Source: 2)
06JAN44 Daly Waters-Coomalie Creek 1hr 20min. (Source: 2)
06JAN44 A55-1 received at 1PRU (signal from 1PRU, NAA Series A11093 Item 3081559)
10JAN44 Familiarisation and height test 1hr. (Source: 3)
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 No details 30min. (Source: 2) (Possibly this is a ferry flight from Coomalie Creek to 4RSU at Pell)
12JAN44 Allotted 4RSU for repair.
15FEB44 Familiarisation 20min. (Source: 3)
18FEB44 Familiarisation and local photo 1hr 5min. (Source: 3)
19FEB44 Local photo 1hr 25min. (Source: 3)
22FEB44 Local photo 1hr 10min. (Source: 3)
25FEB44 Local photo 1hr 25min. (Source: 3)
26FEB44 Coomalie-Drysdale 1hr 25min. (Source: 3)
27FEB44 Photo Recce Koepang and Savu Is 4hr 15min. (Source: 3) The 1PRU ORB shows Tenau and Hansisi.
27FEB44 Drysdale-Coomalie 1hr 50min. (Source: 3)
12MAR44 Local photo 1hr. (Source: 3)
19MAR44 Photo Melville Island 1hr 45min. (Source: 3)
20MAR44 Photo Recce Tanimbar Island 3hr 15min. (Source: 3)
21MAR44 Melville Island 45min. (Source: 3)
23MAR44 Darwin-Drysdale 1hr 20min. (Source: 3)
24MAR44 Photo Recce Flores Island 4hr 35min. (Source: 3)
25MAR44 Drysdale-Darwin 1hr 30min. (Source: 3)
29MAR44 Test. (Source: 3)
30MAR44 Coomalie-Drysdale 1hr 30min. (Source: 3)
30MAR44 Photo Recce Nbai Pt Flores 4hr. (Source: 3)
30MAR44 Drysdale-Coomalie 1hr 45min. (Source: 3)
05APR44 Coomalie-Drysdale (no time recorded). (Source: 3)
06APR44 Photo Recce Flores but aircraft u/s 1hr 50min. (Source: 3)
06APR44 Test 15min. (Source: 3)
13APR44 Coomalie-Long-Coomalie 45min. (Source: 3)
22APR44 Test 20min. (Source: 3)
26APR44 Test 50min. (Source: 3) 1PRU ORB shows photography local area.
03MAY44 Coomalie-Drysdale 1hr 30min. (Source: 3)
04MAY44 Photo Recce Soemba Waingapoe 5hr. (Source: 3)
04MAY44 Drysdale-Coomalie 1hr 35min. (Source: 3)
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.


SOURCES

1
Log book of Flt Lt F.H.W. Robilliard via his son Iain Robilliard.
2
Log Book of Flt Lt W.H.S. Talberg via David Vincent
3
Log Book of Sqn Ldr Bob Green via David Vincent


ABBREVIATIONS


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.
COO A duty code specific to 1PRU
NEA North Eastern Area
NWA North Western Area


Issue Date Remarks
9 05JAN11
Added details from the log book of Sqn Ldr Bob Green via David Vincent. Shown as "Source: 3"
8 04JAN11
Added details from the log book of Flt Lt W.H.S. Talberg via David Vincent. Shown as "Source: 2"
7 14JUL10
Added details from the log book of Flt Lt F.H.W. Robilliard thanks to his son Iain Robilliard. Shown as "Source: 1"
Added an image of the ground handling accident at Coomalie Creek thanks to Peter Grylls.
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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