a1610

This damage to the nose of this aircraft RAAF serial number A16-10 occurred on 31 October 1940. It was subsequently repaired by Clyde Engineering works. Ref: www.adf-serials.com/2a16.shtml : "Rec 2AD ex USA 26/01/40.Allocated 8Sqn RAAF, canc, Allocated 13Sqn RAAF 29/06/40. Accident 10/08/40 when Ambulance collided with tail unit at Darwin. Repaired. Accident 31/10/40 when aircraft went on nose at Richmond. Accident 31/12/40 at Darwin on landing, aircraft bounced and struck starboard wing and then port wing tip, tipped on nose and swung 180degrees and stopped. Pilot was F/Lt Nicolas, F/O J Turnbull, P/O Pearson and AC1 Mather. Repaired by Clyde Engineering. 1OTU when repaired.Scrapped 25/03/48." The significance of the repair, and the probably reason why the course of the repair job was so carefully photographed is that it was the first crashed Hudson which was repaired within Australia. This has cultural significance as a demonstration of the increased technological capability which Australia gained in many areas in the course of World War II neccessity.

You wouldn't think it were possible... looking at the severe damage to the Hudson - that it was repairable, let alone return it to the air ! It just shows , where there's a will, theres a way ....

See comment at this pic for more information about this aircraft: www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2820267469/

This image has been used in the indicommons.org post: Just Plane Trouble