lockheedhudson

nla.gov.au/nla.obj-449744708/view?sectionId=nla.obj-47886... - this pic appeared in Pix on 5th August, 1944...in a feature article titled 'WAAFs Release Airmen for Assault on Japan' Pix's caption: 'Technicians ACWs Jean Gray, Isobel Mack, Joyce Tysoe and Constance Black step briskly along the tarmac on their way to begin day’s work at station in Australia where PIX took these pictures. This team of Waaaf technicians was the first to begin duty at station. None of the girls had experience of mechanics before joining up. Joyce Tysoe was a stenographer, now she is an aircraft rigger. Her job is to do maintenance work on airframes.' collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/9WZWwpzY - link to the Pix WAAAF series of pics at the SLNSW...a number of these pics also appeared in the Pix article.

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 ....

Wonderful photo