The P39 Bell Airacobra saw service in Australia during WW2. Some, along with P38 Lockheed Lightnings were based at Garbutt air base at Townsville, North Queensland. One Airacobra came into contact with power lines near the small town of Ayr, 50 miles south of Townsville, and belly landed in the dry bed of the Burdekin river. A number of school kids in the area ( we were about 10 years old at the time)went to the crash site and under the watchful eye of a large American negro serviceman guarding it had great fun crawling all over it. We could see ammunition in belts inside the damaged wing. Very exciting time indeed.
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The P39 Bell Airacobra saw service in Australia during WW2. Some, along with P38 Lockheed Lightnings were based at Garbutt air base at Townsville, North Queensland.
One Airacobra came into contact with power lines near the small town of Ayr, 50 miles south of Townsville, and belly landed in the dry bed of the Burdekin river. A number of school kids in the area ( we were about 10 years old at the time)went to the crash site and under the watchful eye of a large American negro serviceman guarding it had great fun crawling all over it. We could see ammunition in belts inside the damaged wing. Very exciting time indeed.
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http://warrelics.eu/forum/armour-weapons-aircraft/p-39-airacobra-recovered-mart-jarv-lake-northern-russia-522.html
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