The 1940 Hudson disaster at Canberra

[A37575]

Having read a few accounts of this Hudson crash, I am still not clear of what direction circuit pattern (left circuit or right circuit) the aircraft was flying and the track of the aircraft from top of descent until presumably the aircraft arrived over the aerodrome with the intention of joining the circuit. I believe the final approach was for what is now runway 30 (all over grass field) or was it in fact final for what is now 35?

A recent book indicated the aircraft radio operator was transmitting messages to Melbourne right up to the point of where the Hudson crashed. I thought the Hudson had VHF in those days and the pilot would be on VHF to local ATC. Did that Hudson carry a co-pilot or was it a single pilot flight?

Appreciate opinions

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

The 'Wiki' response....

1940 Canberra air disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Canberra_air_disaster)

:ok:

[Plow King]

From Air Crash II

Approaching from over the city at about 3000 feet, it overflew the aerodrome, then made a left turn to enter a long descending downwind leg for a landing on the runway into the north-west (today's Runway 30).

It then goes on to say that as the aircraft was in a steep left turn onto final at approximately 400', it entered a spin to the right.

[gileraguy]

Hear about this incident on the ABC radio today.

I found this interesting account:

http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p263591/pdf/ch161.pdf

[Lookleft]

The long running question has always been, who was at the controls?