Information Charlie
11th Dec 2013, 10:33
Bit of a long shot I know, but in piecing together some family history it seems I have a relative that crashed and burned in a RVAC Chipmunk, VH-RVQ back in in 1959. Was curious to find out some more details, but haven't uncovered much so far searching around the Internet. Hoping someone might have either been around a very long time, or otherwise have some information.
Dora-9
11th Dec 2013, 20:51
I'm not sure if I want to be regarded as an "old timer", but here goes:
VH-RVQ was C1-0059, delivered to the RAF as WB618 on 30.9.1950 and sold on 20.6.1956. It became VH-MOB with the Latrobe Valley Aero Club on 28.9.1956 and was sold on to the RVAC on 30.9.1958. Re-registered as VH-RVQ on 4.11.1958, it crashed on 1.2.1959 and was struck off the register on 25.2.1959.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Blithering/VH-RVQatMoorabbinVicFollett_zpsa9ca8d77.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Blithering/media/VH-RVQatMoorabbinVicFollett_zpsa9ca8d77.jpg.html)
(photo courtesy of Neil Follet).
Regarding the accident, this is a quote from The Age on 31st January:
“Pilot Douglas Neale & passenger Graeme Bennett crashed at 2.45 pm after their Chipmunk went into an uncontrolled spin and crashed into a paddock at Rowville, near Scoresby after apparent engine failure. As the impact was vertical and flat, the only basic damage was a smashed u/c & a slightly crumpled wing. However, the fuel tanks were ruptured and the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.”