Graham really has an outstanding collection of photos - and experiences. He is certainly one of the legends.
Aussie02
You could well be absolutely right about the Nadzab Nomad prang date. I just had a look at my logbook and see I last flew 012 at the end of September 78. Broke my leg trail bike riding near Boana the next week. Spent the next 8 weeks in plaster and crutches running the Squadron while the RAAF OC (mixed Army/RAAF personel) was in Melbourne getting the radar put in one of the other Nomads.
I was in Hong Kong on the date you indicate so would not have been there for the flurry of excitement. I am sure that I would have noticed we were short an aircraft and there was one on stands in the hangar when I came back - I have absolutely no memory of it - I think I must be losing the plot!
Next 012 flight was when I took it for a test flight (post-repair check?) on 20 July 79
Thanks for the reminder.