RAAF Caribou crash, Kudgeru gap, PNG, 28 Aug 1972

[Linedriver]

Gents, I’m looking for anyone who was involved as a civilian pilot in the search for the RAAF Caribou that crashed in the Kudgeru Gap in New Guinea on 28 August 1972. If you were involved, or know someone who was, I’d appreciate you contacting me by PM.

[mainwheel]

Is that the same one at Tapini?

[Wiley]

No.

Extra words added to allow post.

[HANOI]

Try "Fatty Hawkins" QF737 Cpt.
He was with TAA in Lae then.
A few other gawkers nearly joined the Caribou

[Chimbu chuckles]

Mainwheel the Kudjeru Gap, and the thin, winding valley that leads to it, gives access to the Wau Valley from the southern coastal lowlands. Approaching the gap from the south can be tricky due to the terrain throwing up some 'interesting' optical elusions and a lack of 'room to move'.

[mainwheel]

Thanks. I've never heard of it. Hence the response.

I do remember the glidescope into Tapini though!!

[Disguise Delimit]

Was this the crash involving Graham Thomas?

[Linedriver]

DD, yes, it was the accident involving Graham Thomas. I'm interested in getting any inputs from any of the civilian pilots who took part in the search.

[rkoomans]

Caribou prang 1972 Kudgeru Gap

Hi, I was amongst lucky PNGVR Platoon pulled off that flight that day, we were put on Hercules instead. I have the incident in mybook on PC named ARMY DAZE but I also replied to Chris Young who was a chopper pilot back then, one of the RESCUE PILOTS - now on 777's with Emirates in DUBAI. He is also writing of the incident, but as the central issue. My view was from one of the troops who lived near the families of some of the Cadet lads killed, and as a member of the Mortar Platoon PNGVR. Robert Clive Jackway Koomans (TEX) Brisbane, Australia

[QF A330]

Retired

I believe that Capt Graham "Fatty" Hawkins has retired from QF after chatting to some of his peers.