QLD: Flyover to mark Spitfire crash

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
QLD: Flyover to mark Spitfire crash

Two rebuilt Spitfire combat planes will today fly over the spot where the first two
Spitfires to fly in Australia during World War II crashed.

The two British Royal Air Force Spitfires crashed soon after takeoff, just north of
Brisbane, on April 19, 1944.

The fighter planes had just left the wartime airstrip at Lawton on Brisbane's northern
outskirts, at 0847 hours.

Minutes later the two planes collided, killing British pilots, Squadron Leader WRIGHT
and Flight Sergeant CHANDLER.

In their honour, two rebuilt Spitfires will fly over the spot where the two planes
came down exactly 56 years ago.

While Spitfires are well recognised as dominating the skies over England during the
Battle of Britain, many people don't realise the planes were also in Australia during
the war.

RAAF Association district secretary BIRT BAKER says 50 aircraft in two squadrons were
shipped to Australia in late 1943 when things were looking brighter for England's defences.

AAP RTV geb/sc/msk/smf

KEYWORD: SPITFIRES (BRISBANE)

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