Saturday, June 14, 2025

Remembering the Crash of a USAF B-17C Flying Fortress at Bakers Creek near Mackay on 14 June 1943

During the Second World War, the United States Army Air Corps established rest and recreation facilities in Mackay. From the end of January 1943 until early 1944, thousands of United States servicemen were ferried almost daily from New Guinea to Mackay by air transport to spend around 10 days R&R. They were usually carried by two B-17 Flying Fortresses converted for transport duties and an LB-30 (civil transport version of the B-24 Liberator bomber), stationed in Mackay with the 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, whose parent Unit was stationed in Townsville, Queensland.

On Monday 14 June 1943, just before dawn, at about 6 a.m., Boeing B-17C, Serial/Tail Number 40-2072, known as "Miss Every Morning Fixin", took off from Mackay headed for Port Moresby. There were six crew and 35 passengers aboard. A few minutes after take-off, it crashed, at Bakers Creek, 8km South of Mackay, killing all but one of those on board.

The cause of the crash remains a mystery. The aircraft took off into fog and, soon after, made a turn at low altitude. The crash remains Australia's worst air disaster.

The sole survivor was Foye Kenneth Roberts who died at Wichita Falls, Texas on 4 February 2004.

Local residents gathered at the Bakers Creek Memorial site to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the crash in 2013, and to mark the occasion, a booklet titled 'Biosketches of the Fallen', has been published.

The memorial was constructed in Bakers Creek in 1981 consisting of two brick columns aligned northwards on which are mounted flag poles and two brass plaques facing eastwards. Between the columns is a large aircraft propeller of a type fitted to Douglas C-47/DC-3/Dakota airplanes that was supplied by the Royal Australian Air Force. The plaques describe the crash and list the men known to have perished as well as the sole survivor. Fixed above the propeller is a bronze model of a Flying Fortress aircraft that was added on 13 June 2003.

Another memorial located behind the Australian embassy in Washington D.C. commemorates the accident. Because embassies are considered foreign soil, the Bakers Creek Memorial Association petitioned American lawmakers to relocate the memorial. After several years of negotiation, a dedication ceremony took place 11 June 2009 at the memorial's new home just north-west of the Selfridge Gate in Fort Myer, Virginia.


More information can be found at Peter Dunn's Australia At War website (www.ozatwar.com).

Monday, May 19, 2025

Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-KXM Pops into Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Monday 19 May, Gulf Coast Aviation Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-KXM looked to fly up from Moree to Longreach Airport before then continuing up to Vanrook Station near Normanton.

File photo

While the Queensland Government Airwing (State of Queensland) Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SGQ departed Longreach Airport for Brisbane.  It seems to have arrived there over the weekend from Winton after completing a tour of small regional towns over the previous few days.

Fellow Queensland Government B300 Super King Air VH-8PD arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville before it then departed directly back to Cairns.

And Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW made yet another visit into my local Clermont Aerodrome, this time arriving from and departing back to Brisbane.

Photo taken by Nathan Pawley  ©

Friday, April 4, 2025

Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 Turboprop VH-VET Spotted at My Local Clermont Aerodrome - Plus More!

On Friday 4 April, it was a nice surprise to photograph Link Airways (Corporate Air / Vee H Aviation) Metro 23 turboprop VH-VET at my local Clermont Aerodrome.


It arrived from and later departed back to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also on Friday 4 April,  Edwards Coaches Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-KXL visited both Maryborough and Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airports while flying up from and back to Armidale via Brisbane.

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" visited Longreach Airport again from Brisbane.

And Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF landed at Barcaldine Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport and then departed to Longreach Airport and then Jundah. 

Finally, also on Friday 4 April, Australian Army Boeing CH-47F 'Foxtrot' Chinook helicopters A15-312 and A15-314 were noted passing through Rockhampton Airport while flying up from RAAF Base Amberley to Townsville on their return from the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVY Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 3 April,  Aerlink ATR 72-500 VH-FVY popped into Rockhampton Airport.  It arrived from and departed back to Brisbane as HT869/870.

File photo

Meanwhile, also on Thursday 3 April, Metro Holdings / Air Link Beech B200 King Air VH-XDW landed at Mackay Airport from Cairns and then departed to Archerfield. 

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 King Air 350i VH-8TT landed at Gladstone Airport from Brisbane and then departed back to Brisbane via a missed approach at Miles Airport. 

American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG visited Rockhampton Airport from Archerfield and Moura Aerodrome. 

Harris Aviation Charters / Aero-Star Aviation (SA) Beech B300 Super King Air 350 VH-8HA landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and then departed to Toowoomba. 

And Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV landed at Denison Downs from Archerfield.

Photo taken by Lloyd Fox  ©

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft A34-002 "Wallaby 26" Provides Support in Flood Hit Western Queensland - Plus More!

On Wednesday 2 April, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft A34-002 as "Wallaby 26" was noted completing fuel drops around the flood hit parts of Central Western Queensland.

Defence Image...

The Spartan had arrived into Longreach Airport late yesterday and today it flew from there to Windorah and back several times.  It later departed Longreach Airport for RAAF Base Amberley.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 April, C-27J Spartan A34-002 again as "Wallaby 26" flew out from Amberley to Charleville Airport and then Longreach Airport. It then took off to complete airwork at Longreach then landed again before departing back to Amberley. 

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday 2 April, RAAF Beech B350 Super King Air A32-675 as "Envoy 34" landed at Quilpie from Brisbane and this afternoon flew up to Longreach Airport.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 421" visited Longreach Airport from Brisbane.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL STOL Aircraft P2-702 (ex ZK-EPK) Returns to Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 1 April, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Air Element) (PNGDF) New Zealand built Pacific Aerospace (PAC) P-750XL Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft - serial P2-702 was spotted back at Rockhampton Airport.




It was heading home to PNG following being on static display at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport.

P2-702 was again flying as "Kumal 702" and arrived into Rocky from RAAF Base Amberley and is shown then departing to Townsville.  It had flown from Avalon to Parkes and Amberley yesterday.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 1 April, Air Link (Dubbo) Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SEQ flew up from Archerfield to Emerald Airport then to Rockhampton Airport and back to Archerfield and on to Bankstown.

Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-VLQ of Ipswich-based Airborne P/L (Palm Lake Works) visited Rockhampton Airport from Caloundra.

And Edwards Coaches Cessna 441 Conquest II VH-8BE landed at Bundaberg Airport from Dubbo and this arvo departed to Tenterfield.

Finally, also on Tuesday 1 April, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan VH-TFB was noted operating out of Longreach Airport to surrounding places.  It had arrived yesterday from Charleville Airport and today flew to Windorah and Jundah and then back to Longreach Airport.

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 April, VH-TFB landed at Emerald Airport from Longreach Airport and this arvo returned to there.

All photos taken by Steve Vit  ©

Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-SCR at CQ Airports on Federal Election Duties - Plus More!

On Tuesday 1 April, Australian Corporate Jet Centres Bombardier Challenger 604 bizjet VH-SCR was noted once again transporting important people during this Federal Election Campaign.  It looked to fly up to Mackay Airport from Melbourne (Essendon) before then flying down to Rockhampton Airport as shown.  VH-SCR was heard to use the radio callsign of "Envoy 60".


UPDATE!  On Wednesday 2 April, VH-SCR as "Envoy 60" departed Rockhampton Airport for  Bundaberg Airport.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 3 April, VH-SCR as "Envoy 60" departed Bundy for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport.  It then continued to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, also at Mackay Airport, also on Tuesday 1 April, was Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-002 which landed from Brisbane as "Envoy 01".  It then departed to Winton Airport and Brisbane as "Envoy 28".

And RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X A56-003 as "Envoy 27" flew up from Canberra to Charleville Airport and Cunnamulla Aerodrome.  It then flew up to Winton Airport and later departed to the South. 

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©

Monday, March 31, 2025

Several Light Aircraft and Helicopters Operating Out of Longreach Airport (and Surrounds) in Support of Flood Relief Efforts.

On Monday 31 March, several large and small helicopters and light General Aviation (GA) aircraft were all noted operating out of and around Longreach Airport as a major flood event grips Central West Queensland.


Through the day several helicopters were noted including:  Black Edge Aviation Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk N60CU, McDermott Aviation Bell 214s N745H and N512EV, Aerotech Helicopters Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk VH-UHS as "Helitak 513" and Stirling Helicopters AS350 Squirrel VH-LBT

The Queensland Government (State of Queensland) Beech B300 Super King Air 350i aircraft VH-8TTwas working over the southern parts of Western Queensland and finished the day at Longreach Airport.

Also landing at Longreach Airport were Mandalay Two P/L Raytheon B300 Super King Air VH-SCQ which arrived from Toowoomba and Gladstone Airports and then returned to Toowoomba.  Plus Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane and Wondai. 

And Kennedy Aviation (Kennedy Air Services) North American Rockwell 500S VH-XAS as "Birddog 444" landed at Longreach Airport from Scampton Airfield in NSW via Charleville Airport. It had flown up from Hobart yesterday. 

Finally, also on Monday 31 March, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 74" flew up to Mackay Airport from Sunshine Coast and then down to Brisbane. 

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA as "Ambulance 614" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Townsville and then departed to Brisbane. 

We've been a bit slack in reporting the LifeFlight Challenger movements but I do note that they continue to make several visits to CQ Airports each week.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Federal Election 2025 - Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 "Envoy 97" Brings PM Albanese to Bundaberg Airport - Plus More!

With the Federal Election called literally on the previous day, on Saturday 29 March, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit the hustings in Central Queensland on board Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-8 MAX BBJ A62-001 which arrived into Bundaberg Airport from Brisbane as "Envoy 97".









It later departed to Canberra.

And as with previous Federal Election campaigns, an Alliance Airlines Fokker F-70 jet joined the Prime Minister's RAAF VIP aircraft to transport media and other key personnel.  In this instance, it was VH-QQX which also arrived from Brisbane and departed to Canberra but as "Envoy 20".




Finally, also on Saturday 29 March, fellow RAAF Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 departed Bundaberg Airport for Canberra as "Envoy 99".




It had arrived the previous day as "Envoy 95".

All photos taken by Hayden Alexander  ©

Friday, March 28, 2025

Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 Bizjet VH-VKX Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 28 March, Air Charter Services / Flight Options (Australia) Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 bizjet VH-VKX was noted visiting Hamilton Island Airport from Brisbane.

File photo

While Gulf Aircraft Textron Aviation (Cessna) 208 Caravan VH-PYO looked to depart the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for the South.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH departed Emerald Airport for Archerfield and Toowoomba.  It arrived from these places yesterday.

The Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) (Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia) Agusta S.P.A. AW139 Helicopter VH-YXR departed Rockhampton Airport for the Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe. 

And McDermott Aviation Bell 214ST helicopter N512EV landed at Emerald Airport from the Sunshine Coast. It is up for flood work and will no doubt be joined by other helicopters in the coming days.

Finally, also on Friday 28 March, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Dassault Falcon 7X bizjet A56-001 as "Envoy 95" landed at Bundaberg Airport from Canberra. 

UPDATE!  On Saturday 29 March, A56-001 departed Bundaberg Airport for Canberra but as "Envoy 99".

I assume with the Federal Election being called today, we will see many more RAAF VIP aircraft and support aircraft in the region over the next month or so!

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©