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.

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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  ©

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

NQ Heli-Worx (Meridan Helicopters) Eurocopter EC135 T1 Helicopter VH-MXW "Energy 404" Calls into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Tuesday 13 May, sleek looking NQ Heli-Worx (Meridian Helicopters) Eurocopter EC135 T1 helicopter VH-MXW as "Energy 404" looked to fly down from Emerald Airport to Biloela / Thangool Airport and then Archerfield.

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It appears to have flown down to Emerald Airport the previous day from Townsville via Mackay and Clermont Airports.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 13 May, Seair Pacific / Istlecote Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX VH-MIF arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) and Maryborough Airports before then flying to Middlemount Aerodrome and back to Rocky. 

UPDATE!  On Wednesday 14 May, VH-MIF departed Rockhampton Airport and flew to the Labona Station Airstrip within Adani Australia's (Bravus Mining & Resources) Carmichael Coal Mine site and back to Rocky before then flying down to Gladstone Airport and then Hervey Bay Airport. 

During the afternoon, Air Link (Dubbo) Beech B200 King Air VH-ISS and Cleveland Bay Aviation Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain VH-XMC both flew down from Townsville to Rockhampton Airport before then flying out to Labona.

RDO Equipment Co. Pilatus PC-12/47 VH-WPH landed at Emerald Airport from Toowoomba and this afternoon departed to Archerfield. 

And Stroud Aviation and Transportation (Boonah) / Navair Flight Operations Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-SHI as "Navair 173" visited Bundaberg Airport from Archerfield.

Friday, May 9, 2025

New Zealand Based (American Registered) Dassault Falcon 900EX Bizjet N146EX Pops into Hamilton Island Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 9 May, New Zealand based (American registered) Dassault Falcon 900EX bizjet N146EX was noted arriving into Hamilton Island Airport from Perth.

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After a short time on the ground, it departed to Brisbane.

And McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Beech B200 King Air VH-ZPY as "Machflight 11" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed to Cairns. 

Photo taken by Tony Haynes  ©

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Local Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 Bizjet N142GZ Back in The Air out of Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Thursday 8 May, the locally-based Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 bizjet N142GZ was back in the air, noted departing Mackay Airport for Brisbane.  It later flew back to Mackay Airport.

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While Queensland Government (QGAir) Rescue (State of Queensland) Leonardo S.P.A. Helicopter (Agusta) AW139 helicopter VH-EGK ferried North from Archerfield to Townsville via Rockhampton Airport.

Finally, also on Thursday 8 May, what appeared to be a Heli-Biz helicopter safari departed the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour for Charters Towers Aerodrome and points further to the North West.

Helicopters participating looked to include:
- Victoria-based Robinson R44s VH-NIK and VH-XUN and Robinson R66s VH-LHG, VH-IGP and VH-AD6.
- New South Wales-based Robinson R44s VH-KNK and VH-JGO and Robinson R66s VH-VVY and VH-E9S.
- Queensland-based Robinson R44 VH-8BT and Robinson R66 VH-CSG.
- Eurocopter EC120 VH-KHR was also part of the group.

Photo taken by Dan B  ©

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang Bizjet VH-NEQ as "AirMed 962" Pops into Mackay Airport - Plus More!

On Wednesday 7 May, AirMed Australia Cessna 510 Citation Mustang bizjet VH-NEQ as "AirMed 962" flew up from Archerfield to Mackay Airport before then flying down to Walgett. 

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While McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 bizjet VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" landed at Longreach Airport from Brisbane.

UPDATE!  On Thursday 8 May, VH-PIY as "Machflight 41" departed Longreach Airport for Windorah and the Sunshine Coast. 

Aero Professional Services SOCATA TBM700 VH-VSV departed Denison Downs to Toowoomba and back. 

UPDATE!  On Thursday 8 May, VH-VSV did the same flight again!

Rural Funds Management (A.C.T.) Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-STE departed Rockhampton Airport to Maryborough Airport and then Bathurst and Canberra.  It had flown up flown up from those places at the start of the week.

Dalydine P/L Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-FMM landed at Longreach Airport from Newcastle and then departed to Dinah Island and this afternoon flew down to Mount Isa. 

At the same time Poolhurst Aviation Air Charter Services Pilatus PC-12/47E VH-PDE flew up to Dinah Island direct from Archerfield and this arvo returned to Archerfield via a stop at Normanton. 

And LifeFlight Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter VH-XIA flying as "Guardian 10" landed at Longreach Airport from Archerfield and Roma Airports and then departed to Mount Isa.

Photo taken by Ryan Hothersall  ©

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

New QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 Next Gen VH-84F (ex C-GJWE) First Revenue Flight into CQ at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport - Plus More!

On Tuesday 6 May, recently delivered QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 VH-84F completed its first ever revenue flight, and it happened to be into CQ, with it touching down at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport from Brisbane as QLK2376.  It then returned to Brisbane as QLK2377 before completing another return flight to Hervey Bay Airport and back to Brisbane as QLK2380/1.

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The second-hand Dash-8-Q400 is the fourth of 12 (or 14) aircraft that the Qantas Group has purchased from Canadian operator WestJet Encore.  VH-84F previously operated as C-GJWE and operated with the airline from December 2013 until April 2024 when it looked to suffer a tail strike at Calgary in Canada.

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The Dash-8 arrived into Australia at Brisbane on Friday 25 April, still wearing its Canadian registration marking of C-GJWE, completing a massive delivery flight from Canada via Honolulu and Majuro.  

It was promptly placed on the Australian Aircraft Register and named 'Horn Island Ngurupai'.  It recently completed a test flight before entering service as described above.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday 6 May, Air Gold Coast Cessna 525 Citation CJ1 bizjet VH-CDG flew up to Natal Downs from Dalby and then back.

And Emerald Coaches (Emerald) Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage VH-ZMM flew up from Adelaide to Emerald Airport.

Finally, also on Tuesday 6 May, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing B737-7ES / E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft A30-003 as "Wedgetail 02" flew up from RAAF Base Williamtown to complete a missed approach at Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport before then flying down to land at RAAF Base Amberley.

Photos taken by Paul Corfiatis and Wally H  ©

Monday, May 5, 2025

LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" Pops into CQ Airports - Plus More!

On Monday 5 May, LifeFlight (Aeromed) Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 bizjet VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" made a couple of visits to Central Queensland, visiting Rockhampton Airport and then Gladstone Airport, both times arriving from and then departing back to Brisbane.

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It's been a few weeks since we've mentioned the LifeFlight Challengers, but of interest, this is the first flight that VH-OFA "Ambulance 614" has completed in almost a month after a visit to Mackay Airport. 

While VH-OFB "Ambulance 624" has completed several international medical evacuation flights but also visited Emerald, Mackay, Rockhampton and Longreach Airports.

And VH-OFC "Ambulance 634" has visited those places too, as well as Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) and Gladstone Airports.

Vee H Aviation (Link Airways) Beech B200GT Super King Air 250 VH-VEW continues to ply its trade in the region, this time flying up from Cessnock to Oaky Creek Mine Site and then Emerald Airport before later reversing the flight.

And American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG which, this morning, flew up from Bankstown to Chinchilla and then Archerfield, flew up to near Moura and back to Archerfield

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Asia Pacific Airlines (PNG) (Cobham Aviation) Dash-8-100 P2-NAX Passes Through Longreach Airport - Plus More!

On Saturday 3 May, Papua New Guinea based Asia Pacific Airlines Dash-8-100 P2-NAX was noted passing through Longreach Airport. It arrived from Adelaide and then departed to Cairns.

P2-NAX at Longreach Airport in March on its way to Adelaide  (File photo)

It has been in Adelaide since the start of March where it appears to be going for planned maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines is based in Tabubil, Papua New Guinea. It is a subsidiary of Cobham Aviation and the Dash-8's arrival into Adelaide is presumably to undergo maintenance.

Asia Pacific Airlines operates a fleet of three Dash-8-100 aircraft on domestic services, as well as flights to Cairns on behalf of Ok Tedi Mining Limited of which P2-NAX wears the colours and titles.

Finally, also on Saturday 3 May, and probably in support of the Federal Election, Sharp Airlines Metro 23 Freighter VH-HPE as "Sharp 174", which had landed at Charleville Airport from Brisbane yesterday, departed there to Longreach Airport and then to St George and Toowoomba as "Sharp 174/3".

Friday, May 2, 2025

McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 55" Pops into Rockhampton Airport - Plus More!

On Friday 2 May, McDermott Aviation Group / Machjet International Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 bizjet VH-SUY as "Machflight 55" arrived into Rockhampton Airport from the Sunshine Coast and then departed to Cairns.

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While Townsville Airlines Beech 1900D VH-RUE arrived into Rockhampton Airport from Cairns and Townsville and then departed back to Cairns.

Wrightsair (SA) Cessna 208B Caravan VH-DJG landed at Longreach Airport from the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour and then departed to the south west.

And American-registered but seemingly Australian-based Pilatus PC-12/47E (NG) N175NG flew up to Degunnie from and back to Archerfield.  It did the same flight a couple of days prior and in the mean time, also completed a flight to Planet Downs and back.

Finally, also on Thursday 1 May, Execujet (Taverners Aviation) Raytheon Hawker 800XP bizjet VH-RIU arrived into Hamilton Island Airport from Ayres Rock.

UPDATE!  On Sunday 4 May, VH-RIU departed Hamo for Sydney and Melbourne (Essendon).

Photo taken by Steve Vit  ©