tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post2329744077940299897..comments2024-03-21T08:16:46.130+10:30Comments on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena - scientific research: Cold case - Bass Strait - 1944Keith Basterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05367372091711887711noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-35720518878138216672011-02-27T21:32:04.416+10:302011-02-27T21:32:04.416+10:30Sorry to repeat some of my post - I had my interne...Sorry to repeat some of my post - I had my internet drop out and replied in some haste the second time!DadBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413824946677808754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-60033948318400455972011-02-27T21:30:51.427+10:302011-02-27T21:30:51.427+10:30I've quickly searched a list of RAAF Beauforts...I've quickly searched a list of RAAF Beauforts and find no support for suggestions of a bad accident record. In places like New Guinea I found losses due to enemy action and misadventure (I'd blame New Guinea, not the aircraft!) but giving attention to Victoria, I only found incidents I'd expect of training units - "crashed on takeoff", "forced landing", and the picturesque "ground loop". As far as I could see, all were over the mainland and on or near the base, except for one crash on King Is. and another "missing" in Feb. 1945 which crashed in or near a mainland lake. <br />Flitcroft's "There was a most savage weather front that night and every other aircraft previously airborne had either landed or crashed so that his aircraft was the only one in the area" reads like pure B.S., not even convincing fiction. Flitcroft seems to have served as a gunner in Lancaster heavy bombers of 460 Sqn. in the UK, rather than anti-submarine Beauforts (which is what he described in his anecdote) but I still expect better. If he based it on some original story, he hardly does it justice. <br /><br />The lack of the usual fly-boy story details fails to convince me. Aircrew, in my experience of gathering their tales, are usually fairly meticulous about the plane they were in - "R-Roger", or "LM180, a jinxed kite", or "JI-G, newly delivered only the week before" which, together with mention of who they were flying with, who they reported to etc. gives the researcher a heap of hook-in points to check out details. Of course assuming the story teller welcomes checking. <br />A gift in this case would be discovery of logbooks. The Beaufort usually had 4 crew (and in passing, RAAF Beauforts had been fitted with ASV radars for some time by early '44, logbooks were often valued keepsakes on demobilisation, to be passed on to family and hopefully valued. If not one crewman in four noted "approached by unknown aircraft" during a patrol - or even any instrument, engine or communication issues - I'd be amazed. But does our 'witness' ever identify those on board, the guys back at base who gasped or laughed at the tale, or the officers who poo-poohed it?DadBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413824946677808754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-65796244317307157812011-02-27T19:32:00.813+10:302011-02-27T19:32:00.813+10:30HiDadB
Thanks for the information and comments. U...HiDadB<br /><br />Thanks for the information and comments. Unfortunately the possible lead through Royal's daughter in Brisbane has run into a dead end. Her communications with UFOR(Qld) were only by email and the computer with the email on is no longer available.Keith Basterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05367372091711887711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-76298969944567836012011-02-27T14:59:00.891+10:302011-02-27T14:59:00.891+10:30Beauforts were operated by 1 OTU AND 1 BAGS (Bombi...Beauforts were operated by 1 OTU AND 1 BAGS (Bombing and Gunnery School) at East Sale. Probably worth bearing in mind in case time has confused the two units. It was essentially a torpedo bomber, light bomber, mine-layer or general recon aircraft. A few were modified as freighters. The Australian MkVIII (built from 1943)could carry ASV radar. <br />I would dearly like to see crew log-books. These commonly came into the possession of demobilised aircrew and were often valued keepsakes of both the servicemen and their descendants. The Beaufort normally had four crew - so four logbooks. It would be surprising to me if, after such an event, nobody logged "approached by unknown aircraft" or similar.If only!<br />I understand the Bass Strait flight was in bad weather, so I wonder what the nature of the flight was. A 2.30 am nav exercise in rotten weather? <br />8 Sqn. did indeed operate Beauforts in Papua-New Guinea in the right period. <br />Given Royal's zealous attitude as a UFOlogist I suspect he had a vested interest in pushing this story. He might have made a better case if he'd tracked down supporting witnesses back in the fifties.DadBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413824946677808754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-78894304006212939262011-02-12T10:18:38.238+10:302011-02-12T10:18:38.238+10:30Hi Mic
I have subsequently learnt that one of Roy...Hi Mic<br /><br />I have subsequently learnt that one of Royal's two daughters may still be alive. I am currently trying to locate her via UFOR(Qld) to see if she has knowledge of, or possession of, Royal's RAAF logbooks.Keith Basterfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05367372091711887711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040353126484409527.post-43175220497631420322011-02-08T12:49:25.739+10:302011-02-08T12:49:25.739+10:30Impressive research of an intriguing case, Keith. ...Impressive research of an intriguing case, Keith. Royal has to remain in the realm of maybe, maybe not but you've certainly shed some light on the subject.<br /><br />Looking forward to whatever you cook up next.Michttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182488468997295715noreply@blogger.com