Personally I had a great interest in the MiG15 crash at Canberra on 13 March 1993. Errol Kavanagh died along with a family friend (of his family) joyriding in rear seat (without ejection seats both). The MiG was improperly/fraudulently cleared to fly when it was really only always a museum non-flying aircraft. It seems the people buying the aircraft originally to bring to Australia were duped.
Knowing people connected with this accident I know there were two inquiries with the first one being disputed when it claimed the pilot was at fault. How anyone with their aircraft on fire until the controls cables burnt through causing their aircraft to crash (when uncontrollable) is jaw-dropping. As you would have guessed Errol was a former Gannet/Skyhawk instructor pilot with many hours/years on jets who had gone to Qantas after the great catastrophe (fixed wing folding) who then took up the offer of flying (with some other former FAA pilots) these MiG15s.
The second amended accident report was online at: (not sure if it is still there - I'll check). Not sure at moment of the owner of the MiGs name but he was a used car dealer at Nowra? I saw recently that he was on the board of the Temora Aviation Museum. As you would guess I have a lot of info on this MiG crash. If you would like to know more 'peter75' my e-mail can be found by clicking on 'FlyNavy'. (I'm Phil Thompson - former student of Errol's in RAN FAA.)
www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/index.aspx?sort=state&meth=ASC&ffie=etype&fval=A& specifically:
www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1993/AAIR/aair199300484.aspx& PDF accident report (0.3Mb)
www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/1993/AAIR/pdf/aair199300484_001.pdfThe ADF-serials forum had some info about that Canberra Gate Guard at the ammo depot? I'll see what can be found out about it. I think it has gone to a better home inside somewhere else. I think the ammo depot has been sold for housing. Here is the info from
"Was located at No.1 Central Ammunition Store, Kingswood, NSW. Dismantled for removal 10/04, Still at Kingswood 04/05. Purchased by The National Vietnam Veterans Museum and relocated to their museum at Phillip Island Victoria where it is currently on display. The world's oldest surviving Canberra (and will hopefully remain so)."
&
From the adf-serials forum:
"CANBERRA' JET BOMBER RESCUED WITH $6000 GRANT
A Canberra jet bomber will be transported to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum on Phillip Island for restoration with the help of a $6000 Australian Government grant, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce Billson announced today.
Minister Billson said the British-built Canberra bomber, A84-307, currently in New South Wales, is at risk of being sold for scrap unless moved.
"This plane is the first Canberra bomber put into service by the Royal Australian Air Force, arriving at RAAF Laverton in August 1951. It was the first of two British-built jet bombers ordered by Australia to provide training and familiarisation before Australian production of the Canberra bomber began," Mr Billson said.
In 1950, the Australian Government placed an order for 48 English Electric Canberra jet bombers which were to be built under licence by the Government Aircraft Factory at Fishermen's Bend in Victoria. The Australian- built aircraft were designated the Canberra Mk 20. The first of these flew in May 1953 and the last was delivered in September 1958. Number 2 Squadron continued to fly Canberras until 30 June
1982.
"During the Vietnam War, A84-307 was used for training pilots in low level bomber roles that they undertook while flying out of Phan Rang air base with Number 2 Squadron RAAF. It was retired from service in August 1973.
"The $6000 Saluting Their Service grant will help fund transport costs to move the bomber from its current location to the Museum on Phillip Island where it will be restored," Mr Billson said.
"Saluting Their Service grants support commemoration of the contribution of Australia's servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations and preservation of our wartime heritage.
"I am pleased that by providing this grant the Australian Government can help the Museum acquire this bomber which is part of our Vietnam war history," Mr Billson said."