aussie b-57 bomber crash site found in south vietnam

[tom d. friedman]

pulled this from the latest issue of flight journal magazine for the benefit of you who don't subscribe...... an raaf canberra bomber mk 20 A84 -231 was recently found in remote jungle in the quang nam province south vietnam, close to the border of laos. no crew remains found as of yet. this canberra operated with the 35th tactical fighter wing of the usaf which operated martin b-57 bombers from phan rang air base, where a total of 11,963 sorties were flown. the date of the mission / loss was november 3rd 1970. it's bombs were released. a recovery team will search for crew remains. vietnam crash sites are becoming much more prevalent lately.

[JDK]

Thanks, Tom
Wow, they're seriously out of date!

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=31792

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... hp?t=31741

Photos here:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/downloa ... /index.htm

Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbJosgz30PI

(Just a note for accuracy, the RAAF aircraft were not B-57s, but Government aircraft Factory (GAF) Mk.20 Canberras.)

http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/r ... s2/A84.htm

Canberras from No 2 Squadron became the first Australian jet bombers to perform a combat sortie in September 1958 when an attack against guerillas in Northern Malaya was carried out, the first of many such excursions. Nine years later, the squadron was sent to Vietnam as part of Australia's large commitment to the Vietnam War, remaining there until June 1971, and in the meantime achieving an enviable record flying what was by then regarded by many as an obsolete bomber. Operating as part of the US Air Force's 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, No 2 Squadron's Canberras flew just six per cent of the Wing's sorties but inflicted 16 per cent of the damage. Overall, 11,963 sorties were flown in Vietnam, 76,389 bombs dropped and two aircraft lost.

As of now, I think it's correct to say these were the last Australian servicemen missing in Vietnam.

Regards,

[tom d. friedman]

james, after seeing the links you provided, you aren't kidding how behind the times that mag is!! i guess everything is not gospel just because it's in a mag!!

[JDK]

i guess everything is not gospel just because it's in a mag!!

Trust me I know that!

It's good though that it is getting coverage at least.

Regards,

[Oscar Duck]

RIP Bob and Michael..