This photo of F-4 A55-3
is thought to have been taken in the vicinity of Coomalie Creek. This
print comes from the collection of Flight Lieutenant Francis Henry Robilliard
who flew Lightnings with No 1 PRU. His log book reveals that on 22 May
1943 he piloted Wirraway A20-178 on a one hour sortie to photograph a
Lightning at 8,000 feet. In the rear seat of the Wirraway was Warrant
Officer Wilcox who, presumably, was the photographer. It is highly likely
that this photograph and others in the series were taken on this occasion.
The fresh paint on the leading edge of the starboard wing probably indicates
a recently changed intercooler, a component which caused many unserviceabilities
with the early model Lightnings. Photo: RAAF via Iain Robilliard |