SLdr RC Phillipps. RAAF KIFA May 21, 1941
 

"Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Roy Phillipps, a World War I flying ace credited with 15 (sic) victories, dies when the private plane he is aboard as a passenger strikes trees on takeoff and crashes at Archerfield, Queensland, Australia."

Can anyone give me details of this accident? Some accounts give it as a night flight in a private plane.

Phillipps was a distinguished WW1 pilot with 14 victories flying the SE5a in 2 AFC. He also fought with the AIF 28th Battalion at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

regards

Keith

Re: SLdr RC Phillipps. RAAF KIFA May 21, 1941
 

There is a newspaper story here. I guess we can never be sure how accurate it is, but it contains some details:

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41952837

Re: SLdr RC Phillipps. RAAF KIFA May 21, 1941
 

Hi Keith,

A705 on John William Fitzclarence Collins is digitized. Private aircraft.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=1054442

If the link times out enter his full name in search.

Regards,

Dave

Re: SLdr RC Phillipps. RAAF KIFA May 21, 1941
 

Some more details here: https://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld128.htm

Staggerwing VH-UYI.

Regards,
Leendert

Re: SLdr RC Phillipps. RAAF KIFA May 21, 1941
 

Many thanks chaps. Odd that Phillipps is blamed for the error. Why would be be operating the undercarraige gear?

regards

Keith