Awaiting general photograph of XA350
History of the Aircraft
Delivered: 08 May 1956
Type: AS1
Side Numbers: 316/ 881/ 817
History: 817 Sqn. 01 November 1956 made the first live Mk 30 torpedo drop in the RAN near Manus Island whilst being flown by LCDR(P) Gledhill,LEUT(O) Palmer & SBLT(O) Selsmak RAN.
Damaged 27/08/59. 816 Sqn.
Ditched 16/03/63, off HMAS Melbourne near Manus Island. Flight control lost after engine relight.Crew LEUT (P) J Smith RAN LEUT(O) I.Lawson & Observer P.Hancox rescued & returned to HMAS Melbourne.
Disposal: Aircraft not recovered from ditching.
Below. XA350 in Davey Jones’ locker. Although the aircraft was destroyed by demolition charges the following day, there were obviously pieces still remaining. There was a rumour that one of the cockpit canopies was subsequently seen fitted to a local canoe, suggesting that the indigenous population took advantage of what was left. (Image: Ian Lawson)
Below. Excerpt from HMAS Melbourne’s Log for 1963. Paragraphs 14-16 refer to the Gannet.
