Crash of a P-39 Airacobra, north of Charters Towers, Queensland on 28 January 1943

CRASH OF A P-39 AIRACOBRA
NORTH OF CHARTERS TOWERS, QLD
ON 28 JANUARY 1943

P-39 Airacobra

Captain Lew Lockhart was in Charters Towers, in north Queensland, Australia in January 1943 checking out in P-38s. On 28 January 1943 he was getting some flying time in a P-39 Airacobra when the coolant leaked out and he had to bail out somewhere north of Charters Towers airfield. The aircraft burned on impact as Lew Lockhart said he saw a lot of smoke. He walked onto a cattle station but cannot recall the name of the owner. Lew and the owner went back on horses several days later but could not find the P-39 Airacobra.