Passing over Mt Bundy Station at 3500 feet , the WW2 Airstrip on the left, my caravan is in the shed closest to the 4 ponds,
The Station Homestead is nearest to the Airstrip on the hilltop. Mt Bundy Station is near Adelaide River, NT

 

The 2 white poles and the little monument marks the crash site of the USAAF 380th Bomb Group B-24 Liberator "Nothing Sacred" 
3 miles from Fenton airfield  on 21 September 1943 when approaching for a landing at night time.
The crew of ten were all killed. The only survivor was an extra passenger, a photographer.
The wreckage of the USAAF B24D “Nothing Sacred” is one of over 100 sites in the Top End of the Northern Territory illustrating the tragedy and loss of life typical of World War II.
The site represents the military alliance with the United States and underscores the sacrifices made by US servicemen in the defence of Australia.
The remains of the wreck of the “Nothing Sacred” B-24D Liberator are significant as a tangible reminder of the air war conducted against the Japanese during World War II from Australian soil.
It is also a tangible link to the association the 380th Bomb Group had in Australia and the specific role that it played in the war.

 

Also near Fenton is the Crash site of the RAAF B-24 Liberator A72-88

It crashed when attempting to land at Fenton airfield on 2 February 1945 after a bombing raid on shipping targets. The Liberator was out of fuel and losing height rapidly. It was just before midnight and conditions were very hazy and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Arthur Cambridge could not see the runway flare path. On his first approach to land he was too far to the left of the runway. He was advised of this by radio contact with ground control.
On his second attempt to land, three of the four fuel pressure gauges dropped to zero and the Liberator swung violently to port. Cambridge ordered the crew to crash positions and with his undercarriage still retracted the Liberator crashed through some trees 3 kilometres from Fenton airfield and struck the ground in a more or less level attitude. A fire broke out below the flight deck, possibly due to damage to the auxiliary power unit.
The fire spread quickly and crew members Flight Lieutenant J.R. Parkinson and Flying Officer J.M. Pitt were trapped in the aircraft and killed. They were buried at Adelaide River cemetery the following day.

Passing by WW2 Fenton Airstrip    20/2/2010

The North West End

The South East End

Looking South East

Looking North West

A Fenton Taxiway

A Fenton Taxiway

Concrete Formation at the Fenton Base Camp

USAAF Headquarters at the Fenton Base Camp

USAAF Headquarters at the Fenton Base Camp

USAAF Headquarters at the Fenton Base Camp

USAAF Headquarters at the Fenton Base Camp

 WW2 MacDonald Airstrip, the old Stuart Hwy can be seen next to the Airstrip,

On arriving back at the base at Batchelor we were then told by the owner of Coomalie Station the RAAF Cadets were camped there
and it would give then a thrill to see an aircraft land on the WW2 Airstrip, so away Steve and I went on a short hop over to Coomalie .

The Final Approach onto Coomalie Airstrip , the Cadets have the camp setup in the aircraft turn area,

It was great to meet the young future servicemen/women , and the ice cold water supplied was welcome.

The Coomalie Chapel

In 1943 the members of 31 Squadron RAAF built a Chapel on their base at Coomalie Airfield south of Darwin.

After the War, the building was abandoned and over time, termites and fire reduced it to ground level.

In 1992 Northern Territory University staff and students researched and rebuilt a Chapel over the original foundations. The Chapel has been recognized with both Territory and National Architecture Awards and has featured in Australian and International journals.

This rededicated Chapel remains in use today as a quiet haven and a beautiful memorial to those who served.

 Gould Airstrip near Batchelor

 

About these Bomb Stands, I seen the 1st photo with one in it and took no notice,
Then I received another photo showing one,
Then I began to notice these odd looking stands and realised what the proper use was for.

Bomb Stand, with John DiDomenico and Tiny of the 380th BG at Fenton,

Bomb Stand, with Everett Bever of the 380th BG at Fenton,

I was wondering just how just how many there could have been , and were they just used in Australia,
Until I found this photo today in an early issue of the 380th newsletter, dated about 2001,

 

This stand has been laying about here where I live on a Cattle Station,
I had walked past it many times not knowing it's history, it was after seeing
the older photo's that it really hit me as to what we had here.

The legs welded on to it will come off ok and then clean it up with a grinder and
give a coat of paint.
I would like to see if I can get it into the Aircraft Museum in Darwin,
and if someone can arrange a dummy Bomb to sit in it.

I think we already have a Bomb at the Aviation Museum

to email click on the Bomb