The brief Story of this DC3

 On 26 February 1942, nearly two years before Truscott Airbase was established, an American Douglas C-53 (DC3) made a forced landing on a mudflat on the eastern side of Vansittart Bay.  The plane, VH-UGY, had been en route from Perth to Broome when the pilot had become disorientated in bad weather and darkness, and made a forced landing when fuel was running low. 

 The two crew members and two passengers survived the landing and were rescued three days later by a QANTAS flying boat, the "CORINTHIAN".  The DC3 fuselage is still intact and recognisable.  The photograph left, taken from the air in April 2003, and the Air Photo link below clearly show the site.  Other photos below, taken in July 2005, show just how lucky the crew and passengers were to survive the landing and to be rescued quickly from this remote area.

  Finding the Wreck Site         AIR PHOTO OF THE WRECK SITE  (plane in centre to the east of the mudflat)

The wreck of the DC3 is located on the eastern side of a salt flat on the eastern shores of Vansittart Bay, approximately 5 miles south west of Truscott Airstrip.  Approaching the area from the direction of Middle Rock or from Freshwater Bay, it is suggested that anchorage be taken up well offshore because of the fringing reef.

 Anchor around 14^o 07.8'S, 126^o 17.8'E.  Looking directly east from this point, there is a 1.5m galvanised pipe in the top of a sandhill.  Anchor the dinghy off the beach and walk up the foredune to the pipe.  Looking due east from the pipe (right) across the sand/mudflat, the DC3 wreck will be visible about 50m into the bush on the eastern side of the mudflat.

  Site Photographs

The photos above show a few of the bits that have fallen off the plane and large pieces that have  been removed. 

The photos below show two shots taken from inside the fuselage, and the starboard radial engine lying on the ground.

This wreck has been here for over 60 years, subjected to fires, heat and storms but the airframe is in exceptional condition and should remain so for many years to come.