A2-13

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A photo of RAAF Supermarine Seagull V Amphibian A2-13 at Cooktown with some of the locals. From the Cairns Historical Society collection.

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A2-13 ( 9 Squadron ) departed Richmond NSW 27/5/39 to Port Moresby to do survey work replacing
A2-20 which was damaged in a storm on Port Moresby Harbour. A2-13 arrived back at Richmond 3/7/39. Townsville Bulletin 29/5/39 P 4 reports it passed through Townsville 28/5/39 on its way to Port Moresby.
Cairns Post 14/6/39 P 3 Papuan Notes shows it arriving at Port Moresby 29/5/39
Pilot 156 Flying Officer Hugh Milton Birch ( later Group Captain ) crew Engineer 316 (2914 ) SM1 Edwin Joseph Stocker, Air Observer 1869 Sgt L J Hancock. W/T Operator Mechanic 2808 Joseph Henry Rickman to do a hydrographic survey of harbour.
The photo would have been taken either in May 1939 on its way north or in June or July 1939 on its return trip. In an interview in 1993 he did for the Australian War Memorial, Group Captain Birch DFC stated he landed at Cooktown on the way north but I haven't been able to find any details of the return trip.