By JH ( February 9, 2011 at 10:32 am) · Filed under Around the Coast, air cobra wreck, ben cropp, great barrier reef, john harding underwater photographer
In early 1942, the (RAAF), experiencing air attacks on towns in northern Australia, found itself unable to obtain British-designed interceptors or sufficient numbers of P-40s. US Fifth Air Force squadrons in Australia were already receiving the brand new P-39D-1. Consequently, in July 1942, older USAAF P-39s, which had been repaired at Australian workshops, were adopted by the RAAF as a stop-gap interceptor.
Seven P-39Ds were sent to No. 23 Squadron RAAF at Lowood, Queensland. Later, seven P-39Fs were operated by No. 24 Squadron RAAF at Townsville. In the absence of adequate supplies of P-39s, both squadrons also operated Wirraway armed trainers. However, neither squadron received a full complement of Airacobras, or saw combat with them. The home air defence role was filled first by P-40s, followed by Spitfires. Plans to equip two more squadrons with P-39s were also abandoned. 23 and 24 Squadrons converted to the Vultee Vengeance in 1943.
Source: Wikipedia
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By JH ( September 20, 2010 at 9:56 am) · Filed under Fathom Annual, alby ziebell, ben cropp, Bill Foster, black cod, bob grounds, christine danaher, Clarke Espie, dave rowlings, dean cropp, Denise and Wally Muller, Dr Robert Endean, Gai Girdlestone, grey nurse shark, harold holt PM, henri bource, Irvin Rockman CBE, jocelyn edwards, John C. Fairfax and Sandra Greentree, john gillies, John Harding, john harding pictures, John Michael Harding, john sumner, kathy troutt, kay milburn, louise west, lynn roberts, Mal McLeod, norm smith, north shore sea hawks, Peter West, Phil Eather, Richard Weir, ron cox, ron taylor, st george spearfishing club, sydney sea hunters, ted louis, tommy thomas, Trevor Collins (with marlin), valerie may taylor, van laman, vic ley, wally gibbins, wally muller, Walter A.Starck
Double click picture
A larger and similar picture is at http://fathomoz.wordpress.com
Walter A.Starck, Vic Ley, Ron Taylor, Phil Eather, Richard Weir, Wally Gibbins, Mal McLeod, Gai Girdlestone, John Harding
Wally Muller, Van Laman, Ben Cropp, Kathy Troutt, Lynn Roberts, John Michael Harding, Bob Grounds, Dean Cropp, Ron Taylor, Trevor Collins (with marlin), Valerie May Taylor, Henri Bource.
The Late IRVIN ROCKMAN CBE
RON IBLE (White Water Wanderers) 30 April 2013 R.I.P. mate
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By JH ( April 22, 2010 at 12:01 pm) · Filed under Free divers and Spear fishermen, australian spear fishing champions, ben cropp, brown spotted cod, coral trout, John Harding, nor west island, riversong, ron taylor, spearfishing 1963, sykes reef, vic ley, wally muller, world spear fishing champion 1965
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By JH ( March 25, 2010 at 4:55 pm) · Filed under Uncategorized, ben cropp, Kimberley, mud crab, North Queensland, Princess Charlotte Bay, Rick Trippe
Trina Fleischmann, is a long time friend of film maker Ben Cropp
Princess Charlotte Bay (North Queensland, Australia) is a popular 4×4 destination for adventure seekers. Ben Cropp calls in for a few days crabbing during his annual boating trips north from home base at Port Douglas, Queensland. This large male ‘muddie’ was a star guest for his dinner table.
This year, aboard his new boat a much longer trip to the Kimberley region of Western Australia is currently underway. This is the last true frontier of the Australian coast. Big tides, lots of wild marine life and very few other boats to be seen.
Free diving ace of Darwin, Rick Trippe is schedule to join Ben’s expedition.
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By JH ( October 4, 2009 at 2:23 pm) · Filed under Around the Coast, aboriginal caves, bathurst bay boulders, bauxite island, ben cropp, cape york, crocodile tracks, dean cropp, john h harding pictures, queensland, spinner dolphin school underwater, spinner dolphin underwater, wilderness
(Above) Bauxite rock galore. Getting ashore on this Tip-of-Cape York island can be difficult but is worthwhile.
Cape York wilderness
Spinner dolphin, Great Detached Reef.
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By JH ( September 5, 2009 at 8:51 pm) · Filed under Fathom Annual, ben cropp, charles eaton, fatima, great barrier reef, great detached reef, raine island, shipwrecks
A beautiful location on the far northern section of The Great Barrier Reefs
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By JH ( August 28, 2009 at 2:39 pm) · Filed under 2. Sharks Guide, batt reef, ben cropp, lemon shark, port douglas, queensland, tiger shark, tiger shark feeding on black marlin, tiger shark teeth
Tigers are very common in Hawaiian waters. This 9 footer was caught by a tourist shark hunt boat, 10 November 1970. Photo by Richard Ibara
Tiger shark feeding upon a stingray bait at Batt Reef, Queensland. Photo by John Harding & Ben Cropp
Initially thought to be a tiger shark, but may have been a savage Lemon shark. When annoyed this 3 meter shark attacked the inflatable boat, destroying the pontoon. Photo by John Harding and Ben Cropp at Batt Reef, Queensland.
Tiger shark teeth can saw through tough shell of turtles
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By JH ( August 28, 2009 at 2:09 pm) · Filed under 2. Sharks Guide, bamboo shark, ben cropp, cat sharks, epaulete cat shark, fido reef, leopard shark, port jackson shark, port jackson shark egg, reef dwelling sharks, ron taylor films leopard shark, testing explosive powerheads, Wobbegong shark
Friends. Pair of cat sharks rest on a wobbegong.
Large wobbegong sharks have almost vanished on Australia’s east coast, caught by fishermen for their high quality white flesh. The species is now protected.
Shaped to resemble sea weed is the egg of a Port Jackson shark.
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