MCCORMICK, Felix Andrew
| Service Number: | 420481 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 November 1941, Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAAF) |
| Born: | Willoughby, NSW, 1 January 1920 |
| Home Town: | Willoughby, Willoughby, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Insurance Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, India, 28 October 1944, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ranchi War Cemetery 9 N 8 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 420481 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Nov 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 420481, Operational Training Units (RAAF), Sydney, NSW |
Help us honour Felix Andrew McCormick's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Patrick Joseph and Mary Ellen McCormick, of Willoughby, New South Wales, Australia.
HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE EVER REMEMBERED
Crashed on take-off, Salbani, 28.10.44. (MPoole) 420481 F/Lt Felix Andrew McCormick RAAF, skipper. Crew of eight killed, buried in Ranchi War Cemetery, India. Took off from Salbani on the 28th at 1735 hrs on an op to bomb Hnong Pladuk rail target, Siam. On gathering speed for takeoff, No 1 engine started to over-rev and emitted a noise described as "Harvard-like". The pilot took off and went straight ahead, gaining very little height and neglecting to retract his undercarriage while struggling to correct the over-revving engine. An unusual amount of smoke was observed coming from the port wing area. The engine problem could not be corrected. A flat turn to port was commenced (into the troublesome engine), as though trying to return to base, and the bombs were jettisoned. The undercarriage was in the act of being retracted when the inner wing violently stalled and the aircraft fell earthward. After more than half a roll it impacted upsidedown, starboard wing down, at a steep angle, and with very little forward speed. The wreckage was completely burned out approx six miles west southwest of the Salbani aerodrome, and all the crew were killed. On the day of the accident EW155 had completed a Group Inspection. All four Constant Speed Units had been removed and replaced by serviced units from Maintenance, but no flight test had been made after fitting these CSUs.