LANCE REPUBLIC PLANE CRASH SITE

Healesville, VIC. April 1943. The crash site of a RAAF P-43D Republic Lancer aircraft in Toolangi State Forest.  

 

The aircraft was operating between Wagga Wagga and Laverton. The aircraft was in flight to Laverton when it was reported missing. Officer Allen William Green piloted killed in the crash.   

 

The wreck was discovered on the 10th of June 1958. The RAAF and local police visited the site and recovered the remains of Officer Allen William Green. In August 2021 local DELWP officers located ammunition and firearms relating to the aircraft. The artefacts were transported to the DELWP Toolangi Depot. The artefact has had conservation advice from Heritage Victoria’s curation office. The site is likely to contain archaeological remains associated with the plan wreck, and potentially the pilot. 

The site is of historical, social and archaeological significance. 

The site is of local historical significance as it provides a connection with the RAAF activities and flightpaths during WWII.  There were only 8 RAAF Lancers used by the RAAF, the surviving aircrafts were returned to the USAAF and subsequently scrapped. It provides aircraft archaeologists the opportunity to learn about the aircraft and its unique capabilities.