2|FLIGHTPATH
Contents
Volume 29 Number 4, May-July 2018
Features
14 E x p e d it io n to Tadj i
ArchaeologistAsh Maticreportsonhisrecenttripto
northernPapuaNewGuineaandvisitstheformer RAAF
base at Tadji, near the township of Aitape.
24 TheU.S.Navy in Italy
–PartOne
Luigino Caliarorecountsthelittleknownstoryofa
remarkable Italian-American collaboration at Lake Bolsano
attheendoftheGreat War.30 Betrayed!
AseriesofunfortunateeventsconspiredagainstaLight-
ningpilotinlate1943.Michael Claringbouldtells the
sorrytaleofSecondLieutenantChristopher Bartlett and
the Lightning that disappeared.
36 Saving a Harpoon
ALockheedHarpoonindangerofbeingscrapped
wasflownoutofaremotestripin2010.Ithassincebeen
progressively restored to its military configuration.
Roger Cainrecalls the recovery of the PV-2D and details
its rejuvenation.
44 Cats in Colour
Hans Wiesmanpresents a selection of colour images from
his new book 80 Years, A Tribute to the PBY Catalina.
36
50 The Supermarine Southampton
–PartOne
James Kightlyexamines the often overlooked diverse
historyoftheinter-warSupermarineSouthamptonflying
boat and the achievements and uses of the RAAF’s
two examples.56 “For Our Freedom and Yours”
TheprestigiousPolishCrossofValourwaspresentedtovery
fewAustralianservicepersonnel.Threeofthemwereearned
indirectservicetoPoland.Elise Horspooloutlines their
achievementsanddiscoverstheongoingeffortsto remember
the sacrifices made during the Warsaw Airlift.62 TheLast‘BigDo’
ThelastmajoraircombatintheSouthwestPacificfeaturing
Australianfighterpilotsinvolvedanoutnumbered
SquadronsouthofBiakIslandinJune1944.Gordon Clarke
skilfully unravels the confusion of an interception that
quickly broke down into individual engagements.68 ‘Zero’ on the wharf
Oneofthemostphotographeddownedenemyfightersof
theNewGuineawarwasnotallitwasclaimedtobe.
Michael Claringbouldfollows its journey, from its final
April 1942 take off to Allied intelligence asset, and the
pilot’s enduring quest to be forgotten.