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06/10/2004: "WW2 AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE Ruby Reef, Cairns QLD"

Sixty years ago a pilot had to land his aircraft in the lagoon of Ruby Reef, near the famous Ribbon Reefs north from Cairns. The aircraft glided to a smooth water landing.....and then sank.

Who the wartime pilot was and what became of him is a mystery we'd like to solve. There are more intact aircraft wrecks in PNG, but in deeper water. This one has the beauty of a healthy coral reef, complete with a giant clam nearby. Quite unique. But what a shame the propeller is missing. The wings are barely seen, covered with live coral today.

The young pilot picked a nice reef to land upon, but coral is a hostile environment especially if you don't have a boat. Maybe he had an inflateable single pontoon life raft?

This is all that remains of the fighter as of September 2004. What remains of the pilot? Who was he?