Coasts of Cape York (24 page)

Seeing that reminded him of Jacob van der Heyden and made him want to sit and read the article there and then but by then he was late and had to ride quickly home. Once there he had to rush through the shower and then get dressed in uniform and then have his dinner. After cleaning his teeth and checking his appearance in the mirror he saw that he had a few minutes to wait. To fill them in he picked up the magazine and flicked through the pages. By chance the magazine flicked open at a page with photos of the crashed Japanese fighter. Automatically his eye read the caption under a photo.

‘The paintwork on the underside was in such good condition that it looked as though it had just come from the factory,' it read. That made him shake his head. ‘That couldn't be possible,' he thought. To check he quickly read the page, finding the author's description. It confirmed the caption. Even after more than sixty years the paint on the surfaces that were protected from the sun and the rain looked as though it had just come from the factory.  The author expressed the same surprise and disbelief as Willy had felt but the photos seemed to bear him out. Very clear to see was the blood red roundel of Japan with its white surround and the dark green colour of the wing it was on. Several letters and numbers were also clearly visible.

The idea that there might be more aircraft wrecks in similar condition got Willy's hopes and imagination going but at that moment his mother called him. He placed the magazine on his bedside table, ready for reading as soon as he got time. His mother then drove him to Air Cadets.

Cadets was all preparation for promotion course in January with drill and lessons on how to navigate, signals and RAAF ‘General Service Knowledge'. Willy enjoyed it all and knew he was feeling well and that he should be happy. During the canteen break he was asked about the search for the plane wreck and then ribbed for not finding it. He joined in the general chatter but without much enthusiasm. Most of the talking he left to Stick and Marjorie.

“So you didn't find this bomber then?” Noddy sneered.

“No,” Willy admitted.

“Are you lot still going to look for that ‘Beaufighter' up the Cape during the holidays then?” Noddy asked.

“Yes,” Willy answered. He was then careful not to say more as he didn't trust Noddy. ‘Someone told Mr Jemmerling our plans and I think it was Noddy,' he thought. But that made him feel guilty at the injustice of being suspicious without any real proof to back it up.

Noddy now annoyed him further by saying, “I don't know why you are bothering. There won't be much left of any wreck after that long.”

“There might be,” Willy retorted. He then described the wreck of the Japanese ‘Zero' and the photos. Noddy looked very skeptical and said he did not believe it. That needled Willy some more. “Then all I can do is show you the magazine article,” he retorted.

They bickered a bit longer but had to leave the argument unresolved as it was time for the next lesson. But Willy did not forget about it and decided to do some research on the topic. It made him glad they had agreed to help Mr Beck prepare the shed where they were to restore any wrecks they might recover.

That was what he, Stick, Marjorie, Vicki and Noddy did on Saturday. As arranged they drove to Mareeba, clad in work clothes, and were set to work, under the supervision of Norman. The task was to finish erecting a large shed on a concrete slab. Most of the heavy work had been done and Mr Beck would not allow any of them to climb up to do roofing work, or let them use any power tools, so it was mostly carrying, holding things, or cleaning that they were engaged in.

Willy did not really mind and as he worked he plied Norman and Mr Beck with questions about the condition wrecks might be in after lying in jungle, swamp or beach sand for long periods. He learned that World War 2 aircraft wrecks were still being recovered from lakes in North Russia and Finland and that these were often in very good condition.

“Because of the cold and the lack of oxygen in the lake bottom,” Norman explained.

“What about in a mangrove swamp in the tropics?” Willy asked.

Norman shook his head. “Not so good. The heat and salt both cause rotting and corrosion. We helped get an ‘Airacobra' out of a mangrove swamp up in the Cape a few years ago and the whole bottom was rotted away and the steel parts like the engine were just a mass of rust flakes. Here, pass me that drill,” he said.

Willy went to hand him the drill when he saw two men walk in through the open door of the shed, along with Mrs Beck. His mouth fell open with surprise. “Mr Jemmerling!” he muttered. “Now what is he doing here?”

 

 

CHAPTER 15

 

UNEXPECTED OFFER

 

Mr Jemmerling saw Willy and smiled. “Hello young William, would you introduce me please.”

That really surprised Willy. He glanced anxiously at Mr Beck and saw that he was looking at Mr Jemmerling with a look of puzzlement. ‘He doesn't know who he is,' he deduced. Swallowing to moisten his suddenly dry throat and unsure Willy said, “Mr Beck, this is Mr Jemmerling.”

Mr Beck's face registered shock and then anger. “Jemmerling! What brings you here sir?” he barked, ignoring Mr Jemmerling's out-thrust hand.

Mr Jemmerling ignored the insult and casually dropped his hand. “I could say that I am just visiting. I have never seen your collection before sir, but I have heard good reports of it. But actually I also came to make you an offer.”

“An offer?” Mr Beck asked in a voice laden with suspicion.

“Yes, but first I would appreciate a look around if I may,” Mr Jemmerling replied. He held up his hand. “We have paid for our tickets.”

Mr Beck looked a bit baffled and suspicious but then nodded. “Yes, alright. I will show you around myself.”

“Thank you,” Mr Jemmerling replied, adding, “I think it is a good idea to see what others in the business are doing.”

Mr Beck nodded and grunted what could have been agreement. The three men and Mrs Beck then moved away to the main hangar. Norman watched this, then shook his head in amazement. “Jemmerling! Here! As bold as brass.”

“Shouldn't he be?” Stick asked.

Norman shook his head but said, “He and Dad have had a few disagreements in the past, but apart from that, no.”

“Has he ever been here before?” Willy asked.

Norman shook his head. “No. Never seen him in my life,” he answered.

“Your father didn't seem to recognize him,” Willy commented.

“No. Even though they've been rivals for years he's never met him before. Well I never, Jemmerling here! I wonder what his offer is?” Norman said.

They did not find this out for nearly another hour. The whole group gathered on chairs in the shade for morning tea. Only after drinking a cup of tea and nibbling a biscuit did Mr Jemmerling start to reveal his offer. First he introduced Mr Hobbs, his ‘man'. Then he praised Mr Beck's collection and, in particular how well the ‘Airacobra' had been restored and maintained.

Willy sat at the back and observed, noting that Mr Beck was accepting the praise with grudging acceptance mingled with caution. Mr Jemmerling then drained his cup and brushed crumbs off his white shirt. After looking around at the group he said, “The offer is this. I need a local guide who can show me where the aircraft wrecks in North Queensland are, the ones that are known about that is, and I wondered if you would accept the task. In return I will give you a weekend flight up to Thursday Island and back, visiting some of the wrecks along the way.”

“A weekend?” Mr Beck queried, obviously unsure of how to react.

“Yes. We would go in my restored ‘Catalina'
Pterodactyl
. It is possible to go up and back in one day but that leaves no time for sightseeing, so I thought an overnight trip next weekend. What do you say?” Mr Jemmerling asked.

Mr Beck still looked wary. “Why me?”

Mr Jemmerling smiled disarmingly. “Because I have been flying around looking and haven't had much luck. My enquiries inform me that you are the expert in this area so I thought we could do something of mutual benefit,” he explained.

“What exactly is your offer?” Mr Beck asked.

“That I provide the aircraft and the fuel and pay any landing fees and so on; and that you and your team provide the local knowledge to show me the known aircraft wrecks and sites in Cape York Peninsula. I will even provide the food and accommodation if that helps,” Mr Jemmerling answered.

Willy had been listening with great interest and deep suspicion. He felt sure it must be some sort of trick to reveal to Mr Jemmerling where their own aircraft wrecks were. ‘He wants to beat us to them,' he thought. But it was a very tempting offer and he was gripped by a strong desire to go for another ‘Catalina' flight. Seeing that Mr Beck was deep in thought Willy asked, “Exactly who are you offering to take on this flight Mr Jemmerling?”

Mr Jemmerling turned to look at him and again smiled his very charming smile. “I said the whole team didn't I?”

“All of us?” Willy gasped, his hopes and fears both soaring.

“Who are we talking about?” Mr Jemmerling asked, looking around.

Mr Beck indicated the others with a sweep of his hand. “These are my workers.”

Mr Jemmerling looked at Willy's father and said, “You too Dr Williams?”

“It is always a good idea to have a doctor along on expeditions,” Willy's father replied with a grin.

“And a girl?” Mr Jemmerling asked, indicating Marjorie.

Willy answered, seizing the chance to put in for his friends. “Three girls. There are three navy cadets in our team,” he said.

“And my wife as the adult female to look after the girls,” Willy's father added.

Mr Jemmerling did not show any surprise. He did a quick mental calculation and said, “That is seventeen people, about four thousand pounds weight- that is if you are coming too Mrs Beck?”

Mrs Beck looked horrified. “Oh dear me no! Count me out. I'm happy to stay at home.”

“Can the ‘Catalina' carry that many?” Willy asked.

Mr Jemmerling nodded. “Oh yes. It has seats for four in the cockpit and nose, plus eight more in the cabin and we can fit in a couple of extras in the saloon. The plane can lift seventeen thousand pounds but that includes fuel. If it was carrying guns and bombs these would typically have weighed in at about three thousand pounds.”

“When are we going on this jaunt; you mentioned next weekend?” Mr Beck asked.

“Yes, that is the most convenient time for me. I do have businesses to run so can't stay on holiday swanning around for ever,” Mr Jemmerling replied.

Willy's father now asked, “Can you be more specific; times and places and so on?”

Mr Jemmerling nodded. “Yes. I can pick you up here at Mareeba at nine next Saturday morning and we can then fly north, overnight on Horn Island or Thursday Island and then fly back on Sunday to be back by about lunch time,” Mr Jemmerling answered.

“Why Mareeba, isn't your plane at Cairns?” Willy's father asked.

Mr Jemmerling shook his head and replied, “No, not anymore. I have just moved it up to Mareeba. The airport fees here are much less and there is a lot less traffic, so not as many flying problems,” he explained.

A few more details were discussed and Mr Jemmerling then gave the adults his telephone number to co-ordinate. He then thanked them and excused himself, leaving with Mr Hobbs.

As the two men vanished from view Stick burst out, saying, “I wonder what his devious plan is? I'll bet he just wants to trick us into showing where our planes are.”

“He seemed too nice and too friendly,” Norman agreed.

“It could be a trick,” Willy added.

Marjorie shook her head. “Well, I thought he was a really charming gentleman and I would love to fly in his aeroplane.”

“So did I,” Willy's father said. “And even if he does hope to pick up clues I don't see why we shouldn't take advantage of his offer.”

“You mean we can go Dad?” Willy cried, thrilled by the opportunity.

Dr Williams nodded and said, “If your mother agrees.”

They left it at that and went back to their various jobs. Willy spent the afternoon carefully cleaning the interior of the ‘Neptune' and was instructed in more of the arts of maintaining vintage and replica aircraft by Norman, who was a skilled expert.

As soon as they picked up his mother from Aunty Isabel's Willy explained the proposal to her and asked if they could go. His mother looked at Willy's father and raised her eyebrows; to which he nodded. “Yes, alright,” she replied. “Lloyd must come too, if he wishes,” she added.

But Lloyd wasn't interested. He had already made arrangements for a party with his Year 11 mates at Darren's house. That pleased Willy who did not want his big brother along. Next he phoned Andrew to see if he and Carmen were interested.

Andrew replied, “Yes, but I will have to ask Carmen and then Mum and Dad. I will also call Tina. Wait and I will call you back.”

Willy did. He lay on his bed and read the magazine article on the Dutch ‘Dornier' flying boats. What he read both amazed and fascinated him. ‘I didn't know the Dutch had so many planes in the Far East,' he thought. He now learned that the aircraft were German designed Dornier Do 24s; all-metal, high-wing monoplanes with three engines and with the impressive maximum range of nearly 3,000 nautical miles.

‘Wing span 27 metres, length 22 metres, wights: empty 13,500 kg; loaded 18,400 kg; maximum speed 340km/h; service ceiling 19,360 feet. And a pretty impressive armament for a flying boat: three gun positions with one 7.92 mm MG in the nose, another in the tail and a dorsal turret with either a 20mm or 30mm cannon.'

That got him studying the illustrations and photos. It took him a few seconds to find the tail gun turret. At last he found it, perched right up on the tailplane between and slightly aft of the twin tail fins. ‘I wonder if the gunner could get back into the main fuselage from back there,' he mused.  They were, he decided, quite impressive aircraft.