Squadrons of the RAAF (1971) Page 2

A RAAF Neptune maritime reconnaissance aircraft in flight. Like the Orion, also in service with the RAAF, the Neptune is a four-engine, mid-wing, land-based monoplane. The Neptune is flown by No. io Squadron, based at Townsville, Queensland, and its equipment includes extensive radar in the fuselage and a powerful 70-million candlepower searchlight in the starboard tip nacelle.

Air Transport Squadrons

Five squadrons of RAAF transport aircraft, ranging in type from the C- 130E model Hercules to small Mystere 20 jets, meet the RAAF commitment to provide air transport for strategic deployment, tactical support of ground forces and special flight requirements.

Hercules and Caribou aircraft of the RAAF winging their way through the air lanes of Australia and South-East Asia are playing a vital role in support of Australia's defence forces. Regardless of whether it is an isolated airstrip in Vietnam, a jungle outpost in the New Guinea Highlands, or an airstrip in barren Central Australia, the RAAF transports are maintaining their schedules.

The most important long range flights of the Hercules are the regular runs between Australia and Vietnam, and Australia and Singapore-Malaysia.

In a matter of weeks during the Vietnam war, the Hercules, flying more than seventy sorties, transported nearly 4,000 men without mishap and right on time to Vietnam.

One of the most important tasks of the Hercules has been to fly home swiftly, safely and comfortably the wounded and sick from the Vietnam fighting in special medical evacuation flights, in which they are tended by specially-trained RAAF doctors, nurses and orderlies.

For the sick and wounded the Hercules have been a welcome sight to thousands because they have meant safety in a long flight home to hospital and loved ones.

A RAAF C-13o Hercules transport drops eight tons of cargo. These giant cargo and troop transport aircraft are capable of carrying loads exceeding 35,000 lb at a speed of 350 mph.

Large RAAF air-conditioned ambulance buses gently transport the patients by road from hospital to the Hercules aircraft in which hoses feed cold air so that the patients will be cool the moment they are placed on the aircraft litters. In addition to the ease of loading patients the Hercules have ample space inside so that the medical staff may move easily around to tend the patient while the aircraft wings them home.

The RAAF began re-equipping its transport squadrons with Hercules aircraft in 1958 as a replacement for the Dakota aircraft (some of which continue in service to this day after almost 30 years with the RAAF). Because of increasing demands on the RAAF to support overseas units and commitments and to meet the requirements of an expanding army air support training programme, the need arose for an additional twelve Hercules. The RAAF purchased the C. 13oE type, a more advanced version of the earlier Hercules, with a greater range and load-carrying capacity. They were delivered to the RAAF in 1966.

So diverse are activities of the RAAF air transport net that a Hercules may be flying a Mirage aircraft or helicopter within its capacious cargo compartment, while a Caribou could be transporting the household goods and livestock of a Montagnard family in Vietnam.

A RAAF Caribou transport aircraft flies over rugged terrain. This twin engine, high-wing monoplane is used as a troop transport or cargo carrying aircraft. It can carry 7,000 lb of cargo at 200 mph, and is widely used in Vietnam and South-East Asia. Its short take-off and landing capability makes it an ideal aircraft to unmade airstrips in isolated areas.

A typical scene at RAAF Base, Fairbairn, Australian Capital Territory, when giant Hercules C-i3o transport aircraft arrive to load RAAF helicopters for an exercise in Australia or overseas. On this occasion, the Iroquois helicopters of No. 5 Squadron were being flown to Papua-New Guinea where they carried out tropical familiarisation flying and sea and air rescue procedures.

Formed at Darwin four days after the major Japanese air raid on the city in February 1942, NO. 34 Squadron, originally equipped with two Dragon D.H.84A aircraft, today flies BAC 1-11, Mystere 20 and H-S.748 aircraft.

It is distinguished not only for its high standing and efficiency but by reason of the fact that it numbers amongst its passengers, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, other members of the Royal Family, Governors General, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and a host of other very important persons.

During the Royal Tour of Australia last year the Squadron conveyed all members of the Royal Family in a total of eighty-nine V.I.P. flights.

The only RAAF transport squadron in Vietnam. The Squadron was first formed at Maylands, Perth, Western Australia, in March 1942 and operated from Maylands and Pearce, Western Australia, on transport and communications flights. Initially equipped with the Fox Moth D.H.83 and Dragon D.H.84 aircraft, the Squadron later used Fairey Battle, Avro Anson, Dragon Rapide and Dakota aircraft.

In March 1945 it moved to Townsville, Queensland. During this period the Squadron had a detachment serving at Morotai. The Squadron was disbanded in June 1946. In August 1964 the RAAF Caribou transport flight was deployed to Vietnam. Two years later on 1 June 1966, the flight was re-named No. 35 Squadron.

A BAC-111 of the RAAF's No. 34 Squadron over Canberra. Two of these aircraft, along with three Mystere Leo and two HS-748 aircraft, form the Squadron's VIP Fleet. Manufactured by the British Aircraft Corporation, they have a considerably greater capacity, speed and range than the aircraft they replaced, the Convairs.

Operates Hercules C. 130A aircraft out of Richmond, New South Wales. It was first formed at Laverton, Victoria, in March 1942, and equipped initially with Douglas DC2 aircraft and later with Dakotas.

During 1942 the Squadron maintained detachments at various airfields within Australia and undertook route transport operations to and within New Guinea.

At the end of the 1939-45 War the Squadron evacuated released prisoners of war from the Singapore area.

In March 1953 the Squadron began operating from Iwakuni in Japan and on returning to Australia in 1955 became part of No. 86 Wing.

The Squadron lost its Dakota aircraft in 1958 when it was re-equipped with Hercules C-13oA aircraft.

At present equipped with C-130E Hercules aircraft, the squadron was formed originally at Laverton, Victoria, in July 1943, and equipped with Northrop Delta and Lodestar aircraft.

The Squadron carried out regular transport flights to Western and North-Western Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. In September 1945 a detachment was sent to Singapore to assist in the evacuation of released prisoners of war.

Later the Squadron carried out courier flights to Japan and New Guinea. The squadron was disbanded at Schofields, New South Wales, in 1948.

It was reactivated at Richmond, New South Wales, in 1966 for the arrival later that year of the first C.130E transport a i rcraf t.

Formed on 15 September 1943 at Richmond, New South Wales, and equipped initially with Hudson aircraft for general freight, passenger and V.I.P. transport duties. In March 1944 the Squadron began taking delivery of Dakota aircraft and was subsequently transferred to Archerfield, Queensland. In 1947 the Squadron began operating on the courier transport service to Japan and in June 1950 arrived at Changi, Singapore, to provide transport support for the operations against the
terrorists, which included supply-dropping duties to army out-posts in the jungle.

In August 1964 the Squadron, based at Richmond, began taking delivery of Caribou aircraft which
have since demonstrated their capability as short take-off and landing aircraft. The Squadron carries out supply drops to, and movement of, army troops in exercise areas. A detachment of the Squadron based at Port Moresby in Papua-New Guinea provides support for the Pacific Islands Regiment. Crews and ground staff serve a two-month tour in the Territory.

High wings and all metal, these RAAF Hercules C-130 aircraft are providing valuable logistic support to the Australian Task Force in Vietnam, and to RAAF personnel at Butterworth, Malaysia. Along with the Caribou aircraft, they form the backbone of the RAAF's transport aircraft fleets.Photo courtesy B. Adams