Eight RAAF heritage plane are being withdrawn from flying after a “complete assessment of technical and airworthiness components”.
A DH-115 Vampire T.35, Gloster Meteor F.8, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Ryan STM-S2, English Electrical Canberra, CA-27 Sabre, CT4A, and RE8, all from No. 100 Squadron, shall be “transitioned with dignity” out of service, with the squadron to proceed flying 11 different plane.
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“Streamlining the fleet will enable 100 Squadron to take care of high quality heritage shows, have interaction communities, and defend the long-term viability of Air Drive’s heritage functionality,” Defence stated in an announcement.
“As plane age, maintenance turns into more and more complicated, particularly for flying shows. Decreasing the fleet will enable 100 Squadron to give attention to working a choose group of historic plane for ceremonial duties and flying shows, sustaining a residing connection to Air Drive traditions.”
5 of those retired plane will return to Temora Aviation Museum, whereas the opposite three shall be thought of for static shows at different permitted areas.
In line with the Chief of Air Drive, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, the assessment was “important to balancing heritage preservation with operational security”.
“Our heritage fleet holds deep significance to Air Drive and the Australian public,” he stated.
“Whereas withdrawing plane is rarely straightforward, this step ensures we protect aviation historical past responsibly. By transferring these plane to museums and heritage organisations, their tales of service and innovation will stay accessible for future generations.”
No. 100 Squadron will proceed to fly the Mustang, Harvard, Winjeel, two Tiger Moths, Sopwith Pup, Hudson, Spitfire Mk8, Spitfire Mk16, Boomerang and Wirraway.
The heritage squadron was reformed in 2021, having been disbanded in its earlier incarnation in Could 1946. The unique 100 Squadron was fashioned from surviving personnel from the British RAF’s No. 100 Torpedo Bomber Squadron who had escaped from Malaya.
The primary RAAF Squadron to be geared up with Australian-built Beauforts, 100 Squadron was deployed to Queensland in Could 1942, the place it carried out additional torpedo bomber coaching and anti-submarine patrols.
Notable deployments additionally included flying reconnaissance and bombing missions towards coastal transport in Milne Bay, PNG, and conducting the primary land-based torpedo strike in 1942, sinking a Japanese cruiser.
