VOLUME 25 aviation NUMBER 4 / I ■ wsm HERITAOE mi ii* I >•1 THE JOURNAL OF THE AVIATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BRIiil

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Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VBQ154 * 1 FE 2B crashed on taking offfrom makeshift airfield in a farmer’s paddock. personnel formed salvage team. (RAAF MUSEUM POINT COOK)

German propaganda experts made much of the 'Wolfchen and its exploits on the "Wo^ s raiding voyage.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 72 VOLUME 25 Z/^IATION HERITAGE NUMBER 4 I------1 I------J THE JOURNAL OF THE AVIATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

CONTENTS EDITORIAL

Page 74 The Air search for the Raider Wolf By Bert Cookson

Page 82 ■ini* The RAF Vulcan in Australia By Dr. Denis O’Brien

Page 93 Information Echo Vulcan VH480 flies over RAAF Laverton Base at an air show on 19 September 1965 (John Hop ton)

Cover photo. Vulcan XH 481 at the end of its non-stop flight to Australia,July 1961.

Once again the idea of Australia having a national repository where our rich aviation history could be preserved has been brought to public attention. AHS A AND EDITORIAL ADDRESS Recentnews of a proposed National Air and Space Museum has raised an issue that has been P.O. Box 287, Cheltenham, Victoria. 3192 on and off the political agenda for many years. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE The fact that, for the most part, preserving Australia’s avation heritage is still the result of David Anderson Dion Makowski Denis Baker Bob Wills the work and entepreneurial approach of a dedicated few is fair indication of the level of Fred Morton commitment of Australian government at all levels to the preservation and presentation of Australian aviation history. TREASURER Bert Cookson Australians have prided themselves as being among the most airminded people in the world- perhaps this refers solely to air travel. Membership is for one volume of Aviation Heritage and includes both Journal and AHS A The way in which priceless examples of aircraft types from the pre-WW 1 period until the News. Annual Membership fee is $22.50 present have been allowed to disappear on scrap heaps, or to be sold to foreign owners (Australian Currency) demonstrates convincingly that Australian airmindedness has not extended much to saving our Published by: Aviation Historical Society of air history. Australia, P.O. Box 287, Cheltenham, Victoria, The idea of establishing a National Air and Space Museum in Australia is a sound one. Those 3192 Australia. who will manage the organisation would do well to look to how other countries-Belgium, ©1989 Aviation Historial Society of Australia Switzerland, Holland for example, have attained a high degree of competence in restoring, ISSN0815-4392 preserving, and presenting aircraft collections. Printed by The Creative Print Centre — 555 5966 There would be much to learn from those systems which combine the enthusiastic inputs of the Services, airlines^and aeropsace industry,to create aviation museums of high mtemational standing. Australia needs an mtemational aviation collection. But there is also a need for firm political support and funding to make the project succeed. It is not enough to depend solely on amateur historians-competent though they may be, they are very restricted financially.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 73 Wolf. By Bert Cookson

Captain Frank McNamara VC in rear cockpit, carried out fruitless searches for the 'Wolf from the Gippsland coastline. His request for adequate armament to attack the 'Wolf, if he found it, was refused by Defence authorities. (RAAF MUSEUM POINT COOK) Of special interest was the aircraft carried During April and May of 1918, two aircraft It left Kiel on 30 November 1916 and by Wolf, probably the first ever carried by a of the conducted a navigated via the coast of Norway, Iceland, commerce raider of any nation. Named series of searches off the coast of south­ and down the Atlantic, arriving off Wolfchen (Wolf Cub), it was a eastern Australia for German commerce Capetown on 16 January 1917. Here it laid Friedrichshafen FF33e (serial number 841) raiders. Although these were fairly two minefields of 50 mines each, before powered by a 150 hp Benz engine, and had a insignificant operations, there were crossing the in a north-easterly crew of two. It was equipped with wireless significant features that deserve to be direction to lay further fields of 75 mines off and carried a number of small bombs. It recorded:- Bombay, and 100 off Colombo. was assembled during the outward crossing of the Indian Ocean and carried out 56 1 It was the first time that an enemy Heading towards Australia, it sailed well to flights altogether, being instrumental in the aircraft had been anywhere near the south and rounded New Zealand where, capture of the Matunga, Wainma, Winslow, Australia. on 25 June 1917, 25 mines were laid at the and Hitachi Maru. northern tip, and 35 in the vicinity of Cook Strait. Wolf crossed the Tasman Sea and, on The crews of the ships must have 2 It was the first time that an act of war 3 July, laid two fields of 15 mines each off wondered what had struck them when, out (the mining and subsequent sinking of Cape Howe, the south-easterly point of the of the blue, an aeroplane, no doubt the first one of our ships) had ever occurred in Australian mainland. After leaving many had seen, flew over and dropped Australian waters. Australian waters it sailed north- ea st to Fiji, bombs to convince the captains that their then westward to pass around New Britain wisest course was to head towards the Wolf 3 It involved Australia’s first and only and sowed its last 107 mines off Singapore. and capture. VC airman of World War One. It then returned the way it had come, arriving back in Germany to a victorious The loss of the Australian ship referred to In the latter half of 1916, the German cargo welcome on 16 February 1918. in the introduction occurred on 6 July 1917, ship Wachtfels of the Hansa shipping line of just three days after Wolf had departed, Bremen was converted into an armed when SS Cumberland struck a mine 10 merchant cruiser at Kiel Harbour in During its 15 months at sea,Wolf steamed miles off Gabo Island near Cape Howe, and Germany,and renamed Wolf. Of 6,000 tons, about 96,000 kilometres. It sank or captured, settled in about seven fathoms. with a crew of 350, it carried seven 5.9 in. either by gunfire or as a result of mines, 24 It was fortunate that the weather was fairly guns, four 22 in. tubes, and several ships with a total tonnage of 102, 037. calm, permitting some temporary repairs to hundred mines. be carried out It was refloated on the llth^

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 74 Instructional staff, 2nd Lieut M.G. Clarke, available, steel tubing had to be obtained and a tow was commenced towards Twofold RFC, who reported on 22/4/18 and was Bay, where more substantial repairs would relieved on 25/4/18 by Lieut C. Matulich, from and a new one made up at Yairam. On 30/4/18 the machine was again have enabled the ship to reach Sydney. After AFC., W.O. S J. Hendy, Aviation serviceable and patrols were resumed. 23 miles the repairs proved to be insufficient Instructional Staff, who returned to Central for the task and it sank. There it lay for 35 Flying School on 23/4/18. years until 1952, when cargo of lead and Patrols were arranged to commence each day at about the same time (2pm) for a copper^worth a very considerable sum^was Sergeant L.G. Carter, Corporals A.G. period of about a week. After this had gone recovered. , G. WHson, T. Carrol, S. Hill, L,V. on regularly for some days I arranged to Archer, also of the Aviation Instructional leave one morning just before dawn, in All shipping had been instructed to stay Staff. outside the 100 fathom line as a precaution order to be out at sea by daybreak. Just at this time, the crack in the crank case (which against mines, but the master of the Communications had been there some months previotisly) Cumberland had obviously decided to take a Commander Telegraphist McSweeney showed signs of becoming worse, and short cut It was a costly mistake. Mine — and RAN Petty Officers Kiikham, Coster precautions were taken to make No. 6 sweeping operations were carried out once it and McLaughlin, and 4 other naval ratings. cylinda- secine. was established that enemy mines wCTe the A Guard composed of one NCO and six cause of the sinking, and many of the mines other ranks was furnished by die Permanent Although the staff worked all night to were destroyed, but a number subsequently Guard, 3rd Military District broke loose from their moorings and were finish this job they could not complete it in time to get the machine into the air before carried up the east coast of Australia. The I left Central Flying School, Laverton, in dawn. Next morning dense low clouds last recorded disposal was on 21 February, the FE2B machine (fitted with one Lewis rendCTed observations almost impossible, 1921, at Noosa, . Gun in the observer’s seat), W.O. Hendy. and we were again prevented from carrying AIS., acting as aerial gunnw. Time of out our object Subsequent to this (5/5/18) When Wolf returned to Germany in departure from CFS - 3.00 pm on 20/4/18. triumph, Carl Na-ger, its Captain, published one of the cylinder holding-down bolts of No. 6 cylinder broke. This necessitated details of his exploits and included, The mechanical staff together with naval practically the dismantling of the engine to probably for propaganda purposes, a wireless ratings left Melbourne by first train get to the boltThe new bolt had then to be fictitious account of the Wolfchen flying (6.30 a.m.) on 20/4/18. over Sydney. When these reports reached made up with the result that the machine was not ready until 10/5/18. On the Australia they seemed to create a kind of After passing over the bay a strong hysteria and manbers of the public started easterly wind was encountered over aftCTnoon of this day the machine was tested seeing enemy aeroplanes all over southern Momington, and this delayed me so much in the air and after only 15 minutes flying the radiator developed a leak. This radiator Australia. that Toura was not reached until dusk. was taken out and another one fitted and I Landing grounds around Toura were very left Yarram by air for Laverton at 9 a.m, Between 21 March and 23 April 1918, no poor so I went forward to Alberton, landing 11/5/18 fewer than 26 reports of sightings were there at 6.37 pm. made to the authorities. Each report had to This radiator also developed a leak, and be investigated and two of the The grounds around Alberton also proved when as far as French Island, I decided to investigations are detailed as follows: unsuitable for aerodrome purposes and as land. A good landing ground was found at that around Yarram was much better and Powlett River and I glided to this from 7 June, 1918 petrol was being obtained frcxn garage there, French Island. The radiator was repaired by O.C., Central Flying School, Laverton 1 moved the station next day to the latter place. midnight 11/5/18, but owing to storms a Herewith report on AIR start could not be made till 2.15 p.m. on 12/5/18. Rain storms were met with on the RECONNAISSANCE, SOUTH The prevailing winds at the last whole journey back and the westerly wind GIPPSLAND. mentioned station were easterly and was jAenomenal.The course taken was a westerly and the field selected for the direct line from Wonthaggi across the bay to Signed F.H. McNamara, Captain, aerodrome allowed plenty of room for Aviation Instructional Staff. taking off and landing in both directions. Laverton I took 3 hours 35 minutes to For north and south winds however the cover this distance (72 miles) and it was dark while I was half way across the bay. Information pointing to the probability of available landing space was much smaller an enemy Seaplane carrier with one or more aiKi was between a four foot fence and a Thus during the period 21/4/18 to seaplanes operating off the South Gippsland deep drain nmning parallel to the former 10/5/18, eight reconnaissances and three coast was given me at 7 pm on 19 April and across the whole field. This drain had an 18 movement flights were made. The patrols at midnight of the same date I received inch bank and was hidden by weeds. orders to proceed by air and establish a were extensive in most of these cases, but station either at Toura (sic) or Alberton other work which was plaimed to carry out On 23/4/18 when landing on return from was hampered by the delays indicated reconnaissance the under-carriage struck the The personnel detailed for duty in previously. Approval had been obtained to bank and I crashed. The crash was not a connection therewith consisted of: - do this work and materials sent. very serious one, but owing to the fact that no spare landing chassis was CapL F.H. McNamara Aviation (a)Training members of the Aviation

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Maurice Forman Shorthorn MF11 No. 17 used in the air search for the '"Wolf "was one of two of the type used as elementary trainers by the Military Central Flying School at Point Cook.(RAAF MUSEUM POINT COOK) CUNNINGHAM Instructional Staff and Air Cadets as aerial FOSTER None. gunners. Excellent targets for aerial gunnery Possible to land in Reserve. practice were plentiful Qarge flocks of guUs JOHNSONVILLE TO BAIRNSDALE etc. over water). Reconnaissance training WILSON’S PROMONTORY Landing grounds to north of Jones Bay. also for Air Cadets. None, except at low tide possible landing (b) Photographic map work. along beach south of the entrance to Comer LAKE WELLINGTON (c) Wireless work from the air. Inlet. Possible along northern shores but many (d) Practice for setting bomb sights in the tree stumps. air (for Air Cadets). YARRAM Bombs (20 lb. Hale) were forwarded and Ground with good surface L shaped west SALE a store made for them at the station. It was of Butter Factory (sketch forwarded C.G.S.) N.W. and East side of town fair. intended that a few of these should be carried on each flight in case of a possible WOODSIDE enemy target. Good. RECOMMENDATIONS: -

Remarks of landing grounds:- SEASPRAY (a) During the time the “F.E.2B” was at FRENCH ISLAND Fair Yarram it was subject to considerable Apparently none. exposure from rain and dew owing to want of shelter. It would appear advisable to POWLETT RIVER (3 miles north of NINETY MILE BEACH Possible in cases of favourable wind to construct at once several R.A.F. portable Wonthaggi)Excellent landing ground on R. hangars, which would then be ready for Heslop's estate. land in places on beach at low tide. Chain of partially dried swamps fringing future movement of a detachment the beach offer good surface for landing ANDERSON’S INLET LAKES ENTRANCE (b) Construction of three or four flight Can land along northern shore. None. motor workshops.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 76 following personnel: aeroplane and parts. We thereupon returned All ranks worked exceedingly well, their lieuL R.F. Galloway, Aviation to Eden, arriving on board ship about 10 behaviour at all times was excellent, and the Instructional Staff, lieuL Tumbridge, pm. naval ratings were most willing to render A.F.C. AJ.F. (spare pilot), Sgt. Fonteneau, assistance to the mechanical staff. Aviation Instructional Staff, I informed the C.O. ship, Lieut Hayes SgL Anderson, Aviation Instructional Staff, RN of my reconunendations, who The people of the district were most SgL Chester, Aviation Instructional Staff, concurred. Navy office was informed courteous and willing to assist us, and in Cpl. Moss, Aviation Instructional Staff, immediately and instructions were received particular the following: Cpl. Carver, Aviation Instructional Staff by wireless at about 6 p.m. to proceed to Mr Fleming and Mr Stockwell (whose Tathra. lands were used as aerodromes.) My instructions on setting out were to establish an aerodrome in the vicinity of I instructed Lieut. Tumbridge to proceed Yarram Twofold Bay, New South Wales, equip in company with Sergeant Chester by car to Yarram Electrical Power Co. machine ready for flight, and receive Bega, obtain a motor lorry and meet the Supply of power etc. gratis when WA’ operations orders from the Navy. ship at Tathra. After landing them, the ship Motor broke down. left for Tathra at about 9 am. on 24/4/18. The ship arrived at Twofold Bay on the Lieut. W. Newlands - General assistance 22/4/18 at about 4 pm. The ship arrived at Tathra at about noon at all times that day and unloading operations were A.E. Burston, B.C.E., Esq. (Shire The Harbour Master arxi Pilot (Mr. Hill), satisfactorily completed. Engineer) - for maps etc. who boarded the Protector, introduced me to a well known resident of the district, a Mr Sgt Chester arrived with a 2 ton lorry at Powlett River Logan, who owned a fast motor launch and about 4 pm. having had some difficulty in Mr.R.Heslop...Hospitality, benzine, who offered me the use of his boat and any a defective part of the road, neccessitating tarpaulins, etc. other assistance he could give. assistance with horse teams.

Wonthaggi I also met Captain Uoyd of the The centre section was located on the Mr. Williams, Tinsmith.-Use of his InteUigence Section, General Staff, 2nd lorry first and left Tathra at about 530 pm. workshop & materials , gratis. Military District, who was at the time The delicate load and rough road making use of Mr. Logan’s boat on some necessitated very slow travelling. We While we were at Powlett River, two intelligence work. arrived at Bega Racecourse at about 8.30 returned soldiers, J.L. Allison of north pm., three hours to cover 11 miles. Wonthaggi and H. Barnes of Ryanstown At 4.45 pm. in the company of Lieut. Post Office, both late A.LF. acted as guards Tumbridge and Captain Lloyd, I inspected, Two naval ratings were attached on loan to the machine for 24 hours (11/5/18 to 12/ with the aid of Mr. Logan’s boat, two from HMAS Protector. 5/18). These men were supplied with meals grounds adjacent to the water’s edge, one on by Mr. Heslop, who was most hospitable to the south side of the bay and one on the Unloading was commenced on daylight us all. I respectfully request that these two western side. Both were distinctly of the 25th. with the help of three labourers returned soldiers receive payment for their unsuitable as they stood. kindly lent by Mr. Bloomfield the Mayor. services. Great difficulty was experienced unloading At 8 a.m. on Tuesday 23/4/18 the owing to the lack of facilities, but finaUy we following party left per D.D. car inspecting succeeded without damage. A guard of one The following is the second report of possible grounds en route:- NCO and six men reported from Liverpool Lieut B J. Galloway. Lieut. Galloway, LieuL Tumbridge, Cqjt Camp at 4.30 pm on 18/4/18. The last of the Lloyd, and Surgeon Byrne, (of Protector) material was brought from Tathra by Friday I received instmetions at 5 p.m. on 19/4/ night 26/4/18. 18 to load Maurice Farman machine No. 17 No suitable site was found, and the party on H.M.A.S Protector lying at returned to Eden at mid-day with D.D. car Owing to action of sea water and Williamstown Naval Depot in time to sail out of order (broken spring). travelling several wires and one strut had to about 3 p.m. 20/4/18. After inspecting the The same party left Eden at 2 p.m. on the be renewed.The engine also required some deck space of the ship it was found same day in a hired car to proceed to Bega. attention in consequence of which it was necessary to dismantle the aeroplane into Found nothing suitable south of Bega, but late Sunday afternoon before the machine four parts. decided on the racecourse at Bega. We then was ready for flight. This work was proceeeded with through drove straightway to Tathra, 11 miles from the night of the 19/4/18 and with four motor Bega, to inspect wharf and road with a view At daylight on Monday 29/4/18 I tested lorry loads, the aeroplane, with stores, to mooring the ship at Tathra. the machine in the air and found all correct. spares and tent hangar was loaded on the boat at about 2 p.m. 20/4/18. An additional Arrangements were made with the Bega Instructions were received to send to the lorry had been obtained from the Central Jockey Club for use of the course and Chief of the General Staff a daily Garage. information was obtained that a motor lorry reconnaissance report in duplicate, which The ship sailed at 3 p.m. 20/4/18, with the was available in the town for transport of the was complied with.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 77 m ■ i

The German raider "Wolf employed the "Wolfchen ( see here on deck at the end cf ’"Wolf s' voyage) as a search and attack aircraft.

Usually two reconnaissance flights were The last load reached Tathra at 8 a.m. on The estimated running mileage of this lorry made per day of approximately 3/4 hour Monday 13/5/18. As it happened I did not is about 300miles. Distance from Kameruka each, one by myself and one by Lieut. inconvenience the Navy in any way as the station to Bega would be about 11 miles Tumbridge. On each flight one of the sea was too rough for the ship to approach west. mechanical staff was taken as passenger. the wharf on Saturday and it was not until 3 O’clock on Monday afternoon that the The lorry in Bega we originally intended The surrounding country is extremely bad ship put alongside. Loading operations were to hire was discovered out of order by Lieut for flying, and a forced landing would have successful and the ship sailed about 5 p jn. Tumbridge and Sgt. Chester on their arrival meant crashing almost without exception. on that day, arriving at Williamstown at 6 at Bega on 24/4/18, necessitating Lieut p.m. 15/5/18. Tumbridge hiring a car and interviewing H.M.A.S. Protector left Tathra on Mr. Scarvell 11 miles away. Saturday 27/4/18. Machine was in readiness The machine etc. was unloaded on the for flying duty continuously from 29/4/18 to morning of 16/5/18 and the last load arrived It is respectfully recommended that a 8/5/18 inclusive. at the Central Flying School on Friday 17/5/ letter of thanks be salt to the following 18. persons for special services rendered by Instructions were received on the morning them of 9/5/18 to be ready to re-embark at Tathra The p-incipal expenses incurred on the on Saturday morning 11/5/18 machine, all expedition were: Mr Logan, Eden, offer and use of motor stores and party. boat on any occasion, Mr Scarvell, Manager Hire of cars in connection with of Kameruka Estates, use of motor lorry, Owing to the fact that no work could be locating ground and sundry necessary Messrs. Balmain Bros, Motor Garage done in the dark with any degree of safety, running, 13:14:6, sundry materials bought Proprietors, Bega, who rendered every and also that the facilities for loading at for machine 11/6. assistance in offering the use of their Bega were less than at Tathra, where a crane workshop. was available, it was regretted impossible to No charge is being made for the motor be ready for re-embarkation on Saturday. lorry, see attached letter from Mr.Scarvell. This was availed of on several occasions.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 78 Bega Jockey Club where he landed and lost consciousness due use of their rooms for office work, also to loss of blood Wales in March. use of their telephone line to the Racecourse which was indispensable in helping For this action he was awarded the The registration lapsed, and it was communications with the Post Office. Victoria Cross on 8 Junel917, and was withdrawn from the register 3 May 1933. invalided back to Australia. He had been a Carey had had to vacate his airfield some The mechanical staff are to be specially school teacher prior to the war. but elected time before this as it had been taken over by commended for their work. Very long hours to make the Air Force his career. So when the State Government for a housing estate. were necessary both in establishing the RAAF was formed on 31 March 1921, ourselves and also in dismantling and re­ (the Royal prefix was added in July.) Some time in 1954 Mr. Fred Edwards, an embarking. McNamara was one of 21 officers engineer, obtained enough bits and pieces appointed, and was given the rank of Flying from Graham Carey, tlien in his eighties, to The Police of Bega were particularly , Honorary He reconstruct a complete Maurice Farman useful and helped in many ways. spent most of his career attached to the RAF Shorthorn^which was registered VH-UBC, on exchange duties, and was appointed was flown from Moorabbin Airport a The tait hangar unfortunately was not RAAF Liaison Officer with the rank of Air number of times, and was eventually sold to large enough to completely house the Commodore in 1938. He served in this a United States buyer. It now resides in the machine. capacity during the early war years, and Canadian National Aeronautical Collection. from 1942 until 1945 was AOC RAF at Aden. Is it possible that some part of this aircraft was also part of CFS 17 which flew Reaching the rank of Air Vice Marshal, out to sea looking for a non-existent German Frank McNamara died suddenly in London raider 70 years ago? on 4 November 1961 at the age of 67. NOTES ON F.H. Specifications McNAMARA. VC Engine Renault 80 hp

Frank Hubert McNamara was bom on 4 Span 51.ft. 9 in.(15.77m) April 1894, at Rush worth in Central Victoria. He learned to fly at the Central Length 30 ft. 6 in.(9.30m) Flying School, Point Cook, and was posted The Maurice Farman to No. 1 Sqn., Australian Flying Corps, Height lOfL 4 in.(3.15 m) based in Egypt. Shorthorn CFS 17 Weight 1,890 lbs (857 kg.) On 20 March 1917, returning from a This aircraft was one of four used at the bombing raid on the Turkish railway line Central Flying School, Point Cook, from Endurance 3 hrs. 45 min. near Gaza, McNamara, flying a Martinsyde, 1917 until sold out in 1919. noticed that the leader of the group. Captain D.W. Rutherford, had been forced to land Two came on to the register in June Notes on the F.E. 2B due to damage by A.A. fire. 1921- G-AUBC c/n 1505 and G-AUCW c/n 1326, Certificate of Registration No. 2 From the Royal Aircraft Factory it was Because of a lack of bombs, the squadron going to -UBC and No. 59 to -UCW. Both given Royal Flying Corps serial number A had been forced to use artillery shells with a were owned by Graham Carey, who had an 778 and after being shipped to Australia and delayed fuse and one of these, when airfield at Port Melbourne about where assembled at Point Cook, was used by the dropped by McNamara had exploded Garden City housing estate now is, and who Central Flying School from 1916 until prematurely, and a piece of shrapnel had ran Melbourne Air Services. transferred to the Australian Air Corps in caused a deep wound in his leg and damage 1920. Sold out some time during 1920 it to his aircraft With Turkish troops fast Carey was bom in 1871 and received his won the Aerial Derby held at Epsom approaching the downed aircraft, pilot’s licence from the Australian Aero Racecourse, Aspendale, (Melbourne) on 27 McNamara landed as close as he could and Club in November 1916. December 1920.The owner/pilot at that time Rutherford climbed aboard. Due to was Captain Harry Rigby. McNamara’s wounded leg and the uneven He owned and operated the Ballarat ground, the attempted take off was Flying School for some time and in October One of the first aircraft to come onto the unsuccessful and they crashed. After setting 1917, had his Bleriot 60 railed to Adelaide, Civil Register when the Civil Aviation fire to the Martinside, they made their way where on 23 November he carried the first Branch took charge of all civilian flying on b^k to Rutherford’s machine, a B.E.2c, and official air mail in South Australia from 1 June 1921, it received Certificate of after getting the engine started and taxiing Adelaide to Gawler, a distance of 40 km. Registration No. 38 and a provisional with difficulty on the soft ground they Certificate of Airworthiness, both dated 28 eventually took off, with the Turks -UBC was sold in February 1926, to a Mr June 1921 and was given registration galloping up just too late. McNamara flew Edwin Prosser, who used it for joy flights G-AUCX. the 100 km back to their forward base. until it crashed at Tamworth, New South

Aviation Heritage Voi 25. No. 4 79 An FE 2B in flight. Only one FE 2B saw service with the Australian Flying Corps during WWl.The search for the "Wolf was the only operational work this aircraft type was involved in, in Australia.

NOTES ON HMAS PROTECTOR. Ray Parer finished the life of the first Tliis was only one of the dozens of Originally South Australia’s first warship, it F.E. 2B to come to Australia at Boulder accidents which Parer survived. He seemed left in 1884, and arrived at (WA) on 7 February 1922. Parer had left to have had more than his share of Adelaide on 30 September of that year. It Melbourne in August 1921 on what was to misfortune. carried a hefty punch for such a small vessel be a round-Australia flight to raise money with one 8 inch aiKi five 6 inch guns, four x for a trans-Pacific flight He only got as far SPECinCATIONS 3 pounders and several machine guns. as Gisborne, some 30 km from Melbourne; Considering that Protector weighed only when engine failure forced him to land. Engine Beardmore 160 hp 920 tons, it carried a formidable array of While trying to rectify the problem a sudden Span 47 ft 9 ins (14.55 m.) weaponry. Protector was sent to China in squall threw him against the revolving 1900 as Australia’s contribution to the propeller and he spent some weeks in Length 32 ft 3 ins. (9.83 m.) suppresion of the Boxer Rebellion and hospital. He left again in October^ flew via Height 12ft. 7ins. (3.85m.) served as mother ship to our only two Adelaide and Port Augusta, and then Speed 90 mi^ (146 kph) of , AE 1 and AE 2, followed the trans-Continental Railway to when Australia took over German Kalgoorlie. Endurance 3 hours possessions in New Britain from August to Taking off from the Boulder racecourse October 1914. Sold out in 1924, it was used at 8.45 a.m to fly to Southern CrossJie once as a lighter until called up for its third war more experienced engine trouble and, in in 1943, when the American Army took it attempting to return to the field, he hit a over. While being towed to , it telegraph pole and crashed. Onlookers collided with a tug off Gladstone, rushed to help; Parer was hanging out of the Queensland, and remains there to this day, machine with the engine squeezed against high and dry on Heron Island-remarkably, a him, while Mark Parer, the mechanic,was considerable amount of it still remains, ovct thrown out, and finished up underneath the 100 years after its arrival in Australia. wreckage. Both were taken to hospital with various injuries.

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Friedrichshafen aircraft like the Wolfe hen played an important role in German naval operations in the North Sea.

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 81 THE RAF VULCAN IN AUSTRALIA

BY DR. DENIS O'BRIEN. MB, BS, DDR, MRACR. ■

Vulcan XH 480 flies over RAAFLaverton Base at an airshow on 19 September 1965.(John Hopton)

development. The jet engine and On 7 January 1947, the Ministry of On 27 June 1956, it was the atomic bomb had a critical influence Supply issued Specification B.35/46,and announced by the Minister for Air, Mr on Britain’s future strategic bomber on 1 January 1948 received an Athol Townley, that an RAF Vulcan B requirements. The nuclear role made it Instruction to Proceed (I I P) with Mk.l aircraft would visit Australia in essential for the Air Staff to re-defme these prototypes of its type 698, to meet it. The September, for Air Force Week. requirements. Avro Type 698 was flown by Roly Falk, Avro’s chief test pilot, for the first time on This announcement heralded the By the end of 1946, Operational 30 August 1952 and^in the same month, a beginning of what proved to be a long Requirement 229 had been fmalised. The production order for 25 B.Mk.l aircraft association between the RAF’s Vulcans Air Staff was asking for a four-jet bomber, was issued. and the RAAF. The ensuing years seating a crew of five in a pressurised witnessed the involvement of Vulcan cabin, able to fly at 500 knots at 50, 000 The first prototype, VX770, was aircraft in weapons testing at Woomera, feet, and to have a range of 3,350 nautical fitted with Rolls Royce Avon engines as joint Air Defence Exercises (ADEX) in miles. the specified Bristol Siddeley Olympus Darwin and at Butterworth, and engines were not then available. participation in numerous air shows. Anticipating the Government go- Grounded in May 1953,VX770 was fitted ahead for a nuclear weapon, the weapons with Armstrong Siddeley Sapphires^e^h of The Vulcan’s career has spanned bay would be required to measure 25 feet 7, 500 pounds thrust, while the second many generations of RAF aircrew. In the and to accommodate a bomb five feet in prototype, VX 777, was fitted with the twilight of its career, several aircraft were diameter. Thus it would provide capacity long-awaited Olympus Mark 100 engines, modified as air-to-air refuelling for a single weapon of 10,000 pounds. which each developed 9,750 pounds. tankers.This is testimony to its durabihty There was also a requirement to be able to and adaptability, something its designers carry a conventional bomb load of 20, 000 After its maiden flight on 3 could hardly have anticipated in 1947. The pounds over a smaller range. The take­ September 1953, a series of high-altitude, rapid scientific and technological advances off weight should not exceed 100,000 high speed tests was conducted. Tests at made towards the end of World War 11 pounds, so that it could operate from this end of the flight envelope confirmed required a serious re-thinking of future existing airfields. the results that had already been obtained

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 82 with the small scale Avro 707A,WD280. replace the elevators and ailerons only 88 were delivered to the RAF, while Severe buffeting was encountered at originally fitted The new outer section the other was used for fatigue testing. airsp)eeds between 0.80M and 0.85M, was also considerably thinner, leading to a Following the initial order, two further speeds well below those which the considerable reduction in the thickness / contracts were written; the first was for 24 designers anticipated with the Olympus- chord ratio. The modifed tail cone B.Mk.2’s, all fitted for ‘Blue Steel’ powered Vulcans. increased the overall length by two feet.ten operations, and the second was for 40 inches BAlk.2’s, nine having the ‘Blue Steel’ This buffeting was due to the onset modifications. From 1963, major changes of ‘shock-stall’ as the aircraft moved into VX777 was converted to B.2 were made to operational procedures of all the sub-sonic speed range. Following wind standard and, powered by 16,000 pound V-Force squadrons including the Vulcan tunnel tests, the wing planform was Olympus Mk.200 engines , flew for the ones, to which the introduction of low- modified by redesigning the leading edge first time in its new guise on 31 August level operations caused no specific and the new layout was subsequently 1957. The full production- standard engine problems. It was the assumption of this designated the ‘Phase 2’ wing.The original became the Olympus MK 201 rated at 17, new low-level role that led to an increase one incorporated a straight sweepback of 000 pounds thrust. With the eventual in the overseas sorties, as the air traffic 52 degrees,but in the ‘Phase 2’ the introduction of the 20,000 pounds thrust density in the leading edge was extended forward by Olympus Mk.301, some redesigning of the significantly hampered such activities. It is some 20% of the chord over the outer 20% intakes was required. intCTesting to note that in 1964 these of the span, the extension tapering back to operations were conducted without the the original leading edge at 48% of the About half of the B.Mk.2’s were benefits of Terrain Following Radar span. The new leading edge was designed destined to have the uprated engines. The (TFR).That year also saw the phasing out too late to be incorporated into the first first aircraft with Mk301 ’s flew in May of the Vulcan B.Mk.l andBMk.lA’s. production Vulcan, XA889, but the 1961 with two fitted in the outboard second prototype, VX777, having been re­ positions, while retaining the MK. 201’s In 1969, as the Polaris submarines engined with the Olympus Mk.101 engines inboard. It was decided to update the best came into service, the in March 1955, was grounded in July to ofthe Vulcan Bl’s to B.lA’standard by assumed responsibility for Britain’s receive the ‘Phase 2’wing, and preliminary installation of the ECM tailcones, like all strategic nuclear capability. The switch of trials with it commenced on 5 October the Vulcan B Mk-l’s the B.Mk.2’s were the Vulcans to low-level operations was 1955. delivered to the RAF in an overall white then completed.The additicMi of Ferranti finish. TFR, and the repainting of the upper By March 1957, the Olympus surface in the normal disruptive grey and Mk. 102 with 12, 000 pounds thrust had In 1958, developments in air-to-air green camouflage, signalled the change to been developed, and these engines were refuelling equipment had reached the stage this new tactical role. fitted to the 14th production Vulcan. In whCTe it was considered that such July of that year the Mk.l04 with 13, 400 operations could be conducted safely at By 1970, the Vulcan force had pounds thrust came into production and high altitudes. The fitting of the associated assumed a conventional bombing role, all of the engines in service were fuel lines to the Vulcan, with a prominent their ‘Blue Steel’ weapons having been eventually Ijrought up to that standard. probe in the nose, immediately above the relinquished In the post-”Blue Steel” nose radome, was commenced. This phase, the addition of a blister on the nose With continued development of the development was subsequently fully tested cone for TFR fitment, and a rectangular Bristol Olympus, Avro, in 1955, prepared in the non-stop flight to Australia in 1961 fairing on the top of the fin for passive preliminary plans for the Mk.2 Vulcan to and, perhaps more dramatically, to the ECM equipment were the more obvious Lake advantage of the more powerful Falklands in 1982. changes.The only other major engines about to become available.A modifications involved aircraft of NO. 27 prototype was ordered in March 1956, and The decreasing ability of the Vulcan and 50 Squadrons. the contract for the second production to deliver a thermo-nuclear weapon to a order of Vulcan B.l’s was amended to target and to escape the blast, and the In 1970, eight Vulcans of No .27 permit the outstanding B.l’s to be difficulty in penetrating an increasingly Squadron were modified as maritime- delivered as B.2’s-in addition, another hostile air space of modem Soviet tactical reconnaissance aircraft by removal of the eight B.2’s were ordered. Extensive design fighters and SAM defences, required the TFR nose radomes and by the fitting of and equipment changes were made to the manufacture of a ‘stand-off bomb, the Loran navigational equipment and air aircraft, the major structural changes being design of which was initiated in the early monitoring pods .These aircraft were a new wing, to cater for the modified flight 1950’s. This weapon, the ‘Blue Steel’, was designated as B.Mk.2 (MRR), while six envelope associated with the more tested at, amongst other places, Woomera aircraft of No. 50 Squadron were modified powerful engines, and changes to the tail in South Australia, and by 1964 the as inflight refuelling tankers and were cone to enable the fitting of Electronic Vulcans of three squadrons had been designated B.Mk.2K. Counter Measures equipment (ECM). modified to carry them. These aircraft First deployment to Australia were designated B Jvlk.2A. Vulcan B.Mkl, XA897, departed The new wing, designated’Phase 2 Boscombe Down in Wiltshire on 9 C’ with the span increased 12 feet, Deliveries of Vulcan B.Mk2’s took September 1956, on the first leg of a measured 111 feet, had an area of 3,965 place from 1960 to March 1964. In all, 89 journey to Australia and New Zealand. sq.feet and had full-span elevons to of this version were produced, although Staging via Aden and Singapore,

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 83 ■ ■ a * U ■ ■ * 1^* ■ ■ mx i ^1 » ■ ■ * ^sMli

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■ ^SW » mm BMMM * XH556 landing at RAAF Richmond, New South Wales in November 1962 (RAAF) it arrived overhead Avalon at about RAAF, and AVM W.L.Hely. terminal. The aircraft was on display to the 1700 hours(EST) on 11 Sq)tember, public the following day, albeit at a secure having logged a flying time of 22 hours 30 On the following day, 12 distance. minutes. On board was the Commander- September, Sir Harry attended the parade in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command, A M of the Queen’s Colour at Point Cook. As While in Melbourne, Sir Harry Sir Harry Broadhurst, who took turns in the order for the General Salute was given, Broadhurst created quite a controversy the right- hand seat with regular Vulcan three de Havilland Vampires passed over statements he made about the Avon pilot, Sqn. Ldr. James Stroud.The aircraft overhead. Sabre. The comment, ‘The Sabre was well was under the command of Sqn. suited to its task when first buOt, but has Ldr.Donald Howard and the other crew The Vulcan remained at Avalon been completely out-dated by recent members were Sqn. Ldr. Edward Eames, while Sir Harry flew to for talks developments,’ produced a quick response Navigator, Sqn.Ldr. Albert Gamble, AEO, with Air Force staff and politicians. On from the Minister of Defence, Sir Philip and a civilian, Mr Frederick Bassett, arrival at RAAF Fairbaim, he was greeted McBride.The Sydney press revived the Avro’s construction chief. by the Minister for Air, Mr.Townley, the issue when they interviewed Sir Harry and Commanding Officer of Fairbaim, Grp. in an attempt to quell the debate, he The aircraft flew the 3,730 mile Cptn.A.D.Garrison and Mr.J.R.Fraser, the denied saying the Avon Sabre could not United Kingdom to Aden leg in 7 hours 20 representative of the High Commissioner stop an attack by an atomic bomber like minutes, the 4105 mile sector from Aden for the United Kingdom. the Vulcan.’What I said was,’Sir Harry to Singapore in 8 hours 20 minutes, and explained,’the Vulcan flies at night, and the final sector to Avalon in 6 hours 50 The next morning, at 0930 hours, there is not a night fighter in the world minutes. Soon after arriving overhead Sir Harry laid a wreath at the Australian today which could stop her. By day Avalon, near Geelong, Victoria, the War Memorial before returning to however, the Vulcan is vulnerable and can Vulcan flew over Melbourne and the Port Melbourne to rejoin the Vulcan for the trip be caught by a fighter like the Avon Phillip Bay area before returning to to Sydney, Flying low over Canberra en- Sabre.’ Avalon to land. Among the VIP’s waiting route, it arrived at Kingsford Smith on the tarmac to greet Sir Harry were AM Airport, where it taxied to a heavily- On Saturday, 15 September, the Sir John McCauley, Chief of Air Staff, guarded enclosure near the old ANA had to share the limelight

84 Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 Stills from camera gun film taken by Mirage while altackingVulcans during ADEX operations when a BOAC Bristol Britannia also accompanying the Vulcan, carrying spares aircraft hit the ground ^000 feet short of landed at Kingsford Smith airport on its and maintenance personnel. Anticipation the threshold. In the attempted overshoot inaugural visit. The Britannia was, at that was running high in as the time the aircraft imcontrollably banked slowly time, the world’s largest turbo-prop for the Vulcan’s arrival approached, this to starboard then dived into the ground at commercial transport. The following day enthusiasm having been generated by the an angle of 20 to 30 degrees.The pilots at XA897 flew to Richmond where it gave a local press coverage of the aircraft’s visit the time, Howard and Broadhurst, five minute display before flying to to the southern capitals. successfully ejected but the rest of the Adelaide^where it underwent a routine crew were unable to do so and were killed. service prior to departure to for Zealand. Variously described as the ‘flying The RAF Court of Inquiry and the triangle’ and a ‘giant bat’ by journalists, subsequent Government-ordered The crowds that had flocked to XA897 arrived over Brisbane from independent investigation by Dr.A. G. RAAF Mallala for the Air Force Week air Ohakea Air Base in New Zealand, on the Touch are well recorded in Robert display were not disappointed when the morning of 22 September, and a traffic Jackson’s book ‘Avro Vulcan.’ Vulcan arrived to give a display prior to jam was created as an estimated 20,000 landing at Edinburgh.Servicing complete, people drove to Amberly to inspect it. The On 13 September 1959, four it departed Edinburgh on the 18th for the following day, after a farewell circuit of Vulcans of 617 Squadron departed trip to Christchurch, New Zealand,via Brisbane, the aircraft set course for Scampton for the RNZAF base at Ohakea, Launceston and Hobart. Landing at Darwin. New Zealand and staged via Darwin, Christchurch’s Harewood airport saw the where they arrived on 18 October. They trip completed with an elapsed time of 4 The departure of XA897 from Darwin departed on the following day with their hours 35 minutes. Avro claimed a point-to- completed a celebrated and notable visit to support aircraft, a Bristol Britannia. point speed record for the 1, 200 mile Australia and New Zealand, but it was The visit to New Zealand was marred sector, Hobart to Christchurch, of 635 ironic that tragedy struck almost at the by a near disaster involving XH489. On mph. An Avro Shackleton landed at RAAF very conclusion of its distinguished the third attempt to land at Wellington’s Amberley, Queensland, on 19 September, voyage.In low visibility and misty rain relatively short runway, the aircraft’s main in jH-eparation for the return of the Vulcan while on a Ground Controlled Approach to undercarriage struck the undershoot area, to Australia and was one of three aircraft Runway lOL at London Heathrow, the damaged the wing and pierced a fuel tank.

Aviation Heritage Voi 25. No. 4 85 At the Edinburgh air show in South Australia in September 1966pCH 555 attracted great spectator interest.(John Hopton) but the pilot managed to retain control of in the ‘Blue Steel’ trials at the Woomera The England to Australia flight was the aircraft and climb away. Returning to Rangc^which is red desert country the longest non-stop flight undertaken by Ohakea, the aircraft landed safely and consisting of sandhills, mulga scrub, the RAF, and demonstrated the speed and remained in New Zealand for a further claypans^and clumps of spinifex,and was long-range strike capacity of the aircraft eight months before repairs were ideally suited to the tests because of the This flight still stands as a record for the completed. In June 1960 it returned to the sparseness of population and the long Vulcan-even the’Black Buck’ operations United Kingdom via Edinburgh RAAF hours of sunshine and clear skies. All trials flown against the Argentinian forces in the base, overflying Sydney on 24 June en- connected with weapons research were Falkland Islands in 1982 were 3,000 route to Darwin. conducted under a joint UK/Australia nautical miles shorter. Project agreement. The first test firing took Blue SteeP Tests At Woomera. place from XH539 in early 1961, and the Vulcan XH481 departed its UK base program continued until October 1964. at 11.36 A.M. English summer time on 20 The Royal Aircraft Establishment June 1961, arriving above the control and A.V.Roe began studies of a ‘stand off Non - Stop Flight to Australia tower at RAAF Richmond at 4.39 PM bomb in 1954. In November 1960 Vulcan EST on 21 June. The elapsed time of 20 B. Mk.l XA903 ferried one of the first The 10,000 nautical mile non-stop hours 3 minutes and 17 seconds for the full scale ‘Blue Steel’ missiles to flight to Australia by a Vulcan B.Mk.l A of flight gave an average speed of 500 knots. Australia,This aircraft, piloted by No.lOl Squadron in June 1961 was indeed Favourable wiixis on one sector east of A.V.Roe’s chief test pilot in Australia, an historic occasion. Alice Springs gave a grouixi speed of 600 Mr.J.D.Baker, arrived at Edinburgh on 17 While it did not eclipse the round-the- knots. November after having been delayed in world non-stop flight by three US AF Darwin due to a minor mechanical Boeing B-52’s in 1957, or the supersonic While en-route^refuelling from problem. flight from New York to Paris by a USAF tankers had taken place Convair B-58 Hustler which averaged 960 over Nicosia, near Karachi,and near Two other Vulcans, both early knots in May 1961, it was certainly Singapore, with a fmal ‘top up’ about 500 production B.Mk2’s, XH538 and XH539 significant in terms of RAF long-range miles beyond Singapore. Each refuelling were also sent to Australia for deployment deployment took about 12 minutes, the Vulcan taking

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Vulcan XH 480 flies over RAAF Laverton Base at an air show on 19 September 1965.(John Hopton)

on about 5,000 gallons (23,000 litres) and December 1962, afforded RAF the Vulcan’s tyre pressure was some 50 PSI during that period. To effect the transfer, Bomber Command another opportunity to higher than that of the latter. (Refer AHSA the Vulcan reduced speed to 350 knots.The display Vulcans from the three Squadrons Journal November 1962.) aircraft went on display at Richmond on sharing RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire. In the interval between the flypasts for 22 June. Four of them participated in the opening the Opening and Closing Ceremonies on 23 and closing ceremonies of the Games Crewed by Sqd. Ldr. M.Beavis November and 1 December, the aircraft flew along with nine CAC Sabres from No.75 (Captain), Fit. Lts. DJBromley, R.Taylor to the eastern states, departing Pearce on 26 aiKi G.Jukes, Fig. Off. J.Knight, and Chief Squadron, RAAF, Williamtown. November and returning two days latCT, after Technician W. Alpine, the aircraft departed which XL392 was involved in a spectacular for RAAF Edinburgh on the following day, The Vulcan B.Mk.2’s, XH556 of No. exhibition at the Games on the 29th. 27 Squadron, XL319 of No. 617 Squadron, although not before a spectacular flying Resuming their round-the-world flight, the and XL392 of No. 83 Squadron arrived at display at 1,500 feet over Sydney Harbour Vulcans departed Pearce on 2 December for RAAF Pearce on 19 November, and their to Vaucluse and Watsons Bay. Edinburgh, and thence to New Zealand. servicing crews arrived in a Britannia of While stationed at Edinburgh, RAF Transport Command. On the Waddington Wing, Non-Stop to XH481,in company with a Victor, following day the fourth Vulcan arrived Australia. overflew Hobart, Launceston, and carrying AVM P.Dunn, OC of No.l Bomber Group, RAF. Melbourne on 27 June. A major air-to-air refuelling exercise involving three Vulcans from the I>eparting Edinburgh on 30 June, the It was anticipated that one of the ‘Waddington Wing’ once again saw the aircraft flew to RAAF Pearce,where it was Vulcans would go on public display at Vulcan ‘Down Under’. displayed to the people of on 2 July Perth Airport,but,after consultation with the Department of Civil Aviation, it was before returning to the UK the following In July 1963, three Vulcans, XH481 of considered that the Vulcan’s tyre pressure No.lOl Squadron, XH482 of No.50 day. of 190 PSI was too high, and the proposed Squadron, and XH503 of No.44 Squadron, The Games landing was cancelled. While the all-up arrived in Perth, having completed a non-stop The British Commonwealth and weight of the Vulcan B Alk.2 was less flight from RAF Waddington. The flrst two Empire Games, held in Perth in November than the Boeing 707 using the airport. aircraft arrived on 9 July,

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Vulcan XL 427 during ADEX ’High Mars' November 1967.(RAAF)

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XH 556 at RAAF Pearce November 1962 (DN. Rogers)

88 Aviation Heritage Voi 25. No. 4 XL 427 aX the Edinburgh air show in September 1966 the third arriving the following day. Richmond and RAAF Edinburgh.They The first to arrive completed the 8,600 arrived at Richmond after a 2 hour 50 These ‘Sunflower’ detachments nautical mile trip in 18 hours 10 minutes. minutes flight from Perth, 2000 nautical consisted of eight aircraft travelling in two The commander of this aircraft,Wg.Cdr. miles away, ground speed of 670 kts being waves, either by the westabout route, via A.Griffiths commented that they were not recorded en route. Canada, the United States, Wake Island trying to establish any speed records. and Guam, or by the Middle-East Unfavourable jet streams were Australian Defence route.Against this background the decision encountered on the leg to Aden,producing was taken to test our northam defeiKe by headwinds of 100 knots. On the 3, 500 The confrontation between simulated attacks by elements of the V- nautical mile fmal sector from Gan, more Indonesia and Malaysia in the early 1960’s force. favourable jet streams produced ground focussed Government attention on the speeds of 625 knots. The co-pilot, David northern approaches to Australia.Not only The Vulcans operated, initially, out Bromley, had been co-pilot of the 1961 was the efficacy of the defence complex in of RAF Tengah, flying a series of war- non-stop UKto Sydney mission in XH481. question^but the lack of a modem strike training exercises in and around Malaysia, aircraft capable of swift retaliation meant a and later on to Darwin, flying day and Refuelled by Valiant tankers over serious lack of a credible deterrent. The night sorties to test the Australian Libya, Aden, and the Maidive Islands, they obsolete Canberra was, indeed, no match defences. These visits to Darwin became a flew at 40,000 feet for most of the for the Indonesian’s Russian Tupolev TU- highlight of the ‘Sunflower’ exercises, journey. Fit Lt J.R. Ward, the captain of IbBadger’ with its range of 4 000 miles providing realistic war training in tropical the second Vulcan to land, said that the and 6,000 pounds weapon loadJBiitain’s conditions and uncrowded skies. only problem encountered was the need to treaty obligation to Malaysia had resulted From the British Ministry of descend from their cruising altitude to in the maintenance of a detachment of the Defence point of view, these exercises and 25,000 feet to enable the fuel transfer, V-force at Tengah, in Singapore, or at overseas flights had the following broad overhead the Gan position, to proceed Butterworth in Malaysia, during the period objectives: clear of cloud. Before returning to the of the confrontation, in addition to its United Kingdom,the aircraft visited RAAF existing air force detachments. a To demonstrate that the V-

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lliiiii m The fly past for the Opening Ceremony of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Perth 1962. Vulcan XH 556 is the leader, with XL319 to starboard and XL392 to port.(WA. newspapers)

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XH 556 at the RAAF base at Richmond, New South Wales, with a RAF Bristol Britannia support air craft.(RAAF)

Aviation Heritage Vol 25. No. 4 90 could be deployed quickly around some 700 persormel had been deployed. became operational on 6 July 1967. the world, and to practise such Named after the first RAAF officer killed deployments. Vulcans visited Darwin again in on die Australian mainland in the Darwin b. To maintain the deterrence and its March 1966, this time to participate in air raids of 1942, it cost $7 million to credibility. ADEX, ‘Short Spica’. Four Vulcans build, and was built largely by personnel c. To allow Allied and friendly combined with Canberras from No.l of No.5 Airfield Construction Squadron. It nations to manoeuvre their own Air Forces Squadron, Amberley,to test the defences of included a 9^000 feet runway with two with, and against, large jet bombers. Darwin and its protective mantle of 1,000 feet over-runs and was first used in d. K required, the force could be Mirages and Sabres. Attacking bombers the ADEX ’High Venus’, an exercise held dispersed in times of international were deployed from bases at Amberley, in lime 1967, involving Canberras from tension.Such dispersals needed to be Townsville, and the civilian airport at Amberley and an RAF Canberra photo- practiced. MtJsa.’Hostilities’ commenced offically at reconnaissance aircraft e. To give crews practice in long­ 0900 Z (7PM EST) on 17 March, the distance flying. exercise continuing under the direction of The Minister of Air, Mr. Peter Grp. CpL W.N.Lampe, until 1000 hours Z Howson, stated that the principal On 7 December 1965, Vulcans (8PM EST) on 23 March. objectives of ‘High Mars’ were to test our under the command of Sqn. Ldr. D.S. air defences and strike-reconnaissance Harris^and Canberra bombers deployed The all-weather capability of the edibilities. Some 1000 personnel, from ‘enemy bases’ at Alice RAAF Mirages of No. 75 Squadron were including 80 men of the Royal Australian Springs,Townsville;and Amberley, raided fully tested by the Darwin ‘wet’. RAAF Army, participated. Darwin.The Air Defence Exercise ‘High Lockheed Hercules from their base at Rigel’ had moved into its major phase. Richmond, NSW, were involved in the ‘High Jupiter’, conducted in June RAAF Sabres and Mirages, equipped with deployment of personnel and equipment 1968, brought together in the north of Matra and Sidewinder missiles, opposed to and from the exercise. Australia, the largest peacetime the attacking bombers. d^loyment of men aixi equipment. Over 2,000 personnel and 50 aircraft were The defending fighters were Following one of the missions, involved in this exercise, undo- the directed to their targets by No.2 Control Rg.Off. David Lee experienced a COTimand of AVM Keith Hcmnock. The and Reporting Unit, the RAAF’s most hydraulic failure in his Vulcan, newly -formed RAF Strike Command was modem radar unit, which first became necessitating the use of an emergency re|M^ented by AOC Strike Command, operational in 1961. This major exercise system to lower the landing gear. Several Australian-bom Sir Wallace Kyle, who involved not only the RAAF and a Vulcan low passes over the control tower enabled assumed the role of an observer. detachment, but also some 40 National engineers to visually inspect the gear and Servicemen of No. 121 Anti-Aircraft to conclude that it appeared to be securely This exercise also saw the Mirage in Battery. Civil Defence and Emergency locked. Finally, after flying several its new guise as a low-level strike aircraft Services, the Fire Brigade,and the extended circuits to use up fuel, the for which several were camouflaged and SlJohn’s Ambulance Brigade.lt was Vulcan came in for an uneventful landing specially equipped .The RAF contributed generally conceded in Air Force circles with fire tenders and a rescue helicopter on four Vulcans, under the command of Wg. that this exercise would herald the end of standby. Cdr.D.J.Mountford, and two Canberras the Bloodhound missiles as an effective from Air Force HQ in Singapore. weapon. Indeed, it was considered that the ADEX ‘High Castor’, held in The Royal provided Vulcans were unlikely to be threatened by August 1966, was the next major exercise No.l 11 Light Anti-aircraft Battery from Sabres, SAM’s, or the Bofors of the AA in Darwin. Following along the lines of the South Australia and an Airborne Platoon. Battery, but it was not until 1968 that the previous exercise, all of the RAAF Bloodhound SAM Squadron was finally operational elements were involved, The Army was also responsible for phased out of service. including Lockheed Neptunes from No. 10 refuelling facilities, temporary storage (MR) Squadron, Townsville, three RAF being provided by 8,(XX)-gallon capacity The realism of the exercise was Vulcans,and two RAF Canberras. transportable rubber fuel tanks and significantly enhanced by the weather November 1967 was the period aluminium pipelines. Personnel in a pattern around Darwin.Tropical storms selected for a major joint exercise, ‘High mobile laboratory conducted purity checks with massive cumulonimbus developments Mars’ involving the Canberra bombers of on the fuel. Local defences were subjected extending up to 50,000 feet ensured that No. 14 Squadron, RNZAF, based at to heavy pressure when paratroop the attacking Vulcans did not have a clear Ohakea, in addition to four RAF Vulcans landings, with the twofold objective of run to their targets. Darwin itself was from No. 9 Squadron, and an RAF photo­ raiding both the radar installation at Point subjected to intense cumulonimbus reconnaissance Canberra. Lee, and the Darwin airport complex, were activity and heavy tropical rain showers. launched. The Canberras of No. 14 Squadron Following the exercise, the OIC, were based together with RAAF AVM Colin Hannah, commented that the Canberras at the ‘enemy’ base at capability of the Mirage as a day and night Tindal.This base, situated some 200 miles fighter had been fully tested. The aircraft south of Darwin near Katherine, first involved had flown over 800 sorties and

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Mirage camera gun still photo shows Vulcan over Darwin harbour

INFORMATION ECHO Did all the Fairey llld's carry the ANA marking before they were included in the RAAF numbering system as AlO-l to AlO-6 ? Clive Lynch.

Did A 65-111 ever travel to Japan with 86 Wing? David Anderson

When did Larkin Aircraft Supply Co. go into liquidation? Bob Wills.

When did Larkin leave for England ? Bert Cookson.

Biographical information on Sqn. Ldr. D.E Stodart who flew the Airspeed Courier in the 1934 Centenary Air Race. Bob Fripp.

Can anybody identify the Mooney 20 on the pole at Jandakot as a memorial to Robin 'Sugar Bird Lady' Dicks? Dion Markowski.

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Top pic: Darwin ADEX 'Rum Keg I XM652-RAF

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■ .._..« Lower pic; I Laverton airshow 18 September 1966 BUK2A, XL427, I with Blue Steel m and Phase 2C Wing