SUMMER 2020 WINGS NO.4 72 VOLUME QANTAS: THE BEGINNING ESCAPE TO SURVIVE EVOLUTION OF THE EJECTION SEAT STEALTH FIGHTERS A TEST PILOT'S PERSPECTIVE RESTORING THE LIBERATOR AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE defencebank.com.au 1800 033 139 The credit card that has tails wagging. Introducing Australia’s Defence Bank Foundation VISA Credit card. It’s a win for members, a win for veterans and a win for specially-trained dogs like Bruce, whose handsome face appears on the card. .99 p.a.% .99 p.a.% 6 month Ongoing 3 introductory rate.* 8 rate.* • Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. • Same low rate for purchases and cash advances. • Additional cardholder at no extra cost. Australia’s Defence Bank Foundation supports the Defence Community Dogs’ Program. It provides specially-trained assistance dogs to veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thanks to you, we’ll donate half of the annual card fee every year to do what we can to serve those who protect us. 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ON THE COVER Two stealthy birds from the Skunk Works stable: Jim Brown flying the F-117 and the late Dave Cooley flying the F-22. 38 WINGS TEAM WINGS MANAGER Ron Haack EDITOR Sandy McPhie ART DIRECTOR Katie Monin SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE CONTENTS Sue Guymer ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Phil Whiteman wings Summer volume 72 / NO.4 ASSISTANT EDITORS Mike Nelmes (history) 4 WELCOME MESSAGE John Kindler, AO AFC (industry news) 5 MANAGER’S MESSAGE & LETTERS Bob Treloar, AO MiD (military aviation) 6 MILITARY AVIATION CONTACT 12 PRESIDENT’S DESK & E [email protected] ASSOCIATION NEWS W wingsmagazine.org 16 INDUSTRY NEWS A RAAFANSW Publications Pty Ltd Salamander Bay LPO, PO Box 656 24 RIDING SHOTGUN Salamander Bay 2317 Martin-Baker ejection seat tests PRINTED BY: WHO Printing, Regional Printer 28 THE PROJECTS OF SKUNK WORKS of the Year, National Print Awards 2020. Developing stealth fighters 34 THE NEED FOR STEALTH DIGITAL EDITION A test pilot’s perspective To read this publication online, 43 38 CENTREFOLD go to wingsmagazine.org Pull out and keep 40 THE HOME OF THE AIRMAN FACEBOOK RAAF Base Wagga Wings is now on Facebook, go to facebook. com/WingsMagazineRAAFAPublications 43 QANT AS: THE EARLY YEARS The birth of our national airline DISCLAIMER 50 THE LAST LIBERATOR DOWN UNDER Information in the articles in this magazine was current at time Restoring a RAAF B-24 of publication but more recent developments should be checked with the relevant Defence and other authorities for currency and 54 LIBERA TORS AND LIBERATION any changes to conditions. Content appearing in this publication Heavy bombers in the Pacific does not necessarily reflect the views or have the endorsement of the Department of Defence or the publisher. While every effort 58 THE REDEMPTION OF ROBERT has been made to ensure accuracy and currency in the articles OESTREICHER presented, reliance should not be placed on the information Fannie Bay dogfight part 3 contained without reference to the relevant authorities. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent 64 MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP of RAAFANSW Publications. No responsibility is accepted by the On responsibility and authority publisher for the accuracy of advertisements or information. 68 CADETS NEWS 72 PERSONAL FINANCE 73 LAST FLIGHT 74 BOOK REVIEWS AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION 34 WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.4 | 03 WELCOME. SADFO RAAF BASE WAGGA MESSAGE FROM known as The Home of the Airman. While no flying squadrons are located at RAAF Wagga, it is no sleepy Air Force backwater. To the contrary, there is year-round effort required by training RAAF Base Wagga units and the base operations squadron to ensure that Wagga can successfully induct and inculcate new recruits, conduct employment training across S THE SENIOR ADF a wide range of disciplines, and deliver OFFICER for RAAF a broad-based military education to Base Wagga, I am very enhance Air Force performance. pleased that this edition To do so, RAAF Wagga’s professional Aof Wings will feature aspects of the instructors and educators, each important work performed at ‘The passionate about their craft, provide Home of the Airman’ in its 80th year high-calibre training to graduate of service to the nation. I am equally personnel who are technically proud to briefly introduce the base – and mentally ready to operate in and this edition – to you. challenging military operations. Each RAAF Base Wagga delivers initial day, base personnel strive to meet military training for enlisted Air Force the intent of RAAF Wagga’s motto: personnel; initial and post-initial ‘We Prepare’. employment training for aviation By its nature, RAAF Wagga’s work maintenance, logistics and personnel underpins many of Air Force’s current management; and post-graduate achievements. As we approach education for the whole of Air Force. Air Force’s centenary year, I offer As the home to Headquarters Ground that if the smart, sharp, savvy and Academy, it also provides command enthusiastic graduates developed by oversight and support to Air Force- RAAF Wagga’s diverse training teams managed ground training at RAAF are anything to go by, Air Force’s next Bases Wagga, Amberley, Richmond, century is set for even greater success. East Sale and Defence Establishment Please enjoy this (Wagga) edition Orchard Hills, as well as the public of Wings. relations effects of the Air Force Band. Group Captain Chris Ellison With a focus on the induction Senior Australian Defence Force Officer, and development of the enlisted RAAF Wagga Officer Commanding force, RAAF Base Wagga has become Ground Academy - WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN - PLEASE CONTACT PHIL WHITEMAN 0434 524 473 / [email protected] 04 | SUMMER 2020 LETTERS. MADE MY DAY MANAGER’S and sustaining our financial support. Thank you also to our sponsors and Yesterday was a day I will never forget MESSAGE the businesses that appreciate our and that is why I am writing to you. Welcome to the Summer 2020 commitment and reach for sticking I was looking through your Wings edition of Wings. Once again, we with us through a tough year. magazine, Volume 72, No.3, page 54 have compiled an interesting array of We wish you all a Merry Christmas, and saw the picture of Concord and material for your enjoyment. We have enjoy the festive season and we look Spitfire. That picture was in a British initiated two serials with this edition: forward to welcoming you back fresh Airways (BA) monthly magazine about the history of Qantas which celebrated in 2021. 30 years ago. My husband Victor, who its centenary on 16 November and worked for BA, and I decided it was Ron Haack the fascinating work of Kelly Johnson a lovely picture so I cut it out and took Wings magazine manager and the projects of Skunk Works. it to a shop to be blown-up and framed. The Qantas story effectively began I am now 86 and living in a RAAF nursing CORRECTION home and the picture is above my bed. with ‘The Drive that Started an Airline’ In the Spring Edition, Bomber Command My husband passed away after spending in the Spring edition. Commemoration story (page 14) we inadvertently 40 years with BA and just a month before The RAAF will celebrate its centenary flipped the image of Kevin Dennis and gave an next year and we will begin a series incorrect abbreviation for the Conspicuous Gallantry we decided to emigrate here. Medal as CMG instead of CGM. Anyway, thank you so much for on Air Force history in the Autumn making my day and a very happy person. 2021 edition. In a little coup for a magazine of our AIR FORCE Hazel Hansen, style, we are introducing QR coded links Merriwa, WA ASSOCIATION to videos of exciting activities related to some of our feature articles. Scan PRESIDENT Carl Schiller OAM CSM your smartphone (or tablet) camera VICE PRESIDENT Sharon Bown over the codes in ‘Riding Shotgun’, the Martin-Baker ejection seat feature SECRETARY Peter Colliver, [email protected] (page 24) and again for an overview of the Liberator restoration project at TREASURER Bob Robertson Werribee (page 50). Thanks to Andrew Eden, Managing Director Martin-Baker JOIN THE AIR FORCE Australia for the innovation. ASSOCIATION Concord with a Battle of Britain I would like to publicly acknowledge Air Force Association membership is open to Spitfire over the White Cliffs of Dover. the effort of our editorial team, serving and former members of the Australian particularly Sandy and Katie for the Defence Force and Allied Armed Forces, • Please send letters to editor@ consistent quality and style of content their family members, current and former Air raafapublications.org.au, including your and presentation and our sales team, Force and Air League cadets and anyone with name and details. Letters may be edited Sue and Phil, for working through the an interest in aviation and who supports the for length and clarity. barriers set by forces beyond our control AFA's mission and objectives. SUBSCRIBE TO WINGS If you wish to receive a personal copy of WINGS in the post, please follow the subscription link at wingsmagazine.org. WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.4 | 5 MILITARY.