Top Ten Iconic RAAF Aircraft No.5 - the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou

At number 5 in the RAAF's iconic aircraft countdown is a long-serving workhorse ideal for getting in and out of tight spaces: the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.

In the early 1960's the RAAF was searching for a replacement for the venerable Dakota aircraft and the Caribou fitted the bill. Arriving in 1964, the Caribou was immediately sent into service in the Vietnam War carrying troops and supplies to rugged, inaccessible airfields near the frontlines. A short take-off and landing aircraft, it continued to operate for the next 45 years across the Indian-Pacific region, often delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas other aircraft could not access. 

The Caribou had no auto pilot and was physically demanding to fly. It quickly gained a reputation as a tough reliable workhorse, much admired by Australian and allied airmen.

Click on the photo at the top of this article to be taken to the RAAF website and a very informative video about the Caribou.

ANZAC Day Arrangements 2021 - Email From The President

Dear Friends,

            At Sunday’s FOTOBAI Committee Meeting the committee discussed a plan of action to address the ongoing uncertainty regarding ANZAC Day arrangements under Covid.

The RSL has announced that there will not be an ANZAC march in Melbourne although other Australian states have announced varied responses.

            It was agreed that we would make every effort to formalize arrangements for ANZAC Day and continue the tradition of honoring all Odd Bods at this time. FOTOBAI plans include –

                        1. A reunion luncheon will be held at Amora, Melbourne on ANZAC Day 2021. We already have a booking at Amora, although the format and size of the gathering will depend on Covid regulations operating at the time. Photographs and videos will be available online for those unable to attend.

                        2. It is unlikely that a Dawn Service or ANZAC March will take place in Melbourne however we will actively seek participation of the Odd Bods banner in whatever alternative arrangements are authorised at the Shrine.

                        3. We will examine options for inclusion in other memorial services including Wesley College.

                        3. We will conduct an online 2021 Last Post Initiative similar to 2020 in which members submit their photos and stories about ANZAC Day for publication on the FOTOBAI website – details to follow.

                        4. In the absence of a Dawn Service on ANZAC Day we anticipate driveway vigils to be observed and we will invite members to submit photographs on the day for immediate posting on our website. – details to follow.

The aim of all these measures is to honour Odd Bods in the most appropriate manner given the restrictions on gatherings imposed by Covid.

            We will keep you informed of our plans and welcome your comments. In the meantime you may wish to check in at the FOTOBAI website for recent articles including the RAAF 10 Most Iconic Aircraft list.

Best Wishes

Bruce

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc. 

Top Ten RAAF Iconic Aircraft - No.6 The E-7A Wedgetail

Next up in the RAAF Iconic Aircraft countdown at number 6 is the radar superstar in the sky: the E-7A Wedgetail. 

As the first Early Warning and Control aircraft in service, the Wedgetail is easily recognised by its game-changing MESA radar (AKA the ‘surfboard’) at the top of the fuselage. More than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing was required to perfect the aerodynamic design.

This Boeing 737 based aircraft was designed by the RAAF and subsequently taken up the air forces of Turkey, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

The Australian Air Force Wedgetail crew is able to monitor a 4 million square kilometre area and coordinate more than 60 aircraft over a single 10 hour mission. 

Click on the photo at the top of this page to go to the RAAF website and an informative video about the aircraft and its role.

Top Ten Iconic RAAF Aircraft - No. 7 Catalina

 In the lead up to 31st March 2021, the official Centenary date for the RAAF, the Air Force is revealing its Top Ten Iconic Aircraft. 

Click on the photo to be taken to a website with a fascinating explanatory video for number 7 on their list - the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina.

Click on this photo to go to an RAAF Information page.

Originally intended as a long range patrol bomber, the Catalina was one of the most versatile aircraft in service during World War II, used for everything from reconnaissance missions to air-sea rescues.

Some Catalina Facts:

 - Catalina airmen called their aircraft the "Cat" on combat missions and "Dumbo" in air-sea rescue service.

 - Odd Bods will be interested to know that Wesley College staff and students who provide us with banner bearers for the ANZAC Day march also provide banner bearers for the Catalina Flying Boat Units.

- Catalinas served in most theatres of WW2 but were particlarly effective against the Japanese in the Pacific.

 - The letters PB in the aircraft designation stand for "Patrol Bomber" while the Y was the code assigned to the manufacturer, Consolidated Aircraft.

 - Catalinas were the most extensively used anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of World War II.

 - The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated Catalinas as night raiders, with four squadrons Nos. 11, 20, 42, and 43 laying mines from 23 April 1943 until July 1945 in the southwest Pacific deep in Japanese-held waters.

 - The longest commercial flights (in terms of time aloft) ever made in aviation history were the Qantas flights from Perth to Colombo flown weekly in Catalinas from 29 June 1943 through July 1945 over the Indian Ocean. They were dubbed the "Double Sunrise" because passengers saw two sunrises in their 28-32 hour flight.

Top Ten Iconic RAAF Aircraft - No.8 Avro Lancaster

In the lead up to 31st March 2021, the official Centenary date for the RAAF, the Air Force is revealing its Top Ten Iconic Aircraft. We suggest you click on the photo to be taken to a website with a fascinating explanatory video of number 8 in their list.

Number 8 - Avro Lancaster.

Entering production in 1942, the Lancaster was a vital heavy bomber in the European theatre of World War II. Thousands of Australians flew dozens of sorties in the ‘Lanc’, carrying out crucial Bomber Command air raids and helping to secure victory against Germany.

The famous “G for George” Lancaster is located at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Flown by No. 460 Squadron RAAF Bomber Command, the aircraft flew ninety operational missions over Germany and occupied Europe before its retirement from active service in 1944.