Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[cdxbow]

RAAF farewells the last legacy Hornets. Tributes flow as Royal Australian Air Force farewells Classic Hornets at Williamtown - ABC News
Nearly 40 years of service, more than 400,000 flying hours for the fleet and splendid safety record for the RAAF. Certainly proved their worth.

DDG you beat me to it.

 

[the road runner]

More of the retirement of the F18A/B hornets .. i must say the livery on these hornets is a thing of beauty

End of Era | F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet raw footage - YouTube

 

[Gooey]

The RAAF have redefined the role of the C-27J from battlefield airlifter to a HADR role, basically not fit for what they we purchased for, but there is still plenty of life in them and no market to be honest !
So may as well keep them for now, but that leaves a capability gap that does need to be filled somehow, a few chooks does not do that TBH.

RAAF redefines role of C-27J Spartan fleet to focus primarily on HADR operations

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has redefined the role of its 10 Leonardo C-27J Spartan tactical airlifters, designating them as primarily meant for use in...

www.janes.com

I understood that the C-27J purchase was in the same period as the damaged relations with Minister Smith and the period of little integrated management under PM Rudd & Gillard. A senior Sir described the purchase as political and also better than nothing. Sadly, despite the great efforts of 35SQN the aircraft is a bit of a Claytons drink.

The current 12 Js are very tired and their modernisation is expensive in comparison to new-buys. The old Hs, gifted to Indonesia, have not been adequately replaced by the C-27Js and a significant chunk of RAAF experience in the specialist Tactical missions lost. In addition, the AAR role for point refuel and helicopter has never been given the priority they deserve. Possibly because Air is fast jet lead and because Army has the Wokka's. Finally, the true STOL and local missions could easily be run by 20'ish aircraft like GA8 AIrvans or PC-12s flown by local aircrew and/or reservists dispersed around this huge island.

So in summary, it may be just a Lockheed Sales job but it'd be great to correct the current RAAF dogs breakfast now.

Finally, BZ to the Classic Hornet chaps and chapesses! Unbelievable they are gone

 

[John Newman]

The first RAAF F/A-18 Hornet I saw ‘in the flesh’ was in 1988 at RAAF Base Richmond for the Bicentennial Airshow (Australia’s 200th Birthday celebrations since British settlement).

There was aircraft on static display, and also air display, especially an air display featuring the new Hornet and the very soon to completely retire Mirage III. It was a great Airshow, best I’ve ever seen.

Below is a brief video from the Airshow featuring the Hornet and Mirage III.

Couple of points to note, one of the pilots in the video, Flt Lt Mel Hupfeld, is now Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of Air Force (CAF) for the RAAF.

It’s also interesting to note that 50 survivors of the retired RAAF Mirage III were sold in 1990, and have gone on to another life with the Pakistan Air Force, many reportedly upgraded and still flying today, those aircraft are now 50+ years old.

And today the Classic Hornet is just about to leave service by the end of the year and is progressively being replaced by a growing fleet of F-35A.

And as we know, some of those Classic Hornets are about to re-enter service for their ‘second’ operational life too, will they make it to 50?

Cheers,

 

[John Fedup]

The first RAAF F/A-18 Hornet I saw ‘in the flesh’ was in 1988 at RAAF Base Richmond for the Bicentennial Airshow (Australia’s 200th Birthday celebrations since British settlement).

There was aircraft on static display, and also air display, especially an air display featuring the new Hornet and the very soon to completely retire Mirage III. It was a great Airshow, best I’ve ever seen.

Below is a brief video from the Airshow featuring the Hornet and Mirage III.

Couple of points to note, one of the pilots in the video, Flt Lt Mel Hupfeld, is now Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of Air Force (CAF) for the RAAF.

It’s also interesting to note that 50 survivors of the retired RAAF Mirage III were sold in 1990, and have gone on to another life with the Pakistan Air Force, many reportedly upgraded and still flying today, those aircraft are now 50+ years old.

And today the Classic Hornet is just about to leave service by the end of the year and is progressively being replaced by a growing fleet of F-35A.

And as we know, some of those Classic Hornets are about to re-enter service for their ‘second’ operational life too, will they make it to 50?

Cheers,

Junior better hope they make it to 50 (at least) given his stellar performance on our fighter replacement project.

 

[Stampede]

The first RAAF F/A-18 Hornet I saw ‘in the flesh’ was in 1988 at RAAF Base Richmond for the Bicentennial Airshow (Australia’s 200th Birthday celebrations since British settlement).

There was aircraft on static display, and also air display, especially an air display featuring the new Hornet and the very soon to completely retire Mirage III. It was a great Airshow, best I’ve ever seen.

Below is a brief video from the Airshow featuring the Hornet and Mirage III.

Couple of points to note, one of the pilots in the video, Flt Lt Mel Hupfeld, is now Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of Air Force (CAF) for the RAAF.

It’s also interesting to note that 50 survivors of the retired RAAF Mirage III were sold in 1990, and have gone on to another life with the Pakistan Air Force, many reportedly upgraded and still flying today, those aircraft are now 50+ years old.

And today the Classic Hornet is just about to leave service by the end of the year and is progressively being replaced by a growing fleet of F-35A.

And as we know, some of those Classic Hornets are about to re-enter service for their ‘second’ operational life too, will they make it to 50?

Cheers,

It doesn't seem that long ago we were debating whether to go with the F16 or the FA 18.

A generation on we now have the F35 A

Yep, the years do FLY bye


Regards S

 

[John Newman]

Junior better hope they make it to 50 (at least) given his stellar performance on our fighter replacement project.

Yeah well.... the less said about Canadian procurement the better, hey?

But if you do want well maintained pre-loved combat aircraft, the RAAF is a pretty good place to start.

The last three generations of RAAF fast jets have found second service lives, CAC Sabre, Mirage III and now Hornets.

I think that says a lot for how those aircraft were operated and maintained during their original service lives.

 

[cdxbow]

Yeah well.... the less said about Canadian procurement the better, hey?

But if you do want well maintained pre-loved combat aircraft, the RAAF is a pretty good place to start.

The last three generations of RAAF fast jets have found second service lives, CAC Sabre, Mirage III and now Hornets.

I think that says a lot for how those aircraft were operated and maintained during their original service lives.

John, where did Sabres go?

 

[John Newman]

John, where did Sabres go?

18 to Indonesia and 18 to Malaysia.

Look at ‘RAAF Series Two’ and scroll down to ‘A94 - CAC Sabre’:

Welcome to ADF Serials

 

[ngatimozart]

First saw the RAAF F/A-18A at an airshow in Christchurch, must have been summer 1985 / 86. Never really took to the Hornet for some reason. Maybe it just doesn't look right; IMHO it looks ugly when compared to the F-15 or F-16, but not ugly enough to have a beauty of it's own like the BUFF - B-52. The F-35 isn't a looker either but it has an air of lethality about it. It reminds me of a flying bull dog with a grumpy attitude.

 

[south]

Never really took to the Hornet for some reason. Maybe it just doesn't look right; IMHO it looks ugly when compared to the F-15 or F-16

Wash your mouth out!!

Regardless - it was a brilliant little jet for the RAAF and the corner stone of the ADFs Air Combat Capability for a long time. Importantly the strong multi-role legacy that it created will live on with Super-Hornet and F-35.

 

[oldsig127]

Wash your mouth out!!

Regardless - it was a brilliant little jet for the RAAF and the corner stone of the ADFs Air Combat Capability for a long time. Importantly the strong multi-role legacy that it created will live on with Super-Hornet and F-35.

Agree entirely. @ngatimozart 's problem is that as a Kiwi he has very little acquaintance for decades with combat jets



oldsig

 

[John Newman]

First saw the RAAF F/A-18A at an airshow in Christchurch, must have been summer 1985 / 86. Never really took to the Hornet for some reason. Maybe it just doesn't look right; IMHO it looks ugly when compared to the F-15 or F-16, but not ugly enough to have a beauty of it's own like the BUFF - B-52. The F-35 isn't a looker either but it has an air of lethality about it. It reminds me of a flying bull dog with a grumpy attitude.

Ugly? Really?

I’d much prefer a fleet of ‘ugly’ combat aircraft than a fleet of ‘no’ combat aircraft, hey?

Cough cough RNZAF, cough cough, ha ha!!

 

[John Newman]

Agree entirely. @ngatimozart 's problem is that as a Kiwi he has very little acquaintance for decades with combat jets



oldsig

As we know the Kiwi is a flightless bird, sort of like the RNZAF combat fast jet fleet!

 

[Redlands18]

Here you go Ng some planes for you

 

[At lakes]

Whilst I agree with NG to a certain degree the F35 does tend to look like a Beer Barrel on steroids, it is no where as ugly as its competitor in the fly off competition to choose the JSF. The Boeing X32 is one of the worst looking aircraft I have ever seen, a truly BUA (Butt UGLY Aircraft).

 

[ngatimozart]

Wash your mouth out!!on the base

I have with some rum.

Regardless - it was a brilliant little jet for the RAAF and the corner stone of the ADFs Air Combat Capability for a long time. Importantly the strong multi-role legacy that it created will live on with Super-Hornet and F-35.

Oh I am not commenting on its capabilities, just the ascetics.

Agree entirely. @ngatimozart 's problem is that as a Kiwi he has very little acquaintance for decades with combat jets
oldsig

The Air Force Museum is just across the city from me and it's the youngest grandson's second home. He's nearly eight and still drags me there any time he can. It doesn't help that he knows that I served on the base and that I lived in the barrack block that they have preserved. The Museum has a couple of Skyhawks, a Macchi, Vampire, Canberra (RAAF), Blunty (Strikemaster - slow fast jet) I think, so I do know what fast jets look like still.

As we know the Kiwi is a flightless bird, sort of like the RNZAF combat fast jet fleet!

Shove a gas turbine under each wing and a rocket up its arse it flies pretty well and pretty quick to.

Here you go Ng some planes for you

Cheeky shit

Whilst I agree with NG to a certain degree the F35 does tend to look like a Beer Barrel on steroids, it is no where as ugly as its competitor in the fly off competition to choose the JSF. The Boeing X32 is one of the worst looking aircraft I have ever seen, a truly BUA (Butt UGLY Aircraft).

By jeez isn't that half ugly. The BUFF looks absolutely stunning in comparison. Even @recce.k1 Waiouru blondes look better.

 

[John Fedup]

Whilst I agree with NG to a certain degree the F35 does tend to look like a Beer Barrel on steroids, it is no where as ugly as its competitor in the fly off competition to choose the JSF. The Boeing X32 is one of the worst looking aircraft I have ever seen, a truly BUA (Butt UGLY Aircraft).

Absolutely agree!! Hell, even if it offered great performance (it didn’t), it would have lost on looks. Pilots would have been embarrassed sitting in the cockpit.

 

[swerve]

Nicknamed "The Monica" IIRC, though I doubt Clinton needed a mouth that big.

 

[seaspear]

I wasn't sure where to post this but thought any news on JORN to be of interest as this suggests an upgrade covering detection of naval and aircraft up to 3000 kilometers

BAE commences earthworks for three JORN radars

Site works have commenced for the redesign and upgrade the first of three JORN radars, vital for the protection of Australia’s northern coastline and airspace. BAE Systems Australia announced that

www.defenceconnect.com.au