The End

[Steve Jones]

My info is that the last RAAF Caribou flight will be on Friday from Point Cook to Canberra, where it will be handed over to the War Memorial (will be dismantled at the airport over the following weeks for transport).

[Joseph Saragozza.]

silly question but will the bou at point cook be left in a flyable condition for reason such as an ANZAC day flyover or anything along those lines?

[Jethro H]

For anyone in Canberra on Friday

THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science

RAAF CARIBOU RETIRES TO AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

Following a flypast at a height of 500 feet over the Australian War Memorial and Canberra Airport, Caribou A4-140 will be received by the Australian War Memorial

Qantas Hangar, Canberra Airport
Friday, 27 November 2009
Flypast approx 12.50 pm
Hand over ceremony 1.00 pm

A4-140 is the Air Force's oldest remaining Caribou, and is the oldest aircraft in the Australian Defence Force fleet. It was part of the initial three Caribou which were delivered to Australia in April of 1964. In its 45 year career, A4-140 flew in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. In 1975, it was involved in evacuation missions between East Timor and Darwin. The aircraft supported further flood relief in Australia in 1983 and 1988, and supported the Search and Rescue detachment at RAAF Base Pearce in the 1980s. A4-140 has continued active service with 38 Squadron.

The aircraft will officially be handed over by Air Commodore John Oddie, Commander Air Lift Group to Ms Nola Anderson, Assistant Director, Branch Head National Collection.

[Tony P]

Where will they display it at the AWM?

[Jethro H]

What I can gather she will be in storage for a while.

A bit off topic...., but if anyone is in Canberra tomorrow before the Bou comes in:

NEW MRH90 HELICOPTER TO VISIT THE CAPITAL
Friday, 27 November 2009. 9:25am for a 9:30am briefing, followed by aircraft arrival at 10:00am.

The aircraft inspection is in Blamey Square, Russell Offices ACT.

Director of Aviation Capability Implementation – Army, Colonel Neil Turton, will provide a presentation on the MRH90 Helicopter at 9:30am. The aircraft Captain, Lieutenant Commander Paul Hannigan, RAN, will be available for interview shortly after the aircraft lands.

Background:
The MRH90 project which will see 46 aircraft introduced into service across Army and Navy, and is intended to replace the Army Black Hawk helicopter and the Navy Sea King helicopter fleets.

The MRH90 represents a new generation of rotary wing aircraft, and features fly-by-wire controls, fully digital ‘glass’ cockpits and composite fuselages. The weather radar, forward looking infra-red sensor and night vision devices are fully integrated to enhance the ADF’s ability to operate aircraft in challenging conditions. The MRH90 has a large cabin space and carries seating for up to 20 troops.

The MRH90 aircraft will be based at Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville and 6th Aviation Regiment in Holsworthy, at Navy’s 808 Squadron in Nowra, and at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey.

I am guessing that since it will land within Russell Offices, access maybe restricted to authorised media.

[Peter JB]

Saw a Caribou doing 2 circuits of Melbourne CBD about 12.45 today.

[Jethro H]

Here is Bou at Richmond in May this year. I had not 'heard' one taxiing for many years, and when this rolled along it had that distinctive "gravel truck" rumble.

[Noel White]

Originally Posted by Jethro H

and when this rolled along it had that distinctive "gravel truck" rumble.

This could be why you heard that rumble. Note the tyres fitted

Photo (not mine) taken of the remains of A4-264 at Richmond on 24 Nov.

[Jethro H]

Very good...
See what happens when you let the army play with planes!, they whack truck tyres on it....
Or was it the mechanic was told it was AKA "Gravel Truck"... so we just get parts from a gravel truck!

[Gerard M]

With the Army King airs having already been handed over, it looks like RAAF will be using Dingo as their callsign possibly. Noted today:

1819 - A32-437 - Dingo002