Blog

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Phil's Blog Posts, 26 Dec, 2016

The RAAF started taking delivery of the Hornet in 1983 to replace the Mirage. The Mirage was a second generation jet fighter and the Hornet is a fourth generation jet fighter. Basically fighter generations are a measure of the technology incorporated in the design of the aircraft. So the step up to the Hornet from…

Read More →

The Macchi MB-326H
Phil's Blog Posts, 15 Dec, 2016

The Macchi MB-326H was introduced to the RAAF to replace the two seat Vampire as the RAAF’s advanced training aircraft in the late sixties. The RAAF ended up with 97 in all. It was powered by a Rolls Royce Viper engine producing 2,400 pounds of thrust. It was one of the few jet aircraft that…

Read More →

The CAC Winjeel Prop Trainer
Phil's Blog Posts, 03 Dec, 2016

The Winjeel replaced the Tigermoth and Wirraway as the primary basic trainer for the RAAF in the late 1950s. It was loosely based on the British Piston Provost which had a three bladed propeller compared to the two blades on the Winjeel. From a distance the similarities are obvious but in essence they were very…

Read More →

The C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft
Phil's Blog Posts, 02 Oct, 2016

The RAAF was the first foreign Air Force to purchase the C-130 Hercules as a replacement for the venerable C-47 Dakota or DC-3. The initial buy was 12 C-130 ‘A’ models and they were allocated to 36 Squadron based at RAAF Base Richmond New South Wales west of Sydney. Having failed my initial attempt at…

Read More →

Becoming a RAAF Pilot
Phil's Blog Posts, 12 Aug, 2016

I have had the pleasure of mentoring a number of young men in their attempts to become RAAF pilots and I have enjoyed a reasonable level of success over the years. There are a number of attributes that the RAAF look for during the recruiting process and I am often asked what these attributes are…

Read More →

The BAE Systems HAWK 127 Lead In Fighter
Phil's Blog Posts, 28 Jul, 2016

I left the RAAF in 1997 to go to Saudi Arabia, at the time I was the Commanding Officer of 76 Squadron flying the Macchi MB326H. During this appointment I was involved in deliberations about the Macchi replacement. My research indicated to me that the best available lead in fighter trainer in the world at…

Read More →

The World Water Speed Record – Ken & Dave Warby
Phil's Blog Posts, 30 Jun, 2016

In 1977 Ken Warby became the fastest man on water in his home built jet boat Spirit of Australia. 317.16 miles per hour or 510 km per hour, breathtaking! Since then a few have tried to take the title only to wind up dead so Ken still holds the record, an amazing feat. Most people…

Read More →

The Mirage IIIO
Phil's Blog Posts, 20 Jun, 2016

The Marcell Dassault Mirage III was designed as a supersonic interceptor capable of dealing with Soviet bomber aircraft of the day. To that end it was never intended to be an air superiority fighter nor a strike platform. The RAAF however, needed the aircraft to be all of these things and developed it’s roles accordingly.…

Read More →

The TBM Avenger
Phil's Blog Posts, 28 May, 2016

The TBM Avenger was the largest single engine aircraft produced during WWII, built by the Grumman aircraft company and designed as a torpedo bomber it served with distinction particularly in the Pacific theatre. I first laid eyes on the Avenger at an air show at NAS Nowra in New South Wales and I was amazed…

Read More →

The Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros
Phil's Blog Posts, 18 May, 2016

The L-39 Albatros first appears on the scene in the late 1970s manufactured by the Czechoslovakian aircraft company Aero Vodochody. It’s design has all the hallmarks of Russian design bureau techniques. The L-39’s principal purpose is that of a lead in fighter trainer and it was used by many Eastern Bloc Countries. Interestingly the Royal…

Read More →

Jet Fighter Newcastle | Jet Flight Newcastle | Jet Flights Newcastle | Jet Ride Newcastle
Jet Rides Newcastle | Jet Fighter Rides | Jet Fighter Ride | Jet Fighter Flights
Jet Fighter Sydney | Jet Flight Sydney | Jet Flights Sydney | Jet Ride Sydney

Development by Ben Frawley

Back to Top