RAAF heritage squadron streamlines operations.

 

Royal Australian Air Force No.100 Squadron cuts aircraft from it’s operations and will hand back aircraft to Temora Aviation Museum.

 

 

Article: Jaryd Stock

Images: Ryan Imeson.

 

 

 

 

 

The Royal Australian Air Force will withdraw eight heritage aircraft following a comprehensive review of technical and airworthiness factors to ensure 100 Squadron remains safe, sustainable, and connected to Air Force history.

Streamlining the fleet will allow 100 Squadron to maintain quality heritage displays, engage communities, and protect the long-term viability of Air Force’s heritage capability.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said the review was essential to balancing heritage preservation with operational safety.

“Our heritage fleet holds deep significance to Air Force and the Australian public,” Air Marshal Chappell said.

 

 

 

“While withdrawing aircraft is never easy, this step ensures we preserve aviation history responsibly. By transferring these aircraft to museums and heritage organisations, their stories of service and innovation will remain accessible for future generations.”

As aircraft age, upkeep becomes increasingly complex, especially for flying displays. Reducing the fleet will allow 100 Squadron to focus on operating a select group of historic aircraft for ceremonial duties and flying displays, maintaining a living connection to Air Force traditions.

The withdrawn aircraft – DH-115 Vampire T.35, Gloster Meteor F.8, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Ryan STM-S2, English Electric Canberra, CA-27 Sabre, CT4A, and RE8 – will be transitioned with dignity. Five aircraft originally transferred from Temora Aviation Museum will return there, while the remaining three will be considered for static display at approved institutions.

Air Force will continue to operate 11 heritage aircraft: the Mustang, Harvard, Winjeel, two Tiger Moths, Sopwith Pup, Hudson, Spitfire Mk8, Spitfire Mk16, Boomerang and Wirraway.

Heritage operations will be reviewed over the next 12 months to ensure sustainability and continued public engagement.

No.100 Squadron was reformed in January 2021 to coincide with the Air Force Centenary and took over operations of aircraft in the Temora Aviation museum inventory.

The RAAF website describes the squadron as maintaining priceless artefacts of Australia’s national heritage in airworthy condition and conduct flying displays in order to commemorate those who have fallen in service of the country, to promote the Royal Australian Air Force and inspire future generations.

The fleet of heritage aircraft is able to support public events in a variety of ways based on the organiser’s requirements. Participation options include static displays, flypasts and overhead aerial displays.

Where possible and aircraft serviceability allows the Air Force Heritage Squadron will endeavour to allocate aircraft of relevance to the event or commemoration.

A more cynical look at this is that this is more of a cost cutting measure by the RAAF and in turn the Australian Government as it searches for more funding to add to its defence budget.

But a retired RAAF Chief of Air Force once stated to APD that “to see where you’re heading you need to see where you came from to move forward” it is hoped that these aircraft will still entertain the enthusiasts and general public hopefully being operated by private organisations, to showcase the rich heritage of military aviation in Australia.