News | RAAF Association NSW Air Force

TRENDING NEWS

20 Sep 2023

Invitation to RAAF memorial at Narromine NSW - opening 14 October

At 2pm on Saturday 14 October, Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK AFC (Retd) will officiate for the opening of a memorial wall commemorating the RAAF pilots who learned to fly at No.5 Elementary Flying Training School, Narromine. The graduates totalled 2850, one-fifth of all RAAF wartime pilots, a quarter of whom died in service (notated on the wall plaques with a cross).

The $150,000 memorial is believed to be unique in Australia in commemorating every graduate of a RAAF wartime training school. The project was supported and funded by the NSW Government in association with Narromine Aviation Museum and Narromine RSL sub-Branch.

Invitation attached.

23 Aug 2023

Veterans Transition Strategy

Please click on below link to view the latest Veteran Transition Strategy to better support veterans’ and their families transition to civilian life.

https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/veteran_transition_strategy.pdf

22 Aug 2023

Andrew Delfosse Badgery book For Sale

Andrew Delfosse Badgery

Australia’s most significant aviation pioneer

by Squadron Leader Peter Badgery and Group Captain Milton Cottee AFC

Buy it now for $40 including delivery

This excellent biography of Delfosse has been constructed from detailed notes from his diary and recounts his early working life; his travel to England to learn to fly; construction of the first Australian built aircraft; exhibition flying over Sydney and Tasmania; military service in the Middle East with the Australian Flying Corps; instructing in England; and finally, return to Australia.

Delfosse sailed to England in September 1913 to learn to fly at Hendon aerodrome. Flying instruction was conducted with the instructor walking beside the aircraft during the taxiing phase. The pilot flew for the first time conducting very short “flights” at five feet or so above the ground within the boundaries of the airfield. The description of his first flight, a circuit around the airfield, is vividly recounted.

Descriptions of his early flights capture his sense of accomplishment while revealing the dangers of early flight, highlighted during his first cross country flight from Sutton Forrest to Goulbourn. The biography provides a wonderful insight into the blossoming world of flight in single seat, flimsy aircraft that could only get airborne if the wind was gentle and there was little turbulence.

Most Australians have never heard of Andrew Delfosse Badgery. He was a quiet unassuming man who never sought public recognition, and as a result has been largely bypassed with the passage of history. Delfosse is well worthy of public acclamation as a significant Australian aviation pioneer. He was an exciting aviator and the book contains many photographs of his flying exploits. An excellent read.

20 Jan 2022

The Bushranger Story - Iroquois helicopter gunship during the Vietnam War

This story describes the development and introduction to operational service of the Royal Australian Air Force ‘Bushranger’ Iroquois helicopter gunship during the Vietnam War, a derivative of the Bell UH-1H that was unique in the world.