Recently in General Information Category
We have just completed the Anniversary page on 5dme.net for 10 and 11 Squadrons 70th Anniversary. You can see the page at www.5dme.net/stories10.html and see the Photo gallery for images from 5DME.
Links are on the story page.
There is also an Interview with 11 Squadron CO, Wing Commander Phillip Champion.
Additional information can be found on the Defence web site www.defence.gov.au
On 25 September 2009 5DME attended celebrations at Edinburgh RAAF Base for the 70th Anniversary of 10 and 11 Squadrons. Up to 1000 former military personnel and guests attended the parade. The Historical Aviation Restoration Society (HARS) attended with several vintage aircraft that were used by these squadrons in their maritime role. These aircraft included a Lockheed Neptune and a Catalina.
10 and 11 Squadrons have had a significant history in the Australian Defence Forces. A detailed History/Data sheet as produced by the RAAF can be downloaded from the stories page.
Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin said, "The squadrons' personnel have been involved in operations including World War II, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Gulf War, Malayan Emergency and East Timor."
10 and 11 Squadrons valued contributions include:
- World War II
- Battle of the Coral Sea
- Gulf War
- Malayan Emergency
- East Timor
Search and Rescue Roles including Great Southern Ocean recoveries of:
- Tony Bullimore
- Isabelle Autisier
- Thierry Dubois
Aircraft used by 10 and 11 Squadrons over 70 years:
- Sunderland
- Catalina
- Lincoln
- Neptune
- P-3 Orion
- AP-3C Orion
During the Anniversary Celebrations each squadron unvieled alternative nose and tail art. The new artwork was relevant to World War II significance of one of it's AP-3C Orion aircraft.
Orions have been at Edinburgh (Home to Orion Aircraft) since 26 May 1968. Orions are to remain in service until 2018 with a phase-out period proceeding this date.
5DME will present images, inteviews and video in the near future. Keep an eye out for this information.
The Navy Fokker F27, VH-EWP flew it's last sortie for the Navy on 15th September 2009. VH-EWP was in Navy service since 1992, surveying waterways around Australia and abroad.
Inside the standard seating arrangement gives way to several electronic rack cabinets, computers and of course the LASER platform.
Opening bay doors in the bottom of the aircrfat just forward of midship provide the LASER with a clear path below. Two LASERS are used in the survey process. One points directly down and is responsible for altitude data. The second, a much more powerful (1MW) LASER scans the ocean floor at depths of up to 50 metres.
Apparently, after talking to the crew I found there are quite often concerned phone calls as the piercing green beam sweeping the ocean is often mistaken as some sort of problem with the aircraft. At night I presume it could even be mistaken for something more sinister. A UFO maybe :-)
This aircraft is fairly young for a Fokker Friendship. Being one of the last built. Also, it's low yearly hours still leaves plenty of servicable life in the aircraft. Look inside and out and you can see this Fokker is in pristine condition. The Navy have obviously looked after her well. It is a credit to the crew that this aircraft has been maintained in almost factory show room condition.
The reason for this last trip to Adelaide unfortunatley, is a sad one. The Navy is about to upgrade to a Dash 8. Servicability issues and cost to maintain and operate have taken their toll. The LASER equipment has been removed from the Fokker and is being installed in the Dash 8.
However, the the good news is the Fokker will be taken over by Fugro LADS and will be refitted with the survey equipment currently in the Dash 8 and will be contracted out. Possibly on commercial survey work. I just hope they look after her with the same dilligence as the navy.
HISTORY-NOSTALGIA
This particular Fokker Friendship is the last Rolls Royce Dart powered aircraft still flying in Australia. She requires copious quantities of Water-Methanol to be injected into the tubines during take-off and go-rounds to develop the power required. As some readers will remember, Rolls Royce Darts had a unique sound. I always felt, this is what a "real" turbo-prop should sound like.
As an aircraft enthusiast one could readily tell when a Fokker was on approach. The distinctive high-wing and the sound of the Darts as it came closer.
As a child flying to Kangaroo Island, South Australia on an F27 200 as an Ansett passenger and loving the aircraft back then, it was the forefilment of a childhood dream to be standing just a few metres away (virtually nose-to-nose) during start-up and taxi. To be able to video and photograph the last flying Fokker Friendship in Australia was a priviledge and I will keep track of this aircraft in the future.
More information, photos and video of this aircraft can be found on the main 5DME web site. www.5dme.net
Story by David H.
A new section has been added to the 5DME web site regarding Air Traffic Control. This section was provided courtesy of Airservices Australia. It explains about the roles of the Control Tower and Terminal Control Units (TCU) in the day-to-day operations of Adelaide Airport.
Find out more http://www.5dme.net/atc.html
5DME would like to thank Airservices Australia and their staff for contributing this information.
We have put together a page of basic information and photos of the new REX hangar at YPAD. Also, see the photo gallery (Airports Section).
This hangar is a much larger facility than the previous building.
See http://5dme.net/stories6.html
On 14th May 2009 it was the 50th anniversary of a Fokker F27 arriving at Adelaide. Two days later on the 16th May 2009 was the 50th anniversary of the first arrival of a Lockheed Electra (VH-RMB Source: Nigel Daw).
Nigel says, "we can still hear the same engines today on the AP-3C Orions."
Just a snapshot of significant aviation events in South Australia.
Anyone who has driven past the old DTB (Domestic Terminal Building) of late would have noticed it is now rubble. It has been demolished as part of the Adelaide Airport Upgrade Plans to make way for new tarmac area.
Most notable is the demolition of the old Control Tower.
The new plans include extension of the current T1 area, a plaza where the current short term car park is located and parallel GA terminal buildings to the north.
See plans for 2027. View image
5DME will be following the progress of the upgrade and photos will be published in the gallery.
The replacement radar unit for the Bureau of Meteorology at Adelaide Airport has arrived. It is being assembled on the ground before being lifted onto the building as a complete unit. 5DME photographers are documenting the upgrade and a special page on the site will be available a short time after completion.
In the picture you can see the old 44 radar on the far right. The new unit is the radome to the left. The new dish is still in it's crate near the old 44.
