Our historic artefacts have more than one story to tell. Read on to learn more about our people and the memories embodied in our heritage artefacts.
GAF Canberra A84-235
The Canberra bomber is a relic of the ‘golden era’ of the local manufacturing of aircraft. Australian manufacturing company, Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) produced 48 Canberra aircraft, and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation produced the Avon engines.
The Australian Canberra was officially named after the Australian Capital Territory in a ceremony at Biggin Hill on 19th January 1951.
GAF Canberra A84-235 first flew on 3 September 1956. It was delivered to the RAAF on 22 October 1956. A84-235 served with No 2 Squadron, deploying to RAAF Butterworth (1958) and Vietnam (May 1967 – August 1970). From July 1973 the aircraft was used as a training aid at the RAAF School of Technical Training, Wagga.
Canberra A84-235 is currently on display in the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage precinct. To learn more click here.
General Dynamics F-111 A8-142
In 1963 the Australian Government selected the F-111 to replace the Canberra and in doing so became the first and only foreign customer of the American F-111. Ten years later the first F-111s arrived at RAAF Base Amberley.
The F-111 provided the RAAF with one of the world’s greatest long range strike aircraft and it served for thirty-seven years – the longest time a bomber/ strike aircraft has served in the RAAF.
F-111 A8-142 first flew 18 December 1968, however due to metal fatigue it did not arrive in Australia until 1 October 1973.
In 1974 A8-142 was used to re-enact the 1924 flight around Australia as undertaken by WGCDR Jimmy Goble and FLGOFF Ivor McIntyre in a Fairey IIID seaplane. While the original tour took 90 hours in flight over 44 days, A8-142 accomplished the task in 12 ½ hours. The commemorative flight was undertaken by pilot WGCDR Ray Funnell and navigator SQNLDR John Miller.
A8-142 served with Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons in open days, military exercises (Pitch Black and Red Flag), and flying displays in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
A8-142 retired in 2010. The aircraft was initially stored at RAAF Base Amberley and later assigned to RAAF Base Wagga. It has been on display in the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage precinct since June 2012. To learn more click here.
Aermacchi MB-326H A7-004
The RAAF received its first Aermacchi MB-326H (Macchi) in October 1967. The aircraft were selected by the RAAF as replacements for the Vampire trainer in 1965. The Macchi was a two seat advanced pilot and lean-in-fighter trainer. It was a capable advanced pilot training aircraft and considered a ‘delight to fly’.
Macchi A7-004 first flew on 27 June 1967. It was delivered to the RAAF on 29 November 1967. A7-004 served at RAAF East Sale and was one of the aircraft used by the Telstars Aerobatic Team. It later served with No 2 Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce and No 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown before being assigned to RAAF Base Wagga as a training aid.
Since 2014 A7-004 has been the ‘gate guard’ of RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage precinct. To learn more click here.
Dassault Mirage A3-41
The Mirage was chosen as the Sabre replacement in March 1961. The first RAAF Mirage flew in France on 14 March 1963 and was delivered to the RAAF near Paris on 9 April 1963. Despite being the RAAF’s frontline fighter for over two decades the Mirage never fired its weapons in conflict.
Mirage A3-41 was delivered to the RAAF on 4 August 1966 and served with Nos 75, 76, and 77 Squadrons.
On 6 April 1976 A3-41 caught fire in flight and was forced to make an emergency landing in Nowra, New South Wales. The RAAF School of Technical Training received approval in April 1977 to rebuild the aircraft. It was later utilised as a training aid until it was put on display in the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage precinct.
To learn more click here.
Gloster Meteor A77-871
The Meteor Mk.8 was the first RAAF jet to go to war. Ninety-three Meteor Mk.8s and four Mk.7s were delivered to the RAAF for service in Korea. They were flown by No 77 Squadron (77SQN).
The first RAAF Meteor was received by the RAAF in May 1946. In June 1946 it was flown as RAAF A77-1. It was trialled at both RAAF Laverton and RAAF Darwin.
Gloster Meteor A77-871 was built in the United Kingdom and delivered to 91 Wing in March 1953. 91 Wing administered the deployment of RAAF units to the Korea War. This included 77SQN who operated Meteors.
A77-871 was briefly allocated to 78 Wing (75 Squadron) when the RAAF reorganised. When 77SQN changed to Sabres in 1956, A77-871 was transferred to the general reserve. In 1958 A77-871 was transferred to RAAF Wagga for instructional use.
A77-871 has been displayed at RAAF Wagga since 1961 and now resides in the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage precinct. To learn more click here.