The Yarram Centenary of Flight Celebrates One Hundred Years of Flight In Yarram
“Invasion Stripes” on new RAAF trainers? On a superb day at Yarram in Gippsland, country Victoria, Royal Australian Air Force Pilatus PC-21s were today demonstrated to the general public. Shown in 2FTS, Pearce WA markings, these are some of the 42 PC-21 aircraft which will be used as trainers at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria and RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia, replacing the earlier Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft. We feel pleased with the PC-21 as the choice for the new RAAF trainers and the four-ship demo was a pleasant surprise for many. For the spotter, the serials are: A54-002, -003, -004 and -006.
The Yarram Centenary of Flight celebrates 100 years of flight in Yarram, in particular the first engagement of military aircraft in Australia, in the search for the German commerce Raider Wolf. A Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b “battleplane”, serial A778, presented to the Commonwealth by Mr A M Simpson, was sent on detachment from Point Cook (then the Central Flying School) to join the search off the coast for the German ship. Captain Frank McNamara, V.C., was appointed Officer Commanding, Air Reconnaissance, South Gippsland. McNamara flew reconnaissance missions off the coast, and probably deserved a second decoration for flying beyond sight of land in an aircraft with marginal performance! During this operation, the F.E. suffered a serious accident demanding significant repairs at Yarram, in the first war operation conducted in Australia. Shot is by Aviation Report.
