by Nick Anderson | Jan 30, 2024 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
I left you last time after we had returned with our Hornets from New Zealand having had a very productive and interesting few weeks working with the Kiwi A4 Skyhawks. We soon settled back into our Squadron HQ at RAAF Williamtown and started to work up some Maritime Strike tactics against the ships of the Australian Navy. These were early days for the Australian Hornets and the anti ship missiles that were to be purchased had yet to be properly integrated into the aircraft’s weapons system… and so continues the Tales from the Old Pilot’s Log Books.
The Hornets mix it with the Navy!
It was the P3 Orion’s job to find the ships and broadcast their positions
The RAAF had yet to equip their F18s with anti ship missiles but that didn’t stop us training
We flew affiliation sorties against the RAAF Caribous so I got the chance to observe from the other side of the engagement
Called in from leave to fly an engine air test I did so with my holiday beard still attached!
The rake of the Hornet seat didn’t suit my back leading to a nagging problem
On our way to Malaysia we staged through Bali
At RMAF Butterworth we stayed in the beautiful old RAF Mess
And could frequently be found in the Hong Kong Bar
Back home in Australia I started to suffer from vertigo and wondered if the dream had come to an end
by Nick Anderson | Oct 3, 2023 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
The conclusion of a chat over a pint with Wood Duck, the Royal Australian Air Force Air Attache to the Australian High Commission in London.
Images of No 2 OCU when it was equipped with the FA18
The handover of No 2 OCU Hornets to the new commanding officer and the new F35 Lightning fighters.
RSAF Hawk trainers
by Nick Anderson | Oct 3, 2023 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
As a fighter pilot on the newly formed 77 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, now equipped with brand new FA/18s, we had many experienced pilots but before long we also acquired pilots on their first operational type. One such pilot was Woody, or more formally known as Wood Duck and flying the Hornet was just the start of a long career in aviation that took him all around the world. Now the Air Attache at the Australian High Commission in London, Woody and I met at a local hostelry and had a beer whilst talking about old times.
The Australian FA/18B
Flypasts performed by No 2 OCU RAAF whilst under Woody’s command
Woody as a youngster in the Hong Kong bar whilst on deployment in Malaysia.
RAAF Hornets in Butterworth
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the RAAF, the USAF, the RMAF and No 2 OCU RAAF.
by Nick Anderson | Oct 3, 2023 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
So you want to be an airline pilot? You want to travel the world, visit strange and exotic countries and immerse yourself in the wonders of foreign cultures? You want to make a good living, bring up a family and plan for a wonderful retirement driving your luxurious RV around the wide open spaces of your beloved country? Has it crossed you mind that your chosen occupation might not be the safest way to achieve your dreams?
The Old Curmudgeon rides again
Airliner crashes are rare events
Ensure that you join a recognised union that can afford you legal representation anywhere in the world
by Nick Anderson | Aug 31, 2023 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
I trust that you will recall the stories from my RAF Logbook which had reached the point of my first Hornet deployment to New Zealand to work with the Kiwi A4 Skyhawks of No 75 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force at Ohakea.
The squadron we were working with had a rich history and I was sure I was going to enjoy my time with them.
75 Sqn RNZAF formed with Wellingtons purchased by the New Zealand government
75 Sqn A4 Skyhawk
The Kiwi Red formation team
Inverted whilst in contact
An A4 in combat firing rockets
How to fly a flat scissors
An FA18 pulls into the vertical
The effectiveness of camouflage
Low level
Attacking a splash target
The Hornet at night
The disappearance of the hook was investigated
The perp was arrested!
75 Sqn RNZAF was sadly disbanded
Images shown under creative commons licence with thanks to the RAF, the New Zealand Defence Force, the USN, CNATRA, Bernardo Malfitano and Myself.
