RAN FAA Museum

GTX · October 03, 2008, 11:56:42 AM

Hi guys,

Sometimes I have the best luck with my job. For instance, earlier this week I had to go to HMAS Albatross for a number of meetings. I got there a little early and was looking to kill some time - what do I all of a sudden find: The RAN FAA Museum! Sorry for the poor quality pics, all I had was my mobile phone.

Regards,

Greg

GTX · October 03, 2008, 12:00:02 PM

More:

regards,

Greg

GTX · October 03, 2008, 12:02:58 PM

still more:

Regards,

Greg

GTX · October 03, 2008, 12:06:36 PM

still going:

Regards,

Greg

GTX · October 03, 2008, 12:09:01 PM

Ok finished now:

Regards,

Greg

GTX · October 03, 2008, 12:10:40 PM

I've also decided that the RAN's old Blue/White scheme looks great - especially on fixed wing aircraft like the Macchi!

Regards,

Greg

sequoiaranger · October 03, 2008, 05:50:31 PM

The Fairey Firefly (Mk VI?) in your pics was a little fuzzy, but I saw the "K" on the tail.

Just today at Miramar, California, was a flying Firefly--it had an "K" on the tail, too, and painted similarly. Same Plane?? Here's the pic.

Maverick · October 04, 2008, 12:27:48 AM

Some beautiful birds Greg, thanks for sharing. The Rhodie Hunter was a surprise to be sure!

Sequoia, the RAN's Fireflies were FR.5s same as the Brits. We didn't differentiate between marks at that stage (eg: Korean War). The "K" tailcode wasn't an individual identifier, it was instead the ship identifier for HMAS Sydney. All aircraft flying off Sydney would have that K on their tail (you'll notice the Sea Fury also sports the K), the difference would be serials and fuselage codes that would identify individual aircraft.

Regards,

Mav

sequoiaranger · October 04, 2008, 09:06:07 AM

>Sequoia, the RAN's Fireflies were FR.5s same as the Brits. We didn't differentiate between marks at that stage (eg: Korean War).<

The Firefly at Miramar was labeled a Mk. VI, whether an error or not.

>The "K" tailcode wasn't an individual identifier, it was instead the ship identifier for HMAS Sydney. All aircraft flying off Sydney would have that K on their tail (you'll notice the Sea Fury also sports the K), the difference would be serials and fuselage codes that would identify individual aircraft.<

When I looked back at the RAN Firefly in the collection, under the horizontal stabilizer there was some writing, most likely "RAN (+serial)". Looking at all the other Aussie Naval aircraft in the collection, I couldn't find any that had "Royal Navy" and a serial on the side (well, DUH---but stay with me here). The Miramar Firefly DEFINITELY had "Royal Navy" and a serial on the fuselage, despite the markings of HMAS Sydney. So I presume the Firefly owner liked the RAN colors and markings and painted his Firefly to match, despite its RN origins.

Regardless, it was a beautiful sight!

Maverick · October 04, 2008, 03:58:04 PM

Sequoia,

Definitely sounds like a bit of artistic licence all round.

The scheme the RAN Fireflies wore during Korean ops was pretty close, if not the same, to the contemporary FAA scheme anyway. To add a "ROYAL NAVY" serial with a "K" tailcode is definitely an error. As you noticed, RAN aircraft have a "RAN - Serial No" system, whilst RN FAA types have "ROYAL NAVY - Serial No.". The tailcode ship identifier was an RN practice also used by the RAN, although "K" was definitely HMAS Sydney.

As for the label, I guess they were misinformed.

Either way, would have been nice to see her flying.

Regards,

Mav

Aussie747 · October 06, 2008, 12:01:24 AM

Nice shots ~~Mav~~ Greg, being in Canberra I try to get down to Nowra every 12 months or so to take a peak. There is an airshow at the end of October, I can't make it this time but was at the last one about 12 months ago. Great day with all the metal in the air as will as those in the Museum. The gift shop is also great for the modeller.

GTX · October 06, 2008, 01:00:25 AM

Quote from: Aussie747 on October 06, 2008, 12:01:24 AM
Nice shots Mav, being in Canberra I try to get down to Nowra every 12 months or so to take a peak. There is an airshow at the end of October, I can't make it this time but was at the last one about 12 months ago. Great day with all the metal in the air as will as those in the Museum. The gift shop is also great for the modeller.

Not to nitpick, but the shots were actually mine

Regards,

Greg

Mossie · October 06, 2008, 05:43:13 AM

Nice pics Greg! I'm a particular fan of the Bristol Sycamore, thanks for posting those. Also, I spot three drones, I can name the Jindivik, but what is the one in front of the Jindi & the one suspended from the ceiling?

Scooterman · October 06, 2008, 05:52:31 AM

Me love some Skyhawks!

unlikeKansas · October 06, 2008, 06:00:43 PM

Quote from: Maverick on October 04, 2008, 03:58:04 PM
Sequoia,

Definitely sounds like a bit of artistic licence all round.

The scheme the RAN Fireflies wore during Korean ops was pretty close, if not the same, to the contemporary FAA scheme anyway. To add a "ROYAL NAVY" serial with a "K" tailcode is definitely an error. As you noticed, RAN aircraft have a "RAN - Serial No" system, whilst RN FAA types have "ROYAL NAVY - Serial No.". The tailcode ship identifier was an RN practice also used by the RAN, although "K" was definitely HMAS Sydney.

As for the label, I guess they were misinformed.

Either way, would have been nice to see her flying.

Regards,

Mav

Mav, Sequoia,

The RAN had both FR5 and AS6 Fireflies before Korea. Only FR5's were sent to Korea as they were cannon armed and deemed more useful in Korea.

The squadrons sent to Korea replaced their AS6's with FR5's from squadrons remaining at home.

Once in Korea, attrition replacements were taken from Royal Navy stocks, so it is quite possible for an RN Firefly to be flying from HMAS Sydney, therefore carrying the K ship code whilst displaying RN serials.

This info from Stewart Wilson's Firefly, Sea Fury and Sea Venom in Australian Service and from the ADF Serials website. (http://www.adf-serials.com/) Firefly page.