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Aardvark |
Posted: Feb 13 2012, 05:47 PM
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General Dynamics F-111 (A8) Group: Members Posts: 241 Member No.: 3,706 Joined: 1-October 10 |
The cesation of Canberra operations in 1982 left the RAAF without a platform to continue survey/mapping operations with the Wild RC-10 camera.
A LearJet was obtained by wet/dry lease or charter, am I not sure which. It arrived at Amberley and was parked adjacent to the 2SQN flightline. The aircraft was fitted with a large fairing, under the entry door, which housed the RC-10 camera. I cannot remember what the colour scheme was, however some enterprising lads in 2SQN prepared and attached 2SQN fin flashes to the jet, much to the annoyance of CO 6SQN who ordered that they be removed. The aircarft was to be operated by 6SQN as part of their photo recon duties. I was reminded of this when browsing the RAN Lear Jet gallery earlier today and found VH-FOX in RAAF livery with a similar fairing, but under the RH side of the fuselage. Does anyone else remember this aircraft and can add more to this story. This post has been edited by Aardvark on Feb 13 2012, 05:47 PM |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Feb 13 2012, 05:57 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
The Learjet page is another that needs a re-write, more than just RAN aircraft involved here.
Last updated 28th May 2005! RAAF Museum website contains the following "From 1982 until 1987, No 6 Squadron's Survey Flight also operated leased Learjet aircraft, and deployed to locations including Biak, Butterworth, Vanuatu and Fiji." from Wikepedia "In June 1982 No. 6 Squadron was expanded to include a Survey Flight, which undertook photo survey flights in cooperation with the Army's Royal Australian Survey Corps using a leased Learjet." Interesting that if 6SQN operated the Learjets that they weren't allocated an "A" serial even though they were leased as were the Falcon 900s, B737BJs etc |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Feb 13 2012, 07:16 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Could this be it
VH-ULT Other photos on the net show it looking like this in 1987. The photo below is from http://picasaweb.google.com/10072569805237...DoiFjsyzYeKXUw# Attached Image |
Dean |
Posted: Feb 13 2012, 07:41 PM
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ADF Serials Aircrew Research Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 774 Member No.: 20 Joined: 18-June 05 |
I'm pretty sure that photo was taken at Edinburgh, remembering it from the timeI was there.
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GAFA |
Posted: Feb 13 2012, 09:57 PM
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Maurice Farman MF.11 Shorthorn (CFS) Group: Members Posts: 6 Member No.: 6,301 Joined: 2-January 12 |
Here is a picture of VH-FOX from 1984, it has a large faring cut into the side and in RAAF markings.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia--...-35A/1153782/M/ The aircraft was owned by Pacific Aviation. This post has been edited by GAFA on Feb 13 2012, 10:03 PM |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Feb 14 2012, 10:48 AM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
...or you could go to that informative resource known as adf-serials!!!!
http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Learjet Anyhow the Learjet in question, the first of 9 used for adf contracts, was VH-SLJ as pictured below in the December 1982 edition of Australian Aviation. (I think that -SLJ is still involved in ADF work 30 years later!) One interesting point that I came across is that although crewed by 6 Squadron aircrew they had to hold the appropriate civil certifications to fly the Learjets. And from the Aussie modeller website "The ADF Lear operations involved no less than 9 different aircraft on rotational lease arrangements. These included: Lear 35A VH-SLJ Lear 35A VH-SDN Lear 35A VH-FOX Lear 35A VH-BQR Lear 35A VH-ULT Lear 36A VH-BIB Lear 25D VH-LJB Lear 35A VH-HOF Lear 35A VH-KTI While none of these aircraft ever carried military camo schemes or "A" numbers, some did cary a full set of RAAF roundels and titles. A wide range of diverse and interesting colour schemes were carried by these aircraft during their ADF service, any one of which would make for a most attractive model. Hawkeye have produced a 1:48 RAAF Lear 35A sheet featuring aircraft VH-FOX in a most attractive white/blue "corporate" colour scheme." So there is a pointer for the start on the Learjet page update! Attached Image |
Aardvark |
Posted: Feb 14 2012, 10:16 PM
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General Dynamics F-111 (A8) Group: Members Posts: 241 Member No.: 3,706 Joined: 1-October 10 |
That's the one
If you look closely you will see a ladder at the entry door of VH-SLJ where you would expect the see the lower half of the door (steps) located. This is because the lower half of the door was removed to fit the fairing for the RC-10 Camera. The crew had to climb over it to enter/exit the aircraft hence the ladder. As stated earlier it was similar to the large fairing under the RH side of VH-FOX. Good find on that info Martin, more bits for the puzzle. |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Feb 11 2013, 05:08 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Another photo, this one uploaded by Paul turner
It was taken at Butterworth, March 1984 As stated above the Learjet page needs an update to reflect the use of the Learjet by 6 Squadron. Attached Image |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Oct 2 2015, 12:05 AM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
OK so it took a while but the Learjet update is done!
http://www.adf-serials.com/learjet.htm Attached Image |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Oct 16 2015, 06:05 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Another photo has come our way via Shane Batt. This one shows VH-SLJ with the zapped 2 Squadron fin flash mentioned above.
Attached Image |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Mar 17 2016, 07:53 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Another update. Air Affairs fleet now stands at seven Learjets
(front to rear) VH-LRX, VH-LJA, VH-JCR, VH-LPJ, VH-LJJ, VH-JCX, VH-OVB Details at http://www.adf-serials.com/learjet.htm Attached Image |
Demon50 |
Posted: Mar 17 2016, 10:14 PM
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Lockheed Hercules (A97) Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 410 Member No.: 47 Joined: 14-September 05 |
What a great looking line up.
I can read four of the regos VH-LRX, LJA, JCR and LPJ but the other three have beaten my old eyes. Can anyone help please ? Cheers Bob |
Demon50 |
Posted: Mar 17 2016, 10:23 PM
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Lockheed Hercules (A97) Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 410 Member No.: 47 Joined: 14-September 05 |
Found two more through the CASA website, VH-LJJ and -OVB so that just leaves one unknown.
Cheers Bob. |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Mar 18 2016, 06:30 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Bob, your old eyes have let you down! All seven registrations are written above the photo.
(front to rear) VH-LRX, VH-LJA, VH-JCR, VH-LPJ, VH-LJJ, VH-JCX, VH-OVB |
Demon50 |
Posted: Mar 19 2016, 12:19 AM
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Lockheed Hercules (A97) Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 410 Member No.: 47 Joined: 14-September 05 |
Holy heck Martin - how could I have missed that ?
No excuses from me - I think the great photo just seduced me and I had eyes for nothing more. Cheers Bob |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Mar 19 2016, 10:07 AM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Interesting snippet from a while back. In the USA contracted civil Learjets used for target towing were replaced with Phantom QF-4s saving $750,000 pa.
Targets towing targets is not new, Jindiviks were used to tow targets but in this case I think that the QF-4s were flown with a pilot aboard. "Budget cuts removed an outside contract for Lear Jet business jets to tow aerial targets for aerial gunnery training, so the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron decided to replace that function with QF-4s, saving about $750,000 per year. The squadron began flying the new missions in November 2010. New procedures for attaching the banner to the jet had to be developed. F-4 banner tow project manager, Maj. William Hope says that they began with an old Navy banner tow system for another F-4 model. The final system uses a 120-foot chain linked to 1,600 feet of cable, which connects to the 60 foot long banner. All gunnery sorties are conducted over water, far from shore, and the banner, like the QF-4, returns to base afterward. Some QF-4s, it seems, will survive for a while" http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/more-q...old-dogs-04650/ |
Martin Edwards |
Posted: Mar 23 2016, 10:28 PM
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FA-18F Super Hornet (A44) Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 2,206 Member No.: 27 Joined: 25-June 05 |
Interesting pod fitted to one of Air Affairs Learjets (VH-LJJ).
It carries "Woods Pod" and DSTO signage. Any ideas? Photo by Nathan Rundle Attached Image |
Brenden S |
Posted: Mar 26 2016, 06:39 PM
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Lockheed Hercules (A97) Group: Members Posts: 350 Member No.: 414 Joined: 6-June 07 |
Possibly locally designed one?
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