Newsletter
April
2013
You can
print out this newsletter
HERE.
President�s Report
The past
twelve months has been another successful period for our association
with membership continuing to increase and numbers attending the
Brisbane ANZAC Day March and Port Office drinks also growing. Of
course, the highlight of the last year was the very successful
Reunion marking forty years since RTFV/35 Sqn. left Vietnam. A big
�thank you� to all who made the time and effort to attend the
Reunion and ANZAC Day March and making both events such a success.
Of course,
none of this would have happened without the dedication and
commitment of our hard working Secretary and Treasurer, John
Sambrooks. Well done Sambo! Also my appreciation and gratitude is
extended to Trevor Benneworth for his knowledge (and patience) in
assisting Sambo in all aspects of computer operations. Our
Association operates far more efficiently because of Trevor�s
assistance. For people like me (and Sambo) who are not very computer
literate, Trevor (who prefers to be called fantastic Radtech or Hero) is a
lifesaver.
I would
also like to thank Mr. Nathan Pick and staff at Australian Aerospace
for their continuing sponsorship and support of our Association.
Without this ongoing assistance the association would not be in the
comfortable financial situation we are in at present and therefore
would be unable to provide the help and support that some of our
members require.
Of course
the big news recently has been the re-formation of No. 35 Sqn. at
Richmond on 1st January this year. The squadron is to be
re-equipped with ten Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan aircraft.
(Hopefully this Spartan will be better than the Spartan Engines we
were supplied with in Vung Tau!). At the reunion last year our
guest speaker was Air Commodore Gary Martin (right) from Richmond
who hinted that 35 Sqn would probably be reformed with the
Spartan, so it is exciting news that this has now been confirmed.
We will
once again see the old Squadron flying the flag and keeping the
history and achievements of Wallaby Airlines alive. There have been
several excellent articles on the Spartan in the last few editions
of Australian Aviation � well worth reading if you can get hold of
them, if not Sambo has put some of them in the Newsletter. Squadron
personnel have been in contact with Sambo during the past 4-5 months
to obtain background information and details of past unit history
and achievements. In the latest edition of Australian Aviation the
C.O. mentioned that our Association is one of the most active Unit
Associations in the RAAF and we thank him for his kind words in
recognizing our efforts.
We will
continue to support and liaise with the new members of 35 Sqn. and
offer them every assistance we can so that they can continue to
preserve and promote past and future deeds of �Wallaby Airlines� The
new C.O. is Wing Commander Brad Clarke and we wish him and all his
staff safe flying and operation of their C-27J aircraft in the
future.
One of our
members, Jeff Pedrina (Pilot in Vung Tau from 4-8-66 to 24-7-67 and
author of book
titled
�Wallaby Airlines�) has not been travelling too well recently. He
needs to use a walking frame to get around which limits his physical
and social activities quite considerably. Jeff would love to hear
from any of his ex RAAF friends to help put a bit of cheer back into
his life. John Sambrooks and I recently took Jeff to the Amberley
Aircraft Museum for an outing which he thoroughly enjoyed. He even
wanted to take the Caribou for a few circuits � said he could still
remember most of the check list. We all wish Jeff the best with his
health issues.
In closing,
I look forward to catching up with everyone again for ANZAC Day.
Remember, even if you are unable to march you can still meet us at
the Port Office Hotel and enjoy a social afternoon with old mates.
Best
Regards
John
McDougall
Sambo�s burst
Hi All,
(I’ve got the biggest pic because I’m the
most important!!!)
The reunion held in
Brisbane in February 2012 was very successful and I think everyone
who attended had a good time. We would like to thank Air Commodore
Gary Martin who also attended and dedicated a plaque at the Anzac
Square in Brisbane. As part of the �activities�, we spent most of
one day at the Caloundra Air Museum and another being shown over
Australian Aerospace who used to do the majors on the Caribou when
it was with the RAAF and who now are building the helicopters for
the ADF. Both days were very entertaining and very educational �
thanks to all concerned.
We also had a meet and
greet at Kedron Wavell Ex-Services Club followed with a ceremonial
dinner, perhaps we should do it again in a few years � any
suggestions??
It has been a while
since I’ve done a newsletter so I will try to bring everyone up to
date with what’s happened since the reunion. You will be aware that
35 Squadron is back in the air as of the 14th January this year and
the Squadron will be known as Wallaby Airlines � so the tradition
continues. 38Sqn in Townsville allowed us the use of the Caribou
Head and we all had a photo taken with it � you can see details of
the reunion
HERE.
35 Squadron.
I have had contact with
WO Stephen �Beetle� Bailey who has kept me informed of what is
happening with 35 Squadron regarding marching in Sydney on ANZAC Day
this year. Beetle has invited ex 35 Sqn blokes, who will be in
Sydney this year, to march with his group. If you would like to so
do, please get back to me and I�ll put you in touch with Beetle.
Wing Commander Brad
Clarke is the new CO of 35 Squadron and in a recent interview in the
Australian Aviation magazine, mentioned and thanked our association
for the assistance we have supplied him so far. He can be assured,
that if we can help in any way in the future we most certainly will.
C-27J
This is the aircraft 35
Squadron will be operating from 2015. The first fuselage has been
built and the aircraft is being assembled. It will then go to the US
where its battle equipment will be fitted. The first aircraft is
expected to be delivered to Richmond in the first half of 2015.
Click
HERE
to see the C27 at the Avalon Airshow in 2011 � glad I wasn�t in it.
Model Caribou.
I have purchased a model
Caribou with a view to placing it in a Perspex case so it can be
sent around to people having functions and reunions etc. The project
will probably cost around thousand dollars and I will be applying to
veterans affairs for a grant.
Standown Park.
Bill De Boer contacted
me about
Standown
Park
and suggested we place a brick with our details on it in the Park.
We have since done so (see
HERE).
We have also sent them a wall plaque for their indoor Memorial �
which was appreciated.
We would be interested
in placing more �bricks� around Australia in other relevant
memorials, if you have any ideas, please let us know.
Merchandise.
We have the Bisley shirt
with the RAAF Vietnam logo on it which can be ordered from
HERE.
If you would prefer a Polo shirt, that can be ordered with the logo.
We also have the RAAF Vietnam Veteran caps and stubby holders which
can also be ordered from
HERE.
Linda Woods.
Lace Productions� Linda
Woods, who is doing a documentary on the Caribou from purchase to
demob, recently spent several hours with John McDougall, Trevor
Benneworth and me. The story was meant to be shown on Ch 7 in April
this year however, she is still looking for a sponsor so there will
be a delay and it will now probably not be seen until next year.
Linda has said she would like to come to the Port Office Hotel after
the ANZAC Day march to meet as many of us as possible and probably
interview some of us. Please make her feel welcome � you never know,
you could end up a TV star.
HARS.
Australian Aerospace
recently advised that they are going to sponsor the two Caribous
owned and flown by HARS (See
HERE).
We think that is fantastic, it will ensure that the old Caribou will
continue to fly for many years to come.
Website.
We are still looking to
stories (funny, serious or whatever) for our website to help
preserve the history of Wallaby Airlines for future generations. If
you�ve got a story to tell, please send it to us so we can publish
it on the site.
Vietnam
The Michigan Vietnam
Vets assoc in the US has made a video which says it all for every
Vietnam Vet. Although an American production, it is definitely
relevant to all of us. I think they did an excellent job on this and
I suspect in the future this theme will be shown over and over again
for each conflict. You can see it
HERE.
The Battle of Coral
If you didn’t see the a recent article
on Channel 7 re the battle of Coral in Vietnam all those years ago,
you can see it
HERE. It is definitely worth a look.
ANZAC Day 2013.
This year we line up in
William St, same as usual, behind the Casino and we are 22nd off the
mark. We�ve been provided with a �Mud Map� of �where to line up,
where to go etc� and if you can make any sense of it, good luck to
you. It�s
HERE.
Get there about 9.30am
as we will be stepping off earlier than the last couple of years. We
will be following 3 Sqn and will be marching with our old Banner.
The Port Office Hotel will again be our watering hole and you can
see the cost and menu we�ve accepted for the day
HERE.
If you’ve got the RAAF Vietnam Veteran
cap, please wear it, if you don’t have one, I still have a few left
and you can buy one from
HERE.
If you�re a dottery old
bugger and can�t march, please join us at the Port Office after
11.00am for a yarn, a cold beer and to reminisce about the �good old
days� � we�d love to see you.
2015
2015 is the 100th
anniversary of that dreadful landing at Galloppi and a few of us
think we should get together to commemorate that horrible loss of so
many lives. (Click the pic at right for some contemporary posters).
Although 35 Sqn was only a gleam in the RAAF�s eye at the time, and
had absolutely nothing to do with it, it would be a good excuse for
us to get together again, after all, none of us (apart from Pete
DeJonge) are getting any younger.
Let us know your
thoughts.
Sir John Monash.
I
have just recently read his book titled �Australian Victories in
France in 1918�. It is not a novel it’s more of a low battle plan
of all his battles. Monash was the first to use tanks and aircraft
with his infantry which proved very successful. When his infantry
were established they would lay out a white canvas map out with V or
L so his aircraft (3 Sqn) could see his position and resupply him
with the correct ammunition. Previously this was done manually by
two men but as the magazines were very heavy and the Germans would
target them, not a lot got through.
I�ve pulled bits from
the book and you can read more
HERE.
Sons of Anzacs.
2015
will be the centennial of the landing at Anzac Cove and
coincidentally a significant anniversary for Vietnam Veterans, being
50 years since the deployment of our first battle group. That
deployment went on to last 10 years.
The synergy between the
first ANZAC�s and Vietnam Veterans is that their grandfathers�
fought at ANZAC cove and WW1. To
commemorate this fact, we have approached the highly advocated �Mat
McLachlan Battlefield Tours� and LT.COL Gary Mckay (Retired), a
prolific author, and historian on Vietnam. Mat and Gary will be tour
leaders and lecturers, at the sites of Australia�s major
engagements.
At the Long Tan Cross
there will be a significant memorial service honouring our
generations who have died in uniform for Australia. Mat and his
company have enthusiastically embraced this coming tour; and as an
historian, he understands the significance associated with this
event. Matt�s company will arrange all of your travel arrangements
and in country logistics. There will be a series of additional tours
to see other areas of Vietnam, if desired.
It is envisaged, that an
initial tour of approx 7 days will cover the �battlefield tour
experience�, with further options for you to understand Vietnam
today.
Your assistance in
spreading the word through your websites, and/or newsletter, would
be greatly appreciated.
Our website is:
http://battlefields.com.au/index.php/tours/69
details of
the Tour can be found there with contact information etc.
Avalon Airshow.
The Avalon Airshow was
held again in March and according to all who attended, a great
success. HARS had their two Caribous on display, one as a static
display and the other to put on a performance. Unfortunately, things
didn�t go according to plan and A4-210 sprung a fuel leak and had to
be retired which meant the other aircraft that was on static display
at Australian Aerospace had to fill the gap. You can see more on
Avalon
HERE.
Phantom roo.
The Phantom Blue Roo
placer was at the Airshow and was placing kangaroos on visiting
aircraft anywhere and everywhere.
If we didn�t know better we�d say
that Peter Mansfield had a hand in this.
Victorian Chapter.
John Sharley (JD) is
trying to set up an RTFV-35Sqn Association chapter in Victoria so
members can meet more often. If you are ex RTFV or 35 Sqn you can
get more info from John by ringing him on 03 5783 1145 (mob 0409 164
838) or by email to
[email protected]
Sno Coughlan
Col
Host advises that Sno was admitted to palliative care in
Melbourne yesterday (Fri 5Apr) with multiple brain tumours. His life
expectancy is up to 4 weeks.
Stubby Holders.
We are thinking of
getting some stubby holders made � to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of Anzac day.
This is the face of the
holder�.any thoughts??