RAN VF-805 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
VF-805 pilots KWF the Skyhawk. |
ASLT Malcom McCoy - 17JUL75 - BuNo 155055, RAN-872 |
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Patch Above patches provided by Phil Thompson, except for bottom middle provided by Gary Verver. Moto is "Over Sea and Sand" |
Sources David Weber |
Handle Callsign is "Checkmate". Moto is "Over Sea and Sand" Heritage NOV 1940: Royal Navy establishes 805 Squadron at RAF Abukir in Egypt. 28 AUG 1948: WWII British Navy 805 Squadron transferred to the Australian Fleet Air Arm. 26 MAR 1958: RAN 805 Squadron dis-established. 31 MAR 1958: 805 Squadron re-established. 30 JUN 1963: 805 Squadron dis-established. 10 JAN 1968: VF-805 re-established. 02 JUL 1982: VF-805 dis-established. 24 NOV 2000: 805 Squadron re-established. 26 JUN 2008 805 Squadron dis-established. |
Home Ports NOV 1940: RAF Aerodrome at Abukir, Egypt. JAN 1941: Crete Post Crete: Egypt Prior to 28 AUG 1948: HMAS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland 01 JUN 1955: HMAS Albatross aka NAS Nowra. Located near Nowra, New South Wales, HMAS Albatross is also referred to as NAS Nowra. Nowra is located south of Sydney. Description: VF-805 A-4G Skyhawks over their home base. NAS Nora, 1984, Aircraft Support Unit (ASU) outside of "B" Hangar. Provided by Phil Thompson. |
Air Wings 1958 to 1982: HMAS Melbourne HMAS Melbourne and Carrier Air Group including A-4G Skyhawks of VF-805. |
Aircraft Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft: 1940: Fairey Fulmars 1941: Brewster Bufflao JUN 1941: Grumman Martlett III Date Unknown: Seafires 1948: Hawker Sea Fury Mark11. 1958: De Havilland Sea Venoms Mark FAW53. 10 JAN 1968: A-4G Skyhawk 10 JAN 1968: TA-4G Skyhawk 28 FEB 2001: Kaman Super Sea Sprite Helicopter. |
Deployments 28 DEC 1951: HMAS Sydney - Hawker Sea Fury - - Korean War 15 JAN 1952: HMAS Sydney 11 JAN 1953: HMAS Sydney 02 JUL 1953: HMAS Vengeance 05 NOV 1953: HMAS Sydney 25 MAY 1954: HMAS Sydney 27 AUG 1954: HMAS Sydney 30 JAN 1956: HMAS Sydney 20 NOV 1958: RANAS Mowra 09 FEB 1959: HMAS Melbourne 11 OCT 1959: HMAS Melbourne OCT 1971: deployed to Hawaii area aboard HMAS Melbourne. 1982: last deployment aboard HMAS Melbourne |
Commanding Officers 28 AUG 1948: ---------------LCDR P.E. Bailey 11 NOV 1949: ---------------LCDR C.J. Cunningham 23 OCT 1950: ---------------LCDR W.G. Bowles 28 JAN 1952: ---------------LCDR G. McC. Jude 08 APR 1952: ---------------LCDR D.R. Hare 21 AUG 1952: ---------------LCDR G.F. Brown 18 APR 1953: ---------------LCDR N.R. Williams 18 MAY 1953: ---------------LCDR A.J. Gould 26 JUN 1954: ---------------LCDR F.T. Sherborne 26 JUN 1955: ---------------LCDR R.E. Bourke 26 NOV 1956: ---------------LCDR J.G. Campbell 28 FEB 1958: ---------------LCDR B.H. Stock 20 JUL 1959: ---------------LCDR W.M.W. McBarron 30 AUG 1961: ---------------LCDR F.T. Lane A-4G Skyhawk Era Commanding Officers |
Awards Battle Honors: Crete 1941, Libya 1941-42, Korea 1951-52 |
Awards continued No additional info |
Events Nov 1940: The 805 Squadron was established during WWII as a Royal Navy unit. After WWII it was disestablished, and then reestablished as a part of the 20th Carrier Air Group for HMAS SYDNEY. 28 AUG 1948: On this date, the 805 Squadron became part of the Royal Australian Navy, flying the Hawker Sea Fury Mark 11 Fighter. 1951-52: 805 Squadron embarked aboard HMAS Sydney participated in the Korean War. From Sept 1951, HMAS Sidney and 805 Squadron relieved HMAS Glory off the coast of Korea. For 64 days 805 Squadron pilots flow Combat Air Patrols and ground attack missions earning the CO, LCDR W.G. Bowles the Distinguished Service Cross and the American Legion of Merit. 805 Squadron lost three pilots in separate incidents. 26 MAR 1958: Dis-established. 31 MAR 1958: Re-established "805" flew the De Havilland Sea Venoms Mark FAW53 aircraft out of NAS Nowra and off HMAS Melbourne. 30 JUN 1963: 805 Squadron is dis-established. 10 JAN 1968: "805" was re-established as VF-805 and was equipped with the McDonnel Douglas A-4G Skyhawk flying out of NAS Nowra and from HMAS Melbourne. With wiring modifications the A-4G was capable of carrying four AIM-9B Sidewinder Missles, one on each of the four wing stations. "VF"-805 was thus better equipped to provide Fleet Air Defense. Although photos show a/c with different squadron markings (as well as variations to them), there was only ONE ‘front-line’ or seagoing Skyhawk squadron in the RAN, and it was VF-805. For one reason or another, we ‘borrowed’ a/c from our shore based squadron VC-724 and as we didn’t have the resources to mark them up as belonging to us, we simply left them ‘as is’. VF-805 was known as ‘The Checkmates’ and our unit markings (initially) included: Red & white checker-board pattern on the rudder. Last 2 digits of a/c side number (e.g., 87) high on the vertical fin, immediately in front of the rudder, and mall squadron crest immediately aft of the 3 digit a/c side number (e.g., 883) on the fwd fuselage (under the cockpit). 07 JUN 1970: Two VF-805 pilots, one RAN and one USN, set a new distance record. 27 OCT 1971: SBLT Hamilton landed his A-4G Skyhawk, BuNo 154908, RAN 887, on it's empty drop tanks at NAS Barber Point's foamed runway when VF-805 was temporarily disembarked from HMAS Melbourne. The wheels had been accidentally lowered at 450 knots during a dive at Kahoolawe Weapons Range. 01 November 1973 BuNo 154910 889: SBlt. Barry Evans remained in the aircraft while the ship passed overhead and freed himself underwater after a catapult failure while launching from HMAS Melbourne during multinational exercise near Singapore. Picked up by helicopter.  22 May 1978 BuNo 154908, #887: Wheels-up landing, after losing a wheel during a touch and go on HMAS Melbourne. Leut. B.J. Evans, RAN, statement of the incident. 23 May 1979 BuNo154909, 888: LCdr. K. Finan, USN exchange pilot, ejected and was rescued unhurt by the SAR Wessex & returned onboard HMAS Melbourne after the arrestor wire broke/parted during landing and went over the side of HMAS Melbourne 90Km east of Jervis Bay, NSW. The alert rescue Sea King (N16-098 / 01) suffered a tail-rotor failure and ditched by HMAS Melbourne before it was able to retrieve the pilot of the A-4. A second Sea King performed the recovery of both crews. RAN Ejection number 9.. 24 September 1979 BuNo 154907, #886: Aircraft came free from chains when being repositioned and rolled off the deck when HMAS Melbourne suddenly rolled 20 degrees to starboard during a storm 355km east of Australia. Maintenance sailor in cockpit ABATWL Eric R. Krenn suffered lacerations but managed to get clear and was thrown a lifebuoy and joined in water by diver. Both picked up by HMAS Hobart (DDG 39). 02 October 1980 BuNo 155062 875: LCdr. Clive Blennerhasset ejected at low level with only minor injuries when the engine failed immediately following catapult launch from HMAS Melbourne, Andaman Sea, 35 nm north of Sumatra, Indonesia. RAN ejection number 11. 21 October 1980 BuNo 154906 885: SBlt. David Baddams ejected and was picked up by RAN helicopter with minor injuries after catapult failure and premature hold back failure 200km SW of Columbo Sri Lanka on launch from HMAS Melbourne. RAN ejection number 12. Sandgroper 1982, RAAF Pearce: We had 4 A-4Gs there, the RAAF about 10 Mirage, USAF 8 or so F-16, and the USN sent 4 or 5 A-4s. They came from an aggressor squadron based in the Philippines. They were pretty tatty aircraft, but they knew how to fly them. 02 JUL 1982: VF-805 was disestablished and HMAS Melbourne (Australia's only carrier) was retired. 24 NOV 2000: 805 Squadron was re-established to fly Kaman Super Sea Sprite Helicopters from ANZAC Frigates. The unit is stationed at HMAS Albatross. VF-805 hosted several US Navy Skyhawk Flyers as exchange pilots: LCDR Finan, Bob Stumpf,Lt. Mike Gump USMC, LCDR John Park, LT Mike Nordeen (who much later visited Sydney aboard a carrier as the Air Boss with Captain rank) Capt. White USMC |
Unit Photos: 1974: BuNo 154912, RAN881, TA-4G parked with canopy up. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 154912, RAN-881, being towed ashore. Gary Verver Collection. JUN77: BuNo 155067, RAN-877, aboard ship. Gary Verver Collection. 1965: U.S. Navy A-4C BuNo 144874, NH-I, traps aboard HMAS Melbourne. NOV 1964 to OCT 1965 VA-113 provided a detachment (Q) of personnel and Skyhawks for use as fighter protection for the Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group embarked on United States Ship Bennington CVS 20. U.S. Navy VA-113 A-4C BuNo 148474, NH-I, aboard HMAS Melbourne. U.S. Navy A-4C BuNo 144874, NH-I, launches from HMAS Melbourne. NOV 1964 to OCT 1965 VA-113 provided a detachment (Q) of personnel and Skyhawks for use as fighter protection for the Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group embarked on United States Ship Bennington CVS 20. NOV82: Left front view of VC-5 Checkertails A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151162, UE-01, on the RAAF Pearce ramp in a lo-vis grey scheme, Sandgroper 82, September 1982. Photo by John Bartels. Date unknown: VC-5 UE-04 parked on the ramp in Australia. John Bartels. 1982: BuNo 155052, RAN 871, in the far left background. In the forefront are VC-5 UE-01 and then UE-04. John Bartels. 1982: BuNo 155052, RAN 871, parked on the ramp with the nose of VC-5 UE-04 on the right. SandGroper82 exercise. John Bartels via Phil Thompson. Date Unknown: BuNo 154908, 877, parked on the ramp. John Bartels via Phil Thompson. BuNo 155051, 870, trapping aboard HMAS Melbourne. Good shot of the Melbourne's landing area. Courtesy of John Bartels, via Phil Thompson. 1968: VF-805 pilots, 1968. From Phil Thompson Date and photographer unknown: The RAN A-4G was capable of carrying Sidwinders on all four wing stations. Date unknown: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154910, #882, ready to launch from the HMAS Melbourne. RAN Photo 04 NOV 1968: BuNo 154909, #888, parked on the ramp. Date unknown: Major General meets with RAN FAA, Leut. Ralph McMillan shows the General around the Skyhawks. BuNo 154910, side no 889, is in the background. From Phil Thompson. 1969: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887, in formation with BuNo 154910, #889 and an RAF Hawker Hunter. "(Picture was probably taken when VF-805 briefly disembarked after the USS Frank E. Evans collision, while HMAS Melbourne was temporarily repaired in Singapore for the voyage back to Australia were it was permanently repaired)." Official RAN Photo from Phil Thompson. 1970s -early: BuNo 154906, RAN 885, over the ramp aboard HMAS Melbourne. Phil Thompson. 1971: BuNo 155060, RAN 873, showing the red tail logo in use in 1971. She is a part of VA-805. Phil Thompson. 14 NOV 1972: BuNo 154909 flying past Ayers Rock. Don Simms via Phil Thompson. 17 JUL 1975: BuNo 155051, RAN 870, was involved in a mid-air with BuNo 155055, RAN 872. ASLT Malcom McCoy, flying 872, was killed. RAN 870 recovered at Nowra. Photo courtesy of Phil Thompson. Date unknown: BuNo 155055 A-4G RAN-872 with new paint. Gary Verver Collection. 22 MAY 1978: USN LCDR K.P. Finan ejects following an arresting wire failure while trapping aboard the HMAS Melbourne in RAN 888, BuNo 154909. Pilot survived, a/c lost. Phil Thompson. 02 OCT 1980: RAN A-4G 875, BuNo 155062, crashes into the Andaman Sea, 35 nm north of Sumatra, after an engine failure. Lcdr Clive Blennerhassett has ejected and can be seen in his parachute. Phil Thompson. 1981-82: BuNo 155061, RAN 874 with Rav France behind the controls. BuNo 154904, RAN 883, with Dave Coote behind the controls. BuNo 155069, RAN 877, with Mark Pearsall behind the controls. BuNo 154905, RAN 884, with Andy Sinclair behind the controls. Pic 1; Pic 2; Pic 3. Phil Thompson. Date unknown: BuNo 154905, RAN 884, traps aboard HMAS Melbourne. From Phil Thompson. Date unknown: BuNo 154905, RAN 884 traps aboard HMAS Melbourne. Phil Thompson. Date unknown: BuNo 155061, RAN 874, loaded with dumb bombs. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 155062, RAN-875 parked with the pack. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 155063, RAN-876, tied down aboard ship with RAN-885. Gary Verver Collection. Dates unknown - from Laurie Hillier (post AUG71): BuNo 154907, RAN-886, is having her nose raised using a socket speed wrench to get access to some of her avionics. As a former Twidget, I should remember how many cr BuNo 154906, RAN 885, with double drop tanks and a good shot of the VF-805 insignia. From Phil Thompson. 1969: VF-805 unit photo. R to L kneeling: LCDR Graham King, Leut. Ralph McMillan, LCDR bill Callan (C.O.), Leut Clive Blennerhassett and Leut. Keith Jhonson. Right: Major General meets with RAN FAA, Leut. Ralph McMillan shows the General around the Skyhawks. BuNo 154910, side no 889, is in the background. Date unknown. From Phil Thompson. Date unknown: VF-805 A-4G after launch as it sheds the catapult bridle. Laurie Hillier 1969: LEUT Keith Johnson, and the A-4G cockpit. 1969: Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887, at the initial moment of the cat stroke. RAN 1969: BuNo 154908, #887, making a successful trap aboard the HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1969: left rear view of Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154909, #888, as she makes a touch and go aboard the HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1969: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154907, #886, as she launches from the HMAS Melbourne armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. RAN 1969: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154907 #886, as she takes to the sky and sheds the bridle following a launch from the HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1969: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154907, #886, parked on the ramp. Unknown Photographer via W. Mutza 1969: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887, and BuNo 154909, #888, make a low level deck height pass alongside the HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1969-70: BuNo 154907, #886, off of Pt. Perpendicular, Jervis Bay, NSW, east of NAS Nowra. RAN 1969-70: right side in-flight close-up view of the nose section of BuNo 154907, #886, off of Pt. Perpendicular, Jarvis Bay, NSW, east of NAS Nowra. RAN photo. 1969-70: BuNo 154908, #887, lifts off following a "Touch and Go" aboard the HMAS Melbourne. 1969: BuNo 154912, RAN-881, on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. A-4G being taxied onto HMAS Melbourne's catapult. Ray "Dutchy" Brauer. RAN A-4G 884 on HMAS Melbourne's cat. Ray "Dutchy" Brauer. 1969-70: BuNo 154903, #882, a split second from an arrested landing. LSO LEUT Gary Northern "talking on the phone" and LSO LEUT Keith Johnson supervising from behind the canvas screen. RAN photo. 1970:VF-805 pilots, 1970. From Phil Thompson 1970: BuNo 154907, #886, BuNo 154910, #889, BuNo 154908, #887 and BuNo 154909, #888, aboard the HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154905, #884 in formation with two unknown VC-724 Squadron Skyhawks. Unknown photographer 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155069, #877, as she makes a successful trap aboard the HMAS Melbourne. Hook Magazine 1970: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154906, #887, as she flies in formation over Sydney, Australia. Photo by John Siebert for Navy News. 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk formation as they fly over the HMAS Melbourne: top to bottom BuNo 154907, #886; BuNo 154908, #887; and BuNo 155051, #870. RAN Photo 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155051, #870, on the HMAS Melbourne flight deck below the Australian flag. Unknown photographer via G. Verver 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawks aboard the HMAS Melbourne: top to bottom BuNo 155062, #875; BuNo 155051, #870; and BuNo 155069, #877. Unknown photographer via G. Verver 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155052, #871 as she moves into launch position aboard the HMAS Melbourne. RAN Photo 1970s: close-up right rear tail section view of RAN Skyhawk BuNo 155052, #871. Note the "Tram Tracks", or wheel tracks that allow the A4 to be pushed back over the water to provide more deck space forward. Laurie Hillier 1970s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155062, #875, as she makes an off-center trap aboard the HMAS Melbourne. Dave Ramsay 1970: BuNo 154906, RAN-884, ords loading for a practice bombing mission. Gary Verver Collection. 1971: LCDR C.J. Patterson and pilots. 06 JUN 1971: RAN Skyhawk BuNo 155063, parked on the ramp. Unknown Photographer via W. Mutza 01 SEP 1971: RAMP STRIKE! 154906 RAN 855 repaired after ramp strike. Ray Brauer BuNo 14906 in Camo. Ray Brauer 1972: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154903, #882, ready for launch. Unknown Photographer via W. Mutza 1972: VF-805 pilots, 1972. From Phil Thompson.br> Date unknown: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154905, #884. Unknown Photographer via W. Mutza Date unknown: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154903, #882. Right front view of Royal Australian Navy VF-805 A-4G Skyhawk BuNo 154903, RAN-882, on the cat with the JBD up and ready to launch from the HMAS Melbourne. Unknown Photographer via W. Mutza AUG 1973: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawks in formation. Top to bottom: BuNo 155069, #877; BuNo 155062, #875; BuNo 155055, #872; and BuNo 154907, #886. RAN Photo Leading Airman - Mechanic (Airframes and Engines) Ray R. "Dutchy" Brauer working on a Buddy Store. Ray Brauer Dutchy: Leading Airman - Mechanic (Airframes and Engines) Ray R. (Dutchy) Brauer R63182, VF 805 Sqn Douglas A4G Skyhawk. Dressed for Captain's Divisions HMAS Melbourne R21 RIMPAC 73. CVA-33 AUG 1973: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155063, #876, as she makes a right-hand bank over the rugged deep sandstone plateaus just south-west of NAS Nowra, NSW, Australia. May 1974: BuNo 155062, #875, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection May 1974: TA-4G BuNo 154912, #881. Gary Verver Collection Date unknown: A-4G over the ramp. David Ramsay 1974: Sparks fly during the launch of A-4G Skyhawk BuNo 155063 #876 from the HMAS Melbourne. . NOTE: "...."CAG" acronym on the tail as it was the nominal 'CAG bird' flown by Carrier Air Group Commander. The shower of sparks caused by a loose bolt in the catapult track. David Ramsay 1975: VF-805 "Checkmates" 1975: Mixed RAN and RNZAF formation by Mt Egmont. Top to bottom looks like 154906 RAN 885, unknown RNZAF, 155063 RAN 876 & RNZAF 157904 NZ6201. RNZAF Official via Don Simms and Phil Thompson. 157908 NZ6205 in flight with 154906 RAN 885 during Tasman exercise. RNZAF Official via Don Simms and Phil Thompson. Date unknown: RAN Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887, approaches the HMAS Melbourne for an arrested landing. Photo by Peter Cleaver via Corné Rodenburg. RAN 887 trapping aboard HMAS Melbourne. John Bartels. RAN 877 on deck HMAS Melbourne. BuNo 15406, RAN-885, on deck of HMAS Melbourne. Gary Verver Collection. 1976-77: VF-805 pilots (R to L) MIDN Michael Maher, SBLT Colin Tomlinson, LEUT Peter Greenfield. Taken outside Hanger "J", NAS Nowra, NSW. They are group OFS No.11. Photo from Phil Thompson 26 June 1977: BuNo 155051, #870, parked on the flight line with a centerline tank and Sidewinder missiles. Gary Verver Collection. JUN77: BuNo 154907, RAN-886, tied down on deck. Gary Verver Collection. JUN77: BuNo 155052, RAN-871, tied down on deck. Pic2 about same time. Gary Verver Collection. 1977: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawks BuNo 155051, #870, at right, and BuNo 155061, #874, at left. RAN Photo 1977: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154907, #886, configured as a tanker, makes a low pass with the gear & hook down and speed brakes out over Greenham Common, UK. RAN photo. AUG77: BuNo 155051, RAN-870 tied down aboard ship. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 155051, RAN-870 tied down for open house. Gary Verver Collection. 1978: BuNo 155052, RAN-871, parked on the line. Gary Verver Collection. 1978: VF-805 Skyhawk BuNo 155052, #871, as she as she taxis by the photographer during an air-show at the Royal Australian Naval Air Station, Nowra, NSW. Photo from Steve McDonald. 1978: BuNo 155062, #875 as she taxies by the photographer during an air-show at the Royal Australian Naval Air Station, Nowra, NSW. Photo from Steve McDonald. 22 MAY 1978: head-on view of Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887,on a pair of crunched drop tanks following a wheels-up landing, after losing a wheel during a touch and go on HMAS Melbourne. RAN 22 MAY1978: right side view of Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154908, #887, on a pair of crunched drop tanks following a wheels-up landing, after losing a wheel during a touch and go on HMAS Melbourne. RAN 1979: BuNo 154908, #887, aboard the HMAS Melbourne. RAN photo. MAR79: BuNo 154906, RAN-885, undergoing some maintenance work. Gary Verver Collection. 23 MAY 1979: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154909 #888, and pilot USN LCDR K.P. Finan go into the water after he ejected following an arresting wire failure while trapping aboard the HMAS Melbourne.
Sept 1979: BuNo 154907, #886 rolled off the deck of the HMAS Melbourne in a storm 355km off east Australian coast on 09/79. Gary Verver Collection Date unknown: BuNo 155051, #870, parked on the flight deck. Gary Verver Collection Date unknown: Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154907, #886, parked on the ramp with MK-76 practice bombs on a PMBR and drop tanks. Gary Verver Collection RAN A-4G Most probably 882 or 872. John Bartels. 1979: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154906, #887, topside on the HMAS Melbourne as another VF-805 Skyhawk launches. RAN 22 NOV 1979: VF-805 unit photo. 1980s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154904, #883, as she taxis back to the flight-line. RAN 1980s: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155069, #877, as she fires a load of FFAR's on Beecroft Range, Jervis Bay near NAS Nowra. RAN Photo Early 1980s photos below from John Bartels: RAN 880 TA-4 BuNo 154911 taxi. RAN 881 BuNo 154912 Pic1; RAN 881 Pic2; RAN 881 Pic3; RAN 881 Pic4 RAN 871 and 881 taxi Pic1. ; RAN 871 and 881 taxi Pic2. RAN 871 undergoing maintenance. RAN 876, 883 and 882 on the ramp. 1981: Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 155063, #876, as the Squadron personnel pose for a group photo. Laurie Hillier. 1981-82: LEUT John Bartels and group photo of VF-805 pilots. Top photo is Stumpf in 1993. Second Photo is VF-805 group photo courtesy of RAN, and Stumpf with RAN in 1981-82. JUN 1982: Skyhawk formation, top to bottom: BuNo 154904, #883; BuNo 154911, #880 and BuNo 154908, #887. John Bartels. 1978: BuNo 155052, RAN-871, parked on the line. Gary Verver Collection. MAY81: BuNo 155061, 874, taxi on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1982: BuNo 154908, RAN-887, A-4G tie downs on ramp. Gary Verver Collection. JUN 1982: in-flight view of Royal Australian Navy Skyhawk BuNo 154904, #883. John Bartels JUN 1982: L-R: LEUT John Bartels; LCDR Gary Northern, CO; MAJ Chuck Smith USMC; LCDR Peter Clark, SP; LEUT Gary Osmond, SPLT Dave Baddams & SBLT Paul Kalade pose in front of BuNo 154908, #887. The last VF-805 pilots. RAN photo. Two A-4G Skyhawks on a rocket run. Ray Brauer BuNo 155063, 876. A mixed flight of four, two in RAN colors and two in RNZAF colors. Ray Brauer A-4G launch. Ray Brauer Date unknown: BuNo 154904, RAN-883, parked. BuNo 154905, RAN-884. Gary Verver Collection. 10 NOV 1982: A Navy A-4E Skyhawk aircraft pilot arrives at Pearce Royal Australian AFB, Australia for Exercise Sandgroper 82. 1984: The ASU (Aircraft Support Unit) outside "B" Hangar at Nowra. 1984: RAN 871 taxing at Nowra. 30 JUN 1984: Final pair of RAN A-4Gs take-off from Nowra to be transferred to the RNZAF. BuNo 154905, RAN 884, is one of them - piloted by Dave Coote. The other is BuNo 154904, 883. From Phil Thompson. Date Unknown: An A-4G Skyhawk of the Royal Australian Navy makes a "low" pass along port side of HMAS Melbourne. 1988: TA-4G BuNo 154912 RAN-881 under going maintenance. Gary Verver Collection. NOV 1999: Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra Australia, display of an A-4G built from an A-4B (142871). Phil Thompson: I first saw a US carrier (maybe USS Coral Sea) as a young teenager civilian, when she visited Sydney (going home - early Vietnam perhaps?) about 1964-5. I recall some of the aircraft were cocooned on deck (F4 Phantoms) and I remember the size. Geez Louise. It was alongside at our Naval Base Garden Island. The larger carriers stayed in the Harbour itself whenever they visited. I joined the Navy in 1966 and started to fly - beginning of 1968 - with the Royal Australian Air Force as the Fleet Air Arm did not have a Basic Flying Training capacity. So by the beginning of 1969 I was back at NAS Nowra south of Sydney to rejoin the Fleet Air Arm as a jet pilot. We had just received the A-4G the year before (when flying operations with them began) and the pace for old pilots to convert and then to deck qualify - once HMAS Melbourne became available in 1969 - was hectic. I had to wait for conversion to the A-4G until the beginning of 1971. John Bartels Off-Duty Photos No info yet. |