RAAF Caribou for HARS

[Jayden Laing]

Just saw this media release from the RAAF. Long live the Caribou & hope to see this amazing aircraft at next years Wings Over Illawarra.


Minister for Defence Materiel – New homes for Caribou aircraft


15 September 2011
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two organisations will preserve and display nine Caribou aircraft and associated equipment.
The two organisations are:


Amrock Aviation Pty Ltd based in Brisbane, which will use the aircraft for humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands; and
The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society in the Illawarra, which will preserve and display two aircraft, one propeller, 15 engines and two spares packages.

Other organisations will receive propellers:

Upwey RSL (Victoria);
Clarence City Council (Tasmania);
Caboolture Warflight and Heritage Museum (Queensland);
Narromine Aviation Museum (NSW);
Dorrigo RSL (NSW);
Northampton RSL (WA); and
Redlands RAAFA (Queensland).
“For more than 40 years, Caribou aircraft were the workhorse of the Australian Defence Force, primarily supporting the Army” Mr Clare said.
“They were used extensively in Vietnam, as well as in East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands supporting humanitarian and relief work.
“They were a versatile aircraft, capable of short take offs and landings on unprepared runways.
“The Caribou served Australia with distinction and these organisations will help us preserve the aircraft for future generations.”

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/15/minister-for-defence-materiel-new-homes-for-caribou-aircraft/

[andrew evans]

thats good news:)

[Robert Zweck]

One large and well known Australian Aviation Museum in a capital city tendered for one but were notified recently that their bid was unsuccessful.

It was sought for static / non-flying display inside a large hangar.

[Bob C]

A few questions :

1) Who is Amrock Aviation as there is virtually nothing about them on the Net ?

2) If HARS gets two Caribous then does it follow that Amrock will get seven as inferred by the Press Release ?.

3) Why can't the Government just donate a Caribou to a "large and well known Australian Aviation Museum in a large Capital city" ? And other old aircraft for that matter to other museums around the country.

[A McLaughlin]

1) A couple of ex-RAAF Caribou guys are setting up Amrock as a startup...

2) Amrock will get seven, yes. I don't think all will be flown operationally though - it's likely a couple will be canabilised for parts.

3) If a museum wants an aircraft, they have to meet certain conditions. Included in this are things like covering the cost of demilitarising the aircraft, how it will be stored, a maintenance plan (even if static), transport costs to the museum site etc. If a museum has been refused, it means it didn't meet the criteria.

[Jayden Laing]

In regards to last bit in your post Andrew about transport costs etc for a museum, will the 2 Caribou's for HARS be flown down (if still in an airworthiness state obviously) or will they be road transported & then made airworthy??

[A McLaughlin]

No idea sorry - No Caribous have flown for nearly two years, so I would imagine they'll be transported by road and then reassembled at Albion Park.

[Stefan I]

I noticed the other day that there appear to be possibly 2 sitting at Richmond, behind the B707's.

[Brenden S]

The 3 at Richmond were training aids, and it's been a long time since they saw the air.

[Nigel C]

A Caribou was delivered to HARS in Albion Park late yesterday afternoon, initially making a flyover of the field before landing on Rwy 34. HARS Cessna 310 was close by for the flyover.

[Raymond Rowe]

What was the serial number.

[Nigel C]

Not sure. I did get photos, but it was either straight above me (none visible) or too far away with heat haze.

I went for a drive-by late this afternoon and couldn't see it on the tarmac. It may have been tucked away in one of the hangars or perhaps was only using Wollongong as a tech stop enroute to another place?

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/Bou291011.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/Bou2291011.jpg

[Grahame Hutchison]

I found this comment on the ADF Serials Message Board (http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/index.php?showtopic=1144&st=50)


The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) at Albion Park NSW has been given two Caribou Aircraft, A4-210 and A4-234, to keep flying for the next 20 years. Both are Vietnam Veterans. We have also been given six semi trailer loads of spares to keep them flying for that period of time.

[Nigel C]

210 would be the closest thing I can make out from my pics when blown up. Thanks.

[Shayne G]

A4-210 departed Oakey yesterday or the day before. So this would most likely be the one you saw Nigel. :D

Great to see that they are still airworthy and are well preserved.

[Nigel C]

It certainly caught me by surprise. I heard it from not far from the end of the airport, and by the time it broke clear of some trees it was pretty much above me. There has been no media coverage down here of its impending arrival, so it was quite a surprise to hear and see it.

[Raymond Rowe]

Thanks for the information everyone

[Darren T.]

I think I'm in the wrong spot.

[Danny Rizk]

Will be looking forward to seeing this aircraft at WOI 2012!

[David N.]

keep an eye out for 234 on Wednesday arvo

[patrick woodward]

Anyone have a ETA for todays arrival???

[patrick woodward]

Walaby 234 about to touch down Wollongong... good to see her flying down the coast.