Haven't they ordered some Italian or Spanish aircraft as their replacement?

No replacement yet. Project Air 8000 Phase 1 has been held over until after the White Paper has been finalised. As part of the White Paper process, Defence is undertaking a whole Airlift review, but most observers expect an order for 12-18 Alenia C-27Js to be placed, along with some more Chinooks.

The DC-3 survived for 58 years in RAAF service from 1939 until 1997, the last 15 plus years mostly in support of operations of the RAAF Aircraft Resreach and Development Unit at RAAF Edinburgh.

Hi Andrew

That's what I've read (in "Australian Aviation" ?)

But the withdrawal of the 'bou would still leave a capability gap for several years until any new equipment arrives.

Anyone know the RAAF serial number.

Must be right then! ;)

Yep, but it's not like the Caribou is able to operate in a warzone. It has no secure comms, no EW or self protection capabilities, and runs on AvGas!

But if another tsunami or cyclone were to hit a near neighbour, it would certainly be missed.

From what i have heard the choices are between the Spanish EADS CASA C-295 airlifter and Italian Alenia C-27J Spartan. As mentioned it will been known with Project 8000. The interim A/C to be used are king air Army A/C.

About 94 B-52H are still flying after 46 years. Previous models were destroyed as part of the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

C-295 is more or less out of it. EADS aren't even seriously bidding it any more. It's C-27J - the only question is how many, and whether they're ordered through the US JCA office via an FMS deal, or directly through Alenia.

The C-27J seems to have quite a good usable payload, but how does it stack up against the Caribou for short field performance?