Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force
Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force

Author: Air Force History Branch

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2021-06-01

Total Pages: 644

ISBN-13: 1922488046

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Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force tells the story of the RAAF’s first one hundred years by describing the acquisition, operation, and service record of the multitude of aircraft types flown by the RAAF. The 176 aircraft types include the flimsy wood and canvas aircraft typical of World War I, through the technological advances during and after World War II, to modern fifth-generation, complex aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II. Even before its formation Sir Richard Williams, the Father of the RAAF, had decided to employ an alpha-numeric numbering system to identify and account for each aircraft in service. This system started with A1, A2, A3 etc as each type of aircraft came into service. Each individual aircraft within each series was identified as A1-1, A1-2 and so on and the aircraft serial became known colloquially as the ‘A-number’. With some exceptions over the century since the A-number system started, aircraft entered RAAF service in broadly the sequence of the A-numbers, and so this book is intended to assist in charting the 100-year history of the RAAF by listing aircraft operated in A-number sequence, rather than by listing them by role (such as Fighter, Bomber, Maritime, Trainer, Transport etc) or alphabetically by name or by manufacturer. The inclusion of a comprehensive Index and the Quick Reference Guide to aircraft by role is intended to facilitate the location of the entry for any specific type of aircraft for those who may not already know its A-number. Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force is a must have for all those who have served in the RAAF, those with a passion for military aviation and aircraft in general, and the broader members of the public wishing to gain an appreciation of the Royal Australian Air Force in its centenary year.

The Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force

Author: Alan Stephens

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780195555417

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Histories of air force often focus on aeroplanes at the expense of people. This book tells that story through the experiences of the airmen and airwomen who have served Australia around the world, from Mesopotamia in 1915 to East timor in 2000.

Cold War Warriors
Cold War Warriors

Author: Ian Pearson

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2021-09-01

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 192248833X

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Cold War Warriors tells the little-known story of the operations by the Royal Australian Air Force’s P-3 Orions during the latter years of the Cold War. The aircraft’s largely low-profile missions, usually flown far from their base, were often shrouded by confidentiality. Now, access to declassified documents has allowed this story to be told. From the lead-up to their delivery in 1968, to the end of the Cold War in 1991; from the intrigues associated with the procurement of the aircraft and subsequent upgrades, to perilous moments experienced by the aircraft and their crews while conducting operations; and from triumphs to tragedies; Cold War Warriors documents the P-3’s service in the RAAF in the context of the unfolding domestic and international events that shaped the aircraft’s evolving missions. As well as being a story of the RAAF Orions and their growing capabilities, Cold War Warriors is also the story of the crews who flew the aircraft. Using their words, Cold War Warriors faithfully describes a number of incidents, both on the ground, and in the air, to provide a sense of the enormous breadth of service the P-3 Orion has provided to the Royal Australian Air Force, to Australia and to our allies.

Then. Now. Always
Then. Now. Always

Author: Air Force History Branch

Publisher:

Published: 2021-11-04

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 9781922615053

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Royal Australian Air Force has come a long way since its early beginnings in the Australian Flying Corps, an element of the Australian Army. From its birth as a fledgling little brother of the other two services, the RAAF has developed over the years in its elements of raising, training and sustaining an effective force, its people, its tools of the trade, its involvement in operations and peacetime activities, and how it looks to the future. Commemorating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, Then. Now. Always covers the story of the AFC and the RAAF during time of both war and peace, with carefully researched text relating to various stages of the life of the RAAF. These historical facts have been combined with interesting personal adventures to provide a holistic view of the RAAF story, and is illustrated throughout with an extensive range of both black and white, and colour photographs.

Taking the Lead
Taking the Lead

Author: Mark Lax

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2020-03-01

Total Pages: 706

ISBN-13: 1922265969

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As Australia withdrew from Vietnam in 1972, few in the Australian Defence Force, none the least those in the Royal Australian Air Force could foresee the immense change that would sweep across the Service. New and emerging international relationships, changing Australian social attitudes, and a growing sense of defence self-reliance would all impact how the RAAF contributed to the application of air power in the defence of the nation and in supporting Australia’s wider national interests. For the first time, Taking the Lead brings to the reader a comprehensive and authoritative study of how the RAAF matured over its third quarter century, how it met the challenges faced, and how it finally came of age, able to take the lead when asked. By 1996, plans were in place such that the RAAF was well on the way to becoming the world’s first fifth generation air force, by making a remarkable transition. This volume also dispels the myth that the RAAF did little in the latter part of the twentieth century but train. In fact, the RAAF was at the forefront of operations as wide afield as the Sub-Continent, the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia. Then there was aid to the civil community as well as aid to those nations seeking help in wider Asia-Pacific region. Clever force restructuring for expeditionary operations amid the stress of downsizing by almost a third, meant that future operations in the twenty-first century were to be a success. Taking the Lead is not just about aircraft, bases and flying. It considers the strategic environment of the era, the factors that affected personnel and training, how the RAAF’s force structure advanced and how the RAAF managed its successes and failures. For those seeking to learn more about their air force, then this book is essential reading. Taking the Lead covers this vital part of the RAAF’s unfolding narrative, and perfectly illustrates how the RAAF remained true to its motto – Per Ardua ad Astra – Through Adversity to the Stars.

The Air Power Manual
The Air Power Manual

Author: Australia. Royal Australian Air Force. Air Power Development Centre

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 9781920800901

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Air Forces
Air Forces

Author: Amit Gupta

Publisher:

Published: 2020-01-20

Total Pages: 392

ISBN-13: 9781912440085

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Each forward-thinking air force has now to consider potential threat scenarios that are futuristic and require some degree of planning. This volume contains data on 14 nations and their attempts to modernize, mobilize and keep ahead of their adversaries.