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September 2025

The AWM website is displaying an interesting 17min video of Egypt and the Western Desert in WW2.  
John SALTER of 450 Squadron RAAF shot this film, which is quite representative of the experiences of the boys in the desert. 

One dramatic scene shows a collection of strafed and burning Allied vehicles on a desert road, and then casualties in hospital.  Yikes! 

However, a cataloging error has resulted in the AWM mis-identifying these scenes as “3SQN”, whereas they really show our sister squadron.  (We have now prepared a folio of evidence to justify the AWM changing their caption – often a long-winded process!)

 
Click for Video of the Hornet being craned-in to the new ANZAC Hall.

 
After surviving 6,000 flying hours, including three combat campaigns over Iraq and Syria, A21-22 is now wrapped in plastic, with its edges protected with pool-noodles, until the display opens for public viewing.

Contrary to an initial display concept that was publicised previously (imagining the aircraft being suspended at a groovy angle, as if in flight) it now appears that A21-22 will sit squarely on its undercarriage.  [Presumably a lot less complicated to maintain - and less expensive!]

Nov 2016:  The same Hornet “22” being serviced during Operation OKRA. 
[This RAAF Official picture was taken a few months after 3SQN’s deployment finished.]

Journalist Julie POWER interviewed AWM Senior Curator Dr Kerry NEALE, who said the large objects, such as the Hornet, would not exist without the servicemen and women. 

“We needed a space that would keep the Memorial true to its mission… which is to interpret and share the experience of Australians at War. 
We can’t end that at Vietnam… because that’s not when Australia’s experience of war ends…  We look at the devastation that air strikes cause, to the coalition, the enemy, it’s all compounded, and we’re saying that the Hornet as a piece of technology is quite impressive, but all the people who work on them, and all of the consequences and repercussions, are part and parcel of the Hornet story.”

To show the human elements, the Hornet display includes a mannequin wearing the flight suit of a tall pilot, like Group Captain Michael GRANT, who had to fold himself into a small space for 10 hours or more.  It includes his “P Bag” – a pocket-sized emergency loo, which folds up like an adult diaper and uses the same crystals.  Neale said:  “They had them in their flight suit pockets, and would need to use them to relieve themselves. There was no pulling off to the side of the road.” 

On the ground nearby, a mannequin represents a RAAF Technician dressed in shorts, in 50-degree heat, working to maintain the plane.

At the time when 3AFC was founded in 1916, it was part of the Australian Army.  (No separate “Air Force” existed, although spectacular growth of the flying services during the course of WW1 soon made this need apparent.)  So it may surprise many readers to hear that a lot of Australian Flying Corps history is stored out on the flat tablelands at the back of Toowoomba, in beautiful Oakey QLD!  This is in the “Australian Army Flying Museum” - well worth a visit.

We have had some correspondence with David SCHAEFFER, on the North Coast of NSW, whose dad Harry flew with 3 Squadron in North Africa in 1942, before returning to Australia and then resuming conflict against the Japanese.  David is in the process of typing-up his dad’s war diary and we have been able to help with other pictorial and text resources.  (See procedure on our website ‘Research’ page.)  Many of Harry’s interesting letters were published in his local paper and he was a good friend of 3SQN Ace “Nicky” BARR.

Harry SCHAEFFER in front of a 3SQN Kittyhawk.  [AWM 023104]

For armchair aviators, our member Ken McCRACKEN has sent in some pix of another of his wonderful aviation experiences.  This time above Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand.  Ken managed to climb up and over this mighty 3,700-metre peak using only a glider, favourable winds and brainpower!  - NO ENGINE!  (Other than his takeoff launch 3,000 metres lower and 100km away.)

The view looking north from above the main range of the NZ Alps.  (Fasten your oxygen mask!)  The highest-looking peak at centre is actually Mt Tasman. 
Mt Cook is about 2km closer, lower left, casting a large black shadow over the Tasman Glacier on the right.  

 
The central peak of Mt Cook, looking east.  The series of mountain ranges in the distance help to deflect the wind upward into “waves”, which Ken was then able to “surf”, gaining altitude step by step.  - Then simply reverse the process, to ease back to home base!

June 2025

COMMEMORATION - May 8, 2025.
80th Anniversary of the end of WW2 in Europe.

The 3 Squadron Headquarters at Williamtown generously hosted a commemoration of “V.E. Day”, which was well-attended by approximately 50 serving personnel from Williamtown base and 10 Association Members who mainly had connections to WW2.  A fine empathetic service was conducted by Chaplain Gabriel EZENWA.  (In 1945, this day came as an enormous relief to all 3SQN personnel and their families!)

Cutella Italy, 1944:  Top 3SQN WW2 ace “Nicky” BARR [left], after escaping from German captivity and leading a group of Allied evadees through the German ‘Gustav Line’.
[Pic: FAEHSE collection.]

Don’t say we don’t bring you the GOOD News!
After WW2 ended, people could get on with their lives, including popular former 3SQN groundcrew member Jack FAUNT…

L.A.C. John Faunt and Mrs. Faunt (Miss Phyllis Hill).  [Photo:  TROVE.]

From The Newcastle Sun 15 Nov 1945:  After the marriage of their daughter, Phyllis, to L.A.C. John FAUNT (returned), at the Methodist Church, Merewether, Inspector and Mrs. T. HILL entertained at their home, Hamilton.  The bride, attended by her cousin, Gwen THORBY, wore a three-tiered veil and a cluster of flowers with her white chantilly lace frock, and the bridesmaid wore white Broderie Anglaise and a tulle headdress.  The bride carried white gladioli and her cousin pink.  The marriage was celebrated by the Rev. W. C. FULLERTON, and Mr. HILL gave away his daughter.  The bridegroom, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. FAUNT, of Cootamundra, was attended by Cpl. Keith MINCHINTON, R.A.A.F. (returned), of Sydney.

Our member Sharon NEALE is the daughter of our former member Carl DAWSON (deceased 2024).  Carl was a 3SQN Armament Fitter Corporal in Butterworth, working on Sabres 1959-1961.  Sharon would be interested to hear from any ex-serving members from that era, or their families, to discuss times past. 
- Please contact the Association.

Photo from Fairfield BIZ Newspaper, 5/10/1960. 
Caption: “One of the members of the R.A.A.F. serving in Malaya, who keeps the armament of the Sabres working, is LAC Carl DAWSON, of Canley Vale, Sydney, N.S.W.
Above he is pictured [left] pointing out the side cannon on a Sabre jet fighter at R.A.A.F. Butterworth to FLTLT Ron GREEN, of Perth, W.A.  Dawson has been in Malaya one year and ten months.”

BOOKSHELF:  Our member AVM (ret.) Dick BOMBALL [who was CO3 1973-74] writes:  “Some time ago I promised myself and the then long-retired CAS David EVANS that I would one day write an account of my experience in leading the team that finally sold the retired Mirage fleet and the support package to the Pakistanis.  I have finally done it - and for those who may be interested, it can be bought online, on-demand, direct from the publisher… 
To purchase, please visit the website: “Selling the Mirage”.

The on-line price of $27.65 is more than I would like, but I didn’t have the unlimited energy needed to market and mail the book myself.  As it is a ‘niche’ subject with a limited market, selling through book stores simply wasn’t an option.  That has driven the price up, for which I apologise.  Nevertheless, the price is below cost, so it is definitely non-profit!
 

TV current affairs comedy clip: 'RAAF Mirages for Sale'.

The book is a detailed account of the day-to-day activities of the team which successfully negotiated Australia’s first major international arms export:  the sale of the RAAF’s retired Mirage fleet to Pakistan.  The account covers the hurried preparation, development of negotiating strategies, the events (some quite unexpected) that led to the finally agreed price and schedule of payments, and the intense period of contract negotiation.  The record includes a very extensive collection of press clippings covering the domestic and international furore that erupted following the announcement of this controversial event.   The story reveals several related anecdotes that add some surprising detail beyond that previously publicly available.”

For armchair aviators who haven’t been required to monitor the health of their single engine for a 10-hour hop across the Pacific, here are two minutes of atmospheric Lightning video, with 3SQN prominent.

The Association would like to thank British Author Paul McMILLAN for doing some intricate detective work to find a 3SQN serving member who died in a 1930 car-crash. 

We have added this entry to our Association Roll of Honour.

Aircraftman 1st Class Ovendon Hart "Cec" WILLIAMS (RAAF No.787)
Cec died in a work-related accident on the Windsor Road at Rouse Hill, NSW, 27/02/1930.  He was being driven to work in a Baby Triumph car owned by Sgt. Wilfred BROWN of 3SQN.  Brown swerved to avoid some sheep that had strayed through a fence onto the road.  His car skidded on the soft road-edge and rolled over.  Both Williams and Brown were thrown from the car.  Williams died of a fractured skull and Brown was injured with a broken arm. 

This accident widowed Williams' newly-wedded wife, Stella. 
[Four years later, in 1934, Brown himself was killed in a private aviation crash at Mascot Airport.]

The PACIFIC AIR SHOW, which was scheduled on the Gold Coast for 15-17 AUGUST 2025.
 Has been CANCELLED due to Cyclone Alfred Recovery.
For any of our members anticipating this event, we’re sorry to convey the news that it has been cancelled.
The airshow will be back again in August 2026.

This cancellation is disappointing for our Association, as our stalwart W.A. member “Homer” SIMPSON had negotiated discounted tickets for 3SQN Assn Members for this year’s event, and also a free family pass, which we were planning to run a competition to give away!

Oh well, we will do our best to “re-load” the offer for 2026!

March 2025

The Association salutes the recent success of the Squadron in completing their historic series of F-35 trans-Pacific ferry-runs.  This task has become a “specialty” of 3SQN in recent years – which is both an honour, recognising 3SQN’s organisational and operational skills, and a sobering risk!  [However, all’s well that ends well.  None of the brand-new birds went into the drink and Kenny was NOT transferred to a one-man weather station in Antarctica!]  The “collectible” patch above, from Unique Models, celebrates 3SQN’s achievement.

 

Up in Queensland, hunkered in their video bunker, our AMAHA friends Matt & Josiah have sent the very happy news that they have finished the LAST episode of their 3SQN History Video.  (ITALY theatre, 1943 to 1945.)
Of all of the excellent episodes in this series, this one is an outstanding treatment of the subject.  Much of the script has been sourced from our 3SQN website, and the video uses an impressive “Artificial Intelligence” voice to perform the narration.  The real stars are the old 3SQN Veterans whose interviews and home movies have been included.  The subtle use of animation has also filled in some gaps in the historic photo and film coverage.

Our Sydney member Debbie CHURCH (daughter of 3SQN Mustang pilot Al CLARK) sends: 
Re my Caterpillar Brooch, which Dad had given to me many decades ago;  I have been fretting over it and was convinced I had lost it off my jacket in one of the ANZAC marches!   - However, I had placed it in a special box that was hiding in a cupboard!

Debbie’s find is worth $1,500!  This tiny gold “silkworm badge” was issued to aircrew whose silk parachutes had saved their lives.  They became members of the “Caterpillar Club.”

Addison finished the war with an MiD and an OBE.  [N.B. 2/Lt NORVILLE, whom Addison mentions as being shot down from 7,000ft over France, was not actually killed, he survived as a POW, but with a paralysed arm.  Norville had been seconded from 3AFC to gain “operational experience” over the Western Front - yikes!]

Here’s another impressive aviation-travel note from our member Ken McCRACKEN: “Visited the Tangmere Aviation Museum...  It’s really superb.  I had 30 minutes on the English Electric Lightning fighter simulator.  [A 1960s contemporary to 3SQN’s Mirages.]  It really takes a bit of focus beyond Mach 2!  Only mere seconds to gain 10-20 thousand feet.  Loop diameters 5-8 thousand feet, aileron rolls 2 seconds, barrel rolls 3 seconds and bloody hard to slow down for a landing!” 

Sunday 16th February 2025 marked the 84th birthday of 450 Squadron RAAF.  [And the establishment of Williamtown RAAF base, which required a lot of manual labour from the new 450 personnel to clean up the site!]  
450 Association arranged an excellent commemoration at Fighterworld, which attracted a diversity of interested parties, including representatives of 3SQN Assn and the serving 3 Squadron leadership.  

Rod BROOKER of 450 Assn, in front of the excellent 450 memorabilia display at Fighterworld.

The recent fiery crash of a USAF F-35, which spun-in with undercarriage extended, is analysed online. 
(The pilot parachuted safely.  - Eielson AFB, Alaska.)

Our West Australian member Brenton SIGGS was in touch just before Christmas 2024, with a cheery message.  Brenton and his mates in his Veterans’ Support group have laid down some “Tracks to fly by”.

Brenton adds: “Just a brief note from the West Australian Blue Yonder, to advise I have finally recorded a couple of desert guitar-violin-didge-flute tracks with some far more talented musicians than myself.  The tracks are free, but always appreciated if you could make a donation to your favourite cause, or see some suggestions on my Bandcamp page. 
Please pass on to others if you like the tracks.  All feedback welcome!
See you out there in the Deep Blue one day… Best regards, SZiggsy.  (Director Golden State Mining Ltd)”