RAAF Gets The CANZ

The RAAF first participated in the competition, against Canadian and New Zealand tactical transport crews, at Whenuapai (near Auckland, NZ) last year: The crew won first place.

SQNLDR Cornish and FLTLT Mattes’ crews took the win in Canada a stage further: SQNLDR Cornis’s crew took out first place and FLTLT Mattes’s crew drew with a Royal New Zealand Air Force crew for second.

The C130H Hercules used in the competition took off from RAAF Base Richmond on April 30 and headed via the Marshall Islands, Hawaii and California to Trenton in Ontario, the Canadian Armed Forces’ main air transport base and venue for the competition.

After brief visits to local industrial complexes, including the De Havilland of Canada aircraft factory, the crews began flying with various combinations of “change-around” between the three countries – giving all crew members, pilots, navigators, engineers and loadmasters, experience in how other countries operate the same aircraft.

The competition followed familiarization flights: It involved one morning and one afternoon mission by each of the six crews (two RAAF, two CAF and two RNZAF).

“The aim of the exercise is to put the aircraft through a taxing navigation course and drop a load on a target five metres in diameter, “said the Australian detachment commander, SQNLDR Cornish.

“The flights are judged on navigation accuracy, timing, drop altitude and airspeed, and accuracy of the airdrop onto the target.

“Each team starts with the maximum possible 450 points and loses points as they fly through the course. But the airdrop accuracy is the most important. ” The combined talents of SQNLDR Cornish’s crew (navigator, Flying Officer Leigh Beaman) gave them first place with a score of 412 points.

Equal second was the other 36 Squadron crew led by FLTLT Bill Mattes (navigator, FLGOFF Mike Rowles) with a crew from RNZAF’s 40 Squadron: Both scored 358 points.

Fourth was the Canadian Armed Forces’ 436 Squadron with 365 points Fifth was 40 SQN RNZAF with 355: and Sixth, 435 SQN CAF with 332.

Another feature of the competition is the shop-talk socials with tri-nation gatherings of crew members doing the same job.

“the main benefit, apart from the competition,” said SQNLDR Cornish, “is the exchange of ideas, procedures and operating techniques.

“The type of air drops each air force carries out differ slightly, so we acquire knowledge in this field.

“It’s also an education to compare aircraft equipment, modification state and maintenance procedures. ” It’s hoped the next Exercise Bullseye competition will be held at RAAF Richmond in November. these conditions, and continuing back to Tullaberga into the teeth of the southerly gale was out of the question.

On the other hand, if he had no further difficulty maintaining height, the same wind would give them fast passage to Merimbula. But what if that starboard engine, now producing the power that was keeping them in the air, should repeat its trouble? True, there were two or three beaches on the way, long enough for a forced landing, but the greater part of the intervening coastline consisted of rocky headlands and near vertical cliffs.

David made up his mind. He would try for Merimbula.

But as an added precaution he brought the doubtful engine back to 1900rpm. It should still be enough to fly – even if only just.

Straightening out of the turn onto a heading that would parallel the coast, David trimmed the Drover to fly straight and, a few knots above its minimum control speed gradually nursed it back to 700 feet. It refused to go any higher.

McAllister, puzzled by the aircraft’s manoeuvres, and knowing nothing of their slim margin of safety, strode forward to the cockpit. With the abrupt change of trim, the Drover lost 50 feet of precious height.

“Can’t we fly lower and closer to the foot of the cliffs? We’re too far out to get the shots I want. ” This was no time for detailed explanations.

“Would you mind going back to your seat?” David shouted over his shoulder, “We’ve got a bit of a problem. ” He returned his concentration to the bellow of the starboard engine. It sounded healthy enough now, but if that exhaust valve should stick again . . .

The Drover staggered on, just out to sea now from the coastal cliffs. About halfway they passed the wide entrance to Twofold Bay and the fishing port of Eden. Now at least they were closer to aid if they had to ditch. Still apprehensive, David thought of Pam and their young son back at Tullaberga – people, like those in the cabin behind him, who were dependent on him. He had no right to have put any of them in this situation.

At the rear of the cabin, there was a sudden rush of air as someone opened the hatch again, and the altimeter slipped off a few more feet as the increased drag took effect. David yelled back at the offending passenger and the hatch was closed.

A thin crescent of sandy beach slid beneath the nose, then more rocky headlands, and another beach. One more stretch of cliffs, a river mouth, the last beach and they would be there.

– – Slowly the second hand of the clock in front of him ticked off the remaining minutes, and David knew they had made it.

* * *

After they had landed the passengers had been conducted to the terminal building to await a charter flight back to Tullaberga – all surprisingly philosophical about the “mechanical problem”, but still blissfully ignorant of their deliverance – David opened the cowling of the port engine.

There, sure enough, was the throttle push rod hanging limply beside the carburettor. The reason was not hard to see.

The ball joint needed adjustment for wear – something that would have been obvious from an adequate pre-flight inspection and which could have been remedied in 10 minutes.

Then and there David resolved that never again would he fly without first making a full daily inspection – nor would he trust to luck with a doubtful engine. He had won on both counts this time, but he could take no credit for either.

The next afternoon, after servicing the Drover in the fisheries hangar, he ferried it back to Tullaberga. Pam came to meet him at the aerodrome.

“Darling!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise as she greeted him, “You’ve grown grey hairs on your temple!”