Aircraft of the ADF – Nl Fairey Firefly

A statement by Australia’s Minister for Defence on June 4, 1947, advised that the Government’s five-year defence plan would include the procurement of two light aircraft carriers to establish a Fleet Air Arm for the RAN.

A total of 90 aircraft would be purchased from the UK, 35 needed to equip each carrier, and orders were formalised the following year. The two Majestic-class carriers being acquired, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Melbourne, would ensure interoperability with the British fleet by being equipped with the latest Royal Navy Hawker Sea Fury fighters and Fairey Firefly attack aircraft.

To support the naval air arm, shore establishments were formed in NSW at Nowra (HMAS Albatross) and Schofields (HMAS Nirimba). The airfield at HMAS Albatross was commissioned on August 31, 1948.

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