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More recently at Nowra in its current grey paint scheme. Note the EW antennas. (Bill Lines & Alan Scott)
Aircraft of the ADF – Hawker Siddeley HS.748
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N15 – Hawker Siddley HS.748
The HS.748 had already been acquired for the RAAF over 1967 and 1968 – two as VIP transports for No 34 Squadron, serialled A10-595 and -596, and eight as navigational trainers to replace the Dakotas of the School of Air Navigation, serialled A10-601 to -608.
Again, as with previous aircraft procurement, when the RAN required a transport aircraft to replace the Dakota, there were advantages in commonality of type. However, the RAN aircraft differed from those of the RAAF in being later Series 2A aircraft. Both batches of the RAAF aircraft were Series 2, those for VIP use were model 229s, the nav trainers were 228s. The Series 2A were powered by the more powerful 2290ehp Rolls-Royce Dart R Da.7 Mark 532 turboprops, and this variant had first flown on September 5 1967. (Refer Australian Aviation, Aug 1993.) The order for RAN 748s was announced in March 1970, and the contract for the two aircraft, costing $4.3 million, was signed that June. The RAN variant was designated the model 268, and this acquisition took HS.748 orders to 251 aircraft. The first naval 748, N15-709 (c/n 1709), first flew on January 11 1973, and was accepted in the UK by the RAN on May 29. Flown to Australia by Lieutenant Commander ‘Wingnut’ James, N15-709 arrived at HMAS Albatross on June 7 1973 and joined VC-851 Squadron to replace the venerable Dakota. The second 748, N15-710 (c/n 1710), flew on March 16 1973, and was accepted by the RAN on August 3. This aircraft arrived at Albatross two weeks later.
Serving initially on transport duties, a new role was soon found for the RAN 748s. In December 1977, a contract worth $9.3 million was signed with US company Sanders Associates to convert the two aircraft into electronic warfare (EW) trainers. Over 1978, the hardware modifications were fitted to N15-709 at Bankstown by Hawker de Havilland. Then for 11 months over 1979/80, N15-709 was fitted with equipment and trialled by Sanders Associates in New Hampshire. Fitted with electronic countermeasures (ECM) jamming equipment and chaff dispensers, the aircraft was tasked as an airborne trainer to simulate a hostile EW environment. Over 1980-81, N15-710 was modified to carry the ECM suite. This work was carried out by Hawker de Havilland, with flight trialling from Bankstown and HMAS Albatross. The EW flight soon became known as ‘Echidna Airlines’, with the 748s EW aerial array resembling a flying porcupine. The EW crew for the aircraft consisted of seven: two pilots, a navigator, a tactical coordinator (TACCO) and three EW system operators.
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With the disbandment of VC-851 on August 31 1984, the two 748s were absorbed into HC-723 Squadron. The EW flight of HC-723 has operated the 748s from Nowra ever since, although at times the future of the type with the RAN has been uncertain. After losing other fixed wing aircraft, the decision was made in December 1984 that the 748s would not be taken over by the RAAF, and the RAN would continue to operate and maintain the aircraft. Again in 1989, with transfer of the 748s to the RAAF imminent, the RAN retained control of its last fixed wing assets.
The EW Training System operated by the 748 has provided electronic threat simulation for both ADF units and allied countries. Aircraft frequently deploy for exercises within Australia and throughout the region.
In addition to the dozen RAN and RAAF 748s, two civilian 748s are also registered in Australia. These are both Series 2B aircraft, model 287s, belonging for a time to Impulse Airlines. VH-IMI (c/n 1736 ex G-BCOE) and VH-IMK (1737, G-BCOF), which have been in Australia since the end of 1994, are currently being offered for sale by Independent Air Parts.
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