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High Times: Celebrating 100 years of the RAAF
centenary special
This special edition celebrates 100 years of the RAAF and features an exclusive interview with the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld; an introduction from Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price; as well as some of the best features from Australian Aviation’s history, examining the inner workings of the Air Force.
It’s easy to think only of our RAAF in only glowing terms, but its most uncomfortable truth is that it faced all manner of obstacles and criticism before it even began. The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, tells Australian Aviation this issue straight, “There was a certain institutionalised view that military aviation and aircraft were valuable as tools for the navies and armies to enhance operations within their respective domains. There needed to be a lot of work done by advocates within the RAN and Army and by government before there was an agreed scheme for an independent air service in Australia.”
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In other words, the Army and Navy weren’t best pleased and didn’t like the thought of their power being challenged. “The concept of an air force was just so alien that there was simply no provision made for a third armed service legally able to use lethal force on Australia’s behalf,” he continues. In fact, it struggled even to get sign off for a modest budget. The nation’s attitude soon changed when Australia entered World War II, with RAAF aircraft involved in almost every air campaign.
Inside this special issue, we discuss the past, present and future of our Air Force. First up, we have an exclusive introduction from Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, talking about just that, alongside a very personal and raw feature from Australian Aviation’s chief pilot, Christian “Boo” Boucousis. Boo talks candidly about how he moved heaven and earth to fulfil his dream of flying Hornets for the RAAF and what he did when illness cut short his career.
Also, in this issue, we reveal the greatest-ever RAAF aircraft, as voted by you. After opening our 40-year archive of images, we decided we had to ask you which was the best, and more than 1,300 took part. You won’t be remotely surprised at the winner. Finally, we open our print archive to bring you the best features going inside the RAAF. Not just the aircraft, but the training and operations. My personal favourite is our piece talking to those who led the hunt for MH370 – perhaps the RAAF’s most high-profile operation.
But before I sign off, here’s a thought: no country in the world relies on aviation quite like Australia given our unusual geography and the much-discussed tyranny of distance. But the history of aviation here starts with the RAAF. Without our Air Force, there would be no commercial industry, or at least, one that is what it is today. I’d argue that the story of the RAAF is also the story of modern Australia – as the break-neck, punch-above-its-weight, prove-the-doubters production of the Boomerang shows.
Not a bad accomplishment for a once-unwanted organisation.
Adam Thorn
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Australian Aviation visited 10 and 11 Squadrons to report on their operations, progress of the AP-3C drawdown and preparations for its replacement, the Boeing P-8A Poseidon
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Inside the RAAF: On Short notice
How the RAAF played a vital role Operation Okra, the coalition mission to defeat the Islamic State
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Andrew McLaughlin
Inside the RAAF: A different beast
Australian Aviation visited 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond to learn more about RAAF’s C-27J Spartans
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Andrew McLaughlin
What does it take to become a fighter pilot? We revealed how making it into the cockpit now requires far more than just dedication and quick reactions
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Andrew McLaughlin And Tony Moclair
The introduction of the Super Hornet was probably the most controversial of any aircraft in the RAAF’s history. Andrew McLaughlin and Tony Moclair charted its battle to join the fleet
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Inside the RAAF: The cruel sea
Australian Aviation spoke to those inside the RAAF who helped co-ordinate the hunt for MH370, the largest multi-national maritime air search operation in history
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One in 100: The greatest-ever aircraft, as voted for by you
More than 1,300 Australian Aviation readers picked their favourite RAAF aircraft. We profile the top 10 and link to our gallery of unseen pictures from our 40-year archive
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Christian “Boo” Boucousis
Ejecting – Transitioning away from the RAAF
Podcast regular Christian “Boo” Boucousis is Australian Aviation’s chief pilot and a man who spent his early career flying F/A-18 Hornets. Here, he talks about his determination to make it and how he coped when illness forced him to step away
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‘The concept of an air force was alien’
In an exclusive interview with Australian Aviation, the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, tells Chris Frame how the pioneering organisation had to overcome the odds at its birth to become only the second independent air force in the world
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Tony Moclair profiled the campaign to refuel the enormous Wedgetail with the equally enormous KC-30 successfully
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Hon Melissa Price MP, Minister For Defence Industry
Melissa Price: The past, present and future of the RAAF
In an exclusive piece for Australian Aviation, the Minister for Defence Industry talks of her pride at our Air Force’s accomplishments and looks forward to an exciting few years to come
