The Sea Fury and Firefly In Service With The Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm

In the first instalment of this three-part series, Eric Allen charts the formation of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm and the aircraft that accompanied its vessels

‘It was also expected that former RAAF pilots would form the nucleus of the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm’

Fairey Firefly TT.6 WD828 Albion Park October 1984. On 4 December 1987 came down in cabbage field near Camden after engine failure. Later repaired with fuselage components from WB518 and flying in US using identification of WB518. (Eric Allen)The expansion of Australia’s armed forces was heralded by the formation of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. In a major strategic decision after World War II, Australia recognised the need to expand its maritime defence capability with a major new arm joining the country’s defence force.