RAAF Centenary Flypast: 31 March 1921

March 31, 2021

RAAF Centenary Flypast: 31 March 1921 - 2021

Images from the flyover of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra to celebrate the formation of the Royal Australian Airforce.

S-70A-9 Black Hawk

Entered service in 1988.

Second World War aircraft

Hudson, Boomerang, Harvard & Wirraway

The Hudson (right) was a 5 crew bomber in operation from 1940 until 1949. One of the initial Hudsons to arrive in Australia crashed outside Canberra killing three members of the Australian Cabinet and the Chief of the General Staff.

The Boomerang (rear) was an Australian designed fighter in service from 1943 until 1945. It was outclassed by its Japanese opposition.

The Harvard (yellow) was a training aircraft.

The Wirraway (white tail fin) was a trainer in operation from 1939 until 1959.

Spitfire, Mustang & Kittyhawk

The Spitfire (two in formation: front and closest) was a fighter operated from 1942 until 1945.

The Mustang (furthest) was a fighter-bomber operated from 1944 until 1960.

The P-40 Kittyhawk (rear) was a fighter-bomber operated from 1941 until 1945. The Kittyhawk was decisive in the recapture of Papua New Guinea.

Catalina

The Catalina was a reconnaissance flying boat with a crew of ~10 operated from 1941 until 1952. RAAF Catalinas are remembered for their role in the Battle of the Coral Sea.