Articles:
3 Squadron flew R.E.8 aircraft during WW1
-
Click here for some fascinating
stories of combat over the Western Front
[Luckily, they weren't allocated the earlier model, called the R.E.7. Here's why they were lucky!]
The Squadron's first WW2 combats were fought using biplane Gloster Gladiators. (For a short time some Gauntlets were also used.)
Steve Mackenzie (and his brother Neil) have been researchers of 3 Squadron history and are avid collectors of photographs, particularly those relating to World War 2 aircraft, for decades. We proudly display some of the great articles Steve has written for his own Society (The International Plastic Modellers' Society of New South Wales) for our readers to enjoy.
Click here for Steve's informative article on the Lysander , including several attractive colour profile-drawings of individual aircraft.
MIDDLE EAST, 1940. A LOW-FLYING
LYSANDER AIRCRAFT OF NO 3 SQUADRON, RAAF,
PICKING UP A MESSAGE SLUNG ON A LINE BETWEEN TWO RIFLES STUCK IN THE GROUND.
[AWM 043191]
Click below to read Steve Mackenzie's well-illustrated story about Merlin-powered Kittyhawks:
The Kittyhawk Mk.IIa (P-40L) in 3 Sqn RAAF Service
A fascinating personal memoir by the
Canadian Desert Air Force Ace, "Eddie" Edwards:
"Flying the Kitty", explains
the strengths and weaknesses
of the various models of the Curtiss P-40, which was 3SQN's war-horse for
more than three years of combat.
Another great article from Steve Mackenzie... "3 Squadron RAAF Mustang IVa - A Reassessment"
Not all of our WW2 aircraft were manufactured by allied
countries. The captured Me109s
below were used by the
Squadron for training
purposes and critical appraisal.
Click here to view details of opposing enemy aircraft
Also our article: 3 Squadron's (Captured!) Italian Air Force.
Supermarine
Walrus. Although
3 Squadron didn't directly operate this aircraft, several of the Squadron's
pilots who baled out over the ocean were
then rescued by this homely (but surprisingly nimble) amphibian.
Unbelievably, it was designed by Reginald Mitchell, the same man who created the
supremely elegant Spitfire! (And the Walrus may never have reached
production had it not been for a timely order from Australia.)
In the late 1950s and for most of the
1960s, 3 Squadron operated the sporty Avon-engined C.A.C. Sabre jet. It
was a delightful performer in airshows.
Our article by Barry Weymouth explains the joys of
"Flying the RAAF's Avon
Sabre".
Artwork:
Drew Harrison is the artist who painted the superb pictures of Murray Nash's Mustang featuring in our article on Aviano ...
and he has prepared several other great paintings: Click Here to see Drew's 3 Sqn. Jet Paintings
And click here for John Stanley's fantastic Mustang Profiles.
Our Aircraft Gallery:
Avro 504k: 1916 (training) & 1923
Royal Aircraft RE8: 1917-18
Bristol F2b Fighter: 1918-19
Royal Aircraft SE5a: 1925-26
Airco DH9:1925-26
Airco DH9A: 1925-29
Westland Wapiti:1929-35
Hawker Demon: 1935-39
Westland Lysander: 1940
Gloster Gladiator: 1940
Gloster Gauntlet: 1940-41
Hawker Hurricane: 1941
Curtiss P40 Tomahawk: 1941-42
Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk: 1941-44
North American P51 Mustang: 1944-45 & 1948
Auster Mklll: 1948-52
CAC Wirraway: 1948-52
CAC F86 Avon Sabre: 1956-67
DH Vampire: 1958-61
Dassault Mirage lll: 1967-86
North American Harvard ... During 1942, in the Middle East, the Squadron had regular use of three of these trainers. This replica, painted in the Squadron's original battle colours and displaying one of the original numbers: AJ944, was recently restored by John Rayner.
If you'd like to experience the joys of flying in this WWll trainer, call John in Melbourne on (0418) 311 686 and he'll tell you all about it.
McDonnell Douglas F/A 18a Hornet:
1986 and still in use
