RAN FAA

[Thorvic]

Over on the Warships1 Forum NewGolconda has been searching the Austrailian Archives.

He has found proposals for the HMAS Sydney to be refitted in the mid 50's to bring her up to the same standard as the HMAS Melbourne once she was delivered. This would have involved fitting new steam catapult, arrestor gear angled deck and general modernisation update, the proposals for the wok being performed either in the UK or locally in Australian with the parts supplied by the UK manufactureres. Thus the RAN would original have had a pair of carriers with similar airgroups of Sea Venom & Gannet.

So Whiff potential to continue to use Sydney as a from line carrier and increase the number of RAN FAA 800 Squadrons.

The other intersting one was the Evaluation of the Dassault Etendard IV as a potential Sea Venom replacement and alternative to the eventual Skyhawk purchase. Of course if Etendard was purchased then Super Etendard then becomes a possibility as a 70's replacement or maybe with additional RAN support the Mirage F1M becomes a more viable contender ?. Of course if the AFVG had been built in its original guise as Naval Interceptor & Strike aircraft then that would probably have been the prinary choice for next gen naval aircraft.

G

[Geoff]

OOh I have one of them somewhere! What scheme do you think they would be operated in? I sort of like the Aeronaval schemes and the later two tone blues would be cool.

[Thorvic]

Probably the Extra Dark Sea Grey as per existing aircraft with either Aluminium or White undersides, Later onj they would pissibly go camo in the greyish/blues combinations as trialed on the RAAF Mirage IIIO's. and the Skyhawks. Rather doubtful they would adopt the USN Gull Grey over White although they might do if Trackers were still procurred.

G

[Geoff]

yes the two tone greys the RAN used on the A-4's would look nice.

[Maverick]

G'day Gang,

I did a Gull Grey over White Etendard profile for the RAN back in 08, but haven't done any others.

Regards,

Mav