2 RAAF questions

[Litvyak]

Just a couple quick questions...

...what sort of schemes did RAAF aircraft in the interceptor or air defence role wear between 1961 and the mid 1980s?

...how does the RAAF's numbering/designation scheme work? I mean the alphanumeric strings like "A9-664".

Thanks in advance!

[coops213]

Air defence/interceptor in that time period would have been either CAC Sabres or Mirage IIIOs. Sabres were only ever in NMF finish. Early Mirages were also NMF, later ones wore grey and green camo over white similar to the RAF schemes (not sure of the colours, they may have been based on french schemes). Even later mirages appeared in lo-viz two tone greay.

For the numbering scheme, using you example "A9-664", "A" denotes aircraft, "9" is a number unique to that type of aircraft, and "664" is the individual aircraft number. For more info check out ADF Serials. Specifically here for an explanation on serial numbers, and here for a list of serials since 1961.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[Litvyak]

Thanks much!

[Old Wombat]

Great site, coops! Thanks!

Bugger, they don't give permission to use images!

If you look at RAN aircraft, Grumman S2G Trackers, 844 was my favourite to play with.

It's no wonder they kept her as the flying exhibit at the FAA Museum (or whatever it's called now), she was a wonderfully reliable bird.

I have also done maintenance on many of the other museum aircraft, as I was posted there for about 6 months at the end of my Navy time, in 1984.



By the way... the "N" prefix stands for... Ta-Dah! NAVY!!!!!!                                   (Ooh, what a surprise! )

[MilitaryAircraft101]

The Mirages also wore the "Lizard" scheme of Grey and Green wrap around 

[pyro-manic]

There's also this experimental grey scheme, with an unusual diagonal band across the wings, that I've been struggling to find decent photos or drawings of.



That image is from High Planes, who offer a kit of the aircraft in question.

[PR19_Kit]

How much did the IIIOs differ visually from the French or Belgian 'standard' IIIs?

And were there ever any recce nosed IIIOs?

[MilitaryAircraft101]

The IIIO was effectively a IIIE with Australian avionics, kind of like what the Israelis did with their F-16s and the like.

[nebnoswal]

hope these help

[nebnoswal]

In the highplanes kit I think there are plans for these experimental paintschemes, I need to did up the kit and have a look

[pyro-manic]

Aha, thanks!

[rickshaw]

How much did the IIIOs differ visually from the French or Belgian 'standard' IIIs?

And were there ever any recce nosed IIIOs?

There were a couple of home-grown recce nosed III0s.  The RAAF created a nose which bolted on, instead of the radar nose.  Worked OK but wasn't liked for some reason.  They relied instead on the F-111s primarily for recce.  They had a dedicated pallet which was in the weapons bay.  Their most (in)famous mission was when the Federal Government ordered them to take photos of the Franklin Dam which was being built against public wishes in Tasmania - as the then government under Bob Hawke had just been elected on the promise of stopping it, they needed information quickly.  That little effort earnt the Federal Attorney-General (who had requested it for a High Court challenge to the state of Tasmania who was building it) Gareth Evans the sobriquet "Biggles". 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

In 1989 or 1990, I vividly remember the IPMS(UK) magazine running a very good article on 'Miracles' - apparently this was an Aussie nick-name for the Mirage III. It covered the change-over period from the Grey/Green camo, through all the experimental schemes to the very last retirement and special schemes.

Lots of profiles & plans although some would consider them 'crude' by todays standard. An excellent article, and one I wish I still had. You may be able to get a copy from Neil Robinson, or Ernie Lee... maybe.

HTH

Ian

[Thorvic]

For RAAF Mirage IIIO schemes the bible book is this this one :-

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Rev2/1001-1100/Rev1061_MushroomModel_MirageIII/rev1061.htm

It covers all the schemes worn by the Mirage IIIO inncluding the experimental Air Defence Greys scheme complete with low vis Pink & Light Blue Roo Roundels rather than the naff monotone US style all black or grey stencil |

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I'd forgotten about that 'bible' Geoff. Agreed, the 'one-stop-shop' for all things RAAF Mirage !!

Ian