Hornet Disposals

[Ron Cuskelly]

The recently published book "The Classic" by John Quaife lists the fates of all 75 classic Hornets as follows:

Canada: 20
W/O: 4
Museums: 8
Converted to Trainaid: 1
"Recycle/destroyed": 42

Note the use of past tense "destroyed"

Now the Financial Review of 6 June reports that there is discussion about sending 41 Hornets to Ukraine. Presumably the proposal to sell the remaining aircraft to an organisation in the USA has fallen through.

[batman]

Hi Ron,

I am sure that JQ's figures are correct, but I thought it was 25 to Canada, some of which were to become components? I had thought 18 flyers, 7 to spares.

W/O: 4, is correct.
Museums and Converted to Trainaid: poss about 5??
That would be total 34, leaving the 41 "in storage" quoted by the AFR.

Now what remains of those 41/42 we don't know. But I doubt they have been serviced and ready to kick the tyres.

I really don't know.
JB

This post has been edited by batman on Jun 12 2023, 09:14 AM

[batman]

Further to details above.

From the PPRuNe website:
"as part of the RAVN / Air USA contract, it was stated in the contract the aircraft had to be maintained allow return to flight. So of course they are going to need work but any thats the same with any aircraft.
On a general discussion I know someone who worked on these, about 18 were flown in on Dec 20201 [presumably Dec 2021] and parked. From his time working on them he thinks about 20 could be made combat capable, about a dozen suitable for training and the rest are clapped and suitable for only spares."

[Brenden S]

Very interesting times ahead.

[batman]

Where are all these Hornets? Well, they are in storage. Where?
Malcolm Davis of ASPI said on TV tonight they are stored in Guam.
Presumably they are in hangars at Andersen AFB.
There had been no sightings or reports of ferrying all these jets out of the country.
Nor any sightings of them going into Woomera, where the Mirages had been stored.
Awaiting an announcement by PM Albanese that they will be transferred to Ukraine - but I doubt this.

[Brenden S]

I thought they were in storage at Williamtown?

[batman]

You could well be right Brenden, but is there room at WLM?
It was Malcolm Davis of ASPI who said on TV they were stored in Guam.
But WTF would he know, ex-Army and all.

This post has been edited by batman on Jul 21 2023, 07:24 AM

[Demon50]

The RAAF Hornets are NOT stored in Guam as has been reported several times in the Media.

When the story first appeared on several enthusiasts sites, I posted replies advising that the report was incorrect.

Earlier this year, the "Daily Mail Australia" online reported that the Hornets had been left to rust in Guam and showed a photo of them being stored in a hangar. But the photo was taken in 2019 when RAAF Hornets were on an Exercise in Guam and the photo shows then in a hangar sheltering from an approaching typhoon !! One of the aircraft shown, A21-38, in distinctive No 75 Sqn anniversary markings, went to Canada in 2021.

I visited FighterWorld at RAAF Williamtown in February this year and asked a few people about the Hornets and they replied that they were stored on the base in varying conditions - some complete, some missing various parts and others almost scrap.

I don't know where these stories start and just continues the long history of deplorable and inaccurate media reporting.

Oh, and only 20 Hornets have gone to Canada, not 25, as originally planned ; this information came from an official source.

[batman]

Thanks for clarifying all that Demon.
Yours is the most credible input to date on the subject.

[Demon50]

Thank you Batman.

[Demon50]

Further to my earlier posts, I recently asked my local library to obtain a copy of the book "The Classic - F/A-18A/B Hornet Aircraft in Australian Service" by retired Air Vice Marshal John Quaife, published earlier this year.

I picked the book up this morning and have had a quick look through it and I'm sure it will be an interesting read.

There is a photo on Page 93 with the caption...."F/A-18A/B Hornets deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for Exercise Cope 2019, take shelter from Typhoon Wasp". The photo is credited to Defence - Sgt Kirk Peacock.

[Brenden S]

Well I am glad that you have found some correct information.

[Ron Cuskelly]

I have received a letter dated 16 August from the Minister for Defence advising that all the remaining Classic Hornets have been destroyed. In response to a question why aircraft were not allocated to museums such as QAM, HARS and indeed the RAAF's own museum at Amberley, the Minister cites the cost (financial and manpower) of preparing aircraft for display.

Adding insult to injury, the Minister has confirmed that the aircraft have been destroyed in Queensland. So in effect, he is saying; Queensland you can't have a Hornet but we will bury forty of them in your backyard. The Minister has been reminded of the millions wasted on tinkering with unsuitable helicopters.