Army Iroquois Choppers Become National Treasures, 11 Gate guards and 5 Training Aids

[Brendan Cowan]

To All,

Here is an announcement regarding disposal of the wokka fleet.

Looks like we will see plenty preserved and publicly accessible!

BC

Army Iroquois choppers become national treasures
Defence Media Centre
to:
brendan.cowan
06/07/2010 10:14 AM

Default custom expiration date: 06/07/2011


THE HON. GREG COMBET AM MP
Minister for Defence Materiel and Science

Army Iroquois choppers become national treasures

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science announced today in Townsville that a squadron of Army helicopters will soon be dispatched to towns across the nation.

Mr Combet said a squadron of 11 Iroquois helicopters, which graced our skies for more than four decades, would be made local tourist attractions in Townsville and eight other communities around Australia.

"Townsville and the other locations selected have had an association with the Iroquois helicopter for a very long time. It's only fitting then that these helicopters come to rest among these communities," Mr Combet said.

"Iroquois helicopters have played a big part in Australia's military history and Townsville has played a part in their history too.

"One Iroquois helicopter will be kept for permanent display outside Townsville's RAAF Base, where we expect it to attract military enthusiasts and other visitors."

"Australia's Iroquois helicopters have had a long history among the country's Defence Force."

"Iroquois helicopters served Australia during the Vietnam War, on deployments to Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, and provided assistance to people who were affected by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Indonesia."

Iroquois helicopters will also become tourist attractions in Point Cook in Victoria, Darwin, Holsworthy, Oakey, Enoggera, Bandiana and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Another five Iroquois helicopters will be kept by the Australian Defence Force as training aids and another two will be offered for sale to national returned service organisations.

Media contacts: Rod Hilton (Greg Combet): 0458 276 619

www.defence.gov.au

[Brendan Cowan]

Defence have also posted Iroquois in service photos at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Jul/20100706c/index.htm

BC

[Mick Raftery]

A2-771 has landed ( by truck ! ) at Amberley Heritage Centre.

Report below the local press last month.

Mick

A HELICOPTER that was used to rescue people during the 1974 flood has been returned to RAAF Base Amberley.

Iroquois helicopter A2-771 was delivered by truck to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre yesterday.

Heritage centre officer in charge Squadron Leader Dennis Deering said it would join a growing inventory of planes, helicopters and military memorabilia on display at RAAF Base Amberley.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work by No. 9 Squadron Association,” he said.

“It’s helping our collection grow and represents some of the aircraft that were based at RAAF Base Amberley.

“The heritage centre is about celebrating aviation history at Amberley in all its facets.”

No. 9 Squadron Association national president Graeme Chalmers said the RAAF took ownership of the helicopter during the Vietnam War.

“Along with the other 15 Iroquois it flew operationally until No. 9 Squadron returned to Australia in early December, 1971,” he said.

“A2-771 and its brothers were flown off HMAS Sydney to Maroochydore from Caloundra in mid-December that year.

“The following day No. 9 Squadron flew in a 16-craft formation to RAAF Base Amberley, thus the long association with the communities of south-east Queensland.”

Mr Chalmers said the squadron had a special relationship with the people of Ipswich.

“Who can ever forget No. 9 Squadron helicopter crews plucking flood survivors from rooftops during those horrific events of 1974,” he said.

“People were rescued across Ipswich and beyond.

“It happened all over south-east Queensland and it is something the RAAF was very proud to be involved in.”

Sqn Ldr Deering said volunteers would work on the helicopter to bring it up to museum standards before it took pride of place in one of the heritage centre hangers.

“Obviously we’ll have to put the blades on it and take the covers off,” he said.

“It will also be repainted in RAAF colours, as it appeared in the Vietnam War.

“It will eventually be housed in one of these three hangers and will be available to the general public to see.”

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Mick,

We look forward to see her returned to RAAF colours and well cared for.

Brendan C

[cj0203]

Would be good to see Temora or something similar get one to so we can keep one flying??

Chris