Aussie naval aircraft at work 1970-80s....

[sabredriver]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTwFBhfz1Hg

Back when we in Ozstrayila had a real NAVY, heres a view of the HMAS
Melbourne and the shortest ever deck on which S-2 and A-4s ever flew
off and landed on....

My mates dad flew A-4G Skyhawks from her and has many stories to tell.

Story one i love is - a USMC or USN driver landed in a A4 and didnt
beleive he could on such a short trapping deck, gets out and sprays on
side i landed on HMAS Melb.... xx date on side of his skyhawk..

The sad thing is the HMAS Melbourne weas scrapped and towed to China...

[Oscar Duck]

I served on HMAS Melbourne as CAG SATCO when we flew A-4's, S-2's, Sea Kings and Wessex helos.

Note: The old war canoe has not been scrapped but is still in China where she has served as a carrier "test" pattern for the Commies...

[Mark_Pilkington]

Oscar,

I have seen other references to the Melbourne being used in China for that role, rather than being scrapped as intended? Do you know if it still exists to day, and where it is located? is it possible to google earth it?

regards

Mark Pilkington

Oscar Duck Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I served on HMAS Melbourne as CAG SATCO when we flew A-4's, S-2's, Sea Kings and Wessex helos.

Note: The old war canoe has not been scrapped but is still in China where she has served as a carrier "test" pattern for the Commies...

[Andy in West Oz]

Would be rather cool to get her back as a museum.

I had heard they were copying the catapult design.