Australian Flying Corps
The Journal For The Australian Flying Corps of 1914 - 1919.

In Memory of Neville Hayes


In Memory

By cam, Section Articles :: In Memory

Noted Australian aviation historian Neville Hayes has passed away. Neville was the foremost expert on many aspects of Australian aviation history, but in particular the NSW State Aviation School. He contributed heavily to the AFC website, in particular the sections on the NSWSAS. His research was impeccable, and his enthusiasm perpetual. He will be sorely missed. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family.

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The RE8 in Australian Service


Aircraft

By cam, Section Articles :: Aircraft

The RE8 was the most widely used of the Corps and Army squadrons in the British and Australian services through 1917 and 1918. Despite its less than scintillating performance, the aircraft was workman-like and used effectively by the aircrew who manned it. The Australian Flying Corps used the RE8 in No.1, No.3 and No.7 Squadrons.

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The Australian Squadrons


Squadrons

By cam, Section Articles :: Squadrons

This is an extract from the now out of print autobiography of Lt Colonel Louis Strange, "Recollections of an Airman". Strange commanded the 80th Wing RAF with which the two Australian Flying Corps scout squadrons were attached, 2 Sqn AFC and 4 Sqn AFC. In this extract he describes the Australian squadrons in the air and on the ground and the techniques he used to get the best out of the Australian pilots. Strange is probably best known for hanging from a jammed Lewis gun drum in an upside down spinning Martinsyde. He survived by kicking his way back into the cockpit, in doing so smashing the instruments and putting the seat through the floor.

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Aerial Fighting


Combat

By cam, Section Articles :: Combat

This is an extract from the now out of print history of 4 Squadron Australian Flying Corps, "Australian Airmen" by E.J. Richards. This is one of the Appendices of the book on the topic of aerial fighting by Captain Arthur H. Cobby.

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History of No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps.


Squadrons

By cam, Section Articles :: Squadrons

No.2 Squadron was mobilized from No.1 Squadron AFC and the Lighthorse in Egypt. The squadron trained in England before equipping with Airco DH5 aircraft and heading to France in September, 1917. They were involved in the hectic campaigns surrounding the Battle of Cambrai, earning a name for their effectiveness and courage. The squadron re-equipped with the SE5a and began the high altitude sweeps that would bring them success through-out 1918 whether operating as a squadron or a wing. The squadron finished the war operating with 80 Wing alongside No.4 Squadron AFC and taking part in the big wing raids. The squadron was demobilised in February of 1919.

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Was the Sopwith Snipe An Improvement Over the Sopwith Camel?


Aircraft

By cam, Section Articles :: Aircraft

An issue in World War I aviation history which gets revisited occasionally is the question of the Sopwith Snipe as successor to the Sopwith Camel. In particular one prominent World War I Aviation historian has put forward that the Sopwith Snipe was not up to 1918 or 1919 standards for performance and would have resulted in the Sopwith Snipe Squadrons failing operationally through 1919. The alternative viewpoint is that the Sopwith Snipe allowed the allied squadrons to meet the German fighters and in particular the Fokker DVII scout[1] on equal terms at heights where the Sopwith Camel was outclassed.

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Forum

Artwork of WW1 Ace for sale

by Breguet
Some genuine art work of Major RS Dallas (RNAS/RAF) DSO, DSC*, CdeG, MID has surface and is for sale.

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Early aerial photo of the front

by Ray Williams
I am hoping some may be able to help.
I have an early photo shown the front and a positions called Morlancourt and K.8b.2288
the incription reads
A.3.AE.0.22
62D.
20-5-18-4
I ...

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World War I Official Histories at AWM

by cam
The Australian War Memorial has digitised the Official Histories of World War I. The works were under Crown copyright and came out...

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RS Dallas

by Atcherley
We would like to contact anyone with any knowledge of RS Dallas and his artistic and sketching talents, as we have a number of pencil sketches signed RS Dallas, all dated 1917, depicting fighting...

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Can you please help me with pilots/observer names?

by Angiolillo
Dear sirs,
I am a game designer and I am working on a little card game called "Wings of War" (Fantasy Flight Games makes the English edition).

I am working on a couple of card blisters in...

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AFC Metal Sign

by cam

The Aero Conservancy has an Australian Flying Corps metal sign of unknown origin. The sign measures twenty-four inches by twelve inches...

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Book Coming Out On Roderick Dallas

by Cobby
Just thought I'd post a 'heads-up' for those interested. Grub Street will be publishing a book on Rod Dallas, titled Australian Hawk Over the Western Front. Author is a fellow called Adrian...

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We know Australians don't have any manners but how do we...

by DougThornton
The wonderful quote attributed to Lt Colonel Oswald Watt "I am an Australian and I don't have any manners" deserves to be attributed and published more widely.

I asked Cam Riley if he could assist ...

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Captain E. Roy King. DSO, DFC

by cam
Roy King is one of my favourite larrikin characters in the AFC. He was one of the Cobby gang in the schism that existed in that squadron. Though it didn't stop 4 Sqn AFC being the leading...

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Flanders Fields

by ovs
Hello,

I was wondering if you are the same Cam Riley, creator of the Flanders Fields patch for
Red Baron II?

If not, I'm sorry for the intrusion.  If you are, can you email me at

...

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334th Eagle Squadron

by Latte
I am a RAAF FA-18 pilot currently serving with the 334th USAF Fighting Eagles flying F-15E's. The 334th is one of the original RAF Eagle Squadrons formed from 71 Sqn RAF. As most of you probably...

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Redux: Paul and Weir's Biff

by cam
Three profiles that represent possibilities for C4627 which was described as being yellow by Les Sutherland and in a Turkish Army report. The profiles show the aircraft in Clear Doped Linen (CDL),...

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No.4 Sq. A.F.C. at Castle Bromwich

by mf shorthorn
My research project is concerned with the early history of Castle Bromwich aerodrome here in Birmingham. From April to December 1917, Castle Bromwich was home to No.4 Sq. A.F.C. while it worked-up...

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For Australian forumites (Major RS Dallas)

by Breguet
A Current Affair (Ch 9) will air on armistice day a feature story on Australia's Ace of Aces.

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No 68 Squadron

by jonathon
on november 20th 1917 Lt H Taylor in communique Ni 115,68 sqdn landed in no mans land where he found an aircraft with a wounded pilot, is there any diary or refernce to indicate who that pilot was? ...

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Diaries

Basil Watson's aircraft

by cam

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Wedgetail Flies Over Sydney

by cam
The newly delivered Wedgetail made a flight over Sydney Harbour yesterday morning.

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F15 Lands With One Wing

by cam
An F15 manages to land with one wing after colliding with a Skyhawk. There is a remarkable photo of the one winged F15 at the bottom of ...

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Pacific Fighters, 76Sqn SV-K Kittyhawk Skin

by cam
The P40 was the most widely used fighter by the RAAF in the Pacific in World War II. Initially Australian Kityhawks were camouflaged in Foilage Green, Dark Earth and Sky Blue. Due to the large...

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The Pacific Theatre in World War II

by cam

The Pacific Theatre was half of the second world war but has suffered from an over-focus on the history of the European theatre. As a result there are many myths and misconceptions relating to...

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Pacific Fighters, 457Sqn Spitfire Skin

by cam
One of the best looking Spitfire schemes of World War II was 457's "Grey Nurse" scheme. It carried the big shark mouth in red, black and white, as well as the ace of spades on the tail. The Pacific...

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Pacific Fighters, 79Sqn Spitfire Skin

by cam
Made a skin for the 79Sqn Spitfire's and their two-tone green camouflage that they wore on their MkVIII Spits in 1945. Also did some modding with the config files again and got a P38 and A20 in RAAF...

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The Wedgetail, Project Air5077

by cam

Project Air5077 will be the Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Airborne Early Warning and Control component (AEW&C) of...

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