Image Gallery: April 2009

FLGOFFHerbert
FLGOFF M.P. Herbert

Michael Patrick John Herbert was born on 6 September 1946 in Freeling, South Australia and completed his secondary schooling at Sacred Heart College in Somerton Park, Adelaide.

Herbert was interested in aviation from an early age and was awarded his civil pilot’s licence at the age of 16. He served in the South Australian Flying Air Training Corp from 6 September 1960 up until he accepted a commission in the Royal Australian Air Force as a cadet at the Royal Australian Air Force Academy on 17 January 1964.

Members of the aircrew selection board commented that Herbert was "A very keen and motivated lad". He graduated from the RAAF Academy on 6 December 1967. He then commenced on No 67 Pilot Course on 11 December 1967 and graduated on
6 January 1969. After graduation, Herbert was panelled on No 30 (B) Operational Conversion at RAAF Amberley, completing the 12-week course on 30 May 1969. He was posted to No 2 Squadron as a pilot on Canberra Bombers.

Flying Officer Michael Herbert arrived in Vietnam on 25 February 1970. Prior to his last fateful mission, he and already flown 198 missions and he was due to return home to Australia within several weeks.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

PLTOFFCarver
PLTOFF R.C. Carver

Robert Charles Carver was born on 2 July, 1946 in Toowoomba, Queensland. He graduated from Harristown High School in 1963 and began work as a cadet radiographer with the North Brisbane Hospital Board. Gaining his Diploma of Radiology in 1965, Carver continued to work as a radiographer. He felt he wanted to make “more” of his life and stated “I would like to learn to fly”.

Members of the aircrew selection board commented that Carver was, “Most impressive as a person. Mature, steady, alert.” He was accepted into the RAAF as a Navigator and commenced training on No 37 Navigator’s Course on 13 January, 1969 at RAAF East Sale in Victoria. After graduation, Carver was panelled on No 33 Bomber Operational Conversion Course at RAAF Amberley, completing the 11-week course on 22 May, 1970. He was posted to No.2 SQN as a navigator on Canberra Bombers.

Pilot Officer Robert Carver arrived in Vietnam on 17 September, 1970. Although he had been in Vietnam for less than two months, Carver had already impressed his superiors as an enthusiastic officer who was developing into an excellent navigator.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090415adf00000_0499
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090415adf00000_0503
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090415adf00000_0522
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090416adf00000_008
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090416adf00000_0575
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090416adf00000_0609
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090417adf00000_0630
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber impact found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090420adf00000_002
Possible Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber wreckage found in thick jungle in an extremely rugged, remote and sparsely populated area of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, near the Laotian border.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090702raaf8526964_0001
A 2 Squadron ‘Ugly Club’ badge that was awarded to Flying Officer Michael Herbert during his posting to Phan Rang was recently recovered at the crash sight of Canberra Bomber A84-231 during Operation Magpies Return Phase 3. The Badge sits to the right of a similar badge awarded to and owned by Mr Frank Hodges.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090713raaf8526964_0141
Wreckage of Canberra Bomber A84-231 engine found below the main crash site during Operation Magpies Return.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090713raaf8526964_0147
Wreckage of Canberra Bomber A84-231 engine found below the main crash site during Operation Magpies Return.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090716raaf8526964_0050
Scenic views looking out from the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231 during Operation Magpies Return.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090716raaf8526964_0216
Forensic Pathologist, Squadron Leader Malcolm Dodd, sieving soil at the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090716raaf8526964_0223
Forensic Pathologist, Squadron Leader Malcolm Dodd and Aircraft Crash Investigator, Squadron Leader William Savill sieving soil at the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090717raaf8526964_0100
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician, Flight Sergeant Rodney Amos sieving soil at the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090718raaf8526964_0016
Group photograph of Operation Magpies Return team members with Mr Greng Nien, one of the Vietnamese hunters to come across the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231 in 1982.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090718raaf8526964_0035
Forensic Odontologist, Squadron Leader Paul Taylor, taking samples of soil to be sieved from the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090720raaf8526964_0345
The Officer In Charge of Operation Magpies Return, Wing Commander Michael Warby, assisted by Vietnamese workers , sieving soil at the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090721raaf8526964_0068
Identification of Crash site crater of Canberra Bomber A84-231.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090721raaf8526964_0156
Vietnamese Missing In Action team member, Colonel Cuong, planting an eucalyptus tree, at the request of family members at the crash site of Canberra Bomber A84-231 during the final stages of Operation Magpies Return.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

canberra1
Canberra Bomber

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

IMG_0550 (3)
Oxygen and nitrogen bottles recovered at the crash site in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.

(Date taken: unknown)
Low-Res | Hi-Res