The test of time

Flying Officer Jason Gamlin from No.77 Squadron shows RAF Squadron Leader (ret’d) Charles Palliser the cockpit of an F/A-18 during the Battle of Britain Open Day at the Hobart International Airport. Photo by CPL Matt Moore

A member of the catafalque party during a commemorative wreath-laying service at the Hobart Cenotaph. Photo by LACW Veronica McKenna

Battle of Britain veterans James Coward and Charles Palliser with Squadron Leader Michael Gray, of No. 1 Squadron, at the air show in Hobart. Photo by CPL Matt Moore

Sergeant Norm Christopher and Military Working Dog Tyler are the focus of attention from the Lesek family, of Hobart. Photo by CPL Matt Moore

Flight Sergeant Peter Kennedy, Squadron Leader Mark Johnson, Flying Officer Steve Ferguson and Flight Sergeant Steve Pugsley, the No. 37 Squadron crew that put on a flying display in Herc A97-467. Photo by CPL Matt Moore

Leading Aircraftman Daniel Sundberg, of No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron, shows a visitor to the squadron’s display a closer view of night vision goggles. Photo by LACW Veronica McKenna

By Teena Cardillo

MORE than 25,000 people attended the Air Force’s air show activities at Hobart Airport on September 13-14, though only a few would have been aware of the occasion for two significant guests.

In Tasmania to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Britain were veteran RAF pilots Air Commodore James Coward and Squadron Leader Charles Palliser, both retired. They were the only two of five Battle of Britain survivors living in Australia able to attend the weekend’s events.

Figures vary on the number of Australian pilots who flew in the battle, but 14 were killed during the intense fighting that claimed more than 500 pilots and aircrew.

SQNLDR Palliser, a sprightly 84-year-old who joined the RAF at the outbreak of World War II, said he enjoyed the weekend’s activities immensely, including being flown from Melbourne to Hobart on an HS748. Looking at the F/A-18s on the tarmac at the Open Day he said he would have been delighted to have access to the aircraft 63 years ago.

Climbing aboard a Hornet, the two veterans were impressed with the capabilities of the modern-day Air Force. AIRCDRE Coward remarked, “It looks too complicated for me!” while SQNLDR Palliser offered a more ambitious, “I’ll take two!”

Tasmania has been the focal points for Battle of Britain commemorations for the past 30 years.

Both veterans were among an estimated 200 guests, including Governor of Tasmania Sir Guy Green, who attended a memorial service at the St David’s Cathedral, and about 350 people who attended a dining-in night at the Grand Chancellor Hotel on September 13.

Former CAF Air Marshal Ray Funnell (ret’d) made a fine guest speaker. AIRMSHL Funnell paid tribute to AIRCDRE Coward and SQNLDR Palliser, and pointed out the amazing contribution of the largely inexperienced and under-prepared Battle of Britain crews.

“Pilots were thrown into combat with as little as 200 hours total flying time and less than 10 hours on type and very little, if any, combat flying training,” he said.

“The Hornet pilots we deployed to the Gulf earlier this year would have a minimum of 500 hours total flying time, at least 150 hours on type and would have participated in training that was so realistic that nothing they encountered in the Gulf would have surprised them.”

September 14 opened with a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Queen’s Domain Cenotaph, with an F/A-18 Hornet piercing the early morning Hobart sky at the end of the ceremony as a final tribute.

The flying activities proceeded that afternoon. Handling displays were provided by a C-130J, a Hawk, an F/A-18, the Roulettes and Navy helicopters. A P-3C Orion, HS748 and ADF static displays attracted much interest.

A sudden downpour curtailed the F-111 finale, though many visitors were undeterred by the rain, and some keen locals stayed on to watch the departure of the RAAF aircraft.

The weekend in Hobart was the second in a five-year program of activities at every major Air Force base. The next event will commemorate 90 years of flying at Point Cook and will be held on February 29, 2004.

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