On Guard

When we were in Wagga Wagga I asked that we visit the Royal Australian Air Force base, and the small museum by its gates. I had seen the gate guardians on G**gle street view and wanted to see them for myself.

The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet-engine fighter, and the first jet used by the RAAF. It saw action in the Korean War.

The English Electric Canberra Bomber served in Vietnam, carrying out bombing and reconnaissance missions. It was built under licence by the Government Aircraft Factories from 1953, and served until 1982.

The Aermacchi MB-326 (Macchi) jet trainer arrived in Australia from Italy in 1967. Later examples were built under licence in Australia. It was in service until 2001.

The Dassault Mirage III-O was a third-generation fighter used by the RAAF in operations across Asia. It was licence built in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. It was in service from 1963 to 1988.

The General Dynamics F-111C is remembered for the long and expensive procurement. It's an "Australianised" version of the American plane, and the alterations caused a 10 year delay in delivery. I can remember the fuss.

I remember seeing all of these aircraft flying, with the exception of the Gloucester Meteor, which left service before we arrived in the country.