THIS IS PART THREE OF A SERIES. In Part One we covered the origin of the fighter aircraft and the emergence of the early aces, and compared the top scorers from various countries and the proud place held by Australians in air warfare. In Part Two we covered the story of our early Australian aces

Transport aircraft are the lifeline of an air force, and to fill Australia’s requirement for the Royal Australian Air Force operates four squadrons of medium transport aircraft. Helicopters and special VIP transport aircraft are also operated by the RAAF, and these aircraft will be discussed in further issues later in the series. Two squadrons (36

To most keen aviation enthusiasts, when the words “graceful old lady” are mentioned the faithful old C47 “Dak” would seem to be the logical choice. But not so; in this case we are referring to the reliable although not nearly as old and much less world-renowned English Electric Canberra bomber. The English Electric Canberra first

Whenever a nation chooses to flex its muscles to either impress or deter a neighbour you can be certain it will opt for a display of airpower. At the turn of the century the battleship was the supreme equaliser, a hundred years earlier it was the mounted cavalry. Today that muscle is made up of