Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnG
It is a shame to see the 'Pig' treated this way, unfortunately this is the way for military equipment, at least they saved 7 for display. One of the boats I was on, HMAS Buccaneer was sunk as a target by NZ A-4's (ex RAN) in 1984, a rather inglorious end.
I was lucky enough to be a gunner on Patrol Boats and was subjected to a number of "anti ship strikes" by F-111's, to see one of these aircraft come in and attack you from the deck is one of the most mind numbing experiences, the noise, power and sheer shock of one of these things has to be seen to be believed, we, at least, knew they were coming, admittedly direction unknown, even then the surprise was complete, pity an enemy.....
Cheers
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Digressing a little.
I remember Buccaneer and all the other attack class patrol boats as well as all the Fremantle class. Seeing F111's and Mirages doing bombing runs was entertaining.
I fitted the radio gear to every attack class and was involved in every refit in Cairns (except between 1976-78). I did the same for every Fremantle. We probably crossed paths at some time.
Before we commissioned the first Cairns built boat we took it out the Grafton Passage and were the control ship for a bombing run on the old Trinity Bay. I got stuck with the job of radio operator controlling the aircraft and releasing the signal with the final resting place of Trinity Bay
Barry
PS When doing sea trials and testing the Bofors we must have frightened a lot of shipping with our break up shot.