TEMORA JOINS RAAF’S RE-ESTABLISHED NO. 100 SQUADRON

Temora will have a unique role in the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) centenary celebrations this year.

The town’s famed aviation museum will soon be home to the Temora Historic Flight – a part of the RAAF’s re-establishment of the Second World War era No. 100 Squadron.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said No. 100 Squadron was being reformed as a RAAF Heritage Squadron and would be the parent unit for Temora Historic Flight and the RAAF’s Museum Heritage Flight at Point Cook in Victoria.

Mr McCormack welcomed Temora’s worthy involvement in marking the RAAF’s centenary.

“Temora has an extensive aviation history dating back to the Second World War, where pilots trained at RAAF’s No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School,” Mr McCormack said.

“The training school closed after the Second World War on 12 March 1946, but since then Temora has maintained a strong aviation focus, which will now include being part of the rejuvenated No. 100 Squadron.

“Temora Historic Flight will build on to the Riverina’s lengthy contribution to the RAAF, which includes RAAF Base Wagga and the former 5 Service Flying Training School at Uranquinty.

“The Temora Aviation Museum, of course, has played a special role in preserving RAAF history since 2000 by flying and displaying some iconic warplanes, such as the Spitfire.”

Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said No. 100 Squadron had a proud history and after a 75-year absence it was fitting that RAAF reactivated it in the same year as it commemorated its first 100 years.

“First established during the Second World War on 15 February 1942 at RAAF Base Richmond, No. 100 Squadron was an Air Force bomber and maritime patrol squadron, trained on Australian-built Bristol Beauforts,” Mr Chester said.

“The squadron conducted several successful missions throughout the war, taking part in the famous Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943 and eventually disbanding in New Guinea on 19 August 1946.

“The heritage fleet of No. 100 Squadron will continue to recognise the service of previous generations and inspiring the next generation of pilots.”

No. 100 Squadron will fly 21 heritage aircraft from Point Cook and Temora.

The new Air Force Heritage Squadron headquarters at RAAF Base Point Cook will provide a historical connection to the community.

The re-establishment of No. 100 Squadron coincides with the Centenary of the RAAF, which was formed on March 31, 1921.

Imagery and historic aircraft information: www.airforce.gov.au/about-us/history/historic-aircraft

Point Cook based aircraft:

• Mustang VH-SVU A68-170

• CT4A VH-NZP A19-077

• Sopwith Pup VH-PSP

• Harvard VH-HVD NZ1075

• Sopwith Snipe VH-SNP

• RE8 VH-OTF RE8-1 0003

• Winjeel VH-FTS A85-439

• Tiger Moth VH-AWA A17-692

• P-40 VH-XXX A29-90

Temora Based aircraft:

• Canberra VH-ZSQ

• Cessna A37 VH-XVA

• Spitfire Mk.VIII. VH-HET

• DH Vampire VH-VAM

• Lockheed Hudson VH-KOY

• CAC Wirraway VH-BFF

• CAC Sabre VH-IPN

• CAC Boomerang VH-MHR

• Ryan STM VH-RSY

• Meteor F8 VH-MBX

• Spitfire Mk.XVI VH-XVI

• Tiger Moth VH-UVZ