| Accession Number | P04101.928 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Parker, David Dare |
| Date made | c May 2003 |
| Conflict |
Iraq, 2003-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
| Source credit to | Acquired through Australian War Memorial official commission 2003 |
The interior of an RAAF P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, looking through into the cockpit. The ...
Description
The interior of an RAAF P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, looking through into the cockpit. The aircrew are completing the pre-flight checks prior to their next operational flight. Identified is Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Palmer (seated right). The Orion is powered by four Allison T56 turboprop engines and can reach a speed of 660 kilometres per hour. The detachment, commanded by Wing Commander (Wing Cdr) Terry Mackinnon include two P-3 Orion aircraft and is made up of approximately 150 personnel from around Australia. Their main role in the Middle East was to support the Coalition fleet through surveillance activities in the central Persian Gulf. The aircraft were used to locate and observe small vessels that could be used by the enemy for mine laying operations or launching a suicide attack. The P-3 Orion aircraft operated in the Middle East as part of the Australian commitment assembled to disarm Iraq.