RAAF Sabres leave for Malaysia

The Minister for Air, Mr Dudley Erwin, flew from Canberra to Williamtown RAAF base to farewell a group of Sabre jet pilots. The pilots were preparing to ferry ten Sabre jet fighters from Williamtown to the RAAF base at Butterworth, Malaysia. The fighters were to be handed over to the Royal Malaysian Air Force on 18 Oct 1969. The delivery flight was the culmination of a promise made by the Prime Minister, Mr Gorton, in the House of Representatives in April 1969, that Australia would make a gift to Malaysia of ten sabre fighters, together with spares, ground support equipment and a simulator for training purposes. The RAAF also provided instructors to train Malaysian pilots and ground staff. This item is a condensed coverage of Mr Erwin's visit to Williamtown. Identified personnel: Air Commodore Cooper, Sqn. Ldr. Graham Neil of Sydney, Flight Lieutenant Burke of Brisbane and F/O Cavenagh of Brisbane.