Damaged Caribou from Vietnam flys again

The first Caribou transport aircraft to be brought back damaged from Vietnam is shown making its first test flight after being repaired. The aircraft was returned to Australia on board HMAS Sydney in December 1968. It was floated on a barge form the naval dockyard, Garden Island, down the coast and along cooks river to the De Havilland factory at Bankstown. After repairs taking six months the aircraft was test flown by a mixed crew of De Havilland and RAAF pilots the aircraft was originally damaged in Vietnam during a landing when the wheels hit a ditch near the runaway. The aircraft was returned to service with No. 38 Squadron at RAAF Richmond, NSW after a successful flight. Identified personnel: Mr Barry Lovett chief test pilot For De Havilland, Mr Bob Rich De Havilland's co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant Alf Tremain.