Memorial welcomes AP-3C Orion aircraft into National Collection

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft with a decorated 33-year service history as a search-and-rescue plane was handed over to the Australian War Memorial today at the 2019 Avalon Airshow. 

AP-3C Orion A9-659 is one of 18 such aircraft operated by the RAAF from Edinburgh in South Australia. Built in 1985, it took its final flight on 28 June 2018, having accumulated 16,800 flight hours.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, this aircraft spent nearly 33 years undertaking operations with the RAAF, including during the Cold War and in East Timor. On 28 January 2003, it became one of the first aircraft to deploy to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. It also conducted the first Australian P-3C operational combat mission over Iraq during Operation Falconer on 16 March 2003.

The AP-3C Orion fleet had excellent surveillance abilities, and was often called on to assist in maritime and land-based search-and-rescue operations, including survivor search-and-supply (airdrop) missions.

This aircraft also took part in the 2014 search for Malaysian Airlines MH370, the largest and longest-range airborne maritime search operation ever conducted.

In January 1997, A9-659 was closely involved with the rescue of sailors Thierry Dubois and Tony Bullimore in the Southern Ocean. That August, the first female maritime captain, Flight Lieutenant Janine McMullan, flew her first maritime captaincy sortie in A9-659.

Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson thanked the Australian Defence Force for allowing the aircraft to be transferred to the Memorial, where its story can be shared with all Australians.

“This AP-3C Orion aircraft is an incredibly versatile piece of Australian aviation history, and an exciting addition to the Memorial’s collection. The operational history of the Orion is one of immense pride, and we look forward to being able to interpret that for generations of Australians. The importance of this aircraft to an entire generation of servicemen and women who flew and maintained it, along with their families is not to be underestimated” said Dr Nelson.

“The Memorial is grateful for the support and assistance of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Department of Defence in facilitating the transfer of the AP-3C. The aircraft will be the largest object we hold and is an invaluable addition to the Memorial’s collection.”

The aircraft’s most recent public showcase event was in Darwin on 18 and 19 February 2017, and included a four-ship fly-past commemorating the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin during the Second World War.

The transfer will be completed by mid-2019, and after restoration the aircraft will be considered for future display in the Memorial’s galleries.