Question on RAAF radio callsigns 1960
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Question on RAAF radio callsigns 1960
No 10 (MR) Squadron at Townsville had Lincoln Mk 31 Long Nose Lincolns.
Each aircraft was given a three letter radio call-sign. For example A73-61 may have been issued with JCT as its normal radio communication with ATC. Has anyone seen a list of RAAF issued radio call-signs that applied to each A73- series Lincolns? In particular which A73- was issued with Juliet Charlie Sierra (JCS).
Each aircraft was given a three letter radio call-sign. For example A73-61 may have been issued with JCT as its normal radio communication with ATC. Has anyone seen a list of RAAF issued radio call-signs that applied to each A73- series Lincolns? In particular which A73- was issued with Juliet Charlie Sierra (JCS).
Centaurus,
Sorry, can't I help you with an individual identity. But apparently Lincolns (GR) Mk.31s converted to (MR) Mk.31s were:
A73-28,55,57,60,61,62,65,66,67 and 68.
Narrowing it down to 10 aircraft from a total fleet of 73.
(From Stewart Wilson's book: "Lincoln Canberra and F111 in Australian Service".)
As a nineteen year old, in 1977, I travelled aboard 11 Sqn P3B Orion A9-298 on an almost around Australia FISHEX. ( I was only aboard to "guard" the aircraft overnight at Learmonth. But it was quite a fun adventure!)
The callsign was interestingly: Juliet Charlie Lima. Apparently that meant VM-JCL.
Sorry, can't I help you with an individual identity. But apparently Lincolns (GR) Mk.31s converted to (MR) Mk.31s were:
A73-28,55,57,60,61,62,65,66,67 and 68.
Narrowing it down to 10 aircraft from a total fleet of 73.
(From Stewart Wilson's book: "Lincoln Canberra and F111 in Australian Service".)
As a nineteen year old, in 1977, I travelled aboard 11 Sqn P3B Orion A9-298 on an almost around Australia FISHEX. ( I was only aboard to "guard" the aircraft overnight at Learmonth. But it was quite a fun adventure!)
The callsign was interestingly: Juliet Charlie Lima. Apparently that meant VM-JCL.
Last edited by gerry111; 2nd Jul 2014 at 14:32.
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Interesting. Australia's ITU Prefix allocations are AX, VH–VN and VZ. ITU prefix allocations are used where radio transmissions are international.
Aircraft are allocated VH, amateur radio VK etc.
Interesting the military are allocated VM as I think that prefix is also allocated to the Volunteer Coast Guard?
Aircraft are allocated VH, amateur radio VK etc.
Interesting the military are allocated VM as I think that prefix is also allocated to the Volunteer Coast Guard?
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My source has had a look at his log book but the RAAF convention was to record the A73 - xx number and not the JC call sign. Apparently the "J" or "JC" prefix was specific to the Townsville (Garbutt) base. DC3 and Wirraway had similar "J" prefix.
In addition to Jerry's list A73-46 was a short nose Lincoln used for training.
My source also has many stories of buzzing the sugar refinery in Ingham and the nurses/teachers quarters in Townsville. . . . . . .
In addition to Jerry's list A73-46 was a short nose Lincoln used for training.
My source also has many stories of buzzing the sugar refinery in Ingham and the nurses/teachers quarters in Townsville. . . . . . .
It's only relatively recently (1970s) that a mil call sign was allowed in civil airspace- when we were operating the Hueys from Amberley, we used Albatross XX when in mil airspace, but had to use a civil call sign in civvy airspace. One of the birds was VH-HEN, and when asked to squawk, the usual response was "Buck buck bacawwwwww!!"
The Hercules were Juliet Lima whatever, and one of Frank's best stuff ups (only RAAFies would know who Frank was) was on departure out of Richmond in VH-JLP, and his departure call to Syd Radar was (in Frank's very imitable gentlemanly style) "Sydney, this is Juliet Lima uhhhhhhhhhh........(forgets what Papa is)...Pineapple!"
The Hercules were Juliet Lima whatever, and one of Frank's best stuff ups (only RAAFies would know who Frank was) was on departure out of Richmond in VH-JLP, and his departure call to Syd Radar was (in Frank's very imitable gentlemanly style) "Sydney, this is Juliet Lima uhhhhhhhhhh........(forgets what Papa is)...Pineapple!"
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My source also has many stories of buzzing the sugar refinery in Ingham and the nurses/teachers quarters in Townsville. . . . . . .
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Haha brilliant, fun times indeed. He had a history in Ingham, certainly got a kick in the rear
for it but I don't think any worse than that. Fortunately for me the "low pass"at the teachers quarters was a more successful exercise
for it but I don't think any worse than that. Fortunately for me the "low pass"at the teachers quarters was a more successful exercise
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Fortunately for me the "low pass"at the teachers quarters was a more successful exercise
Come on, let`s have the story.
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Tis an innocent story of young love. Suave aviator sweeps the young school teacher off her feet and everyone lives happily ever after. Well perhaps not ever after but for a good while anyway.
Were it not for the low pass, the fine lines of the long nose Lincoln and the seductive roar of Rolls Royce Merlins, I may have only ever been a twinkle in the old man's eye.
Lincoln Mk 31, I owe it all to you
Were it not for the low pass, the fine lines of the long nose Lincoln and the seductive roar of Rolls Royce Merlins, I may have only ever been a twinkle in the old man's eye.
Lincoln Mk 31, I owe it all to you
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Ah So desu.
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Aircraft are allocated VH, amateur radio VK etc.
Question on RAAF radio callsigns 1960
As a budding young RAAFie, I'd love to keep reading these Lincoln warries. I have a real love for the Lincoln.
Keep em coming!
Keep em coming!
International allocation (at least at that time) as:
VH-xxx Australian Civil aircraft
VJ-xxx Australian RAN aircraft
VM- xxx Australian RAAF aircraft
Each military aircraft was allocated its own reg by Dept of Def(?).
Don't know about Army aircraft...perhaps an old Bell Sioux pilot can help...
You can see a picture of VM-JCS cockpit at:
www.radschool.org.au/magazines/Vol40/Page7.htm
VH-xxx Australian Civil aircraft
VJ-xxx Australian RAN aircraft
VM- xxx Australian RAAF aircraft
Each military aircraft was allocated its own reg by Dept of Def(?).
Don't know about Army aircraft...perhaps an old Bell Sioux pilot can help...
You can see a picture of VM-JCS cockpit at:
www.radschool.org.au/magazines/Vol40/Page7.htm
Last edited by FlexibleResponse; 5th Jul 2014 at 02:47. Reason: additional info
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Juliet Lima Pinapple - Boogie Woogie etc
FC was a "legend in his own Lifetime" and a sheer joy to have operated with. Don't think he ever came to grips with operating an aeroplane that could fly for more than a couple of hours without having to refuel. Another of his memorable comments was his admission that he "Took my eye off the I" which was later found in a phone box at Oakey. RIP Frank.
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Centaurus
The military used civil type VM-xxx callsigns during the '70s and early '80 for domestic and international flights, although "Ausy ***" (figures) was also commonly used for international military flights.
From memory, the VM-JM* (e.g. JMQ) series was for the Caribous, the VM-JL* series was attributed to C130s; VM-HL* series for Canberras, VM-NL* series for the HS748s and BAC111s, VM-JC* series for the Neptunes/Orions. When these callsigns were used for international radiotelephony, the callisgns were usually abbreviated to "Victor Mike Quebec" (to use the first callsign as an example) after first contact with ATC.
Eventually these radio callsigns were replaced with names like Dingo (Caribou), Trojan/Stallion (C130s), Shepherd (P3s), Falcon (F111), Buckshot (Mirage), Calibrator (DC3 navaid testing) etc.
Hope that helps. Probably a few I have forgotten there.
The military used civil type VM-xxx callsigns during the '70s and early '80 for domestic and international flights, although "Ausy ***" (figures) was also commonly used for international military flights.
From memory, the VM-JM* (e.g. JMQ) series was for the Caribous, the VM-JL* series was attributed to C130s; VM-HL* series for Canberras, VM-NL* series for the HS748s and BAC111s, VM-JC* series for the Neptunes/Orions. When these callsigns were used for international radiotelephony, the callisgns were usually abbreviated to "Victor Mike Quebec" (to use the first callsign as an example) after first contact with ATC.
Eventually these radio callsigns were replaced with names like Dingo (Caribou), Trojan/Stallion (C130s), Shepherd (P3s), Falcon (F111), Buckshot (Mirage), Calibrator (DC3 navaid testing) etc.
Hope that helps. Probably a few I have forgotten there.
Adding to QSK?
The call signs: "Stallion" was 36Sqn; "Trojan", 37Sqn; "Despot", 77Sqn; ARDU, "Tester". Back in the 1980's at least.
I think that they may still be applicable as I've sometimes heard an ARDU PC9 using "Tester" on flights over S.A. and NSW in recent years.
The call signs: "Stallion" was 36Sqn; "Trojan", 37Sqn; "Despot", 77Sqn; ARDU, "Tester". Back in the 1980's at least.
I think that they may still be applicable as I've sometimes heard an ARDU PC9 using "Tester" on flights over S.A. and NSW in recent years.