The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) William Gannon (left), aged 20, of Newtown, NSW, and Private (Pte) Laurie Corkery (right), aged 20, of Scarborough Beach. WA, both of the 39th Air Supply Platoon, Royal Australian Army Service Corps, are standing inside a Royal Air Force (RAF) Vickers Valetta C1 transport aircraft, as it approaches a drop zone at tree top level in Northern Malaya. Pte Corkery is in communication with the pilot via his helmet intercom set, and at the command from the pilot, a green light (fitted to the bulkhead above Pte Corkery's head) will flash and the pack will be away. The supply pack (consisting of wooden crates has been loaded onto a wooden ejector board, which Pte Gannon will lift, allowing the supplies to slide out the doorway which will deploy the cargo parachute via a static line system (note the parachute pack and ripcord in front of Pte Gannon's arm). Pte Gannon is wearing a webbing belt attached to a safety line and the removable door can be been secured behind him. The pair, originally based at Ingleburn, NSW, are part of an eight man team of Australians attached to the RAF, where they are learning the techniques of air supply.
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) Gary Cole (left), aged 20, of Windsor, NSW, and Corporal (Cpl) Ray Harvey (right), aged 36, of Punchbowl, NSW, both of the 39th Air Supply Platoon, Royal Australian Army
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) Albert Bell (left), aged 21, of Geelong, Vic, and 3/5602 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Kenneth O (Ken) King (right), aged 25, of Preston, Vic, both of the 39th Air Supply Plato
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) Robert (Bob) Green (left), aged 19, of Lithgow, NSW, and Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Ron Pollett (right), aged 23, of Twin Towns, Qld, both of the 39th Air Supply Platoon, Ro
Watching a Vickers Valetta C1 transport aircraft making a delivery run over the landing zone adjacent to their forward company base are 42950 Private (Pte) Robert Stanley (Bob) Swarbrick (left), and P
Watching a Vickers Valetta C1 transport aircraft making a delivery run over the landing zone adjacent to their forward company base are 42950 Private (Pte) Robert Stanley (Bob) Swarbrick (left), and P
Watching a Vickers Valetta C1 transport aircraft making a delivery run over the landing zone adjacent to their forward company base are 42950 Private (Pte) Robert Stanley (Bob) Swarbrick (left), and P
