The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Air Vice Marshal Simmonds talks about the lack of relevance of basic flying training to combat mission flying in Korea; being posted to 78 Wing, RAAF Base Williamtown after graduation from Point Cook; the transition from flying Wirraways to flying Vampire jets through flying Mustangs; his notification of being posted to No.77 Squadron, Korea; his first being posted to Iwakuni, Japan to undertake the Meteor conversion course; a comparison of the Meteor with the Mig-15; inadequacies in the retraining of experienced air-to-ground Mustang pilots as air defence jet pilots; shooting down a Mig-15 on 8 May 1952; discrimination against Point Cook graduates in general and against Simmonds in particular; a one-third attrition rate for 77 Squadron pilots; USAF organization at Iwakuni; 77 Squadron's assignment to the United States 5th Air Force; relationships with the Americans; accommodation at Kimpo and efforts to improve it; an embellished Tent 3; daily operational routine; drop tank usage; winter conditions and ground crew; a comparison with Korea's summer; good American catering; R & R opportunities at Iwakuni; visiting Nagoya; operations from Kimpo; receiving usually good intelligence for targeting; occasional doubts about targets; missing a potential second Mig-15 target because of low fuel; the need for the RAAF to develop air combat tactics; the failure of the RAAF to use Simmond's Sabre experience from his secondment to 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force, Germany on his return to Australia; the American system of awards and decorations compared to Australian practice; Simmond's Mentioned in Despatches award and lessons learned from Korea, particularly with respect to fighter operations and training.
Billie Collings talks about: his enlisting in the RAAF; flying training and his being posted to No.77 Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan.; the inadequacies of flying training at the time; Air Force attitude tow
Hurst speaks of his enlistment in the RAAF and experience of the Second World War in the South West Pacific Area; post- Second World War RAAF service including de Havilland Vampire jet-conversion trai
Jake Newham talks about his early working life and his difficult path to being accepted for RAAF flying training; his training prior to being posted to Iwakuni, Japan for his conversion on to Meteors;
Victor Baker talks about his postings prior to No. 77 Squadron; the juxtaposition of Australian and Turkish graves at Pusan, Korea; an encounter with confederate state Americans at Taegu; tales of his
Wilson talks about service as a Mustang fitter in 3 Squadron, Canberra in 1949; his reasons for joining the Air Force; being engaged; his sudden posting to 77 Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan in 1951; an airc
Cresswell speaks of his academic and military background including Second World War service in the South West Pacific area primarily as a fighter pilot; his role as Commanding Officer No 21 (Citizens