GAF Mirage to Benalla Aviation Museum

In a move likely to please many Warbird enthusiasts Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) built Marcel Dassault Mirage III IIIO(F) Ex RAAF A3-44 has been loaned on a long term basis to the Benalla Aviation Museum, Victoria. The arrangement is for a minimum of 10 years. The Benalla Aviation Museum is a great Museum that is expanding to include many exciting exhibits and is well worth a visit.

The Mirage has been resident at the now closed Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown, NSW since 2002, where it was on loan by its owner. Warbirds Online and The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) were on hand to assist the team from Benalla recently with the commencement of the dismantling of the aircraft for its trip from Bankstown to Benalla. The first phase consisted of the removal of the weapons, weapons points and other external fairings as well as the flaps and ailerons.

The removal of the wing root fairings allowed to access to the wing attachment bolts and pins.  These will be fully removed in the next phase to allow the wings themselves to be completely removed. Once the wings are removed they will be loaded onto specially made jigs for transport as will the fuselage which will be loaded onto a flatbed semi-trailer for the journey. All of the smaller items have already been transported to Benalla.

It is anticipated the dismantling and transport of the aircraft will be completed within a month. The Mirage will then be reassembled and placed on display at the Museum in Benalla.  Please contact Benalla Aviation Museum if you are an ex-Mirage RAAF fitter who would like to assist in the final dismantling, as your expertise would be a great asset to the team in the final part of the process.

History of Marcel Dassault Mirage III IIIO(F) Ex RAAF A3-44

This aircraft was one of 116 Mirages delivered to the RAAF (48 Mirage IIIO(F), 50 Mirage IIIO(A) and 16 Mirage IIIO(D) two seater aircraft GAF built aircraft plus 2 pattern aircraft built in France by Dassault). It was constructed and delivered on 22nd September 1966. A3-44 was immediately taken on charge by RAAF 77 Squadron based at RAAF Williamtown with whom it spent most of its operational life. The Mirage had one close call in 1981 when it was damaged by fragments of a missile which it had fired and which detonated prematurely.

The aircraft was used by 77 Sqn up until retirement on the 28th of May 1987 when replaced in RAAF service by the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. A3-44 had acquired a total of 4201 flying hours. Upon retirement the airframe was sent to RAAF 1 Central Reserve/No. 1 Central Ammunition Depot Kingswood, NSW where it was utilized as a training aid and then as a gate guard. Eventually in 2002 the aircraft was disposed of and purchased by a Mr. C Turner and loaned to the Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown, NSW.

Warbirds Online will continue to cover the work on this great RAAF Jet Fighter until it takes up residence at its new home at Benalla.

© John Parker 2019