Australia had a significant presence in the WWI air War, both in the Middle East and in Europe as the only Commonwealth Nation to participate with its own Air Arm, the Australian Flying Corps. (AFC), comprising a total of four Operational Squadrons and four UK based Training Units. In Australia, training of overseas AFC pilots was also carried out at the Central Flying School (CFS) at Point Cook Victoria. Australians also served in the various British Air Arms – The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Australia then punched well above its weight in the air in WWI and this aspect of Australian WWI service is largely under-represented as we remember this part of the Centenary of World War 1.
Most Australians are aware of the contribution of the Australian Army and Navy in WW1 but few are aware that in the Great War Australia pulled well above its weight in the air war too. During the First World War Australia was the only member of the British Commonwealth to raise its own independent Flying […]
Historic Aircraft, Vintage Aircraft, WW1 aircraft
Warbirds Online will be commemorating the Centenary of WW1 over the next 4 years and we will document through regular features, the history and progress of Military Aviation during the war and Australia’s part in it, particularly the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). Australia has a unique place in the history of Aviation going back to the […]
RAAF historic aircraft, Vintage Aircraft, WW1 aircraft