ex RSAF SIAI Marchetti S-211 Jet Trainer VH-DZJ at Gladstone Airport Thursday

Certainly an interesting nice little aircraft to arrive into Gladstone Airport on Thursday 28 April was Victoria-based SIAI Marchetti S-211 Jet Trainer VH-DZJ.

It initially flew into Gladstone from Dubbo having spent the night there after earlier arriving from Melbourne (Essendon) on Wednesday 27 April.

VH-DZJ reportedly operated a local flight around the Gladstone area a little later on Thursday.  It returned to Gladstone Airport and looked to be spending the night.

VH-DZJ is one of 20 former Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) jet training aircraft that were operated out of RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia.  VH-DZJ wore the serial number '381' and was retired from service with the RSAF in mid-to-late 2009.

File photo

I captured '381' amongst the other Marchettis in early 2010 after it was placed in storage at Jandakot Airport near Perth in early 2010.

VH-DZJ was first placed on the Australian aircraft register in June 2011 and it was registered to its current operator in Victoria in August 2012.

Of interest, pilot trainees from the RSAF now complete basic flying training on Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft still out of RAAF Base Pearce.

Sincere thanks to Tam D for capturing - and to Col for sending through - these great photos of a great little jet!

Photos taken by Tam Diehm  ©