It flew up from the South and completed a missed approach onto Runway 15 at Rocky before it continued to the North. A34-006 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Kaos 51".
The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi. The RAAF recently took delivery of its tenth and final C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter after they were ordered by in May 2012 to replace the now-retired De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou fleet.
The RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft complements the capabilities of the current C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster aircraft and uses common C-130J Hercules infrastructure and aircraft systems such as engines, avionics and the cargo handling systems. They will be equipped with missile warning systems, electronic self-protection and battlefield armour allowing them to operate freely in high-threat environments.
The current 10 Spartan aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Richmond initially before being based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by 35 Squadron. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the C-27J was achieved in December 2016, while Final Operating Capability (FOC) is now scheduled to be declared in late 2019.
2017 marked the 75th Anniversary of the RAAF's 35 Squadron and A34-006 was marked up with an Orange Wallaby tail stripe reminiscent of the Squadron's Caribou markings carried during the Vietnam War when it was affectionately known as 'Wallaby Airways'.
Sincere thanks to local plane spotters Kayanne H and Ash B for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!
Photos taken by Kayanne Hardsman and Ash Burggraaff ©
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