RAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 Completes Airwork at Rockhampton Airport

On Friday 31 August, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft A47-001 was spotted completing a missed approach at Rockhampton Airport.

It flew South from Townsville (where it had arrived the previous day via what was believed to be airwork in the Whitsundays) and after completing its airwork at Rocky, A47-001 looked to head South towards Victoria before looking to eventually return to its home base at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

A47-001 was heard to be using the radio callsign of "Mariner 46" which is of the RAAF's 292 Squadron.

No. 292 Squadron is a RAAF operational conversion unit (OCU) based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The squadron was formed in 1977 as the Maritime Analysis Training Squadron and renamed No. 292 Squadron in 1980. Throughout its history it has formed part of No. 92 Wing and been responsible for training aircrew to operate the RAAF's Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. It is also responsible for training Orion maintenance personnel.

With the RAAF's retirement of the AP-3Cs with Boeing P-8 Poseidons, No. 292 Squadron will remain part of No. 92 Wing and will begin the first local training course using the new type. A new operational conversion facility has been constructed at Edinburgh to facilitate this training.

Sincere thanks to local plane spotter Scott H for taking the time to capture and send through these great photos!

All photos taken by Scott Harris  ©