Hi,
I wondering if anybody has some information about the use of Volkswagens in the RAAF. I have just aquired an ex RAAF Kombi and I am currently chasing some info on the use of these vehicles by the RAAF.
Anything, pictures, scanned documents, weblinks would be great.
Thanks
[Edited on 26-5-2004 by MikeM]
Hi Mike,
A topic that I looked into a bit a few years back...although I doubt I still have the little bit of data that I found. The RAAF had Kombi's from somewhere in the mid to late 60's, till somewhere in the mid 70's, for both general duties and Mobile Air Traffic Control Towers.
I notice that you are in Brisbane, I remember seeing (late 80's) an old rusty mid-70's Kombi on the base at Amberley (Ipswich), in a very crook condition. The one I saw was originally 'GSE Yellow' (RAAF Term) which was a bright yellowy orange. But at that time it was long dead and scrapped soon after.
There was some interest recently over the ATC versions, they added a large section to the roof of the Kombi, making it into a mini tower (window bubble, etc). A few people have recently saved these cars from the scrappers and restored them. I saw an article recently (either on this forum or another similar one at work) of a guy in Darwin who has completely restored one of these Kombis and it looks great. I saved a few pics somewhere, probably at work, can look for them if you'd like them (next week).
Finally, the RAAF used to have a lot of small generators for deployments, etc, which were VW engines in frames. I have heard that many of the Kombi engines were removed when the cars were disposed of to make extra generators, quite possible!
Maybe write or call the PR officer of the Raaf, or speak to someone in archives perhaps?
Just a suggestion and good luck-W
like most government departments they are without any knowledge and just pretty much tell u too piss off!!!
cheers
rhys
p.s. i have a RAAF troop spotter here for sale
it aint just cool its aircool'd
Bloody hell KK, your full of great encouragement.
Maybe....just maybe there will be someone to help in shedding some light on these kombi's.
Good luck Mike in finding the info you need.
STEALTH
They were also used as Drop Zone pickups and troop movers around base and into town . They have been replaced by the Hiaces you see with the white roofs over green and now by Landcruisers and more Hiaces.
The RAAF Bay window kombi's were usually 9 seaters. Although I have seen a few with only 8 and a walk through
Ignore what KK has to say...... I will have a talk to some of my non helpful Government Officials at Amberly and see what they have to say. There use to be some info and pics in their base museum.
Brad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx AustraliaBrad
Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australiathanks brad still trying to work the off forum pic posting
got it now
[Edited on 26-5-04 by pod]
meetings 1st sunday of the month
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Why copy when you can own an original ?
Meyers Manx Australiabuggy brad, is that addition inside the kombi a viewing deck for a mobile control tower?
<hr>"I choose to Cruze VW Golf Mk1 Style!!!"
Hi Mike,
I think your approach to the request from RAAF will be in your favour if done in a proffesional manner.
First call and get a name of someone|department that can and may be able to help. Maybe their archives person will be able to dig up old photos etc.
Then just draft up a semi formal letter(along the lines of restoration of ex RAAF vehicles) and chances are you will get a reply with info.
I find that most people are more than willing to help when someone goes about things the right way.
Wayne🙂
Hi Mike,
I think your approach to the request from RAAF will be in your favour if done in a proffesional manner.
First call and get a name of someone|department that can and may be able to help. Maybe their archives person will be able to dig up old photos etc.
Then just draft up a semi formal letter(along the lines of restoration of ex RAAF vehicles) and chances are you will get a reply with info.
I find that most people are more than willing to help when someone goes about things the right way.
Wayne🙂
Being an ex RAAFy and appreciater of all things volkswagen is was great when I arrived at Amberley (early 80's) to find the odd yellow Bay kombi being used as crew vans.
They were still there for a few years but were retired in favour of Toyota Hiace vans. Definately a step backwoods.
Talk to Penguin.. He is in the RAAF and has researched a fair bit of this.. He posted some wonderful anecdotes from ex-service guys in the 70's and 80's about the 3 VW variants (support, mobile tower and refrigeration)
You would probably find it if you searched the posts..
Preacherman has one as well.. There appear to be quite a few around..
PS.. They also took their Kombi's to Sth Vietnam in the early 70's.. I remember seeing a shot of one parked next to a huey.. I think it was reloading ammo..
following courtesy of <Penguin> via email to me..
Makes interesting reading..
"but apprently we had a few types in
service. There were container vans, the Air traffic control vans, and the
last (which is what I think you were asking abt) were used to spot for
falling army paras (dirt darts). These were some of the responses I have so
far:
> I can remember in the late 70's early 80's at WLM and Butterworth we used
> the "Whippy vans" as flight line vehicles. They had a large square type
> box on the back large enough to stand up in. Mainly used by the RADTECHS.
> Gearboxes were so loose you could change gears without using the clutch.
> Also had to be VERY careful not to roll them.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Duncan, Ken MR
> Posted At: Tuesday, 23 March 2004 14:27
> Posted To: Aerial Activities
> Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: Question - Sort of historical flying
>
>
>
> AMB had a coupla Kombi special vehicles, though they were pretty much out
> of use in the late 70's/early 80's when I saw them. One was a refrigerated
> van for moving rations the other was a mobile control tower which was air
> conditioned. This is possibly the one of which you speak. They (the MT
> fitters) used to keep them functioning/serviced but I never saw them
> actually used.
>
> KD
AND
Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: VW Combis
>
> I hate to admit it but I remeber these things, They were used aa a Mobile
> Aicraft Monitoring Vehicle (MAMV), a sort of mobile control tower. Someone
> would sit an a stool under the bubble and keep an eye on various aircraft
> and give direction over the radio if needed. There was an airconditioner
> that hung off the back to keep the inside cool.
>
> Imagine sitting out on the edge of the strip at Pearce under the summer
> sun in a hot house.
>
> These thing were usually used on Training Bases (ie 1FTS and 2FTS) by the
> Duty Instructor to help out the students.
>
> One of these Kombis was done up at Pearce many years ago (1980ish) and
> took part in a Variety club bash.
Thanks for all the info so far guys. Great to see so many responses. It's much apprecited.
Buggy Brad wrote:They were also used as Drop Zone pickups and troop movers around base and into town . They have been replaced by the Hiaces you see with the white roofs over green and now by Landcruisers and more Hiaces.
The RAAF Bay window kombi's were usually 9 seaters. Although I have seen a few with only 8 and a walk through
This sounds like the Bay I've just bought. It's a 1978 Bay Bus. Says 8 seater on the compliance plate, but it's not a walkthrough it has 9 seats (a bench in the front with spare tyre under it). It is green with white roof and bumpers. Still has the "drop ins" on the front for service cards or whatever you call them.
It's weird some parts of the car look like it's brand new fresh out of the factory, and other parts are tatty and rusty. Since it's ex RAAF I'm not going to paint it as it will take away it's character. So I'm going to repair the rusty sections and get it A1 mechanically but leave it rat.
It doesn't have an engine in it so it will need an engine and a general tidy up for RWC. I'll post some pics once I've taken delivery, probably Saturday.
So stay tuned for some piccys of my RAAF Kombi. I think I'll call him "Raaf da rat bay bus".
[Edited on 26-5-2004 by MikeM]
Cool, can't wait to see it.
STEALTH
hey
only reason i stated what i did as i tried to do the same research at canberra RAAF base and got no help and as aunty was in a government she tried and couldnt come up wuth anything!!!
cheers
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd
Hey kombi_kid...
To late to backdown down my friend..
We're forming a posse and comin' oer ta giv yar a goo 'ol fashin' lynchin!
hehe-W:P
so young yet so negative the boy needs more positive life experiences
Baby Loves to Mumbo
ahahahahahahahaahahhaaha watch out i might scoop you up wil drivin with the cargo doors open both sides in my "RAAF" troop carrier!
cheers
rhys
it aint just cool its aircool'd
RAAF Fairbairn...............
Nah Rhys, you would have stood a better chance asking Bob carr for tips on how to run a decent Government.
That place was basically sold to the lowest bidder a few years back and hasn't had a decent RAAF presence there for a while.
The place to direct historical queries for RAAF is down to Melbourne. RAAF Base Point Cook has the RAAF museum there and they are sometimes (dependant on work load as they are mostly volunteers) able to help with a request. Now if you collated a few requests from here into one letter, added in a few pics of the vans so far, I am fairly sure they would be helpful or be able to point in the right direction.
I cheated and just posted a question onto the Defence Intranet and got my three stories.
If you want I can ask who to talk to when I get back from leave end of June (oh, btw I am off to the UK and Holland for a few VW shows :thumb ... well, a wedding actually was the main reason but it has now taken second place behind a few other things)
Cheers
Penguin
'Ah, whatever................'
thanks for backing me up penguin all say sorry there useless
it aint just cool its aircool'd
No probs,
want me to look a bit harder when I get back?
'Ah, whatever................'
yer man any info you can get on troop spotters would be great!!!
now i know why u wanted it before :thumb
it aint just cool its aircool'd
