After a Friday evening with a few unofficial functions where veterans from 35 and 38 squadrons met up with old mates from Vietnam, Kashmir, PNG, Indonesia, Eats Timor, Malaysia, Richmond, Amberley and Townsville.  The official functions to farewell the Caribou commenced.

The morning dawned with only a few whispy clouds intruding in a beautiful blue Townsville sky then people of varying ages started to gather outside the hangar at 38SQN. old freinds gathered in groups around the chairs set up in front of the parade ground and camera shutters clicked noisilly as photos of the six Caribous parked alongside and to the rear were taken.  As more people arrived the level of noise from the numerous conversations taking place increased.

Suddenly, the conversations stopped as the sweet, deep sound of a twin row radial engine burst into life followed by the starting of three more engines. To me, it is a sound that I have loved for over 40 years and I will freely admit that the thought that I may never hear or feel the rumble of those augmented exhaust engines and the three bladed Hamilton standard props bought the first of many tears to my eyes.  And I was not the only one.  The two aircraft took off and I doubt there was anyone near who wasn't looking up at the sky as they climbed away to the north.

Markers were called and took up their positions and as the RAAF band started playing, the airmen and officers of 38SQN marched onto parade.  The 35 and 38 squadron colours were then unfurled , marched past the crowd and distinguished visitors in slow motion and took up their position in the middle of the parade ground.

The parade reviewing officer arrived and as the first order for the parade to "Advance in review order" was given, the two airborne Caribous flew overhead at 100 feet.

The inspection of the flights and a march past in slow and quick time, was followed by the laying up of the colours of 35SQN, to be kept from here on in in a sacred place either until 35SQN is reformed or for eternity.

As the parade again advanced in review order, the second flypast of the airborne Caribous came in from the North, perfectly aligned to approach between the two caribous positioned on the ground at the rear of the parade ground. 

The reviewing officer then made a moving speech highlighting the service of the Caribou and praising the men who flew and maintained these aircraft over the past 45 years. As the squadron marched past in column of route the final flypast flew over the marching troops.  One of the bous pulled up and then performed the last ever to occur low level handling display.

After the parade was over, the crowd of around 1300 people gathered around the aircraft or in the hanger.  Old friendships were renewed, souveniers and memmorabilia purchased and more tears were shed.  The aircraft were then positioned and open for old hands to again play with the controls, sit in the ****pit, inspect the engines and airframes, curse the uncomfortable troop seats that made many a bum numb and just generally reminisce of good times never to be repeated. Photos from years gone by adorned the camouflage netting hanging from the hangar ceiling, many people stared at them for some time and the sight of grown men wiping tears from their eyes was very moving.

The official functions ended with a hangar bash in the evening and in time worn 38SQN tradition, it was the party of all parties.

Sick parade was called at the local surf club at 10AM on the Sunday. 


Guru-Bob
Bou crew member