ISSUE 3 : Mar/Apr - 1977 - Australian Defence Force Journal

FIRST OF THE LINE 29Photographs of the Seagull V using Albatross' catcpult have not been located, but this view of A2-1launched from the E III H catapult from the cruiser HMAS Canberra depicts the technique.beingaft. Plates and sections were despatched fromEngland to Australia, and the keel of Albatrosswas laid down at Cockatoo Island Dockyardon April 16, 1926.During the same month the six Seagull IIIamphibians, A9-1 to 6, arrived by ship inAustralia and were erected and tested at RAAFPoint Cook. On July 1 the Seagulls wereallotted to the newly formed No. 101 (FleetCo-operation) Flight and, a few months later.the flight moved to RAAF Richmond underthe command of Flight Lieuienant A. E.Hempel. The Fairey IIIDs still in serviceremained at Point Cook as seaplane trainers.While Albatross was under constructionfrom 1926 to 1928, No. 101 (Fleet Co-operation)Flight moved to Bowen, Queensland,where a coastal base was established for theSeagull Ills to work with the survey ship,HMAS Moresby, on the Great Barrier Reefproject until late 1928. Meanwhile, threeex-RAF Seagull Ills were acquired in 1927,and renumbered A9-7 to 9. Reporting theirarrival at Point Cook in January, Aircraftadded that "... it is still a little early to talkabout equipment for the aircraft carrier whichis now be'ng built at Cockatoo Dock. NSW."With the extra Seagulls in service, the RAAFextended survey flying to New Guinea in late1927.On Thursday. February 23, 1928 — the dayafter H. J. I.. (Bert) Hinkler. completed thefirst solo flight from England to Australia inAvro 581E^Avian, G-E^BOV — Australia'sfirst aircraft carrier was launched at CockatooIsland Dockyard by the Governor-General'swife. "I name this ship Albatross," declaredLady Stonehaven. "I am proud that she isthe result of Australian workmanship, and Icongratulate those who have so faithfully andskilfully constructed her. May she prove avaluable addition to the Royal Australian Navy..." The Sydney Mail reported that "Albatrossglided down the ways in stately fashionto the accompaniment of cheers by the largecrowd of spectators, and the strains of AdvanceAustralia Fair played by the Naval Band."During the speeches, the Chairman of theCommonwealth Shipping Board, Mr Larkin,observed that "one and all hoped that theseaplane carrier would have a peaceful life,and would never have to be used in warfare"