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

-(> DEFENCE FORCE JOURNAL— a hope, unfortunately, that did not eventuate.The previous month, January 1428, Cabinetdecided not to approve authority for the continuationof the RAN FAA, thus negating thedecision made in 1925. It was decided, instead,that the RAAF would provide the aircraft,pilots, and maintenance personnel for the newcarrier, and the RAN the observers and telegraphists.Naval officers, however, could trainas pilots for RAAF service if circumstancespermitted — although this was also discontinuedin the 1930s. In the event the Navywas given operational control of embarkedRAAF aircraft, a system that remained inforce until 1944.Albatross, the twelfth ship of the name, wascompleted in December 1928. On her trials,during the same month, she exceeded therequired speed of 21 knots, and 22.5 knotswas attained with 12,910 hp. The ship's machinerycomprised Parsons geared turbines withtwo shafts, the designed horsepower being12,000, and four Yarrow boilers were installed.Dimensions included a length of 443^ ft., abeam of 60 ft., and a draught of 16J ft. Standarddisplacement was 4800 tons. Armamentcomprised four 4.7 inch anti-aircraft guns, andtwo 2 pdr pom-pom guns. The ship's complementnumbered 450. including six officers and24 other ranks from the RAAF.HMAS Albatross commissioned at Sydneyon January 23, 1929, under the command ofCaptain D. M. T. Bedford. RN. A month laterthe carrier positioned at Port Phillip whereaircraft stores, and personnel, of No. 1 1(Fleet Co-operation) Flight embarked on February21. On the 25th, six Seagull Ills werehoisted aboard at Geelong — and, more thanone RAAF officer heaved a sigh of relief tosee the folded-wing aircraft lowered throughthe 41 ft. x 20 ft. hatch and into the hangars,albeit the fit was close! By coincidence, theFairey HID (span 46 ft. \\{ in., length 37 ft..A Seagull III, engine running, is about to be lowered for takeoff from the sea.deck awaiting their turn.Note two other aircraft on