In July 1968 a No. 9 Squadron ‘in-house’ Gunship Development commenced, led by (then) Squadron Leader Brian Dirou DFC, Pilot. The prototype aircraft was UH-1H A2-773 (displayed at the AWM in Canberra). Flight trials commenced and development continued until November. The Australian government approved purchase of some weapon kits in December 1968. Through January 1969, there was further No. 9 Squadron ‘in-house’ Gunship Development; 7 sets of gunship equipment were in location and the modification of six aircraft began. In March 1969, ‘in-house’ Gunship Aircrew and Maintenance training began.
No. 9 Squadron RAAF Iroquois Bravo Model A2-1025 ‘Ned Kelly’ with L/R: SGT Ernie Moore, FLTLT Bob Thompson, SQNLDR Jim Cox and LAC Ted Maxwell.
Gunship progression by Brian Dirou
Nev Pratt, ADG and No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN Gunner, pictured at the Bushranger starboard twin M60 gun station sometime during his SVN tour 22 December 1969 until 25 December 1970.
Bob Upham, GDPLT re-arming a No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN ‘Bushranger’ gunship at Kanga Pad, Nui Dat in late 1970
Jack Lynch, pilot, No. 9 Squadron RAAF SVN, re-arming the mini-guns on one of the ‘Bushies’ in 1969 – 1970. Source: unknown.
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‘Bushranger’ right crew station and the twin 7.62mm M60 door gun fit
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Iroquois A2-377 right door gun fit
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‘Bushranger’ mini gun firing – ejection of spent cases
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‘Bushranger’ mini gun firing – ejection of spent cases
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A No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN ‘Bushranger’ gunship take-off from Kanga Pad to the West.
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A ‘Bushranger’ gunship in flight.
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‘Bushranger’ twin 7.62mm M60 door guns.
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‘Bushranger’ Gunner’s view over the twin M60’s.
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‘Bushranger’ gunship Armament Control Panel
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‘Bushranger’ impact of a ripple of 2.75 inch HE rockets.
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No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN Land Rover and gun trailer at Vung Tau airfield.
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Jack Lynch, pilot, No. 9 Squadron RAAF SVN, re-arming the mini-guns on one of the ‘Bushies’ in 1969 – 1970. Source: unknown.
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Al Lamb and Peter Robinson loading a 9SQN gunship at Nui Dat in 1969 Source: unknown.
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‘Bushranger’ gunship Weapon Select Panel – 2.75 inch rockets HE x six, single fire or pairs; WP x one, single fire for target marking.
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Rocket pod, weapon head at front.
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A No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN ‘Bushranger’ at the re-arm point Kanga Pad, Nui Dat; the ‘hot refuelling’ PSP area in the left background.
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A look through one of the gunship weapon sights
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No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN light fire team (LFT) approaching to land to the east at Kanga Pad, Nui Dat. The terrain features in the background are the Nui Dinh and the Nui Thi Vai hills. Source: Bob Upham
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Nev Pratt, ADG and No. 9 SQN RAAF SVN Gunner, pictured at the Bushranger starboard twin M60 gun station sometime during his SVN tour 22 December 1969 until 25 December 1970.
gunship document
Gunship progression
gunship
No. 9 Squadron RAAF Iroquois Bravo Model A2-1025 ‘Ned Kelly’ with L/R: SGT Ernie Moore, FLTLT Bob Thompson, SQNLDR Jim Cox and LAC Ted Maxwell.