I was a pilot in VS-25, flying S2's off the Yorktown on two cruses to Vietnam in 1965-66.
We had a SETO excerize to escort a convoy from Manila to Banckok - protecting them from subs. The Melbourn was one of the ships we worked with.
We had some "deck exchange" with the Melbourne and were invited to park and go down into the mess for a nice meal. When we got back to our aircraft, there was not one sq. inch on it that did not have a red kangaroo painted on it. :)
I was on VS816 Sqn flying Trackers through most of the 70s. Great times and a wonderful aircraft. Got to start the Historic Flight Tracker last year, great trip down memory lane.
We need another one, but our government isn't interested, it's not like there is a shortage of money or anything. This was sold to China as scrap and they are using it a a model for their first aircraft carrier. All the time and training that went into these crews has been wasted.
The worst thing we ever did as a Navy was lose our carrier. We haven't recovered since and it will take a long time before Naval personnel fly fixed wing at sea again. (It is possible that RAAF pilots might do it)
In this video from noverber 2010 you can see how de new aussie aircraft carrier is going ( Botadura de la F105 "Cristóbal Colón" ) . The ship is right behind the one is going to the see (I don't know how you say that in english). BB
Checkout the brand new Australian aircraft carrier . Look for (Puesta Quilla LHD_Armada australiana) in youtube . This would be your new aircraft carrier . We call it BPE (Multiporpouse bla bla bla what ever...) this ship is like the wasp class from USA
In 1972 the Australian Navy also lost it's entire fleet of Grumman S2-E anti-submarine trackers when an idiot set a papers dart on fire and through it into the hanger. Retired second hand replacements had to be purchased from the US Navy
Unfortunately Melbourne's history received some bad press because on two separate occasions her escort destroyer made a wrong course change and crossed the bow of the aircraft carrier resulting in the escort destroyer being cut in half (sadly with loss of life on each destroyer). In each case the Melbourne was not at fault and it is the escort destroyers job to keep clear of the aircraft carrier.
@stringbean001 Well it looks likle you should know more than anyone so I'll take your word for it. Sailors have always been a superstitious lot concerning Jonahs etc and the Melbourne did seem to be cursed with bad luck. No doubt us Poms got the blame for building it!.
@stoobedam Another inadequate internet troll dishing out insults(I presume it is LOL) from the safety of his mums attic room. Go back to what you know best - playing with your own penis you little poof and leave reasoned debate to the grown ups.
@jesse94970 Hi, I was on the Melbourne the first time as an ORD and an AB in 1962 and 1963. I was on Melbourne the second time as a Petty Officer in 1970 and 1971.
No thanks to the now really basic, almost worthless training the Navy now provides, I'd doubt the RAN could keep a carrier at sea for long. Look at DMO's logistic mess with Collins and Anzac platforms. NIL STOCK GLOBAL
I often wonder why America hasnt given us two or three of their slightly older non nuke carriers that you sometimes see docked and silent, i think we would need at least that many for a carrier to be viable, one off the west coast, one off the east and one eyeing off the indonesians to keep them in check. And for the record, buying the old F18s and now these new ones is an obvious act of a corrupt australian government wasting our money!
@twistednormal The yanks offered Australia the free use of an Essex class back in the 1960's. The same offer was also made to Canada and the UK as their carrier arms shrank. All declined.
This video and the still photos it contains is the real deal. Back in the 1960's and 1970's Australia had an Aircraft carrier and fixed wing aircraft in the Fleet Air Arm.
To any former member of the melbourne I am the son of the late Greg Ellis and was curious if there is to be a memorial service for the 40th anniversary of the collision with the evans if so I would like to go to pay my respects on behalf of my father. if able could any member of the boy's of 69 contact me on 0401303639 it would mean the world to me as i know this was a big part of my fathers life
i really wish i was alive back then and had 1.8 million dollars i would hae brought her and kept her as a proud symbol of Australia's navy. Ohwell should get old kevin dudd to buy that curry munchers carrier or that brazilian one if they still have it and turn it into a museum make it back into melbourne.
Ah! Heads up on the Flight Deck - Takes me back. I was on board '65 (Ordinary Seaman - General Duties including Boatswains Mate, Side Party and Laundry) , '69 (Naval Airman Mechanic Awrframes/Engines - VF805 A4's)and Frank E Evans collision , '72 (LSATA - VF805) , '73 (LSATA - VF805) RIMPAC73 , '78 (POATA - VF805) RIMPAC78. Those WERE the days my friend , and yes , we thought they'd never end. Fair winds and following seas. Dutchy.
Excellent to see the clips and pics of the Melbourne,Unfortunately being a proud son of one of the men who served on her ive lost all but a few of dads pictures. Keep thinking I might see in the white sand shoes he always told me he wore running at or away from the Venoms as LAAH .. Thanks Stringbean makes me proud to see her again
i believe the goverment brought a aircraft carrier to replace HMAS melbourne, the british aircraft carrier HMS invincible but because of the falklands war the british goverment cancelled the sale.
Yes,melbourne was meant 2 b replaced by Invincible/Invincible class ship.I went on the Melbourne in 1979 when it visited Wellington,NZ..awesome!we eventually brought the Aussie A4G Skyhawks and I eventually had the pleasure of flying in formation with one of them..in an RNZAF TA4k Skyhawk (2 seat)!!
My father was aboard the HMAS Melbourne. Makes me happy to see where he was.
driftlab 2 weeks ago
Why Australia cancel they carrier aviation ?
xsf908 3 months ago
I was a pilot in VS-25, flying S2's off the Yorktown on two cruses to Vietnam in 1965-66.
We had a SETO excerize to escort a convoy from Manila to Banckok - protecting them from subs. The Melbourn was one of the ships we worked with.
We had some "deck exchange" with the Melbourne and were invited to park and go down into the mess for a nice meal. When we got back to our aircraft, there was not one sq. inch on it that did not have a red kangaroo painted on it. :)
1001jeb 5 months ago
cruises, SEATO, exercise, Bangkok, Melbourne, (for info)
stoobedam 1 month ago
I was on VS816 Sqn flying Trackers through most of the 70s. Great times and a wonderful aircraft. Got to start the Historic Flight Tracker last year, great trip down memory lane.
ricebubble4 8 months ago
We need another one, but our government isn't interested, it's not like there is a shortage of money or anything. This was sold to China as scrap and they are using it a a model for their first aircraft carrier. All the time and training that went into these crews has been wasted.
highihigh 1 year ago
my uncle served on the hmas melbourne and alson served on the anzac
choperdogness 1 year ago
The worst thing we ever did as a Navy was lose our carrier. We haven't recovered since and it will take a long time before Naval personnel fly fixed wing at sea again. (It is possible that RAAF pilots might do it)
euromellows 1 year ago
We need another one .
nems79au 1 year ago
In this video from noverber 2010 you can see how de new aussie aircraft carrier is going ( Botadura de la F105 "Cristóbal Colón" ) . The ship is right behind the one is going to the see (I don't know how you say that in english). BB
carboumentliagaizka 1 year ago
Checkout (MICAAL-TV "Portaaviones españoles navegan juntos") This L61 ship will be your future aircraft carrier
carboumentliagaizka 1 year ago
Checkout the brand new Australian aircraft carrier . Look for (Puesta Quilla LHD_Armada australiana) in youtube . This would be your new aircraft carrier . We call it BPE (Multiporpouse bla bla bla what ever...) this ship is like the wasp class from USA
carboumentliagaizka 1 year ago
choice footage . does any one have footage of the shit ducks crashing off Sri Lanka in 1980
skimpychimp 1 year ago
In 1972 the Australian Navy also lost it's entire fleet of Grumman S2-E anti-submarine trackers when an idiot set a papers dart on fire and through it into the hanger. Retired second hand replacements had to be purchased from the US Navy
binaway 1 year ago
Who knows what the futures holds. Maybe one of the new LHDs will be equipped with the F-35B. Lets hope so, as its capable of it.
ceskazbrojovka17HMR 1 year ago
Not a ship with the most glorious of histories. If it was on exercise in the Pacific you would want to be in the Atlantic LOL!
Buggsy61 1 year ago
Unfortunately Melbourne's history received some bad press because on two separate occasions her escort destroyer made a wrong course change and crossed the bow of the aircraft carrier resulting in the escort destroyer being cut in half (sadly with loss of life on each destroyer). In each case the Melbourne was not at fault and it is the escort destroyers job to keep clear of the aircraft carrier.
stringbean001 1 year ago
@stringbean001 Well it looks likle you should know more than anyone so I'll take your word for it. Sailors have always been a superstitious lot concerning Jonahs etc and the Melbourne did seem to be cursed with bad luck. No doubt us Poms got the blame for building it!.
Buggsy61 1 year ago
@Buggsy61 you're a clothcock
stoobedam 1 month ago
@stoobedam Another inadequate internet troll dishing out insults(I presume it is LOL) from the safety of his mums attic room. Go back to what you know best - playing with your own penis you little poof and leave reasoned debate to the grown ups.
Buggsy61 1 month ago
@Buggsy61 No.. Just an old Melbourne sailor who took umbrage to your insult of my old ship.
stoobedam 1 month ago
G,day stringbean001 I was on the Melbourne twice 67 to 70 as a stoker and 75 to 77 as a kellic stoker.
jesse94970 1 year ago
Stringbean001,when were you on Melbourne?
jesse94970 1 year ago
@jesse94970 Hi, I was on the Melbourne the first time as an ORD and an AB in 1962 and 1963. I was on Melbourne the second time as a Petty Officer in 1970 and 1971.
stringbean001 1 year ago
No thanks to the now really basic, almost worthless training the Navy now provides, I'd doubt the RAN could keep a carrier at sea for long. Look at DMO's logistic mess with Collins and Anzac platforms. NIL STOCK GLOBAL
KG84C 2 years ago
because we dont have enough people in the navy to run a aircraft carrier
jackmbarker 2 years ago
jack hit the right mark, navy is in severe shortage
ForgottenCavalry 2 years ago
I often wonder why America hasnt given us two or three of their slightly older non nuke carriers that you sometimes see docked and silent, i think we would need at least that many for a carrier to be viable, one off the west coast, one off the east and one eyeing off the indonesians to keep them in check. And for the record, buying the old F18s and now these new ones is an obvious act of a corrupt australian government wasting our money!
twistednormal 2 years ago 2
@twistednormal The yanks offered Australia the free use of an Essex class back in the 1960's. The same offer was also made to Canada and the UK as their carrier arms shrank. All declined.
binaway 6 months ago
@binaway and as a result, the Chinese and Asian navies will sink our current fleet in hours! fuck the bloody bureaucrats and labour government!
j0noStrIk3r 5 months ago
omg is this real i cant belive it!! OMGOMGOMGOGMOGMGOGMo this is a fake
Trrtr1 2 years ago
This video and the still photos it contains is the real deal. Back in the 1960's and 1970's Australia had an Aircraft carrier and fixed wing aircraft in the Fleet Air Arm.
I know because I was onboard at the time.
stringbean001 2 years ago
I too was onboard at the time. Love the video, brought back a lot of good memories. Thanks stringbean001.
r62777n 2 years ago
I used to work with a bloke who flew the vampire version on the Melbourne and he said the Americans refused to land on her because of the short deck.
blueycarlton 3 years ago
Having served aboard Melbourne twice,it was great to see old footage,especially to the music.Ah "the life on the ocean wave".
Zoomtopz.
zoomtopz 3 years ago
Could someone please tell me the name of the first tune, anyway, great lip.
hmasmelbourne 3 years ago
The first tune is called "A life on the Ocean Wave" and it was played by the Royal Australian Navy Band.
stringbean001 3 years ago
Thanks, forgive me for my stupidity.
hmasmelbourne 3 years ago
Hi its called Hearts of Oak.
centurey8901 3 years ago
Sorry for the Stuff but it is in fact A life on the Oceans Wave
centurey8901 3 years ago
To any former member of the melbourne I am the son of the late Greg Ellis and was curious if there is to be a memorial service for the 40th anniversary of the collision with the evans if so I would like to go to pay my respects on behalf of my father. if able could any member of the boy's of 69 contact me on 0401303639 it would mean the world to me as i know this was a big part of my fathers life
bne529 3 years ago
i really wish i was alive back then and had 1.8 million dollars i would hae brought her and kept her as a proud symbol of Australia's navy. Ohwell should get old kevin dudd to buy that curry munchers carrier or that brazilian one if they still have it and turn it into a museum make it back into melbourne.
edwardsajl 3 years ago
Ah! Heads up on the Flight Deck - Takes me back. I was on board '65 (Ordinary Seaman - General Duties including Boatswains Mate, Side Party and Laundry) , '69 (Naval Airman Mechanic Awrframes/Engines - VF805 A4's)and Frank E Evans collision , '72 (LSATA - VF805) , '73 (LSATA - VF805) RIMPAC73 , '78 (POATA - VF805) RIMPAC78. Those WERE the days my friend , and yes , we thought they'd never end. Fair winds and following seas. Dutchy.
dutchy805 3 years ago
My Dad and Uncle served on her, I went on the old girl when I was a kid, she sure looked big to a seven year old.
mysticphoebos 4 years ago
HMAS Melbourne was the ship my old man served on untill it was decommissioned in 1982 then it was sold
bigluxs 4 years ago
Once you get rid of such a signifcant capability, it's even harder and more expensive to get it back.
Merlin161 4 years ago
Excellent to see the clips and pics of the Melbourne,Unfortunately being a proud son of one of the men who served on her ive lost all but a few of dads pictures. Keep thinking I might see in the white sand shoes he always told me he wore running at or away from the Venoms as LAAH .. Thanks Stringbean makes me proud to see her again
bsim1964 4 years ago
i think the us navy ran into our carrier i think im not to sure on that but if i am wrong just let me know
icecuberules 4 years ago
Not true. Rather , our carrier sank a USN ship by the name of Frank.E.Evans at 0312 on 3rd of June '69.
dutchy805 3 years ago
wht dosen t australia have a aircraft anymore what happen?????
jjbrother 4 years ago
Our Aircraft Carrier reached the end of it's useful life. Our Government failed to buy a replacement.
stringbean001 4 years ago
i believe the goverment brought a aircraft carrier to replace HMAS melbourne, the british aircraft carrier HMS invincible but because of the falklands war the british goverment cancelled the sale.
jjbrother 4 years ago 2
Yes,melbourne was meant 2 b replaced by Invincible/Invincible class ship.I went on the Melbourne in 1979 when it visited Wellington,NZ..awesome!we eventually brought the Aussie A4G Skyhawks and I eventually had the pleasure of flying in formation with one of them..in an RNZAF TA4k Skyhawk (2 seat)!!
MikeRochip666 4 years ago
@stringbean001 Was it because it kept running into other ships?
nowoolovermine 1 year ago
The RAAF won the battle and scored their Navy Model FA-18's at the expense of the Senior Service. Sad but true. From Dutchy.
dutchy805 3 years ago
Thanks for that. :-)
SpazSinbad 4 years ago