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R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown Patch by COMMANDO
The COMMANDO R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown Patch celebrates the people, aircraft and squadron traditions associated with the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet era. Its design brings together distinctive imagery connected with No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU), No. 77 Squadron and the early Australian Hornet programme at RAAF Base Williamtown.
The History Behind the Patch
The tiger head featured in the design represents No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, the RAAF's specialist training unit responsible for preparing pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. Based at Williamtown, 2OCU took pilots through operational conversion training before they moved on to frontline Hornet squadrons. Its tiger identity became closely associated with the unit's Hornet aircraft and training heritage.
The lion represents No. 77 Squadron's famous Oriental Lion emblem, affectionately nicknamed the "Grumpy Monkey". The squadron adopted the Oriental Lion as its badge in the early 1950s, reflecting its long association with service in Asia. The design was chosen for the lion's traditional symbolism as a guardian and protector. No. 77 Squadron had a distinguished history before the Hornet era, having formed in 1942 and operated P-40 Kittyhawks during the Second World War. It later flew in the Korean War, where its service helped establish the squadron's enduring reputation.
The Australian Hornet programme added another important chapter to Williamtown's aviation history. In 1981, Australia ordered 75 F/A-18A/B aircraft to replace its ageing Mirage III fighters. The first two aircraft were assembled in the United States, while the remaining 73 were assembled in Australia by Government Aircraft Factories at Avalon, Victoria. The first Australian-assembled Hornet, A21-103, was rolled out on 16 November 1984 and subsequently entered RAAF service with 2OCU at Williamtown.
The numeral 3 in the patch's design is associated with this first Australian-assembled Hornet, A21-103. It is worth distinguishing this aircraft from A3-3, which was the first Australian-assembled Mirage III, not a Hornet. The Hornet programme became a major milestone for Australian aerospace manufacturing and provided the RAAF with a modern multirole fighter that served for more than 35 years.
The Patch and Its Significance
The combination of the 2OCU tiger, No. 77 Squadron lion and Australian Hornet reference brings together several important elements of the RAAF's Williamtown fighter community. Rather than representing just one aircraft, the design recognises the training, operational and manufacturing history surrounding Australia's Hornet fleet.
This morale patch is particularly relevant to enthusiasts interested in RAAF fighter aviation, the Classic Hornet and the squadrons that operated the aircraft from Williamtown.
Features
Specifications
Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0040
Design: R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B Hornet
Construction: Woven cloth
Attachment: Sew-on
Dimensions: 88 x 93 mm
Barcode / GTIN: 9357994008583
The COMMANDO R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown Patch is a distinctive tribute to the fighter squadrons, training personnel and aircraft that shaped an important period in Australian military aviation history.
The History Behind the Patch
The tiger head featured in the design represents No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, the RAAF's specialist training unit responsible for preparing pilots to operate the F/A-18 Hornet. Based at Williamtown, 2OCU took pilots through operational conversion training before they moved on to frontline Hornet squadrons. Its tiger identity became closely associated with the unit's Hornet aircraft and training heritage.
The lion represents No. 77 Squadron's famous Oriental Lion emblem, affectionately nicknamed the "Grumpy Monkey". The squadron adopted the Oriental Lion as its badge in the early 1950s, reflecting its long association with service in Asia. The design was chosen for the lion's traditional symbolism as a guardian and protector. No. 77 Squadron had a distinguished history before the Hornet era, having formed in 1942 and operated P-40 Kittyhawks during the Second World War. It later flew in the Korean War, where its service helped establish the squadron's enduring reputation.
The Australian Hornet programme added another important chapter to Williamtown's aviation history. In 1981, Australia ordered 75 F/A-18A/B aircraft to replace its ageing Mirage III fighters. The first two aircraft were assembled in the United States, while the remaining 73 were assembled in Australia by Government Aircraft Factories at Avalon, Victoria. The first Australian-assembled Hornet, A21-103, was rolled out on 16 November 1984 and subsequently entered RAAF service with 2OCU at Williamtown.
The numeral 3 in the patch's design is associated with this first Australian-assembled Hornet, A21-103. It is worth distinguishing this aircraft from A3-3, which was the first Australian-assembled Mirage III, not a Hornet. The Hornet programme became a major milestone for Australian aerospace manufacturing and provided the RAAF with a modern multirole fighter that served for more than 35 years.
The Patch and Its Significance
The combination of the 2OCU tiger, No. 77 Squadron lion and Australian Hornet reference brings together several important elements of the RAAF's Williamtown fighter community. Rather than representing just one aircraft, the design recognises the training, operational and manufacturing history surrounding Australia's Hornet fleet.
This morale patch is particularly relevant to enthusiasts interested in RAAF fighter aviation, the Classic Hornet and the squadrons that operated the aircraft from Williamtown.
Features
- Features imagery representing No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
- Includes the Oriental Lion associated with No. 77 Squadron
- Recognises the first Australian-assembled Hornet, A21-103
- Commemorates the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet era at Williamtown
- Woven cloth patch construction
- Suitable for RAAF and Australian military aviation memorabilia collections
Specifications
Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0040
Design: R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B Hornet
Construction: Woven cloth
Attachment: Sew-on
Dimensions: 88 x 93 mm
Barcode / GTIN: 9357994008583
The COMMANDO R.A.A.F. Hornet Fighter Base Williamtown Patch is a distinctive tribute to the fighter squadrons, training personnel and aircraft that shaped an important period in Australian military aviation history.
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