Queensland company MILSPEC Services has donated $2.2 million in Caribou spares to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) to keep their ex-RAAF Caribou flying.
The spares were part of inventory stockpiled to support the RAAF Caribou operations, which ceased in 2009. The donation was arranged by Caribou Cargo Pty Ltd, and the handover made on Wednesday at MILSPEC's office in Carrara, Queensland.
"When the Caribou aircraft retired from the RAAF, we contemplated what to do with our stock of now obsolete Caribou spares," commented MILSPEC Director Steve Byrne. "We had two options: sell to an overseas operator or scrap them. But
then we thought, no, let’s donate them to HARS and assist in keeping an important part of Australian aviation history in the air.
"For many years the Caribou provided strong income for our business and it’s now time for us to give something back."
Paul Strike, Managing Director of Caribou Cargo outlined the importance of the donation to Australia's Caribou heritage.
“Without spares support, it is difficult to keep any aircraft in the air," he said. "With aircraft built in the 1960/1970s it is even more difficult to find the components needed to ensure they can attend events throughout Australia.
"Deprived of the work of organisations such as HARS, the general public would never get to see these priceless pieces of Australia’s Aviation History where they should be ... in the sky."
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribous were in service with the RAAF for 45 years, with the first deployment in 1964 going straight into Vietnam.