Accession Number | CUN/61/0409/MC |
---|---|
Collection type | Photograph |
Object type | Black & white - Film original negative 120 safety base |
Maker |
Cunneen, William James |
Place made | Malaya |
Date made | March 1961 |
Conflict |
Period 1960-1969 |
Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain This item is in the Public Domain |
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) Gary Cole (left), aged 20, of Windsor, NSW, and Corporal (Cpl) Ray ...
Air despatchers, Private (Pte) Gary Cole (left), aged 20, of Windsor, NSW, and Corporal (Cpl) Ray Harvey (right), aged 36, of Punchbowl, NSW, both of the 39th Air Supply Platoon, Royal Australian Army Service Corps, are standing inside a Royal Air Force (RAF) Vickers Valetta C1 transport aircraft, as it approaches a drop zone at tree top level in Northern Malaya. Cpl Harvey is in communication with the pilot via his helmet intercom set, and at the command from the pilot, a green light (fitted to the bulkhead above Harvey's head) will flash and the pack will be away. The supply pack has been loaded onto a wooden ejector board, which Pte Cole will lift, allowing the supplies to slide out the doorway which will deploy the cargo parachute via a static line system (note the parachute pack and ripcord in front of Pte Cole's arm). Pte Cole is wearing a webbing belt attached to a safety line and the removable door can be been secured behind him. The pair, originally based at Ingleburn, NSW, are part of an eight man team of Australians attached to the RAF, where they are learning the techniques of air supply.