Australian Army Pilatus Porter PC-6-B1-H2
Reconnaissance Aircraft
Pilatus Porter A14-686 was delivered to the 1st Aviation Regiment at RAAF Base Amberley, QLD on 17 January 1968 after being flown to Australia from Stans in Switzerland.
Together with A14-680 and A14-681, these were the first three Pilatus Porters to be sent to Vietnam for operational service with 161 (Independent) Recce Flight. They travelled to Vietnam aboard HMAS Sydney accompanied by LT Damien Aird (Fixed Wing Pilot) and CPL John Crawford (Engine Fitter).
Due to a problem lifting A14-680 by Chinook, the remaining two Porters on HMAS Sydney (681 and 686) were off loaded onto barges and transported to Vung Tau Airfield where they were re-assembled by members of 161 (Independent) Recce Flight, test flown serviceable and flown forward to Nui Dat for operations with the Recce Flight. A14-686 served with 161 (Independent) Recce Flight from 29 November 1969 until 3 December 1969. On the first night training mission in Vietnam, A14-686 was hit by enemy fire
and destroyed on the night of 3 December 1969. The aircraft was being flown by CAPT Barry Donald with LT Alan Jellie as observer. They crashed on Binh Ba airstrip, in a rubber plantation, north of Nui Dat on Route 2. CAPT Barry Donald was the Fixed Wing Section commander. Both crew were killed and the remains of the aircraft were later destroyed.