Our Air Force, Our People - Mr David Gardner

As we approach our Centenary on 31 March, we’re counting down our 10 most iconic aircraft of the last 100 years, starting with Number 10: a true icon of our skies that's given us nearly 35 years of service, the F/A-18A/B “Classic” Hornet.

Through to our Centenary each week we’ll be highlighting the aircraft that helped define us and the diverse roles each platform served over the decades. Stay tuned to hear insights and memories from our personnel and find out more about our technology, as we count down our final weeks of being only 99 years young!

At Number 9 in our countdown of the most iconic RAAF aircraft is the one that helped start it all, the S.E.5A.

When the Royal Australian Air Force was formed on 31 March 1921, the S.E.5A was part of Britain’s imperial gift to help establish our new organisation. As our first fighter aircraft, Australian aircrews flew the S.E.5A in combat during World War I before its transition into a crucial training platform during the 1920s.

Through to our Centenary each week we’ll be highlighting the aircraft that helped define us and the diverse roles each platform served over the decades. Stay tuned to hear insights and memories from our personnel and find out more about our technology, as we count down our final weeks of being only 99 years young!