Restored RAAF Mirage III Moves to RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
08/02/2020

The transit of a restored Mirage III from RAAF Amberley to RAAF Townsville is underway.

The Mirage III or the French Lady was a single seat frontline fighter that flew between 1967 and 1987 for the RAAF.

It flew at a speed of more than 2,000 kms per hour and was armed with guns, missiles and bombs.

The plane was restored by members of the Amberley RAAF Base’s Air Force History and Heritage Branch.

The featured photo shows an historic photo of the Mirage IIIs for the RAAF in flight,

The video below provides a walk around the Mirage III at Williamtown Airbase at their air show on September 28, 2010.

 See the following ABC Australia story which adds important details of the journey:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-31/vintage-raaf-aircraft-hit-the-road-to-townsville/12508302

A comprehensive overview on the RAAF’s Mirage story is provided by a Royal Australian Air Force Museum, 1990 publication:

https://fsb.raafansw.org.au/docPDF/the_raaf_mirage_story_opt_1.pdf

RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 is transported down the RAAF Base Amberley taxiway on its way to the RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre.
RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 is transported from the RAAF Base Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre to the RAAF Base Townsville.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Mirage IIO A3-55 is transported past the No. 36 Squadron flight-line, enroute to RAAF Base Townsville.
RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 is transported off the RAAF Base Amberley taxiway on its way to the RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre.
The truck carrying RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 receives a Military Police escort off RAAF Base Amberley on its way to the RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre.
RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 is transported along the RAAF Base Amberley roads on its way to the RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre.
RAAF Mirage IIIO A3-55 is transported down the RAAF Base Amberley taxiway on its way to the RAAF Base Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre.