• RAAF Airman Aircrew ~ Simply The Best ....
  • Boeing Globemaster C17-A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Alenia Spartan C-27J ~ 35 Squadron ....
  • Airbus A330 ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 707-338C ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing E-7A Hawkeye ~ 2 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130J ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130H ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130E ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Pacific Aerospace CT4 ~ 1 Flying Training School ....
  • Bombardia Challenger CL604 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Beechcraft King Air 350 ~ 32 Squadron ....
  • BAC1-11 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 737 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Bell Iroquois UH-1H ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • De Havilland Caribou DHC-4 ~ 38 Squadron ....
  • Boeing Chinook CH-47 ~ 12 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Orion P3 ~ 11 Squadron ....
  • Sikorski Blackhawk UH-60 ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • Douglas DC3 ~ Aircraft Research and Development Unit ....
  • Pilatus PC9 ~ 2 Flying Training School ....
  • Aermacchi MB-326H ~ Roulettes ....

Vale - Noel Heathcote CHARLTON, A216565, Pilot ....

Noel Heathcote Charlton was born on 29 March, 1930 in Pukekohe, North Island, New Zealand.

In preparation for his goal of joining the RAAF, Noel obtained his private pilot's licence flying Tiger Moth, Auster and Taylorcraft at the Auckland Aero Club in July 1953.   He arrived in Australia in March 1954.   While at AFTS at Point Cook, Noel met a WRAAF stationed there; they married in April 1956, 'living out' while Noel worked with 38 (T) Squadron.   They were expecting their first child when tragically Noel was killed on 19 March, 1957 in an aircraft crash during routine night circuits and landings while on standby SAR duty at RAAF Station, Canberra.

On the 4th ascent, Dakota A65-112 suffered a catastrophic failure in the constant speed unit on the port engine causing a runaway airscrew. Faced with mountainous terrain, the Dakota rolled, stalled, then crashed, exploding on impact inside the Duntroon Military College. All four crew died, they were, First Pilot FLGOFF Hector Neil Macdonald, Co-Pilot FSGT Noel Charlton, NavigatorSGT Ian Mackrill and Signaller SGT Maxwell Coombe.   A memorial dedicated to the airmen was erected by Duntroon staff in November 2009.

Noel's Record of Service and Training include:

  • Date of Enlistment - 04MAY54.
  • Trainee Aircrew - 1IFTS, Archerfield, QLD, 04MAY54 - 03SEP54.
  • Trainee Pilot - 1 BFTS, Uranquinty, NSW, 10SEP54 - 04FEB55.
  • Trainee Pilot - 1 AFTS, Point Cook, VIC, 14FEB55 - 16JUN55.
  • Sergeant Pilot - 38 (T) Squadron, Canberra, ACT, 20JUN55 - 15DEC56).
  • Flight Sergeant Pilot - 38 (T) Squadron, Canberra, ACT, 16DEC56 to 19MAR57).

Squadrons Flown:

  • 38 (T) Squadron, RAAF Station, Canberra, ACT, - 20JUN55 to 19MAR57.
  • 24 (F) Squadron, Mallala, SA, OCT56 (Mustang conversion only).

Information supplied by FSGT Charlton's daughter, Kim Best, email noeleanbest@gmail.com

04 February 2011.