• 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 - David Wilson HITCHINS AM AFC, 05836, Pilot ....






 


David Hitchins was born in Katanning, Western Australia in on 13th January, 1923.   He enlisted in the RAAF on 1st February, 1942 as a trainee pilot, Leading Aircraftsman Grade 2.   After completing his flying training at RAAF Base East Sale and converting to Beaufort torpedo bombers, he was posted to 100 Squadron at Milne Bay where he flew anti-submarine and anti-shipping strikes and bombings of Japanese land targets.

After the war, the then Flying Officer Hitchins was posted to 33 Squadron flying C47 Dakotas before posting to Port Moresby where he flew Catalinas with 111 Flight (Air Sea Rescue).

In March 1947, he was posted to Japan and during his tour, flew into Nanking, China, to evacuate Australian Embassy staff as communist troops prepared to overrun the city.

After the Korean War broke out, the then Flight Lieutenant Hitchins flew transport aircraft, resupplying crucial bombs and rockets for 77 Squadron Mustangs and returning to Japan with wounded soldiers.   He earned high regard from 77 Squadron′s fighter pilots as he flew large cargoes of high explosives into Taegu Valley, all within the range of North Korean artillery and frequently while under fire from enemy troops.

After returning to Australia in June 1951, he was posted to 34 Squadron to pilot Governor General Sir William Slim's aircraft before postings to a range of duties, including 38 Squadron and the Department of Air in 1956.   That was followed by a posting to Britain in 1957 (Squadron Leader) as Commanding Officer 24 Squadron (RAF), and from 1964 to 1967, he commanded 36 Squadron as Wing Commander and flew into Vietnam.

From 1968 to 1970, he held administrative posts at Headquarters Operational Command (as Group Captain), then he was Commanding Officer RAAF Base Amberley from 1971 to 1972 and Officer Commanding RAAF Base Darwin from 1972 to 1975.

Air Commodore Hitchins′ final posting was Commanding Officer RAAF Base Pearce from 1976 (as Air Commodore) to his retirement on 14th February, 1978.

During his retirement he worked with Legacy assisting war widows, taught painting and also contributed to the construction of the Air Force Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.