• 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 - Mervyn John MUDGE 'Merv', A124539, Flight Engineer ....

Mervyn John Mudge, 63, from Bundaberg, died after his Jabiru aircraft crashed at Palgrave, south-west of Warwick, in the Southern Downs region of Queensland on Tuesday, 18th October.  He died at the scene.  Mr Mudge was believed to be flying to see his granddaughter in Singleton, NSW, for her birthday at the time of the crash.  He is survived by his wife, four children and five grandchildren.

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of tributes for the beloved family man who had been affectionately known as ′Lord Horatio Swervin Mervin Mudge′.  ″He is my soulmate, my best friend.  The best husband anyone could ever ask for,″ wife Aly told Seven News.  ″He was the best damn pilot and engineer on the planet.  Many hearts are broken from this tragedy.″

″You held a special place in our hearts, and dude, we are praying for Aly and the rest of your family,″ one friend wrote.

″Merv passed from this world doing what he loved doing, committing to aviation, when his Jabiru crashed into a paddock in the Palgrave area of Southern Queensland,″ another added.  ″Your duty to your country, your community and your friends and family now done.″

″Fly now with the angels my friend and I pity the boss of wherever you end up, the jury is still out on your final landing field.″

The crash, which had sparked a grass fire, made it difficult for rescue teams to reach the wreckage.  The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash and fire that followed.

Merv had more than 30 years experience with the Royal Australian Air Force as an airframe fitter and C-130H flight engineer, and later, a flight engineer with Japan Airlines.  He entered the RAAF as an apprentice on 30 Intake (Spiders 1976), and later, he served in 481 and 77 Squadrons (Williamtown).  He was then posted to 75 Squadron (Butterworth) on Mirage aircraft.  After his return to Australia, he served at 2 Aircraft Depot FAS (Fighter Aircraft Section).  His remuster to flight engineer followed.

After his discharge from the RAAF, Merv flew for many years as a flight engineer with Japan Air Lines on its heavy cargo fleet.  Merv completed his working life in Cairns, Queensland, as an engineer contracted to support the RAN′s patrol boat fleet.