#930A Boeing B707-338C
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 930A - Boeking 707-338C, A20-624, 33 Squadron, RAAF Richmond.
33 Squadron was formed in Townsville on 16 February 1942 initially flying Short Empire Flying Boats, Avro Ansons, DH-84 Dragons, DH-82 Tiger Moths, Vultee Vigilants and a Junkers W34D. It operated in the Western Pacific during the initial years of WW2 and received its first C-47A Dakotas in 1943. The Squadron was disbanded in Townsville on 13 May 1946. The RAAF took delivery of two Boeing 707-338C aircraft purchased from QANTAS in 1979 for service in VIP and transport support roles, with a further two aircraft added in May 1983. With these four aircraft 33 Squadron was reformed on 1 July 1983. In its VIP role the Squadron has flown many distinguished VIP’s including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Pope. The B707 fleet was converted to provide the RAAFs first dedicated air-to-air refuelling aircraft and a further two aircraft were purchased in 1988. The B707 can seat 156 passengers or a combination of palletised cargo and passengers, and is fitted with two refuelling pods to refuel probe equipped aircraft. It has provided service during UN peacekeeping exercises in Western Sahara, Namibia, Somalia, East Timor, and during Middle East Operations including “Operation Southern Watch” in early 1998 and “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Kyrgyzstan during 2002. With the B707 scheduled to retire by mid 2008, A20-624 ‘Richmond Town’ received a colourful tail in February that year to celebrate an end of an era. The retirement of the B707, marking 29 years of service, took place on 30 June 2008. After converting to the KC-30A MRTT, 33 Squadron continues to provide air-to-air refuelling and Air Lift Support to the Australian Defence Force, Allies and Coalition Forces at home and on overseas deployments.