Former RAAF Pilatus PC-9/A ‘Roulettes’ are set to go under the hammer at a public auction, with bids started at $1.
With stock sourced from Australian Frontline Machinery, which sells assets sourced from the ADF, interested buyers can bid online through auctioneers Pickles. Pickles will host the auction from Friday, 6 March to Wednesday, 18 March.
Also on sale are four Schleicher ASK 21 Mi Gliders and a Black Hawk helicopter. Over 100,000 spare parts and equipment will also go under the hammer.
“We’re really excited to be able to present people with the opportunity to own a piece of Australia’s military history,” Luke Parker, Managing Director at Australian Frontline Machinery, said. “These unreserved aircrafts are built-to-last pieces for not only collectors, but also for beginner pilots, and aviation businesses looking to expand their assets.
“In addition, we have a large selection of spare parts on offer during this auction, which means that restoration enthusiasts and professionals are likely to find the perfect puzzle piece for their project.”
All stock is currently based in Avalon Airport, with open inspections scheduled from next week.
The PC-9/As have been replaced by Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainers acquired under Phase 1 of Air 5428 Pilot Training System, representing the ‘Live’ element of a new and holistic Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training system.
“We were flying a really good aeroplane in the PC-9/A, performance and reliability-wise, and it had done a fantastic job training our pilots, but probably for Mirages, C-130H (Hercules) and P-3B (Orions). And it was that sort of training paradigm, we had no simulation, no mission rehearsal and we had no way to modernise within that construct,” former RAAF chief Air Marshal Leo Davies said.
“The PC-9/A began to age and, although it has been a successful aircraft, it is at the end of its useful life (and) it was time to change.”