Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a rotary (helicopter) wing pilot and his 'Possum' aircraft, swooping low over the jungle of Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, in search of a very elusive NVA/VietCong enemy. These unarmed aircraft were part of the eyes of the Australina Task Force.photograph, helicopter, possum aircraft, jungle, phuoc tuy province, south vietnam, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, viet cong, australian task force

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a rotary (helicopter) wing 'Possum' aircraft from 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, stationed at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. The pilot searches the jungle below, for signs of the elusive NVA/VietCong forces operating in the area.photograph, possum aircraft, 161 recon flt, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, 1st australian task force, viet cong

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Capt Bernie Forest in his 161 (Indep) Recce Flt 'Possum' Cessna aircraft is directed to a parking bay by a member of the unit's ground staff, following an extended mission over the jungles of Phuoc Tuy searching for signs of NVA/VietCong operations.photograph, capt bernie forrest, 161 recon flt, phuoc tuy, gibbons collection catalogue, 161 (indep) recce flt, jungles of vietnam, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons, possum' cessna aircraft

Bunny II was built by Australian Army air corps personnel from the 161 Possums using salvaged parts in Vung Tau, Vietnam, in 1970. Dating back to the 1950s, the bunny design on the tail of an aircraft has come to represent the tradition and spirit of Naval Aviation.Colored photograph in a black frame. In the foreground on the tarmac is a small black plane with 161 in red near the nose. There is a white strip down the side of the plane. Also has an image of a white bunny on the tail of the plane. The rotors also have a white tip on them. Behind the plane is a truck with a soldier in it. There is a small hill in the background. On the bottom of the photograph reads Bunny 11.Bunny 11/ 161/white bunny on tail. plane, truck, tarmac, white bunny, bunny 11, 161 recce, birddog, cessna, bird dog, navy aircraft

David Robson has had a lifelong association with aircraft. He started flying at the age of 16 and served for 21 years in the RAAF as a fighter pilot, test pilot and forward air controller (including a tour in Vietnam in the 0-2A). His hobby is painting, and he naturally turns to his own experiences and visual images to convey the wonders and beauty of flight, the camaraderie of the Services and ugliness of war.Original watercolour of USAF Cessna 0-2A supporting A/An Army Bell Helicopter in 1969 in Phuoc Tuy Province. Call sings Jade and Possum respectively. The scene portrayed in the watercolour is of a USAF Cessna 0-2A aircraft supporting an Australian Army Bell 47 helicopter in 1969. the team operated in Phuoc Tuy Province in support of the 1st australian Task Force. the 0-2A was a Forward Air Control aircraft flown by both USAF and RAAF pilips in this role. Jade 07 was the callsign reserved for a RAAF fighter pilot. As well as directing airstrikes in the Jad FAC gave top cover and navigational assistance to the Possum helicopter and , in return, the Possum provided very accurate BDA (Bomb Damage Assesment) following the airstrike.Signed by Artist David Robson 2001. cessna 0-2a, painting, phuoc tuy, david robson

Framed document titled, "Possums and Bird Dogs of 161 (Indep) RECCE FLT." Document has a photo of an 0-1 Cessna Birddog aircraft and outlines the history of the aircraft in operations with 161 REECE FLT from 28/8/1967 to 23/5/1968.161 logo in top LH cornercessna o.1 bird dog, 161 reconnaissance flight