This item was donated by Flight Lieutenant Terence John Howe (0314780) who was with Ground Defence with the Royal Australian Air Force. He served in Vietnam with Base Support Flight from January 1968 to September 1968. A Copy of a Certificate That Weapon is Rendered Innocuous belonging to Flg Off T.J. Howe (0314780) the weapon, Chicom 7.62mm AK47, serial number (hard to read) has been rendered innocuous by removing the firing pin and brazing the firing pin hole. Rendering the barrel unusable by the barrel has two holes drilled horizontally through forward of breach, trigger rendered inoperable by welding and bayonet welded in closed position. This was dated 30 Jul 68flight lieutenant terence john howe, 0314780, royal australian air force, raaf, ground defence, special duties, base support flight, weapons, chicom 7.62mm ak47, rendered innocuous, certificate

After 2 years of negotiation between VVAA Representatives and the US Army, the Huey Cobra has landed in Melbourne. The exercise needed the support of our local Member, Mr. Greg Hunt, to ‘clear the way ‘ through the Customs and GST minefield. The helicopter, valued at $7.9 million is complete with full armaments and was brought to Museum standard while ensuring that no weaponry could ever be reactivated. The Museum paid for the helicopter to be ‘brought to museum standard’. This meant in part that the weaponry was rendered innocuous and various structural members were weakened to ensure that the craft would never fly again. Fortunately the alterations are not apparent to the display, and while there are two other Cobras in Australia, this is the only one with full armament. A heavily armed ground attack helicopter with single Lycoming T53-L-13 turbine engineused by the U.S. Army in Vietnam to support Australian & U.S. army ground operations. In addition to the M197 three barrelled 20mm Gatling gun, it carried eight anti-armour missiles and forty eight 2.75mm unguided air to ground rockets. This particular aircraft served in Vietnam from 1968 until 1971 and was damaged twice in combat. The aircraft is currently finished in a low visibility all-over mid green which includes the full US Army insignia and carries the Serial No. 69-15092helicopters, bell, weaponry, cobra, us military equipment, gunship