Historical information

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

Signed by Artist David Robson 2001.