raaf flying unit royal_australian_air_force raaf wars operated flying boats january types fighter squadron component based raaf point cook victoria responsible coastal reconnaissance training operate supporting conducted survey flights remote parts australia mapped darwin sydney section route disbanded june history entry records dated february official history royal_australian_air_force raaf wars refers unit having operation australia acquired flying boats entered service january formed coastal reconnaissance flight operated aircraft seaplane training formations raised raaf point cook victoria auspices fighter squadron operated unit formed new march prefix royal added august year nicknamed biggest aircraft raaf inventory time new seaplane hangar specially constructed june flying boats overturned strong wind route meet royal air force near adelaide naval cooperation role required locate shadow enemy cruisers exercises radio communications aircraft naval ships parachute training pull technique involved standing small platform near outer wing opening parachute dragged aircraft wind early 1930s flying boats took forestry surveys tasmania june february southampton employed map darwin sydney section route survey work ultimately took new_guinea australian continent undertook search rescue work involved abortive search vanished october taken service continued flying october received locally designed crashed sea point cook january killing occupants design fitted assigned september trials possible use trainer patrol aircraft considered successful role maintenance issues led disposal july squadron operated flown darwin fitted undertook reconnaissance survey work cooperation converted returning july december fitted embarked antarctica aboard discovery locate missing explorer began operating navigation courses cross country exercises exercise november involved round australia flight new headquarters building squadron constructed late 1930s general improvements raaf facilities owing threat war europe existence seaplane fighter squadrons remained control little flights words official history final entry records june unit nucleus reconnaissance squadron formed point cook following day
Seaplane Squadron RAAF