MILSPEC Services is donating more than $2.2Million of new surplus spare parts to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) to help maintain the society’s Caribou aircraft in flight-worthy condition.
The inventory was originally stockpiled to support the RAAF Caribou fleet, which was retired in 2009.
“When the Caribou aircraft retired from the RAAF, we contemplated what to do with our stock of now obsolete Caribou spares,” director of MILSPEC Services Steve Byrne said.
“We had two options, sell to an overseas operator or scrap them. But then we thought let’s donate them to HARS and assist in keeping an important part of Australian aviation history in the air. For many years the Caribou provided strong income for our business and it’s now time for us to give something back,” he added.
“Without spares support, it is difficult to keep any aircraft in the air. With aircraft built in the 1960/1970’s it is even more difficult to find the components needed to ensure they can attend events throughout Australia.”
MILSPEC was formed in 1993 service and support capability for the Department of Defence and commercial organisations in support of defence contracts.
Caribou Cargo Pty Ltd facilitated the donation of the spares to HARS in their continuing support to help keep the Caribou flying.
