The Orion P-3 A9–759 is steeped in military history and is a great addition to the already impressive display of aircraft at the museum.

The handover was overseen by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Commodore John Meier, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Robert De La Hunty from HARS and a number of Parkes Shire Councillors.

Mr McCormack was pleased to be at the handover.

“This is a historic day where we get to preserve military history,” Mr McCormack said.

“The P-3 Orion were a very valuable member of our military and our air force.

“Parkes has already played a role in our air force history as former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam served at the base here before serving as a Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF in World War II.”

Mayor Ken Keith was pleased that Parkes was able to get such an important part of military history.

“We are delighted to have the P-3 Orion stationed in Parkes as part of the HARS collection,” Cr Keith said.

“Parkes Shire Council is working with HARS to try and preserve some of these planes.

“This plane is a great addition to help establish the museum in Parkes.”

In his speech, RAAF Air Commodore John Meier outlined the important role the P-3 Orion has played in the air force.

“The P-3 Orion first entered military service in 1968 as the P-3B before the P-3C was introduced in 1978,” Air Commodore Meier said.

“The P-3C has played a very important role in the air force as a long endurance maritime surveillance air craft.

“It was used to locate Soviet attack and ballistic submarines. 

“The P-3 was involved in Operation Resolute patrolling Australia's exclusive economic zone, Operation Gateway ensuring security and stability in South East Asia and helped rescue and aid efforts after Cyclone Winston hit Fiji in 2016.”