Admiral Vat Smith
Wed 15 Apr, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
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Overview –
Admiral Sir Victor ‘VAT’ Smith AC KBE CB DSC MiD RAN is widely known as the “Father” of Australia’s Fleet Air Arm. Examining his extraordinary life, from a thirteen year old joining the Royal Australian Naval College in 1927 to his retirement in 1975, charts the career of a ‘stolid slow type’ of junior officer who survived being shot down twice and the sinking of Ark Royal and Canberra, to become one of the RAN’s most consequential officers.Presenter: Graeme Lunn
Originally from Melbourne Graeme was a reserve naval diver while VAT Smith was still serving. Joining the Royal Australian Naval College in 1976 he later served as a seaman officer in Melbourne and Swan before pilots course. Graeme’s Fleet Air Arm postings included HC723 and HU816 Squadrons with the venerable Wessex in its counter-terrorist role, a tour with the Multinational Force in the Sinai and an exchange posting with the RNZN flying Wasp helicopters. After 1,749 deck landings he joined British Airways, where he had a 33-year career before retiring with over 22,000 flying hours.
Graeme is the author of the acclaimed biography of Admiral VAT Smith, published in 2024 by Avonmore Books.
Detail:
Date and Time:1100, Wednesday 15th. . April 2026 (Sydney time)
