Gannet A.S. Mk 1 XA334

While serving with 817 Squadron on HMAS Melbourne, she sustained damage when crashed on the flight deck in October 1957. After repairs she continued service with 817. In August 1960, XA334 was transferred to 816 Squadron, which has the distinction of being the Squadron with the longest, continuous service in the Fleet Air Arm. After overhaul at De Havilland, Bankstown in November 1964, she was returned to 816 Squadron in May 1966 and served until June 1967 when she was heavily damaged in a barrier landing on HMAS Melbourne.

After a catapult launch on a routine exercise, the aircraft lost all of its power in one of its engines. The pilot declared an emergency and as the aircraft was carrying live rockets, the OK was given to fire them. Being still in the take-off configuration, the rocket blast blew off the outboard sections of both flaps. The arrestor hook caught the wire but failed under the load and the aircraft was finally arrested by the barrier net. Due to the considerable damage caused, the Gannet was retired from RAN active service in August 1967 and stored at Hawker De Havilland, Bankstown awaiting disposal. The Museum acquired the aircraft in October 1969.

Gannets were used successfully by the Fleet Air Arm for submarine detection patrols, replacing the Fireflies, as they were equipped with more sophisticated equipment.