Aermacchi M.B.326, Australian users.

Today, in our last post before holidays (we'll be back soon) we cover the Royal Australian Air Force's usage of this Italian trainer.
Back in the mid-1960s a total of 97 M.B.326 were ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force to Aermacchi. They were designated as M.B.326H and 12 were delivered by Aermacchi, 18 assembled in Australia and 67 were built by both the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Aircraft with the designation of CA-30.
The M.G.326H was basically like the M.B.326G but it was equipped with improved avionics.
It was the main trainer for both the RAAF and the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm , in fact they served from 1970 until, oficially 1989 and they were very popular and liked by the pilots thanks to its easy handling. However their service was cut short due to estructural fatigue problems. In order to cope with those problems, the RAN Fleet Air Arm, had a program to extend its life in the 1980s that leaded to the re-wing of some aircrafts after some fatigue related crashes. Even though, they served, together with the Pilatus PC-9 trainers and the very last one of the MB.326H wasn't withdrawn until 2001 when they were replaced by the BAE Hawk 127.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aermacchi_MB-326
2. https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A7.htm
3. http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_mb326_en.php

McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II - Australian Users

Twenty-four F-4E Phantom II were operated by the Royal Australian Air Force in the ground attack role from 1970 until 1973 and were leased from the United States Air Force as an interim fighter due to the delays in the delivery of the other 24 General Dynamics F-111C bombers. Although they were successful in that role, the Australian government didn't agree to retain them after the F-111C entered into service.
Initially, it was going to be the F-4C the variant that was going to be evaluated in 1963, in order to replace the English Electric Canberra, but the F-111C was selected as a replacement. However, the project was delayed in the late 1960s due to technical problems with the aircraft, the RAAF decided that the F-4E would be the best alternative, so, the Australian and American government negotiated the lease of 24 F-4E in 1970.
They entered service with the RAAF in september 1970 and turned to be highly effective. They were assigned in the air-to-ground role, prepared the crews for the use of the F-111C and the intensive training program, improved vastly RAAF's professional standards. Only one of them was destroyed in a flying accident in 1971 and another one had to be heavily repaired after a crash landing. The other 23 aircrafts were given back to the USAF in two batches from October 1972 until June 1973.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II_in_Australian_service
2. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters