The GAF Jindivik is a radio-controlled target drone produced by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories (GAF). The name is from an Aboriginal Australian word meaning "the hunted one". Two manually-controlled prototypes, were built as the GAF Pika as a proof of concept to test the aerodynamics, engine and radio control systems, serialled A92-1/2, 'B-1/2'. The radio-controlled Jindivik was initially designated the Project B and received serials in the A93 series. Pika is an Aboriginal Australian word meaning flier.
GAF Jindivik
GAF Pika displayed at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, Victoria in 1988
A Jindivik 102B after assembly by Fairey Aviation at Manchester for use on the UK test range at Aberporth
Government Aircraft Factories
Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) was the name of an aircraft manufacturer owned by the Government of Australia. The primary factory was located at Fishermans Bend, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria. It had its origins in the lead-up to World War II, during which it was known as the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP). In 1987, GAF was reorganised and renamed as Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA), then privatised. ASTA was purchased by Rockwell International, that was in turn purchased by Boeing a few years later. ASTA subsequently formed the nucleus of Boeing Australia.
Main entrance to the Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermans Bend in 1985
Bristol Beaufort production at DAP Australia c. 1943.
Aerial view of GAF along the Yarra River showing the taxiway between the back of the factory and the Fishermans Bend runway c. 1954
GAF-built Canberra B.20 of the RAAF at London Heathrow in October 1953 before the start of the England-New Zealand air race