Warbirds

The Winjeel, which will be based at Serpentine, south of Perth, will no doubt be a keen attraction at local events as enthusiasts vie to see the radial engined machine. It is also reported that Hell-Muster have sold their second Winjeel, VH-WHZ and that Winjeel, VH-HFM, owned by Alf Medley of Horsham, Vic is up for sale.

Southern Sea Fury

Tullamarine International Airport echoed to the sound of a powerful Bristol Centaurus engine on Friday November 22nd when Sea Fury. VH-HFX arrived at the hands of its new owner, airline check pilot, Bruce Andrews.

The Sea Fury, the last of three of the type imported from America and rebuilt at Darwin by Guido Zuccoli, is painted up in a Royal Australian Navy blue colour scheme to represent “NW115′, WH589. These markings were reportedly chosen because accurate colour scheme details were available as a result of the real WH589 having stood at Bankstown until 1969 when it was shipped to Canada to become CF-CHB. The Sea Fury was flown to Melbourne on a route Darwin/Alice Springs/Mildura/ Melbourne.

The southern airshow scene promises to be very interesting in future with a Victorian-based Sea Fury in the offering. Bruce Andrews also flies the AWM B-25 Mitchell and is understood to have “traded in” his North American Harvard, VH-SNJ, to make way for the Sea Fury.

Navy Museum Helicopter Wrecked

Following static display at the Schofields Air Show during November Westland AH-1 Scout helicopter, NB-101, was destroyed in an accident while being hover taxied. The pilot was unhurt.

The Scout was retired from active RAN duties some years ago but had recently been brought up to airworthy standard and flown as part of the RAN Naval Air Museum at HMAS Albatross, Nowra NSW. The Scout was the second of two that the RAN obtained in 1963 for survey duties. The other machine was also written off in an accident.

The small helicopter had been trucked from Nowra to Schofields in order to conserve engine hours and was being hovertaxied from the display area when the accident happened. The loss of the Scout will be a savage blow to the up-and-coming RAN Fleet Air Arm Museum Historic Aircraft Flight.

DC-3 Flying Casino

In Melbourne $200,000 has been spent on Rebel Air DC-3 VH- UPQ, renovating it into Australia’s first flying casino, equipped with a roulette wheel and blackjack facilities. (How do you play roulette in a moving aircraft? ed) Because Victorian law prohibits casinos, the aircraft will fly 20km beyond territorial waters before games begin. The aircraft will be based at Essendon Airport.

The service, which began in mid-November, is being called Casino-Air and can carry some 18 passengers plus crew and table staff. For all C-47/DC-3 enthusiasts wanting a flight with a difference this must be it but with a catch; guests face a mandatory minimum outlay of $1,000 in chips to enter the aircraft!

Fokker Universal Move

The 1928 Fokker Universal hanging in the Ansett Airlines Mascot Terminal has been removed to allow alterations to the building. The machine on display was not in fact the original Ansett Fokker, VH-UTO. That aircraft was destroyed in a hangar fire at Essendon in February 1938.

Some years ago the Airline managed to obtain, in Europe, a Fokker Universal that was in derelict condition, its wings having been cut off and a bam had collapsed on it. After a long rebuild at Essendon Airport the machine emerged looking just like the Ansett aircraft and went on to be displayed at the Mascot terminal thus giving Ansett passengers a comparison between today’s aircraft and the company’s first machine.

The original VH-UTO was a 1928 American-built Fokker FXI Universal that already was well used when it arrived in Australia in 1935. A young Reginald Miles Ansett purchased the single engine mono-plane for £1,000 and on 17 February 1936 made the first flight of Ansett Airways Pty Ltd from Hamilton to Melbourne.

The display Fokker was in store in Melbourne as Warbirds went to press and while its ultimate future is unknown it is understood that the machine will be featured in Ansett’s 50th anniversary celebrations in February 1986.

Footnote: There is a connection between the original aircraft and the display Fokker; the engine. When the display rebuild was under way a 300 hp Wright Whirlwind radial that had powered VH-UTO was found in a junkyard and after rejuvenation was mounted in the rebuilt Fokker.

Bull Creek Museum News

Following the release of the ABC’s TV mini-series “Flight into Hell, the story of the Pre-war ordeal of two German aviators off the North-Western Australian coast, the replica aircraft used in the series has gone on display at the WA Air Force Association’s Museum at Bull Creek, W. A.

The wood and aluminium non-flying replica of the original Junkers W33, D1925, coupled with a large-scale model, injected realism into the production. A float from the original aircraft was recovered recently and is also on display in the museum.

Another addition to the museum is a fibreglass replica of a Mk. 16 Spitfire. The replica, which replaces a real Mk. 22 Spitfire, was made in New Zealand at RNZAF Woodbourne. After arrival in Australia the replica, which looks just like the real thing, got a paint job at RAAF Pearce and was then taken to Bull Creek where it was hoisted and secured atop the steel pole vacated by the Mk. 22.

The original Mk. 22, PK481, has been on display on the pole for some years and will be restored at RAAF Base Pearce for display in the Museum.

Williamtown Raaf Fighter Museum?

A plan has been put forward to establish a $2 million covered fighter museum at the RAAF Williamtown fighter base. A feasibility study into the fighter museum has shown that up to 60,000 people a year would pass through the display, planned to be built near the old museum at the main gate to the base. Exhibits would be borrowed from and loaned to both Point Cook RAAF museum and the War Memorial at Canberra. A number of ex RAAF fighter aircraft are at present on outdoor display at the base.

Classic Czech Zlin Imported

A very unique aircraft almost 30 years old has recently arrived in Victoria.

The aircraft is a fully aerobatic Zlin Z-326 Trener Master. Powered by a 160 hp Walter Minor 6-cylinder in-line engine the Zin was found in England. in very run down condition, by Melbourne aerobatic enthusiast Alan Shiels. Alan purchased the aircraft and after its arrival in Australia had it restored to as-new condition both inside and out. Sporting a colour scheme of red, white and blue the machine, now VH-ILZ, recently took to the air again.

A member of the Australian Aerobatic Club, Alan also appreciates antique and classic aircraft and feels that in purchasing the Zlin, previously G-ATDZ, he now had the best of both worlds in an aircraft that can perform all the aerobatic manoeuvres of a Pitts, but with more grace, as well as having a comfortable and interesting touring machine with lines not unlike those of a classic DH Chipmunk.

With retractable undercarriage and two seats in tandem, the Czechoslovakian-built Zlin is the only one of its type in Australia. AZ-126 came to Australia in 1958 but was eventually destroyed in a fire. A Z-326 came here in 1961 but was later sold abroad to New Zealand and then the USA

Another Wirraway Rebuild

Although post WWII, there were many CAC-built Wirraway trainers around, today there are few with only one, VH-BFF, of the Long collection flyable and now at Drage Airworld Wangaratta, Vic.

As a result of the above it is interesting to record that Wirraway A20-704 has been obtained by Murray Griffiths of Deniliquin, NSW, and that a total rebuild to airworthy standards is already underway. The rebuild is being carried out at Schutt Aviation, Moorabbin Airport Vic and is under the supervision of Ron Lee who previously put VH-BFF back in the air. A20-704 was obtained from Les Arthur of Toowoomba, Qld and prior to him was owned by Air Farm Associates, Ceres operators, of Tam- worth NSW.

Economy Warbirds

Some ten years ago the Australian Army disposed of seven Cessna 180’s that had been replaced by Pilatus Porters. The Cessnas ended up on the civil register and one VH-TVC (previously A98-340) has been maintained in its Army olive drab colour scheme and markings by owner, David Whiter.

Now a second C. 180, VH-TVD (ex A98-350) has been bought by Melbourne Winjeel rebuilder and Warbird enthusiast, Richard Hourigan. Richard also plans to restore the machine to its original colours and markings and thus have an economy Warbird that has a C of A and that he can get parts off-the-shelf for. The former Army Cessnas are different in one repect and that is that they have a 24 Volt system instead of the normal 12. As Richard runs an aviation electrical firm this aspect will present no problems. Richard will also use the C. 180 to gain tailwheel time in preparation for flying his Winjeel, AB5-450/VH-HOY when it goes back in the air early in 1986.

The Cessna 180’s were used in Vietnam, basically in an observation role, but it is known that VH-TVC destroyed a river barge using underwing rockets and that the type has even been used to drop 2 x 250lb bombs (see Australian Aviation, p93, November, 1985).

Italian Fiat

The long awaited Fiat G. 59-4B two seat fighter trainer of Darwin’s Guido Zuccoli has recently been noted in the Chino, California, hangar of American Warbird flier and rebuilder, Frank Sanders. The Merlin-powered aircraft will be rebuilt at Chino in order that when it gets to Australia it will need little more than re-assembly and a test flight (plus a heap of paper work!). The Fiat is a rare machine, even in the UK and USA, and will be a most interesting type on the Australian Airshow circuit.

More on Lockheed Ventura Swap

Further to the item in Warbirds, November 1985, regarding the planned swap of an RAAF Canberra bomber for a flyable Lockheed PV-1 Ventura bomber, for the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, more details are now at hand.

The PV-1 Ventura, N159U, is to be swapped by Aero Nostalgia for Canberra B20 AB4-229. The PV-1 will be painted in an RAAF camouflage scheme to represent Ventura A59-67 of 13 Squadron, coded SF-F. Registration VH-SFF has been reserved for the machine with the view that it will be kept airworthy and flown on display.

This particular Ventura, A59-67, has been decided on because a photo has been found of it with a female painted on the nose. It was very rare for any RAAF Ventura to have any nose art and will make the machine quite distinctive.

3 While ex-Australian Army Cessna 180s are becoming popular as economy warbirds so are Austers. This immaculately restored -Cootamundra-based Auster is finished in British European WW2 camouflage. (Jim Thom)

Hawker Dehavilland Refurbishing Its Heritage

Bankstown-based Hawker de Havilland is progressing well with its plans to have its own flying museum operating by 1986. Featuring the three types so important to the development of the Company Over the decades the only aircraft still requiring major work is the DHA Drover. HdH’s excellent Tiger Moth (IVN) and Dragon (AQU) are now fully airworthy. The Dragon had earlier been damaged in a forced landing at Robe, SA while flying in a garish Coca-Cola colour scheme, fortunately for history HdH have restored the aircraft to its former livery of silver and blue. Work meanwhile continues on the restoration of the Company’s Mosquito by the apprentices. Though this will not be restored to flying standard, it is expected that the aircraft will be ready for static display by 1987.

Desoutter Monoplane to Fly Again

In Melbourne, Vic. a rare 1929 Desoutter high-wing monoplane is being rebuilt to fly and could be back in the air within three years. In the late 1920’s some 41 Desoutter I & II’s were built in Eng- land under licence as a copy of the Dutch Koolhaven FK41 three-seat monoplane. One FK41 and four Desoutters came to Australia including 1934 England – Australian Air Race entrant, OY-DOD.

Of all wood construction, with ply-covered fuselage and wing the Desoutter was a rugged machine and it is fortunate that two survive in Australia. One, VH-UEE “Miss Flinders” flew for more than 30 years before being retired and put on display in the terminal at Launceston Airport, Tas. Another Desoutter, VH- UPR, a model II, passed into the hands of the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group, the Moorabbin Air Museum.

After storage for a number of years, VH-UPR, under an agreement with the AARG, is being rebuilt to fly by a group comprising well-known rebuilder Nelson Wilson plus partners Kelvin Bew and Graham Bulleen. To date the fuselage up to the rear of the cabin has been rebuilt with the cabin, engine nacelle and wing next on the programme. Nelson advised Warbirds that the rebuild is quite involved due to the extensive use of plywood. A Gipsy Major 1 has been obtained to power the aircraft.

Some parts are missing and include the undercarriage, fin, tail skid assemble and nose cowl. If any reader can assist please contact Nelson Wilson, P. O. Wandin North, Vic. 3139.

The Mustangs That Might Have Been

We are indebted to Paul Lucas, a flying instructor with the Royal Victorian Aero Club at Moorabbin, who has supplied the accompanying photo of Australia-bound Mustangs. The photo itself was taken by merchant seaman, Alan Quinn and tells a sad story all too familiar to those who cherish aircraft of the forties era.

The photo shows the merchant ship Goonawarra arriving at Brisbane on August 12th, 1945. As the outcome of the war had been decided by that date the ship was quickly ordered to leave port and dispose of its cargo. All 28 North American P-51D Mustangs, still in their protective plastic bagging were unceremoniously dumped overboard at an unknown point in the Coral Sea along with a consignment of amphibious landing craft. The thought of waste on such a scale is difficult to comprehend when nowadays such prized aircraft are valued at over a quarter million dollars apiece. Moreover, what price would these aircraft have brought if available several years earlier for the defence of Darwin or Port Moresby? If any other Warbirds readers have similar photos, particularly covering the post-WW2 period depicting the massive aircraft storage parks at Benalla, Richmond, Wagga and Tocumwal then we would appreciate seeing them so that we can further publicise this era to help ensure that it does not occur again on such a grand scale of waste.