Warbirds

It is reported that when the contract with Aero Heritage expires next year the machine will be grounded and eventually put on static display in the AWM at Canberra.

The bomber has been seen at a lot of displays and airshows on the Eastern Coast and is most impressive to see. It has however suffered two engine failures while in Australia.

One can only comment that it would be disappointing not to see this machine in its natural environment – flying!

Vampire to Fly and for Sale

While both the UK and USA have former Air Force jet fighters being operated in civilian hands, Australia has yet to enjoy this experience.

At Bankstown NSW, former RAAF DHA Vampire T35, A79- 649, was due to commence taxi trials on September 5 to be shortly followed by its first post-rebuild test flight.

The Vampire, owned by Jeremy Flynn, has also been noted as up for sale. Built in 1957 the jet is powered by a Goblin 35 engine. Possible buyers should contact (02) 922 4703 or (02) 231 2799.

Drage Airworld Problems

When the Drage Airworld Air Museum opened in Wangaratta, Vic. in December 1985 it was heralded as the biggest and best Air Museum in Australia. Now, less than 12 months later, the Museum is facing the threat of closure.

The basic problem is one of money, or to be exact the lack thereof. The museum buildings and the purchase of the aircraft were funded by the Wangaratta Council however the ongoing deficit, some $14,000 per month, is opposed by a number of councillors who gained their seats by campaigning against continued funding of the Museum.

The underlying problem is that not enough people are visiting the Museum. Few people outside the aviation industry and the enthusiast movement are really aware of the Museum simply due to a lack of publicity.

As Warbirds went to press it was learnt that an interim solution had been developed to try and head off the proposal to close the Museum.

Toowoomba Collection Dispersed

In Toowoomba Qld. , a number of the aircraft, engines and components of the Les Arthur collection have been sold off following a decision by Les to reduce the size of his collection of Aeronautica. Aircraft in the collection included a Viscount airliner fuselage, Canberra bomber, Boomerang fighter remains and a CAC Sabre.

Of the above it is known that Hawker de Havilland have bought the remains of Boomerang A46-25 in order that a static display aircraft can be built up by CAC (now owned by HDH and recently renamed Hawker de Havilland Victoria Ltd) with a view to establishing a collection of aircraft manufactured by CAC in much the same way that HDH continues to do. We believe the Sabre, A94-923, may have also gone to HDH.

The Canberra bomber, A84-219, is to be the focal point of a Memorial in a park at Brymaroo. The Australian-built bomber was moved from Toowoomba with the assistance of the Army during early August.

Warbirds for Sale

Two piston-engined Warbirds have recently been noted as up for sale.

At Narromine NSW, Hamish Brunton of Orana Aviation has a Harvard T-6 up for sale at $80,000. Built in 1943 the two-seater has an engine that has some 600 hours to run. Hamish has two Harvards, VH-HVD which is flying plus NZ1038 which is under restoration. It is not known which aircraft is for sale.

Hamish Brunton can be contacted on (068) 89 2322.

In Melbourne, the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group (AARG), which operates the Moorabbin Air Museum, is calling for offers on its Wirraway A20-649 (VH-WIR). The machine is complete and has had both the engine and airframe overhauled but is without a Certificate of Airworthiness.

Held in storage at RAAF Base, Point Cook, the aircraft carries an all-over yellow colour scheme. When asked about the sale AARG President, Roland Jahne, advised that sale of the Wirraway would help other aircraft in the AARG collection to survive. It is planned that the collection will eventually be integrated into the National Aviation Museum. However, Mr Jahne is critical of the Government for not making positive decisions in relation to the establishment of the National Aviation Museum.

The AARG still holds the Wirraway A20-10 in its collection. This is the oldest surviving Wirraway.

Winjeel to Fly

Melbourne Warbird owner and enthusiast, Richard Hourigan, should have his CA-25 Winjeel in the air by the time this edition of Warbirds is published.

The Winjeel, VH-HOY, formerly A84-450 when in RAAF service, was due to fly at Moorabbin Airport in late September. Richard obtained the airframe in June 1982 and since then has acquired an engine and completely overhauled the machine.

Richard, who operates his own aircraft electrical service, has been painstaking in the rebuild of his Winjeel, now decked out in an RAAF silver colour scheme and the results will no doubt be seen at forthcoming Southern Airshows. As a side point -HOY was the call sign of A84-450 during its days with the Air Force.

Sea Fury for Awm

It has been reported that the Australian War Memorial has obtained Sea Fury WG630 from Ryde, NSW and that the machine will be rebuilt for eventual display in the Memorial at Canberra.

The Sea Fury, stripped of its wings, was last used by the National Building Technology Centre to test building materials with the wind flow from its propeller.

During August, the Sea Fury was presented to the AWM by the Housing and Construction Minister, Mr West.

When finished the big fighter will be the first RAN aircraft to go on display in the AWM. The RAN used Sea Furys and Fireflys on active service during the Korean War.

Aussie Aircraft in Us Auction

The town of Boise in the American northwest state of Idaho was the site of an auction on September 20th that featured two former Australian aircraft in the 40 aircraft put up for auction.

Owned by Joe Turtling the two ex-Australian aircraft were De Havilland DH90, N2034, previously VH-AAD and the Genairco Cabin biplane N240G, previously VH-UUI.

The sleek DH90 is one of only two of the type remaining in the world. VH-AAD came to Australia in 1938. In late 1963 Charles Masefield and Lord Trefgarne made a delivery flight of the aircraft from Sydney to the Tallmantz Collection in California, USA.

The Genairco, which looks much like a DH83 Fox Moth in appearance, was exported from Australia to the USA in the mid 1960’s.

The Turtling auction also featured a number of rare engines and propellers as well as seven vintage sailplanes, in addition to the other aircraft that went under the hammer.

Commercial Ecology Trip

On the Cape York Peninsula in far North Old. a number of World War II aircraft wrecks can still be found.

Of these aircraft, there are strong indications that one is a Japanese Zero fighter or so claim Trekabout Expeditions of Springwood, Old. which is planning an expedition with the intention of recovering the machine or wreck as it may be.

Entitled Target Zero the expedition was scheduled to run through September and October and would be a holiday tour in that a number of the persons who paid to be on the tour would also be able to participate in the recovery of the wreck in addition to seeing a lot of the largely untamed Cape.

Trekabout Expeditions can be contacted at PO Box 827, Springwood, Old. 4127. The outcome of Target Zero is awaited with interest.

Replica Warbirds to Order

With the demand for Warbirds, particularly for use in Memorials, films, advertising displays and Air Museums it was only a matter of time before someone came up with the solution and that is to produce fibreglass replicas. In the UK, Specialized Mouldings Ltd are doing this sort of work and in Sydney a new firm, Air Replicas and Historic Aviation, has commenced with the view to filling this demand. At present a Spitfire is being completed as a master for mould production. Other types, the Zero and Kittyhawk, are in the pre-production stage.

External display of such replicas would be good advertising and free ‘real’ airframes for proper preservation.

In WA, the Air Force Association have a pole-mounted fibreglass Spitfire replica at their Museum.

Warbird Register Coming Up

The next edition of Australian Aviation will feature a register of Australian Warbirds and will include both those flying and under restoration.

Compiled by Warbirds column writer, Dave Prossor, the register is the only listing of its kind published in Australia. The first Warbirds register put out in Australian Aviation several years ago was well received. The Warbirds Register will list aircraft types and also have appropriate editorial comments as well as photos.

The last few years has seen both change and a dramatic increase in the Australian Warbird fleet and this will be reflected in our Warbirds Register. Be sure you obtain you copy of the next issue of Australian Aviation in order to have this important register.