Warbirds

No doubt other Mirages will eventually be able to go on display at other Museums around the country.

Harvard News

Canberra, ACT, will shortly be the base for a newly restored former RNZAF Harvard Ila. Constructed in 1942 by North America, the machine went to the Royal New Zealand Air Force to become NZ1023. Sold as surplus in 1978 it came to Australia and over the last two years has been rebuilt by Aerotechnics at Canberra’s Fairbairn airport.

Owned by a syndicate of three partners, Graeme Carnage, Brian Chandler and Don Rowling; hence the registration VH-CRC, the Harvard has been painted up in the very attractive colour scheme of a US Navy Squadron SNJ that operated from Pensacola Naval Air Station during the war. The first flight following the rebuild is expected in the next month or so. Former Wirraway pilot, Jeff Cramp, will make the test flight

Meanwhile, at Bankstown NSW, Harvard VH-HAR is reported to have taken to the air on April 23rd following a total rebuild. Formerly RNZAF NZ1007 the Harvard is owned by a four-man syndicate from the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society, hence the registration VH-HAR. Some nine Harvards or Texans are now flying in Australia.

Mosquito to Raaf Museum

The Point Cook R. AAF Museum has obtained a DH Mosquito for its collection.

• The Mosquito, A52-600, was obtained from Mustang and Wirraway owners, Dusty Laine and Jeff Milne of Albury, NSW, on a trade basis. Originally the aircraft came from the Mildura Warbirds Museum.

Although basically complete the twin engined fighter bomber type is disassembled. A spokesman from the RAAF Museum estimated that 3-4 years of restoration would be required before the all wood aircraft would be t6 static display standard. The Mosquito should be in store at Point Cook before the end of May.

This now brings to two the number of Mosquitos to eventually go on display in Australia, the other machine being that destined for the Australian War Memorial and currently under restoration at Hawker de Havilland.

Want a Jet Fighter?

While the first Australian civil jet fighter, Vampire VH-ICP, is up for sale in America, other airworthy ex-RAAF Vampires can be purchased for as little as US$59,000. When sold as surplus over a decade ago a small number of the former RAAF Vampires went to the USA where they are still flown by civilian owners.

A recent issue of Trade-a-Plane had Vampire Mk. 35 N1192 (ex A79-616). c3t US$59,000 and N11924 (ex A79-618) at US$69,000. At those prices and even allowing for the exchange rate, freight and import charges they start to look interesting!

Rare Cessna C. 37 to Fly Again

At Bendigo, Vic: the only Cessna C. 37 in Australia, VH-UZU, is close to flying again following a lengthy rebuild.

•Built in 1937 the Cessna Airmaster was in service with MMA, the airline of famed WA aviator, Horrie Miller, until 1957. After that time it had various owners in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria including noted Cessna dealer Arthur Schutt.

Some five years ago Bendigo Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Ray Goulding, came across the machine at Casey Field, Berwick

and purchased if After much work Ray now has the one piece 34ft wooden wing ready. The fuselage has also been rebuilt and the cabin area is now being completed. The engine is a 165hp Warner Scarab enclosed in a new helmeted cowl. When finished, the C. 37, the second Cessna to come to Australia, will be painted cream with a maroon trim stripe. At present, plans are that the C. 37 will be back in the air before the end of 1987, fifty years after it first flew.

The Cost of Parts Can Be High or Higher

Recent correspondence to this column from a Warbird rebuilder reflects what must be a general feeling held by all Warbird and antique airplane restorers.

The subject rebuilder’s gripe was on thf;l 25% sales tax applied to his much-needed imported parts, be they used or new ‘old’ stock. On the _ other hand one does not pay sales tax on the same items if purchased within this country, if available. As in most cases a lot of overseas-sourced items are required the end result is tlie payment of a lot of sales tax further blowing out the cost of what is basically a hobby project, to restore an aircraft 30 or more years old. Correspondence on this subject is invited.

In Brief

• Following on the item in May Warbirds regarding the Mackay Air Museum DC-3, VH-SBT, being sold overseas, it has now been learnt that the machine went to NZ where it is intended to paint it up infull RNZAF wartime paint scheme, olive drab with Pacific roundels, for use by NZ Warbirds as a support aircraft for their various aircraft.

• Several reports have been received by Warbirds that a Winjeel (or like type) had recently been noted on a low loader travelling southward towards Melbourne. Sounds interesting!

• Beech D1BS, VH-SAU, is back in the air. The twin tailed tail Dragging Beech, one of only three of the type on the register, has for some time lain idle at Ballarat, Vic. but now has new owners Ray Renwick and Darrel Brumby of Townsville, Old. who plan to operate it on charter work under the name of ‘Crocodile Air’. Hoges where are you?

• A planned tour of NZ by Col Pay and his Spitfire has been Delayed by shipping problems. The machine has been scheduled as the highlight of a number of NZ flyihg events.

This is not the first time that Australian Historic aircraft have gone overseas on display in the same way that others have visited Australia. The end result is that more people see a rare type in operation, in their natural element. The major drawback is one of cost.

• Hawker de Havilland is gradually putting together a collection of The types that it built over the years. In order to promote the DHA origins, three of the airworthy aircraft have been re-registered to registrations in the VH-DH block, thus: DH84 Dragon VH-AQU to VH-DHX, DH82a Tiger Moth VH-IVN to VH-DHV and DHA-3/2 Drover VH-PAB to VH-DHM. These vintage machines are often seen at airshows and the like.

Correct Demon Ownership.

In the caption relating to our Warbirds Register in March issue we made mentioned (or at least the editor did) that the Hawker Demon A1-8 was owned by Mustang pilot, Jack McDonald. .

Needless to say that is incorrect and the aircraft is officially a part of the RAAFMLiseum at Point Cook. The aircraft crashed on the 3rd. February 1936 whilst en route to the Wynyard Air Pageant in Tasmania. It was not until 1977 that the wreckage was recovered and the long task of restoration was commenced by an enthusiastic team led by Sqn Ldr Ron Gretton of No. 1 Aircraft Depot and including Jack McDonald and others.

However, apparently the bulk of the work was undertaken through last year by the Richmond based No. 2AD. This unit was also responsible for the refurbishment of display A94-983 and obviously deserves more credit for their latest excellent effort than we have given them

Warbird Feature: Winjeel A85-450

Powered by 450hp and carrying the serial-450 this Warbird is the mount of proud owner, Richard Hourigan.

Built as one of less than 100 CAC Winjeels for the RAAF. A85-450 was initially used for ARDU work in SA before going to Victoria for training work. Disposed of in 1970 it was to have several owners before being purchased by Richard Hourigan of Harkaway. Vic. in 1982. A lot of parts had to be obtained and work carried out but September 1986 saw -450 take to the air again with Alan Searle as test pilot and Richard as a keen observer/copilot.

Flying under ANR 108A as VH-HOY (VH-HOY was its original Air Force call sign) the aircraft has logged a total of around 3270 hours, including 3250 with the RAAF. As the fatigue life of the machine is now 6000 hours Richard feels, he has a lot of flight time in front of him.

The Winjeel has a fuel capacity of 69 imperial gallons and burns 16% GPH at power setting of 2671800rpm giving a speed of 115kts. Richard told Warbirds that he climbs out at 85kts and lands at 85kts on final coming back to 70kts on round out. Stall speed is 55kts clean and 50kts with full flap- Although there is a popular myth that one must be ex-military with thousands of hours in order to fly a warbird, Richard holds a PPL with some 400 hours total time. He also owns an ex Army Cessna 180 and found that that gave him the basic tailwheel experience but noted that the Winjeel is heavier than the 180 and requires more positive control input.

Winjeel ABS-450/VH-HOY is a three seater and since it went back in the air quite a few people have had the pleasure of riding in the aircraft. Painted up in full 1960’s RAAF colour scheme -450 will be a welcome sight at airshows and Fly-Ins in south-east Australia for many years to come.