Warbirds

Prior to the delivery of the F-111s the RAAF leased 24 F-4E Phantoms and operated them in the period 1971-1973. All the aircraft retained their USAF serial numbers, 69-0304/0307, 69-7201/7217, 69-7219, 69-7220 and 69-7234. One Phantom, 69-7203, was written off in a fatal crash on June 16, 1971 near Evans Head, NSW. The aircraft were operated by No. 1 and No. 6 Squadrons based at Amberley, Old.

The Phantom, an aircraft well liked by its pilots as a sohd . . reachable machine, has been high on the RAAF Museum’s ‘Want list for some time. It is not known at this stage if the aircraft obtained is one of the former RAAF aircraft or its exact model, however it will be painted in the colour scheme of an RAAF aircraft.

While the RAAF Museum is about to take delivery of an F-4 Phantom, it is understood that the rapidly expanding Queensland Air Museum is also about to receive one of the type although delivery date, source of supply and model are unknown at present. The two Phantoms will be welcome additions to the Australian Aviation Museum scene.

Trojan Owners

While the recently imported North American T-28 Trojans are not about to leap into the air, all being in need of some work, it has been advised that the following is a reasonably accurate listing of the owners of these barrel shaped nose geared warbirds thus: 1 x Jack McDonald, Vic; 1 x Jeff Milne, Vic; 1 x Greg Lovett, Vic; 1 x John Raynor, Vic; 2 x S & K Death, NSW; 1 x John Waymouth, NT; 2 x Guido Zuccoli, NT; 2 x Col Pay, NSW; 1 x Noel Vinson, NSW; 1 x Bill Pike, NSW; 1 x Randy McFarlane, Old; 2 x to be exported to the USA.

Sixteen aircraft in all. As can be seen in the listing some of the names are familiar but at the same time there are some new names there that can only be good for the Australian warbird movement. The owners and operators of local warbirds are under some pressure from the CAA to operate under self regulation and the large number of Trojans will no doubt bring this to a: head.

Bristol Monoplane Rebuild

At Minlaton in South Australia, the Captain Harry Butler Memorial and the aircraft it contains, the world’s sole surviving World War I Bristol M. 1 C monoplane, are being rebuilt.

Captain Butler lived near Minlaton until 1916 when he went to England and joined the RFC. returning home after the war he brought with him a Rotary engine powered Bristol M. 1C and an Avro 504.

The next few years saw Butler develop as almost a folk hero as he strived to bring aviation to his home district until 1922 when he was involved in an accident in the Avro and eventually died as a result of the injuries received.

Following Butler’s death the Bristol ended up with Horrie Miller of MacRobertson Miller Airlines fame who re-engined it with an upright Gipsy I engine and, registered VH-UQI, flew it for some years. Miller also modified the fuselage to flat sided appearance.

In the early 1950s the Bristol was found in the roof of a hangar at Guildford, WA and was rebuilt and presented to the people of Minlaton by Horrie Miller. A memorial display building in central Minlaton was opened in October 1958.

In the 31 years that have passed both the Bristol and the flat topped memorial building have deteriorated due to the elements. As a result the building has been rebuilt and now features a hangar iike cover. The aircraft is being restored by members of the Balaklava Gliding Club and when finished will have the original rounded fuselage shape and the original 110hp Le Rhone Rotary engine will be refitted.

The memorial will be rededicated/officially opened at 10am on Sunday 6th August 1989. An Air Pageant will be held near Minlaton later that day.

Changes of Ownership

Recent changes of ownership noted are that of North American Harvard VH-HVD, to John Barnes of Ballarat, Vic. The bright yellow aircraft with previous identity NZ1075 on the fuselage was formerly owned by Hamish Brunton of Narromine, NSW. Hamish also has Harvard NZ1038, which is said to now be under restoration.

The other noted ownership change was that of Winjeel VH-AGP from Jeff Trappett at Sale, Vic to Roger Richards of Melbourne, Vic. Roger already owns Winjeel VH-WIJ and it is said that with two Winjeels in the one family we may eventually see a father and son Winjeel team in the skies.

A Herd of Stearmen

Ex military and a big biplane. That is a good description for the World War II American trainer, the Boeing Stearman ‘Kaydet’.

For many years the most common biplane in Australia has been the DH82a Tiger Moth, however, since the advent of Regulation ANR108a, there has been a small trickle of Boeing Stearmans coming to Australia and now, while exact numbers are not possible to pin down, the tally exceeds 20 and some would say closer to 30.

If readers are left wondering why all of these Stearmans have not been spotted out and about, it is of note that most have been imported as former US agricultural aircraft and arrive in need of a rebuild and removal of ag gear and modifications. The end result is that of the Kaydets here, some will not be airworthy for a while,

even years.

The good news is that at last count five of the type were flying . . in Australia. These are: VH-AGR G Flanagan, Baxter, Vic; VH-HCJ B Parkinson, Emu Plains, NSW; VH-HLV Transcorp Pty Ltd Paddington, Qld; VH-HYV G Davis, Salisbury, SA; and VH-JLA I Peach & M Wagner, Christies Beach, SA.

Another Stearman that has flown here is N68424 owned by J Leach of Sydney, NSW. The aircraft was involved in an accident at Goulburn, NSW on January 25th 1986 and is now under rebuild. Several of the aircraft being rebuilt or restored, if you prefer, will be powered by a more powerful than standard engine, a Pratt & Whitney R985 of 450hp, that will make for a spectacular air show performer. We can hardly wait!

Victorian Easter Displays

The Victorian Easter skies saw a number of interesting types in the air and on show. At the SAAA Convention at Mangalore, the Merlin powered Fiat G59B made its southern debut, having been flown from Toowoomba, Qld by Rob Poynton.

Also at Mangalore were Ansett DC-3 VH-ABR and Australian Airlines {TAA) DC-3 VH-AES. John Brown of Latrobe Valley had recently restored Drover VH-ADN there as were Mustangs VH-AGJ andVH-AUB andT-28B VH-NAW. AusterAOP. 9VH-XKA made a first showing and a rare Stinson 108 was also noted.

At the same time, just 35nm north of Mangalore, the Antique Aeroplane Association held its annual members fly-in at Kyabram. Some 70 aircraft in all attended and included two South Australian Stearmans, a Ryan STR3, De Havilland 104 Dove taking joyrides, DH94 Moth Minor, 1936 Taylor J2, the sole Cessna C-37, Wirraway VH-WIR, Harvard VH-HVD and other assorted antiques and classics including no less than eight DH Chipmunks.

Two interesting gatherings.

Vultee Bt-13 Valiant

Better known as the Vibrator, the fuselage of one of these aircraft has been imported into Queensland recently and it is reported that the wings are shortly to follow from the USA.

Powered by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney radial engine the BT-13 was not unlike the Australian-built Wackett trainer, 1ust a little larger all round. Over 11,000 were built. Few remain. The Queensland airframe, now in Brisbane, is c/n 2960 with serial number 41-10458.

Since learning of the Qld machine, it has also been learnt that a non-flying BT-13 is to be imported to become part of the decor of a new restaurant in Melbourne. Old aeroplanes, it seems, are becoming the in thing at eating houses and it is understood that it was not possible to obtain a suitable aircraft in Australia for the restaurant, so the BT-13 was obtained in the USA.

Make mine steak cylinder head size and exhaust hot please!

Auster Aop. 9 Fly S

A new addition to the local warbird scene is an Auster AOP. 9 owned and flown by Rob Wettenhall of Berwick, Vic.

The AOP. 9 or Air Observation Post type nine is an Auster in name only as, unlike its earlier brethren, it features a single strut to the wing, a large squarish type fin and rudder and a single undercarriage leg to each wheel. The three seat cabin is surrounded by more perspex than your average Auster and the engine is a 173hp Blackburn Cirrus Bombardier 203 four cylinder in-line air cooled engine.

Previously XK406 with the British Army, the AOP. 9, now VH-XKA, the machine sports a camouflage scheme and markings that make it a joy to behold. Originally imported into Australia by the late ultra light designer and builder, Sander Veenstra, the aircraft has been here some ten years, only recently emerging from a total rebuild. It will be operated under ANR108a-type operations.

Although the AOP. 9 type first flown in 1954 was never operated by Australian Forces, another of the same model, serial number XP285, is held by the Australian Army Air Corps Museum of Army Flying at Oakey, Qld. It is not flown.

In Brief

• One of the Waco cabin biplanes due to be imported into Australia for a Canberra owner has become a no-show due to the American owner being unable to produce the engine logbook and adopting the attitude, what you see is what you get. Without replacing the engine, the logbook is a much needed document and absolutely necessary to go with the aircraft.

• At Maitland, NSW a former RAN Sea Venom long held by the Royal Newcastle Aero Club is to go back to the Navy, but this time to the RAN Australian Naval Aviation Museum. The Sea Venom, N4-935/WZ935, was due to be collected by the Museum during the course of this issue.

• The Historical Projects Group of HdH Victoria has now brought CAC Sabre A94-901 from Mildura to Melbourne. The Group has been working on bringing the aircraft up to display standard and it is planned to have a general media unveiling of the aircraft in the very near future in order to promote the work of the group and its parent company.

• Local supplier of aircraft quality timber and spruce, Perfectus Airscrew Pty Ltd has advised its intent to close. down its melbourne-based operation after 65 years and is having a clear out of stock. Perfectus has been a long time major supplier of aircraft spruce in Australia and restorers and rebuilders using timber may now have to order their stock direct from overseas.

• The operating times of the RAN FAA Museum at Nowra given in the last issue were apparently wrong. For those with a penchant for the smell of salt with their aviation fuel, the ‘must see’ museum is open from 1000 to 1600 every day with a historic flying display conducted on the first Sunday of each month commencing 1000 hours. The Museum is actually fund raising for a new Strarch-style display hangar and is scheduled to receive an ex-USN A-4 Skyhawk, in RAN colours, by year end. Also set to join the flying component of the museum is a Sycamore and Scout helicopter and a Sea Fury by the end of next year. The museum is the single biggest tourist exhibit on the South Coast attracting over 100,000 visitors annually, so if you are lucky enough to be in the area – don’t miss it.