Warbirds

Stearman Notes

While there are approximately 30 Stearman biplanes in Australia to date only eight of the type have come on to the register. In South Australia there are three, VH-HYU, VH-JLA and VH-JUX. In Queensland, there is VH-HLV and VH-JLW. Another machine is VH-YDF which was previously VH-JDF. NSW has VH-HCJ owned by Brian Parkinson and based at Camden airport. On the south coast VH-LSJ has recently been registered to an owner at Pambula.

In Victoria Stearman VH-AGR has had its registration changed to VH-PUD. Since that time the aircraft has been sold by owner Bruce Dwyer to well known DH Dove operator, Ted Rudge.

While there are Tiger Moths and Tiger Moths there will only be one Stearman. A fabulous machine and an aircraft that is a left over from the days of inexpensive fuel and excessive horsepower for a primary trainer aircraft.

A DC-3 Keeps on Flying and Flying

Recently the skies over Melbourne have been buzzing to the welcome sound of a DC-3 engaged in joyriding. The old lady of the sky is none other than VH-OVM operated by Essendon airport-based firm, Shortstop Jet Charter.

The aircraft was a RAAF C-47 until a few years ago but after it was released into the world of civil aviation it had to earn its keep Mike Falls at Shortstop bought the machine and had Schutt Aviation at Moorabbin airport refurbish the Douglas inside and out in a way that makes it very appealing to the paying passenger.

The aircraft is normally engaged on regular joyriding around Melbourne and as the capital cities have not seen much of this type of aircraft and flying in the last few years now could be the time to experience a Douglas DC-3 ride.

Mirages Exported

Recently Pakistan bought the ex RAAF Mirage jet fighters that were in storage at Woomera, South Australia. The aircraft had been in storage for some months following their withdrawal from operations after the introduction of the F-18 Hornet as the RAAF’s front line fighter.

In announcing the sale of the Mirages it was also stated that not only were the 48 aircraft at Woomera to go to Pakistan but also that two of the aircraft would be going from Point Cook. Here the RAAF Museum had Mirages A3-13 and A3-84. While further details will be sought it would be most disappointing if two Mirage aircraft at the Museum were in effect taken back. There are not many Mirages in museums in Australia and given that there was not a huge price paid for them one would have thought that the Point Cook aircraft should have stayed there.

DC-2: Can You Help

International Air Parts are the people that own DC-2, VH-CDZ, that recently was moved to the Qantas apprentice training school for a long term rebuild.

The firm has advised that the historic aircraft is to have exten- 11 · sive sheet metal work carried out by Qantas during the rebuild

but have now appealed to anyone who may have knowledge of or component parts and fittings that may assist in the rebuild of the old Douglas. The aim is to have the machine flying again within five years and eventually the aircraft will end up in a museum, advised Mr Steve Ferris, Managing Director of International Air Parts. Mr Ferris mentioned that two items they were seeking in particular were the original log books and the makers plate.

If anyone can help in any way with part for this historic aircraft contact IAP at 5A Wilmette Pl, Mona Vale 2103. Ph: (02) 997 8166 .

Warbirds Directory

For any Warbird enthusiast the one book to buy this year is the newly released Warbirds Worldwide Directory. Written by Australians John Chapman and Geoff Goodall, the paperback-sized book is edited by Paul Coggan of Warbirds Worldwide magazine. This book is what a lot of enthusiasts all over the world have Been after for a long time. It gives details of the more popular Warbirds around the world, past and present, and includes such details as owner and model etc. The publication does not list T-6 Harvards and Australian Wirraways to name a few but it is fresh material in an area where no one has gone before. It has been reported that the authors plan to put out a larger more comprehensive volume in a few years but the average Warbird enthusiast will not be able to wait that long.

The price of the book is around $20. A number of photos are included.

Second Trojan in the Air

With a number of North American T-28 Trojans under rebuild around the country Kim Rolf-Smith in Brisbane has created a real coup by importing an airworthy Trojan from the United States. Now registered VH-SHT the aircraft is a T-28B and was previously registered N86AW. It had carried BuAer138259 and serial number 55-138259. Already the machine has been displayed at several venues around Queensland and is a real show stopper due to its size and engine sound. The aircraft is painted in the same colour scheme as the Trojan of Victoria’s Judy Pay.

In Brief

• The Melbourne Age newspaper in September reported that a collector car auction is to be held at Melbourne airport in November. While exotic motor vehicles will be the main topic of conversation there will also be some aircraft to go under the hammer. It was reported that a Russian MiG-29 would be one such aircraft. Would all bidders for this front line aircraft please advise their nationality!

• The US Government has started to advertise in Australia the auctions of goods seized from drug traffickers. It is widely known that the drug movers use a wide variety of aircraft to carry the material into mainland America. Over the years a number of these aircraft have been fast long range warbirds. Now perhaps if a Mustang or a B-25 came up for a sealed bid auction one could get a real aeroplane real cheap.