Warbirds

On the subject of Kittyhawk fighters, the fuselage of model P-40F of well known warbird lady, Judy Pay, is in a purpose-made jig at Tyabb Airport, Vic and is reported to be making good progress towards being rebuilt. This particular machine was powered by a Merlin engine and as such is a rare bird compared to Allison powered Kittyhawks.

Judy has traced the history of the aircraft up until the final day it made a forced landing. The pilot of the machine has unfortunately since passed on but had he been around today he would no doubt have been surprised to know that his WWII aircraft was being rebuilt in Australia to fly again.

NZ Mustang for Sale?

Kiwi Mustang, ZK-TAF, may be in line for a new owner in the near future as a result of financial problems experienced by the present owner.

The owner, NZ Historic Aircraft Trust, is finding problems in raising the much needed dollars in order to keep the machine in NZ skies, although approaches have been made to every major company in New Zealand. It would appear that the Commonwealth Games had greater funds priority over the Mustang for a number of the firms contacted.

The Trust is to organise a major raffle to try to raise the funds needed to keep the Mustang in NZ skies for at least one more year. It is unfortunate to note that should the aircraft be sold overseas it will almost certainly go to the USA where the demand for Mustangs outstrips supply. The North American built aircraft was originally with the RCAF as number 9265 and later as N6175C on the US register.

Warbirds Available for Checkouts

At Canberra, ACT the Canberra Aero Club is pleased to note that it believes it is the only Aero Club in the world that has two warbirds on line for its members to fly.

The aircraft are North American T-6 Harvard VH-CRC and the former Chinese Air Force trainer, Nanchung CJ-6 VH-NNA. The two machines offer an exciting and different experience for Club members as aircraft of these types are not available everywhere. The aircraft are not for private hire but can be available for obtaining a checkout on a warbird type. The club points out that very strict requirements must be met. As an example, pilots of the CJ-6 would already have to have a retractable gear and constant speed prop endorsement. The same applies to the Harvard but potential pilots wanting a checkout would have to also meet certain tailwheel experience requirements.

The club is to be commended for having these two machines available through its operation. At long last hopeful and even present warbird pilots can obtain a proper checkout under the eye of an approved training organisation right here in Australia.

On the subject of warbird pilot qualifications, it is now understood that if the warbird aircraft has more than a 1,000hp a specific endorsement is required but if the aircraft has less than 1,000hp it will come within the normal ratings system that covers tailwheel, retractable gear, constant speed prop etc. This would seem to be a reasonable requirement.

Nasma Update

The proposal for a National Air and Space Museum of Australia (NASMA) has now gone from the concept stage to the detailed design stage, reports NASMA Executive Officer, Mark Clayton.

Mark reports that the proposal to establish NASMA has been endorsed by the RAAF, the Museum of Victoria and the major Australian airlines. To assist the project a grant of $200,000 has been made by the Victorian State Government as an endorsement of its belief in the Museum.

Although basic design plans of the Museum have been on display for some time, a New York firm (why couldn’t an Australian firm do this? Ed)is now engaged in producing detailed internal drawings. The next stage is to be an expo to further promote the project.

However as the future of Laverton could be seriously affected by their recommendations of the imminent force structure review it is understood that an alternate has been considered that meets the majority of the requirements of the NASMA as a base site.

Should Point Cook be closed, the RAAF Museum, which is situated there, would also be affected.

Second Nanchung Cj-6 Flys

The second Nanchung CJ-6 has flown. Registered as VH-NNB, the Chinese built two seat trainer made its first flight at Bankstown Airport following assembly by Classic Aircraft. A few days later it was noted at the successful Canberra Air Pageant on Sunday 14 April alongside its sister ship, CJ-6 VH-NNA.

Nanchung VH-NNB is understood to be available for sale. The third of the imported CJ-6 trainers has the marking VH-NNC reserved for it but this will depend on whether it is sold in this country or overseas. If sold here the new owner may even opt for a different marking to that now reserved for it. This third machine is at present disassembled.

Comet Replica for Sale

On 29 April a replica DH. 88 Comet aircraft went under the hammer of Christie’s auctioneers, at the Science Museum, London UK.

The replica was built for use in the recent film “The Great Air Race”, which recorded the 1934 London to Melbourne Air Race which was won by the DH. 88. The replica was expected to fetch between £20,000 and £25,000. Whilst not designed to fly, the replica was the same size as the original and was capable of taxying at up to 70kph. The engines are reported to be two Gipsy Sixes.

Although two replicas were built in Melbourne for the film it is not known which of the two is the machine that Christie’s auctioned.

In Brief

• A number of aviation books about Australia in World War Two have appeared recently. One book that has yet to appear on the book shelf is a new release entitled ‘Darwin’s Air War, 1942-1945’. The book covers the history of Darwin through those turbulent years. It is due to be released on 7 December 1991 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the commencement of the Pacific war.

For more details write to PO Box 38037, Winnellie, NT 0821. Perhaps at long last we now havea book that covers the true and full history of the grave events that took place on our own door­