Warbirds

In the second incident Auster J/5F Aiglet Trainer, VH-CDL, was destroyed, along with a Piper Twin Comanche, in an early morning hangar fire at Coldstream Airpor t, 40km north east of Melbourne. Arson is suspected and the local police are investigating.

Both aircraft were owned by Alfons Siegfried who had spent many hours rebuilding and restoring them. The Auster was reported to have been restored to better than new condition.

Lockheed Lodestar Arrives

Lockheeds are all the go at present with Lockheed 1QA, VH-UZO, now in the air and at Brisbane on November 11 the Australian Lockheed numbers increase further with the arrival of Lodestar, N56LH, following its transpacific ferry flight from the USA.

Brought in for a syndicate operating through Classic Aviation at Bankstown, the Lockheed C-60A has also carried the registrations XA-SAX and N17615, (refer p. 53 Dec 91AA). This transport will be an exciting addition to the Australian warbird scene.

On the subject of Lockheeds, Hudson VH-KOY at Moorabbin is now painted and should fly shortly.

Wal Ancaster to Stay in Australia

Concerned readers will sleep better with the knowledge that the Avro Lancaster in the WA Royal AustralianAir Force Association Museum has not been sold and is to remain in Australia. Late last year (refer p. 77 Oct 91 AA) it was reported that the four engined bomber was to be sold as part of a fund raising measure to ensure the future growth of the museum. During January a spokesperson for the museum advised that an offer of $ 1. 5 million from an unnamed UK buyer had been withdrawn and that even then a sale had not been assured as the museum had planned to retain the aircraft pending the outcome of a WA Government enquiry into museums in that state.

Funds are still wanted however, to continue and expand the museum and its unique collection of aircraft. At the present time the Lancaster is being refurbished both inside and out with the view that it will be preserved in static but ready to fly condition.

Tail Dragging Flying School

Of all the flying schools in the country there is one that stands out from the rest by having a variety of interesting tailwheel aircraft on its line.

Situated at the picturesque Camden Airport, just outside Sydney, Macquarie Grove Flying School has no less than seven tailwheel types available including a Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Super Cub, Cessna 180 and even a great looking and appropriately sounding Beech D18S, better known as a ‘Twin Beech’.

Macquarie Grove must be unique in that one can even learn to fly, and progress through private licence up to commercial, if so required, all in taildraggers. In an age when most flying schools only have nosewheel types available this is one place where you can certainly obtain a tailwheel endorsement. It is surprising the number of private pilots who want to fly tailwheel type aircraft and even commercial pilots have found that having a tailwheel endorsement can help get jobs not open to only nosedraggers.

Most real aerobatic aircraft are tailwheel types and Macquarie Grove also offers aerobatic endorsements. Joyrides in the classic aircraft are also available.

For those wanting to become taildragger pilots, contact Steve or Bob Curtiss at Macquarie Grove Flying School, Camden Airport, telephone (046) 55 2811.

The Russians Were Here and Have Gone

December and early January saw one of the strangest visits of foreign aircraft when a group of eight single engined aircraft visited on a goodwill flight from Moscow to Australia and return. (Refer full story elsewhere this issue)

Comprising seven Yak-18T four seat touring aircraft and one Antonov An-2 transport biplane, the 35 person group left Moscow on November 12 for the long trip. When they returned, the Russia that they departed from was no more. In preparation for the change some of the aircraft already carried the new Russian national flag. Organised by AOPA ofAustralia and the Soviet Federation of Aeronautics Enthusiasts, the visit will no doubt help to break down the barriers of mistrust that have long stood between East and West through the Cold War years. After arriving at Darwin the group flew south through the red centre to Adelaide then across to Melbourne before proceeding onto Canberra, Sydney and up the eastern coast, departing at Darwin. Examination of the aircraft proved most interesting. The An-2 is a large radial engined biplane, one this writer would like to fly. Powered by an engine of 1,000hp the wings and control surfaces fabric covered whilethe fuselage is of sheet metal construction. It was of note that the edges of the metal fuselage panels had more of the appearance of being hand cut rather than

on a guillotine. The An-2 first flew in 1947 and is understood to still be in production in China. The Yak-18T is a four seat nosewheel variant of the Yak-18 military trainer. The two very wide doors and large glazed areas must make for a good passenger aircraft. Reported to be some 12-14 years old the Yaks exhibited enough wear to show that they were certainly not 1992 model aircraft. Generally the two types looked reliable and rugged but designed in the days of low fuel costs when fabric covered aircraft were the norm.

Aviation Safety Digest Passes Away

In case you missed the editorial in the most recent edition of the Safety Digest, that issue, No 150, was the final issue. The Digest first saw light of day in the Tiger Moth days of 1953 as a method of spreading the word on accident prevention. In the years that have gone by the Digest, sometimes affectionately known as the ‘Crash Comic’, has covered a wide variety of accidents, their causes and possible prevention including a number of notable Australian accidents. The Digest spanned the era from the biplane to the business jet.

One has to recognise that accidents have continued during the life of the ASD but without the Digest one can only say the figures might have been higher. In more recent years the editors have had to put up with constant vetting of material and articles that they had written. This took its toll. More recently noteworthy gaffs occurred without explanation. In an age of cost cutting something had to giveand so the Aviation Safety Digest flew into history and now is no more than collectors’ material. Vale.

Douglas DC-3 to Be Restored

The oldest DC-3 in Australia, VH-ANR, is to be restored to fly again. The DC-3, even older than DC-3 VH-ABR, has been part of the scene at Camden Airport, NSW since 1974 and will be transported to Bankstown soon for Classic Aviation to restore. Powered by Wright Cyclone 9 cylinder radial engines the Douglas was the personal aircraft of wartime Allied Commander in Chief, General Douglas MacArthur. Originally built for KLM airlines the aircraft flew postwar with ANA, Butler Air Transport and later Ansett-ANA. Airlines of NSW was the last operator of the DC-3, one Douglas that has had a long and interesting history. Now owned by George Markey of Sydney the machine is to be’ operated by the Douglas MacArthur Aircraft Trust Pty Ltd. It will be about two years before the aircraft takes to the ?ky once again

In Brief

• At Tyabb Airport, Vic the two seat former Zimbabwe T. 11 DH Vampire, sin R4221, has had its engine installed and test run.

• Randel McFarlane and Ian Foster have imported four Stinson LS aircraft from India. Two of the WWII liaison observation aircraft are ambulance versions. The aircraft are all in Brisbane. Randel is the President of the Australian Warbirds organisation.

• The Cairns War Museum Association has applied to the Cairns Port Authority for a site on the Cairns Airport to build a war museum. It is planned to build a two storey 1,200sq metre hangar type building close to the general aviation area of the airport.

• Joe Palmer of Sydney has decided to sell his all silver Beech 17, VH-MJE. Ferried to Toowoomba, Old it is now undergoing work for new owner, Michael Kornfield of Clifton, Old. • December 5th saw the unveiling of a replica Bristol Tourer aircraft at Perth Airport. Built by Perth craftsman Frank Matthews for the Civil Aviation Historical Society (WA Division) the replica was constructed to commemorate the long distance airline service of West Australian Airways.