Warbirds

While acknowledging the need for an accident investigation, several people within the local warbird movement have called the grounding a knee jerk reaction and that had a similar event happened to a Baron, Caravan or Saratoga it would be unlikely that all of that aircraft type would be grounded.

Meanwhile another MiG-15(SBLim-2), was noted doing compass swings at Essendon airport on April 15th. The jet is painted in an attractive desert camouflage colour scheme. No doubt this aircraft will stay on terra firma until the grounding order is lifted. Meanwhile, another MiG-15 is reported to have arrived at Bankstown airport, for reworking prior to going to New Zealand for a Dunedin owner (refer p44 May 93 AA).

Good Show Mangalore!

The annual SAAA Convention and Airshow at Mangalore. took on the role of a warbird gathering this year with some 20 warbirds turning up to take advantage of the fine Easter weather.

Aircraft noted were the BAC Strikemaster VH-AKY, Mustangs VH-BOB and VH-AGJ, Boomerang VH-BOM, Lockheed Lodestar VH-XUS, Wirraway VH-BFF, Sea Fury VH-HFG, Harvards VH-XNZ, VH-HVD and VH-USR, at least four Winjeels and, for the first time, five T-28s on the same field together.

The T-288, VH-NAW, VH-LAO, VH-MEO, VH-AVC and VH-DPT were an awesome sight and sound. While only three T-28s flew in a formation during the show the five aircraft departed together to go to Wangaratta Airworld where next day they did a formation flight. It must have been a great buzz to have seen this formation or for that matter to have been aboard one of the Trojans! Not all the warbirds were paid to attend Mangalore. As one warbird pilot and owner commented, it was just a good excuse to have a get together.

Warbird Notes

Sea Fury VH-HFG has emerged from the paint shop at Toowoomba, with a paint job that now has black and white ‘invasion’ stripes on the fuselage and wings. The machine is once again a single seater.

John Raynor’s T-28D, VH-LAO, took to the air again in late March following repairs to the airframe and engine. The Trojan was damaged during a forced landing at Wangaratta, on June 14 1992 as a result of engine failure.

Mustang VH-BOB is now noted to be carrying a dummy air-to-ground rocket under each wing.

Unusual visitors to Mangalore were T-28s VH-AVC and VH-DPT. AVC is normally based at Victoria River Downs in the Northern Territory while VH-DPT, owned by Ian Silvester, is based at Darwin. NT. No doubt Trojan enthusiasts were pleased to see the two aircraft so far south. DPT is a real family aeroplane. The registration, -DPT, is apparently derived from the names of lan’s two sons, David and Peter, hence David and Peter’s Trojan. At the same time it is to be noted that Ian’s wife, Ellen, also a pilot, is getting checked out on the machine. Ellen will become the third known female warbird pilot in Australia, joining Judy Pay and Helen Pay.

Two warbirds did not make it to Mangalore this year. Malcolm Long’s Hudson, VH-KOY, made its first post rebuild on Saturday April 10 at Moorabbin, Vic. Following a second test flight later that day the bomber was being taxied back to the hangar when the prop blades of the port engine struck a marker post. Damage was sustained to the three blades and as a result the machine was put out of action.

The second no-show was the new Sopwith Pup replica, VH-SOR. The machine had a crash landing following a loss of power on takeoff at Riddell, Vic. The owner/pilot, Ron Jackson, was fortunately unhurt in the accident but the Pup sustained damage to the undercart and wings and the propeller was broken. The replica is to be rebuilt. Both events were most unfortunate but thankfully no one was injured.

An Anson Rebuild-to Fly

Following the recent item on a South Australian Anson rebuild project it is now know that a second Anson project is underway in Australia. This one, however, is destined to fly.

At Bulahdelah, NSW, Colin Wear is engaged in the rebuild of Avro Anson LT737/VH-AZX. Colin, who has for many years restored cars, boats and steam engines decided to get involved in the project after purchasing an Auster JIB. Starting in the late 1980s he has been tracking down any and all known sources of Anson parts. He has managed to obtain all the remaining Anson bits from the old (Sid) Marshall Airways including engines, undercarriage and the airframe of LT737/ VH-AZX. He now has anumber of Cheetah engines plus numerous wheels, props, brakes and general fittings. An Armstrong Whitworth gun turret from Anson EG489 has also been obtained.

In addition to the many pieces of hardware, nearly 1000 drawings have been obtained in order to correctly rebuild the old bomber. A letter of approval has been obtained from the CAA to build a new wing. Construction of the wing will be a big undertaking, as Colinis aware, because of the size and the fact that it is a one piece unit.

While a good number of fittings have been obtained, Colin is still seeking a number of missing items. These include ailerons and operating pulleys and levers, fairings, a gunners, pilots and radio operators seat and various cockpit instruments.

If anyone can assist with these or any other parts or if there is anyone else who is involved with Anson rebuilds they can contact Colin Wear at 11 Mackenzie St. Bulahdelah, NSW 2423. Ph (049) 97 4838.

Queensland Air Museum News

Based at Caloundra airport, on Queensland’s sunshine coast, this active museum has recently obtained new exhibits. While it is not often that a museum obtains a complete aircraft, ie one that comes with a complete airframe, engines and props, but such is the case with the recent acquisition of Piper PA23-250 Aztec, VH-MBX. The aircraft came by way of the Cairns Port Authority which seized it as a result of unpaid charges. As little is known about the history of the machine the museum is keen to hear from anyone who may have information or photos.

The museum reports that following the recovery of a Beech 18 that will need a lot of TLC to bring it up to display standard they received a letter from a concerned citizen keen to tell them about an old Beech 18 that he knew about that might be of use in the rebuild. There was only one catch; it was the same aircraft that the museum had already recovered! At least it was good to be told about the wreck rather than not at all. Other people with knowledge of derelict aircraft please take note. The QAM also has a CAC built Sabre that they are trying to build up into a displayable aircraft. The fuselage that they have has an access panel that states it is A94-935 however this aircraft was written off in a crash in October 1961 and that the remains were ‘destroyed by explosives’. The fuselage they have shows this. While the museum is continuing to gather Sabre components they now pose the question, does anyone know of a better Sabre forward fuselage that they might be able to obtain?

Profile – North American T-28D Trojan, Vh-Meo

Built in 1950 by North American Aviation T-28A, s/n 49-1724, was used by the USAF as a training aircraft for pilots before they progressed on to jet aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre.

Sold off as surplus in the 1960s’ the Trojan was purchased by Munsey Crost of Allenhurst, New Jersey, who registered the aircraft as N2884G. Later ownership passed to the Dewy Corporation of New York. Around this time the US Government found it had a need for T-28s and rather than start up the production line again it opted to buy back and upgrade some aircraft. N2884G was one.

Rebuilt by North American as a T-28D the machine emerged from the factory with a larger engine, a 1425hp radial, and other structural work that enabled it to carry various weapons systems in order that it would be suitable for its new role as a ground attack fighter. The aircraft was then sent to South East Asia where it became s/n 91724 with the Royal Laotian Air Force. Bullet hole patches found on the aircraft attest to an active operational life. The machine was operated by the Royal Lao Air Force from the late sixties up until 1975 when the Vietnamese overran the country. The Trojan then sat at Thong Hi Hin Air Base with 15 others until 1988 when an Australian syndicate headed by Col Pay recovered the aircraft. Eleven of these aircraft now remain in Australia with the other 5 having been exported to America where they are a much sought after warbird due to their combat history. Purchased by Keith Death (pronounced Deeth) of Albury, NSW the Trojan was rebuilt over a two year period. The restoration involved overhauling virtually every component in the airframe, installing an overhauled engine and propeller and carefully inspecting the airframe structure. The final paint scheme is as it was when operated by the RLAF; Overall grey with RLAF markings and the serial 0-91724 on the fin.

Today, the Trojan, now registered as VH-MEO, is a familiar sight at air shows and displays in the south-eastern area of Australia. While owned by Keith Death the big machine is flown by his son, Stephen, who works in the family-owned aerial agricultural spraying and spreading business, Hazair Agricultural Services, as Chief pilot. Stephen, better known as Steve to his friends, has been ag flying since 1983 and with more than 7000 hours flight time logged is well experienced to handle the Trojan.

The machine hasa maximum speed of 340kts andan economy cruise speed of 200kts. At economy cruise the fuel consumption is 200 litres per hour. All up weight without external stores is 3600kg. Fuel capacity is 600 litres. The aircraft has an initial rate of climb of 2000 feet per minute.

Mustang Vh-Ivi – Twenty Years On

Time flies quickly and to some it will not seem that twenty years have passed since June 11 1973, the day that saw the end of Mustang VH-IVI.

Owned by Sydney businessman, Ray Whitbread, the aircraft was apparently attempting an aerobatic manoeuvre over Windsor, west of Sydney, when it appeared to the pilot, Whitbread, that he had lost control of the machine. He attempted to bail out but did not leave the aircraft before it crashed and was destroyed.

Originally with the RAAF as A68-119, the CAC built Mustang was one of a few aircraft that escaped being melted down by Grant Trading after being sold as surplus. It had several owners before Ray Whitbread bought it. In order to fly his aircraft properly Ray went to the extent of buying a Ceres crop duster so he could gain experience with a heavy high powered single engined tailwheel aircraft. After this he did some 20 hours in the back seat of his Mustang while well known Mustang pilot, Brian Wetless, passed on as much knowledge as he could. Ray finally received his Mustang endorsement on January 5, 1971. Alas, the Mustang was not to survive and be seen and appreciated by all in the 1990’s.

While VH-IVI was a Mustang it is generally conceded that it was operated in the era before the types that we now know as warbirds came into being in Australia.

Brief

Douglas enthusiasts would have had a field day in mid April when the East Sale RAAF base held an open day and airshow. On display were no less than five DC-3s/C-47s. Present were VH-AES, VH-ABR, VH-OVM plus the Navy’s Historic Flight, N2-90, and the RAAF Museum’s Historic Flight A65-71 with tail markings “VH-CIN’. During the afternoon three of the aircraft carried out a formation flight. It looked good. The afternoon sunshine shining on the fuselages of the three parked civil aircraft really made them look like they were in their working heyday. Perhaps they were.

The East Sale show also saw a formation flight of six Winjeels on display. Ex RAAF people watching the show commented that it was ‘Just like the old days”.

• Those Australian built Mustangs certainly get around-now that they no longer fly for the RAAF! CAC built models have previously been registered in Australia, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, the Philippines, Hong Kong and now France. Recently noted in France was former RAAF Mustang. A68-198, now F-AZIE. This aircraft used several registrations when it flew in the USA but is now part of the Flying Legends Flying Museum at Dijon, France.

Tasmania looks set to get its own resident warbird and a jet at that. It is reported that a syndicate based out of the Launceston Maritime College has purchased an ex Singapore Air Force Strikemaster and is currently having the machine rebuilt in Sydney. It is expected that the aircraft will be in the air late in the year. The Strikemaster will be the pace aircraft at the Tasmanian Air Races scheduled for February/March next year.

• The former Monty Armstrong Bell P-39Q Airacobra, s/n 42-19993, which is now at the Los Angeles Museum of Flying, is to be painted up as ‘Cobra II’, the air racer of famous American test pilot, Tex Johnston. The Airacobra will be put on display as Cobra II until time permits for the museum to restore it to flying condition. The original Cobra II was written off in a fatal accident in August 1968 that claimed the life of test pilot Mike Carroll • Douglas DC-3 VH-ABR was damaged in a ground loop at Warrnambool, Vic, in March. During takeoff on Sunday March 21st, -ABR ground looped to the right resulting in a damaged aileron and tailplane. The left hand undercart leg collapsed. The propeller and engine were not damaged. It is understood that an aileron and elevator were borrowed to ferry the veteran aircraft back to Melbourne. The undercarriage was locked down for the flight between Warrnambool and Melbourne.

The Dak was noted at the RAAF East Sale open day in late April with replaced hardware and some scrapes. The aircraft commenced service with Australian National Airways in Octo- ber 1938. When ANA was bought out by Ansett the airliner continued flying until 1975. Restored and put back into the air in 1988 the historic machine has flown more than 67,000 hours.

• Noted recently on the fuselage next to the rear cabin door of RAAF Caribou A4-191; A stencilled sign stating “Hysterical Flight”. Could this be local humour or an advance booking for the RAAF Historical Flight?