Warbirds

The aircraft made its first Australian flight with an anonymous Czechoslovakian pilot at the controls. The aircraft flew to Williamtown RAAF base, near Newcastle, NSW, where it will be based. The aircraft is painted up in the colours of the Indian Air Force aerobatic team.

Owned by Ansett pilot, Dick McIntosh, the MiG was registered as VH-XXI on 21/11/92. It was previously with the Polish Air Force as serial number 5011.

Winrye Aviation carried out the work required for the machine to be issued with a Permit to Fly. VH-XXI is the first warbird on the Australian civil register capable of going supersonic in level flight.

Tassie Air Races

Closed circuit air racing finally arrived in Australia in March when Skyrace Tasmania took to the skies.

As a lead up to the closed circuit racing there was a navigation race around Tasmania but for most enthusiasts the main interest was on the weekend of March 5/6.

Valleyfield, the site of the circuit racing, is situated 45km south east of Launceston. An old WWII training aerodrome, the field was brought back up to standard for the races. The strips are sealed but had been covered over with fill and thus there were grass surfaced runways operational for the races. Apart from the race aircraft there were some 40 visiting aircraft present with another 20 reported to be at Launceston Airport.

The final day, Sunday March 6, was probably the most exciting for most enthusiasts. Held under a sunny sky there were six classes of pylon racing. These were: Formula 1; Cabin Single (up to) 300hp (225kW); Cabin Twin Engine, AT-6 Harvard, T-28 Trojan and Unlimited. Warbird activity centred on the last three.

The Cabin Single class included ex RAAF CT-4As VH-ZCT (A19-058), VH-CDR (A19-060) and VH-NCT (A19-029).

The AT-6 Harvard race saw Mike Falls from Melbourne take first prize in No 47, VH-OVO. Also in that race were Doug Hamilton in VH-XNZ, Bill Waterton in VH-USR and David Salter in VH-PEM The T-28 Trojan race had the winning order as John Weymouth in VH-XVT, Jack McDonald and John Rayner in VH-LAO, Judy Pay in VH-NAW and then Steve Death in VH-MEO.

The race that probably most people went to see was the Unlimited class. This had only three contestants on the day. First was Robbie Booth in Qwilton Biel’s Sea Fury, ZK-SFR, followed closely by Guido Zuccoli in his Sea Fury, VH-HFG. In third place was Tony Chamberlin in the Fiat G-59, VH-LIX. The New Zealand aircraft was flown some five and half hours across the Tasman to and from the races.

Other warbirds present were Col Pay’s Mustang VH-AUB and his Spitfire VH-HET. Both did displays during the day. Also present was Don Kendell’s T-28D, VH-CIA, which was used by American air racing legend, Bob Hoover. Hoover demonstrated the Trojan and used it as a pace plane giving his famous call “Gentlemen, you have a race” whenever he opened the start gate for a race.

Bob Hoover was quite a celebrity over the air race week. He gave talks, briefed the race pilots and acted as starter from the pace aircraft. Later Hoover demonstrated aerobatics in the T-28, VH-CIA, and gave a show of aerobatics and nil engine flight in Aero Commander, VH-UJM, ironically an aircraft that he used to fly in the US before it was exported to Australia. Following a tussle with the American FAA Hoover regained his flying licence and in the days before the Tasmanian races he obtained an Australian Commercial pilots licence.

The general feeling among the enthusiasts present was that the Valleyfield site was good, that the pylon racing was spectacular but that more aircraft racing in each class would have really made the event. The organisers are already working on the 1995 event which will no doubt be bigger with more aircraft racing and more spectator interest. There is even talk of entries coming from America. A local commentator could also be appropriate.

The year 1995 promises to be an interesting one for Skyrace Tasmania. A pictorial report on Skyrace appeared from p23 of our April issue.

Winjeel to New Zealand

Until now the CAC Winjeel has always been an Australia-only type aircraft. Although one was advertised for sale in the USA a year or two ago, without success, a machine has now been exported to New Zealand.

The aircraft, VH-JJG (A85-445) was noted at Bankstown in early March being prepared for its departure. Last registered to Doug Hamilton of Whorouly, Victoria, this particular Winjeel was somewhat different in that it was painted up in an RAAF Forward Air Control camouflage colour scheme. Doug Hamilton owns T-6 Harvard, VH-XNZ. It is reported that the Winjeel has been acquired by John Matheson in NZ. John, of Otaga region (not far from Wanaka), already owns North American T-6 Harvard, ZK-ENA (NZ1037).

The arrival of the former RAAF trainer will no doubt create a bit of interest in New Zealand as this is the first of the type to be registered there as a civil warbird.

Avon Sabres in America

For some time it has been general knowledge that three Australian built CAC Avon Sabres were in the USA. Two of these aircraft were at Chino, near Los Angeles, California. Another was known to be at Clark County Airport, a few miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. Disassembled but partly restored, the Aussie jet fighter is currently a resident in the hangar of Charles Osborn who is well known as the owner of a Republic P-47D.

Recently nine ex RAAF and Indonesian Air Force CAC Sabres were found in storage in southern California. These comprised A94-366/F-8602, A94-949/F-8605, A94-957/F-8607, A94-968/F-8609, A94-370/F-8617, unknown/F-8619/FM1909 (Malaysian AF s/n), A94-945/TS-8604 and A94-980/TS-8614.

Given such a number of these jets in the USA surely it can only be a matter of time before one gets put back in the air.

Mrs Lores Bonney Dies

Probably the last of the prewar pioneering pilots and cer- tainly Australia’s greatest female pilot, Mrs Lores Bonney, died in late February, aged 96.

Learning to fly in 1930 Mrs Bonney went on to make a number of record making flights that even today would not be carried out by the faint hearted. She was the first woman to fly around Australia and the first pilot to fly from Australia to South Africa. In 1933 she became the first woman to fly solo from Australia to England. Her aircraft was a DH60G Gipsy Moth, VH-UPV.

Mrs Bonney ceased active flying at the end of the war when the cost and availability of fuel became prohibitive. She went on to live in retirement at Maimi on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

It is pleasing to note that Mrs Bonney’s exploits have been well recorded over that last few years. With her passing goes a great Australian aviator who was of the same standing as the great American Amelia Earhart.

DC-3 for Queensland Air Museum 1994

got off to a good start for the Queensland Air Museum when it was advised that it had had a genuine DC-3 donated to its collection.

viving DC-3 in the world. Built pre-WWII it was never a The DC-3, VH-ANR, is believed to be the 12th oldest military C-47. The aircraft has been donated by owner George Markey who is well know as a warbird owner and for his Ultrabat aerobatic aircraft which he is having built in the USA.

The DC-3 was originally delivered to KLM in 1937 and subsequently found its way to the Netherlands East Indies. After the outbreak of war the aircraft was handed over to the Australian Government. It later served with the USAAF, RAAF, ANA, Ansett-ANA, Butler Air Transport and Airlines of NSW. The machine is rather unique in that it has Wright Cyclone engines and not the usual Pratt & Whitney power plants. When built, the Douglas had the cabin door on the right side but later, probably when with ANA, this was changed over to the left hand side.

The biggest problem now facing the QAM is that the aircraft is unable to fly but needs to be moved from its present location at Camden, NSW, to Caloundra in Queensland. It is planned that the historic DC-3 will be moved in the middle of the year. The QAM would welcome assistance and in this regard can be contacted at GPO Box 2315, Brisbane 4001 or phone (071) 912 743.

Point Cook Air Show Cancelled

To the disappointment of many the March 12/13 Point Cook Air Show was called off.

The event, which was to have included the Antique Aeroplane Associations annual around the bay rally, was reportedly cancelled due to disabled aircraft and ballooning costs. The airshow was to have been part of the annual Melbourne Moomba Festival and would have celebrated 80 years of Military Aviation in Australia. Organisers have advised that the show will now be held in November.

The airshow had been promoted for some time before the due date with an interesting array of historic aircraft types to be present.

For those in the know, news of the cancellation filtered out two weeks before the date. On the Friday before the scheduled weekend small notices appeared in Melbourne papers advising that the show was off.

Without a doubt the cancellation would have caught a lot of enthusiasts and potential spectators by surprise.

Ct-4AS in America

Following the CT-4A Airtrainer auction in Sydney last year information was received that three of the aircraft had been shipped to the USA.

These three aircraft have now turned up on the US civil register. They are now N7083Z (A19-035), N7083U (A19-044) and N7083Y (A19-066). The new owners are not known as yet. One wonders what the Americans will make of the little Aussie trainers. No doubt one or more of them will turn up at Oshkosh’94.

T-28 Sold

Bill Pike has sold his North American Trojan. The aircraft, VH-PFM, has been purchased by fellow Qantas Captain, Bill Hamilton, also of Sydney.

The machine, a model T-28D, was registered on 30/9/93. It was previously USAF s/n 51-3588 and Royal Laotian Air Force serial 3405.

At one stage Bill had the registration VH-WPA reserved for the aircraft but it did not take up this marking. Curiously enough this Trojan arrived in Australia with the marking 13388 painted on it but investigation showed that this was not the correct serial. The aircraft was rebuilt by Winrye Aviation at Bankstown airport and has a camouflage colour scheme (refer pic p44 April ’94 AA).

It is of interest that Bill Pike has another T-28D in storage. This aircraft, s/n 49-1561, was obtained in the Philippines in the late 1980s and is now stored in country NSW.

It is reported that the machine is incomplete and will need a full rebuild before it flys again. The history of this Trojan is sketchy but it is likely that it served in Vietnam and was later given to the Philippines Air Force. It did not fly with the PAF and was obtained in dismantled condition.

Mam Spitfire Lecture

The Spitfire is the subject of this years annual Harry Hawker lecture to be held by the Moorabbin Air Museum.

The Supermarine Spitfire needs little introduction as it was the fighter that became famous during the Battle of Britain and was one of the great planes of WWII.

Each year the MAM holds the Harry Hawker lecture in memory of the famous airman who was born in Moorabbin. Today the Hawker name is still part of one of the world’s foremost aerospace corporations.

The lecture will unroll the development and use of the Spitfire. Guest speaker of the night will be Mr Norm Smithells who flew with both No 131 Squadron RAF and No 79 Squadron RAAF. In announcing the speaker MAM President, Mr Keith Gaff, said that Mr Smithells was involved in a lot of air combat while flying the Spitfire. He has an engaging manner that should make for an interesting talk. The lecture will be held at 8pm on Friday May 27 at the Moorabbin City Art Centre situated on the corner of South Road and Nepean Highway, Moorabbin. Entry cost is just $5 and tickets can be prebooked at the Museum or purchased at the door. A light supper will be served. For those with an interest in the Supermarine Spitfire this promises to be an evening not to be missed.

Super Connie First Flight Approaches

The Connie Wing of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society advises that work on the Lockheed Super Constellation VH-EAG ‘Southern Preservation’ is continuing apace, reports Gordon Reid.

In February engineers all but completed work on the engines and fuel systems. Another group visited in March while two groups were planned to travel to the United States during April.

Their main activity is now centred around getting the aircraft readied to fly the short hop from Davis Monthan Air Force Base to Tucson International Airport. For this flight the date of May 15 has been selected as this commemorates the 40th anniversary of the first revenue flight by a Qantas Super Constellation. On May 15 1954 the Lockheed L-1049C VH-EAG ‘Southern Constellation’ departed Sydney on the first Qantas trans Pacific service to San Francisco.

At Tucson the Constellation will come under the care of Lockheed Aeromod who will completely strip, polish and repaint the aircraft. The colour scheme selected for the aircraft is white, red and natural metal though at the time of writing details of the logo were still being finalised. On completion of the work at Lockheed some twenty hours of proving flights will be carried out within the United States.

The Super Connie Foundation has set Monday July 4 as its departure date from San Francisco on the flight to Australia. Enroute stops are planned for Honolulu, Kiribati, Suva and Brisbane to Sydney where the aircraft will arrive on Sunday July 10.

With the end of this exciting project in sight fund raising is now a prime focus for the Super Connie Foundation. This commitment to return a Lockheed Super Constellation to Australian skies is one of the most exciting aviation projects yet undertaken. For those of us who have had the good fortune or for those of us who have yet to witness the sight and sound of what is unquestionably the most beautiful airliner to ever grace our skies, this is a very worthwhile cause and it should be supported by all Australians.

In Brief

• Heard at Skyrace Tasmania. Before the races started one owner commented that if he won the it would about equal his prerace expenses. Another said in passing that it was not engine failure during the race that worried him but the prospect of it happening during the return flight across Bass Strait to the mainland. Fortunately everybody made it safely home though Mike Fall’s winning Harvard later experienced gear failure.

• The mystery of which former DH112 Sea Venom took up the American registration N7022H has been finally solved. It was s/n WZ944. Now it remains to be seen as to what its brother, WZ903, has been registered as. Both aircraft are at Chino, just outside Los Angeles.

• On February 20, the commercial operator at historic Casey Field, Berwick, Victoria, finally moved out. When the few remaining private owners leave the aerodrome will no doubt start to be carved up for redevelopment. The com- AONN mercial operator, Groupair, has already transferred to nearby Moorabbin Airport. The aerodrome has been operational in one form or another since the late 1930s. Lord Casey kept his aircraft here for many years and it is interesting to note that his original and now historic hangar is about to be reassembled by the Moorabbin Air Museum at its Moorabbin site.