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Protective Sea Furies Circle Around An Ran Firefly Shot Down Behind Enemy Lines In The Korean War, In A Painting By David Marshall For The Australian Naval Aviation Museum At Nowra. David's Painting, Korean War Rescue, Shows The Crew Racing For The Safety Of The Rescue Helicopter Sent To Retrieve Them While They Were Under Fire From Hidden North Korean Soldiers. David Specialises In Aviation Paintings And Can Be Contacted On (02) 9997 2262
Warbirds
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Tas Jet Provost Flies
Following fast on the tail of last month’s report on warbird jets now flying in Australia comes news of yet another first flight and a jet at that. The BAe Jet Provost T.4, VH-JPP, made its debut at Devonport, Tasmania, on Saturday June 3. Previously with the RAF as s/n XS-178, the aircraft was test flown by RAAF F/A-18 pilot, Flt Lt Mark Scott. Two flights were made on the Saturday and the next day the aircraft made one flight up to 25,000 feet. Flt Lt Scott later reported that JPP was a delight to fly and handled nicely. Flt Lt Scott, who flew Strikemasters while on transfer to the RNZAF, was also the test pilot of the two Strikemasters that are now on the civil register, VH-AKY and VH-AGI. The four man syndicate that owns the Jet Provost also has another jet, an ex-Singaporean Air Force T.52 Jet Provost, previously SAF s/n 356. This was the syndicate’s original aircraft and it was while seeking some parts for this that the T4, XS-178, was located in the UK and subsequently purchased. The T.52 restoration has now been put on hold although it is more than one third complete. The T4 arrived in Tasmania in May 1994, and due to its overall excellent condition was in fact ready to fly back in February this year. There is a well known expression that goes along the line of an aircraft not being ready to fly until the weight of the paperwork exceeds that of the aircraft. JPP was no exception. The T.4 was put back in the air under the supervision of engineer Mike Mathews of Skywise Aviation at Devonport. The aircraft type was no stranger to Mike as he is a former RAF engineer and for many years worked in operational Provost and Strikemaster squadrons. Still carrying the same light grey paint scheme that it had in the RAF, VH-JPP will next be flown on training flights as the syndicate members obtain their endorsements with Flt Lt Scott. It is understood that in the UK the shortest time to get a new RAF trainee solo in the Jet Provost was some eight and half hours. While the machine was designed as a basic trainer, albeit a jet, it will be interesting to know what sort of flight time will be required to get the syndicate members solo. All already hold pilot licenses. If JPP does not come to the mainland in the near future, the first time for a lot of warbird enthusiasts to sight the machine will probably be at the 1996 Tasmanian Air Races at Valleyfield, outside of Launceston. The Skywise hangar at Devonport has other former service aircraft in it in the form of two ex Royal Navy DHC-1 Chipmunks. These aircraft, now being worked on, were recently imported having been sold off by the RN as that force downsizes and has been disposing of its older types that are no longer required.
Catalina Demise
Do you remember the early eighties visit to Australia of Catalina N68756, painted up in RAAF marks as A24-387 NB-N? The aircraft was flown across the Pacific on a goodwill tour during which it visited most eastern states and was the star attraction at various airshows and memorial functions. After it went back to the USA it slowly faded from memory and most would like to think that it is still being flown by the Confederate Airforce and displayed at American airshows and the like. Unfortunately such is not the case! Following its return from Australia the Catalina sat on the tarmac at the then CAF base at Harlingen, Texas. It apparently did little or no flying and after a time became unairworthy. When the CAF moved to its new base at Midland, on the west side of Texas, the aircraft was left behind. The engines and various other parts of the machine were removed with a view to lightening it for transportation but that never happened. Now the aircraft remains on the tarmac at Harlingen suffering the ravages of vandals and corrosion. After the Cat returned from Australia, the CAF, now known as the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, purchased two other Catalinas, one of which has since been written off in an accident. It would appear that it is cheaper to buy another aircraft than restore the existing machine. Altogether a most unfortunate affair and possibly the end of a fine machine.
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