Warbirds

Jack is still a pilot and turned 90 recently. The aircraft was then flown and displayed in southern Australia for many years. On 4 May 2008 it had a gear issue and landed gear up event at Point Cook, Victoria. Since that time the machine has been under a total rebuild to ensure that it will be able to fly for many years to come. 

Bob was not only the owner of BOB but he also at one stage owned eight CAC-built Winjeels that he put back into the air. He also owned Lockheed Hudson A16-22 and later Hudson A16- 122/VH-AGX. The aircraft had been damaged in an aborted take-off accident at Horn Island on 22 December 1973. Both aircraft were to end up with the RAAF museum at Point Cook for eventual rebuild and display. 

Over the years, Bob also was involved with assisting various antique and warbird aircraft owners with their aircraft including a Cessna 305 Birddog, CT4, DHC-1 Chipmunk. More recently he was involved in the work on the RAAF Museum’s Mustang engine that had issues after it was returned from the UK following an overhaul. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Barb, and his four children including his son Rob, best known as Robbie, who is the chief engineer at an Essendonbased maintenance firm. The Eastgate collection includes not only Mustang parts but a number of sections of several Spitfires that are long-term rebuild projects. Bob Eastgate may no longer be with us but he will forever be remembered by the registration of his Mustang, VH-BOB.   

ROBERT TAYLOR FLIES WEST 

From the US we learn of the passing of Robert Taylor. Taylor was the founder and long-time president of the American Antique Airplane Association. 

The AAAA is based at Blakesburg, Iowa, where an antique fly-in is held every year. Typically, more than 350 antiques attend the event. There is also the Airpower Museum at the same airport, known as Antique Airfield. 

Taylor founded the AAAA in 1953, the same year that the EAA was founded by Paul Poberezny. Taylor had a lifelong interest in antique aircraft and encouraged the flying, restoration and preservation of early flying machines. 

In more recent years, the EAA had created its own antique aircraft division but Taylor was the founder of the antique aeroplane movement in America. It is said that if it was not for the interest that Taylor created in antique aircraft a lot of aircraft still flying would have been scrapped a long time ago.

The AAAA has some 50 chapter organisations and 7,000 members from throughout the US and 20 foreign countries including Australia. 

The AAAA motto is ‘Keep the Antiques Flying’ 

AIR MUSEUM TALK 

We hear of two new air museums and one that did not make the cut. From Tocumwal we hear that the president of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, the AAAA, Matt Henderson and his wife, Karen, are founding a museum at Tocumwal on the Victoria/NSW border. Tocumwal was a heavy bomber base during World War Two. In more recent times, it has been a gliding centre and flight training base. 

The Tocumwal Aviation Museum was founded as a concept by Matt and Karen Henderson in 2018. Acknowledging the work undertaken by Bob Brown and the existing Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum, the Berrigan Shire Council had undertaken studies into the potential for a permanent, purpose-built facility to incorporate the THAM collection but also identifying the opportunities to broaden the attraction and ensure future viability and sustainability. 

Matt and Karen’s vision was for an operation and experience that showcased all of Tocumwal’s aviation history and heritage – pre and post war, military and civil. The Tocumwal Aviation Museum’s aim is to engage, educate, entertain and inspire its visitors to foster an appreciation for and promotion of Australia’s military and civil aviation heritage with a specific focus on Tocumwal’s contribution to that history. The Tocumwal Aviation Museum’s mission is to collect, store, preserve, study and exhibit artefacts, archival materials and works of art related to Tocumwal’s military and civil aviation history and heritage. 

The museum will be housed in a new, purpose-built and dedicated facility located on Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome and will incorporate a licensed cafe, theatre, exhibition gallery and display hangar. The operations will include regular interactive flying displays (similar to those undertaken at the RAAF Museum), as well as the biennial Tocumwal Airshow, which will serve as a major showcase event and fundraiser for the museum. The facility will also be available for use as a unique event space catering for up to 150 guests and theatre used for regular movie nights. 

Matt and Karen are keen to hear from those with links to Tocumwal’s aviation history and heritage, either personal stories, photographs or artefacts that they may be willing to share with or loan to the museum. 

The Tocumwal Aviation Museum is planning for an opening in late February or early March 2021. Further details can be found on its Facebook page and website: www.tocumwal aviationmuseum.com.au Contact: Matt Henderson, founder and CEO, email: matt. henderson@tocumwal aviationmuseum.com.au Mobile: 0409 850 154 

From far north Queensland (FNQ) we learn of a new start-up air museum. The museum to be located on Mareeba Airport is up and running in a small way but has plans for an impressive display and workshop hangar building. The intent of the FNQ Air Museum is to have visitors learn about: 

• US & Australian Air Force units and aircraft that were based at Mareeba in World War II 
• Aviators who pioneered aviation businesses, crop dusting and helicopter mustering in the area 
• Local aircraft crashes honouring the deceased 
• Timeline of the airfield 
• Map of the airfield highlighting the past and present 
• Aircraft objects 
• Library of aviation books and magazines. 

The museum already has a collection of aircraft, etc; a boomerang under restoration, DC3 for static display, Auster J2 Arrow for an airworthy restoration, a DH82a rebuild project, Bell P39 components, a Boeing Stearman restoration project, a North American Yale project to fly. This would be the Reevers Yale sold some months ago. Sections from a Boeing B17. Mareeba Airport is slowly expanding given the problems of light aircraft operating out of Cairns Airport on the coast. Mareeba was constructed in 1942 and had two runways, one eastwest and the other north-south. Operations are reported to have commenced on 20 May 1942. 

Already the museum has obtained a building that will start it off but the plans are for the display and workshop building. Now the FNQ Museum is seeking funds. Queensland has a long and impressive aviation history, particularly during WWII, and the museum intends to put that on display. 

‘Bob also was involved with assisting various antique and warbird aircraft owners with their aircraft’

From Deniliquin we learn that a proposed air museum at the airport has been given the thumbs down by local council. The start-up museum was the brain child of veteran aviator Ron Fisher. He had obtained two aircraft from the Don Brown collection. It is unknown what has happened to the two aircraft. 

From RAAF Base Amberley comes news that Mirage A3- 55 and CAC CA-25 Winjeel A85-403 have been moved by surface transport to RAAF Base Townsville. The two aircraft were restored to static display standard by the Static Display Aircraft Support Section at RAAF Base Amberley. The task took some six months. 

The aircraft will go on permanent display at the Townsville base as part of the lead up to the RAAF’s centenary and that of having Air Force history available to be seen by the northern public. The Mirage was the first high-performance supersonic fast jet in RAAF service. It served from 1965 to its last flight in 1989. The Mirage and the Winjeel will join Caribou A4-199 that was placed on display last year at the entrance to RAAF Base Townsville. The Winjeel replaced the Tiger Moth and Wirraway as a basic trainer aircraft. The type was in service from 1955 until 1994. 

The Temora Aviation Museum has imported two overhauled engines from the UK to use in its Canberra bomber. This means that the machine will be able to be flown and demonstrated as and when the virus restrictions lift and the aircraft will be able to be demonstrated as part of the RAAF centenary celebrations. The aircraft has also received a new paint scheme. 

Forty-six FA-18A fighters have been exported, both to Canada and the US. In addition to the exports, some eight to nine have been allocated to local museums, both ADF and others. In summary, a number of examples have been preserved. 

At Caboolture, the TVAS Air Museum has recently acquired a Tiger Moth, VH-RTA, for display. It is painted up in a RAAF WWII colour scheme of A17-239. 

At the HARS aircraft collection at Albion Park, NSW, the Fokker Trimotor replica ‘Southern Cross’ is well underway to going back into the air. A second Jacobs radial engine, model R-755, was delivered on 25 May. It will be in the airframe by now. A third Jacobs engine is yet to arrive from overhaul. The big replica was built in the 1980s and was demonstrated around the country to celebrate the feats of its 1930s pilot Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. 

The replica Trimotor, registered VH-USU, came to grief at Parafield Airport on 25 May 2002 when a wheel came off. The aircraft was landed sans the wheel assembly but on touch down a wing tip was broken off when it impacted the ground. It took some years before HARS was able to rescue the stored aircraft. The HARS intention is to put the aircraft back in the air and demonstrate it again. The wing and wheel damage have been attended to and now it is a waiting game with the engines. 

Bribie Island, Queensland, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park has a new exhibit, a former Australian Army Bell Kiowa, A17-005, mounted on display. 

The Moorabbin Air Museum, better known as the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, has acquired two new aircraft in recent months. The aircraft are the prototype CAC Winjeel prototype, A85-364, and a CAC‑built Macchi trainer, A7047. The ANVM is dedicated to the preservation and display of Australian-built aircraft. 

POINT COOK MOVES 

At Point Cook it is reported that a number of structures are to be demolished. These include 19 buildings plus four Bellman hangers. The location of the Bellman hangars is unknown and if the RAAF Museum will be affected by the demolition orders. The Bellman hangars and the buildings would have been constructed during WWII. 

BENT METAL 

Stinson L5B VH-CRO was damaged on 8 February 2020 at Kyneton, Victoria, when it suffered a loss of power on take-off. The 1944 build aircraft came down off the end of the 09 runway. The crew were uninjured. The L5 suffered undercarriage and wing damage. The aircraft was sold to new owner, Stuart Lee, of Wangaratta, Victoria, on 27 May, who reportedly already has several Stinson L5s to work on. No doubt the machine will be rebuilt to fly again. 

Miles M3A Falcon VH-AAT came to grief near Hamilton Airport, Victoria, on 17 April. The aircraft suffered substantial damage. The owner/pilot was uninjured. 

The aircraft was being flown on a ferry from Lilydale, Victoria, to Nelson, Victoria. 

When diverting to Hamilton due to approaching weather and decreasing light the engine failed some nine kilometres from Hamilton. In the forced landing the low wing wooden construction aircraft struck several fences in the second choice of paddocks. 

The ATSB report on the accident said that the aircraft, which had not been operated for several years, had an accumulation of debris in the fuel lines such that it restricted the fuel flow. There was some 60 litres of fuel still remaining in the left tank. No doubt the aircraft will be rebuilt to fly again.

AIR RACE CENTENARY COINS 

The Royal Australian Mint has released a collection of eight one dollar coins to commemorate the centenary of the 1919 England to Australia air race. The race was won by Sir Ross Smith and Sir Keith Smith in a Vickers Vimy, which is now on display at Adelaide International Airport. 

Each of the eight-coin sets feature aircraft that entered the race, although not all completed the event. The coins have on them illustrations of the following aircraft: Sopwith Wallaby, Vickers Vimy, Alliance P.2, Blackburn Kangaroo, Martinsyde A1, Airco DH-9, Caudron G.4 and a special air race coin. 

The Centenary of the Great Air Race – 2019 $1 Uncirculated Coin Collection is available in a limited mintage of 10,000 – retailing for $130. The coins are legal tender and can be purchased from the Mint’s website. 

The Australian Mint has also released another aviation related coin, in this case a one dollar coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the airline Qantas. 

The coin is available from post offices around the country. 

REGISTER REVIEW 

A while since we last listed out the register so this is fairly long. 

We start with New Zealand. It is surprising to not see a new TVAL WWI replica in the additions. This follows the court case with Gene De Marco and the reduction of TVAL staff in more recent times. 

ZK-UAS DHC-1 Mk.22 c/n C1-0633 had a change of ownership on 8 June to N.J.McHugh of Hamilton. ZKVAU an Aero L-29 c/n 09419 had a change of owner on 4 May to G.N.Inwood of Kaiapoi. ZKSSU an Aero L-29, 395100, had a change of owner on 30 June to G.N.Inwood of Kaiapoi. Same owner, two L-29s. 

BA Swallow II, c/n 414, ex VH-UUN was put on the NZ register on 13 February to John Byers of Christchurch. DHC-1 Mk.22A c/n C1-0064, ZK-DUC had a change of owner on 20 February to Richard Fraser of Queenstown. 

In Australia, Cessna 170 VHCCP c/n 20414 had a change of owner on 2 March to Kelly Brick of Tallangatta, Victoria. Scottish Aviation Bulldog 121, c/n BH120/348 VH-XVE with last owner as Stephen Lovegrove of Angle Vale, SA, was struck off the register on 4 May as having been exported to the UK. It became G-IDID. Siai Marchetti S-205/22R VH-SAE, c/n 4-129, was struck off the register on 22 May. 

The RAAF Museum at Point Cook has taken three aircraft off the register effective 9 July being DH84 VH-AML c/n 2081. CA-25 Winjeel VH-HWI serial A84-460 and Cessna 0-1F VHOIE serial 21416. 

DH82a Tiger Moth VH-EEI c/n 133 had a change of owner to Daniel Conway, Luskintyre, NSW, on 18 May. 

DH87B Hornet Moth VHUXC c/n 8110, built in 1937, was put back on the register with its new registration on 17 July with owner Michael Hockin of Hendra, Queensland. This aircraft was previously VH-UXO and was struck off the register on 3 April 1970. It has been a long time rebuild. 

Cessna 195A VH-ONV c/n 16062 had a change of owner on 6 May to Desmond Baartz of Cabarlah, Queensland. Auster JB VH-RIE c/n 3151 had a change of owner to Nigel Arnot of Boonah, Queensland on 6 May. 

Beech D18-S VH-FID c/n A-458, changed owners on 12 March to Jamie Pitcher of Deakin, NSW. 

An addition to the register is DH60M Moth VH-UUW. With c/n 1469 the aircraft was put on the register on 15 May to Matt Webber of Lochinvar, NSW. The aircraft is said to be ex South African ZS-ABT. 

DH82A Tiger Moth VHLNW c/n 17 was struck off the register on 19 June. 

It is understood that the wings of this machine then went to VH-UUZ that became a DH60M III Moth Major with c/n 3 and was put on the register on 26 May. It was added to the register with the owner listed as Finlen Developments of Boonah, Queensland. 

Convair 580 VH-PDX c/n 126 had a change of owner to HARS on 29 May. Convair 340 VH-PDW c/n 086 also had a change of owner on 1 June to HARS at Albion Park, NSW. 

Convair C-131F Samaritan VH-EAQ c/n 308 was struck off the register on 1 May as ‘exported to the USA’. The last listed operator was HARS out of Albion Park, NSW. It was originally put on the register on 26 June 2012. It had been struck off the US register on 30 April 2011 where it had been N340CV. It is believed that the aircraft never left the US and was a possible for the HARS collection but was not imported. 

Victa 115 Airtourer c/n 104 Was re-registered as VH-EAQ on 19 June having been VHRQG. It is owned by HARS at Albion Park, NSW. DHC-1 T Mk.10 Chipmunk VH-RVY c/n C1-0472 had a new owner as of 19 May to Robert Priddle of Cronulla, NSW. Auster J1B VHABS /n 2699 changed owners on 20 July to Alan Whaley of Mile End South, SA. Auster J1B VHSJL c/n 2692 changed owners on 17 July to Stephen Telford of Mt Gambier, SA. 

‘This aircraft was previously VH-UXO and was struck off the register on 3 April 1970. It has been a long time rebuild’

SPITFIRE SPITFRIE 

It may now be quiet due to the virus and lockdowns but there has been some movement in the Spitfire area. Spitfire Mk.VIII MV239 VH-HET has been taken under the charge of the RAAF Museum, from the Temora Aviation Museum but will no doubt continue to be operated at Temora. Spitfire Mk.XVI TB863 VH-XVI is also under the wing of the RAAF Museum. 

A new Spitfire to operate in Australia is TE392 VH-XWE an LF Mk.XVI. It is registered to Bishop Aviation of Newmarket, Queensland. It was registered on 2 December 2019 and was flown on its first Australian flight on 13 January by English pilot Richard Grace. Grace learnt to fly in Australia. The aircraft is now flying in Australia. 

Another Spitfire in the news is a model LF Mk.1XB, MH415. The aircraft was under restoration by Vintage Fighter Restorations at Scone. The aircraft is ex OO-ARD and the N415MH. It came from the Connie Edwards collection in Texas. Never flown in Australia, the aircraft had a new paint job here and did engine runs then was shipped to the UK. 

VH-IXF is a Spitfire Mk.IX. Built in 1943, it was registered on 28 July 2011 and is operated by 

Pays Air Service at Scone. Pays, or the more correct name VFR, at Scone is restoring VH- IXF, MH603. A Mk.1X, it was obtained from Provence Fighter Sales in 2009. It is reported to be awaiting an overhauled Merlin from Vintage V12 engines in the US. 

TASMANIAN DESOUTTER FOR DISPLAY 

On display since 1966, the Desoutter monoplane named ‘Miss Flinders’ has recently been taken down from the Launceston Airport terminal where it was hung for all to see how people made passenger flights back in the 1930s. The historic aircraft, registered VH-UEE, first saw service in 1932 in company with a DH83 Fox Moth biplane named ‘Miss Currie’. The two aircraft were some of the first to be operated on passenger carrying work in Tasmania pre WWII, operated by Tasmanian Aerial Services. 

The historic Desoutter is to be refurbished and put back on display but this time at the Inveresk museum. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be put back on display by 2022, ready for the 90th anniversary of Miss Flinders’ arrival in Launceston. 

BISCUIT BOMBER UPDATE 

At Essendon, Victoria, DC-3 VH-TMQ serial 16136/32884 changed ownership, at least on paper, to Aero Logistics of Mayfield, NSW, on 13 May. The aircraft is reported to still be at Essendon. 

Douglas C-47 N2-23 is on display at West Wyalong in the Lions Club park. Although the aircraft was operated by the Royal Australian Navy under the serial of N2-23, the machine is painted up as RAAF A65- 23. It recently had a repaint to freshen it up. 

The machine was donated to the Lions and was placed in the park in July 1983. 

Darwin and C-47/DC-3 VHMMA took to the skies again earlier this year. 

The aircraft has had a lot of service over the years in many places. It was with the RAAF as A65-13, later it went to PNG as P2-ANS then VH-PWQ and then VH-MMA with MacRobertson Miller Airlines. It has been a work in progress for some years to get the old girl back in the air again. 

Will you have fries with that? Who remembers the DC-3/C-47 that was a feature of a McDonald’s restaurant in Adelaide not so many years ago? 

Built in 1942, the elderly Douglas Biscuit Bomber was rescued from being scrapped by the Morgan family of Karoona. They are now heavily involved in the process of restoring the machine to good static condition. Its last registration was VHEWE but when last static displayed it carried a TAA paint scheme and the registration VHAER. May she live on a while yet. 

PHOTO: Corsair VH-III at Point Cook on start up about to unfold its wings. (Source: Dave Prossor)

WARBIRDS 

CAC-built CA-18 Mk.21 Mustang VH-MFT serial 1435 changed ownership on 21 April to Mustang Flights (Australia), Peregian Springs, Queensland. For all those with deep pockets the aircraft is still available for passenger rides. 

Hawker Fury FB Mk 10, VHSHF, serial 37723/41H-643827 was struck off the register on 24 June as exported to the UK. 

VH-AVC North American T-28D c/n 49-1510 became under the ownership of Shaun Brown of Rosebay, NSW, on 21 May. It was previously under the care of the Australian Financial Security Authority. 

North American AT-6C Harvard IIA VH-NRO serial 88-10589 changed ownership on 26 June to Dunkel Aviation, Roleystone, WA. 

From the UK comes news that a BAC Jet Provost T Mk.5A has been sold to an M F Edwards of Australia. The machine was previously RAF XW299. It had been retired from RAF operational service and then used as an instructional airframe with serial 9146M but has recently taken up UK registration G-CLJW. It is expected to be shipped to Australia for assembly, possibly at West Sale. 

Aero L-39C VH-NLD s/n 132037 came under the care of Noel Davison of Fortitude Valley, Queensland, on 16 June. L-39C VH-ZPM was noted to be flying out of Essendon on 14 May for some ‘upper air work’ on the western side of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. CT4B VH-APV c/n 074 had a change of owner to Paul McKenna of Redlynch, Queensland on 18 June. CT4B VH-YCL c/n 107 had a change of owner on 12 June to John Larter, Tumut, NSW. North American AT-28D Trojan VH-TRO c/n 174-260 changed owners on 6 May to Dean Hoye of Jilliby, NSW. Winjeel CA-25 VH-DKK serial CA25-26 changed ownership on 13 May to Pays Air Service, Scone, NSW. 

Winjeel CA-25 VH-NON serial CA25- 11 also changed ownership on 1 May to Pays Air Service. Nanchang CJ-6A c/n 3351208 had a change of owner to Gary Criddle of Mascot, NSW, on 12 June. 

CT-4B VH-PGH c/n 059 had a change of owner to Witold Szaters of Greensborough, Victoria, on 2 June. CT4B VHYCA c/n 097 was struck off the register on 3 June. 

DHA-3 DROVER EXPORTED TO US 

De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover 2, VH-ADN, has been exported to the US to go on display at the Pima Country Museum at Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was last operated by Charlie Camelliri’s Bathurst Vintage Joy Flights out of Bathurst, NSW. The aircraft was dismantled in February and shipped to the US. It is now with the Pima Museum. The museum is an interesting mix of American aircraft types but it also has a number of foreign types. Included are a Folland Gnat, the last flying Avro Shackleton, Canadian Bolingbroke and a Russian II-2. 

Watch out for rattle snakes when strolling around the museum in the sunshine! 

BEECH 17 STAGGERWING 

The Beech Staggerwing, although built around 80 years ago, still attracts attention whenever they go. The rearward stagger of the biplane wings is where it gets its distinctive name. Now in Australia we have one Staggerwing that is rarely seen and that is VH-WEE, a model D17-S built in 1938 with c/n 203. It is owned by Douglas Drummond of Raglan, NSW. It was registered in February 2009. 

In New Zealand there are several Staggerwings with Australian connections. At Wanaka on the South Island the firm of Twenty24 has three Staggerwing restorations underway. A lot of expertise to be shared. 

Alan Arthur of Albury, NSW, has his D17-R(M) VH-BBL c/n 67755 under rebuild. Built in 1944, photos show it as a total strip down and rebuild project. 

Another Australian Staggerwing in NZ is VH-UXP. This aircraft is owned by Cam Hawley who lives between Hong Kong and Caboolture, Queensland. With c/n 108 it was built in 1936. The aircraft was restored in New Zealand a few years back. 

Hawley has said that he is not in a hurry to take it back to Australia and so it is seen at NZ flying events when he is in the country. Hawley also owns a second Staggerwing. This is the former VH-AFP a D-17S c/n 357. It is under total rebuild and will be combined with Staggerwing VH-FNS a model D17-S c/n 3108, built in 1942, that was damaged in WA. The new AFP has been registered using its pre-war marking of NC20778. It will come back to Australia but need to be extensively rebuilt following a crash back in 1963. 

One that got away is VHTOT. This model C-17L c/n 107 was owned by Captain Albert Smithwell of Sydney. It went to Twenty24 for a total rebuild. Captain Smithwell passed away in 2019 and the aircraft was obtained by Bert Grant of Mutueka, NZ. Twenty24 will restore the aircraft. No New Zealand registration is known at this stage. 

EVENTS CANCELLED 

2020 is the year that saw many aviation events cancelled or postponed across Australia. Probably the last big event held was the Tyabb Airshow on 8 March. A week later the government edict came that effectively said that large gatherings were banned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. 

Events cancelled or postponed included the Serpentine Centenary Air Race; Illawarra Sydney Airshow (postponed to end of 2020?); Latrobe Valley Air Show now for February 2021; the Australian International Airshow, Avalon, now for November 2021; Temora Airshow, Autumn 2021; Antique Aeroplane Association October 2020. Temora Showcase was scheduled for 29 August but as this column was about to be locked down it was advised that the event had been cancelled in part because a number of the pilots came from Victoria, which had just had ramped up restrictions on the movement of people and NSW wanting to restrict Victorians crossing the border. Warbirds Down Under at Temora is scheduled 17-18 October and the Scone warbirds gathering has been scheduled for 19-20 September. If planning to go to any aviation event or gathering, it would be wise to check to ensure that the things have not changed and that the event date has been moved or even cancelled. 

Overseas we learn that the annual EAA event at Oshkosh for 2020 has been cancelled. 2021 promises to be a gala event. In New Zealand the Wanaka Airshow was also cancelled. A disappointing year for all but there was one green light. Paul Bennett Air Shows ran a very novel firewalled air show event on the internet. Pay to see the closed-circuit air show. Check the internet for details. 

RAAF PC-9 AIRCRAFT SOLD 

A number of ex RAAF PC-9 trainers have been sold overseas. Five are known to have been sold into the US to Blue Air of Las Vegas, Nevada. They are: A23-007 c/n 507 became N669BA, A23-011 c/n 511 became N905XX, A23-037 c/n 537 became N95TB, A23-045 c/n 545 became N774BA, A23- 047 c/n 547 became N90AD, and A23-062 c/n 562 became N810BA. A23-006 became N506GB and A23-048 became N548BG. More PC-9s are reported to be following the above. A total of 20 aircraft. Blue Air is a civilian contractor that supplies close air support to the US armed forces. The firm also operates BAC Strikemaster, IAR823, OH-10 Bronco and AH-56 Little Bird helicopters. 

Auctioned off at Avalon in March were PC-9s A23-006, 017, 023, 025, 026, 033, 037, 040, 045, 047, 048, 049, 052, 053, 054, 062, and 065. As noted above, four have been sold to Blue Air. It is reported that A23-001 and another have gone to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. 

THE BALLY BOMBER 

If you cannot buy one then make your own. That was the thought of Jack Bally of Dixon, Illinois. After the retired private pilot Bally decided to build his own multi-engined, all-metal replica of a US wartime bomber. He looked at the B-24 Liberator but felt that if he makes a scale replica the aircraft would have CG problems when the sole occupant, the pilot, stepped out of the machine. Instead he chose to build a one-third scale replica of a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. He allowed six years but in the washout it took 18. Builder Bally estimates that it took 25,000 rivets and some 40,000 man hours. The aircraft, N413ME, made its first flight in November 2016 with Richard Kosi as the pilot. The machine is powered by four Hirth F30 two stroke engines giving a total of 178 kW (240 hp). The aircraft has a maximum all up weight of 816.4 kilograms and a wing span of 10.5 metres. By comparison, a Piper Warrior aircraft has a wing span of 9.1 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 975 kilograms. 

Wherever the aircraft went it was major attraction. It is unfortunate to record that Jack Bally, the builder of the ‘Bally Bomber’, passed away on 21 June 2020. He was aged 79. 

COVID-19. PILOT LICENCES 

With the COVID virus into its second wave and the population at large told to maintain social distancing and wear face masks in fear of catching the virus, CASA issued a memo on 16 May advising pilots that an exemption had been made regarding their licences. 

If a pilot’s medical was due to expire in March or later then they could continue to operate without a current certificate for up to six months. The idea behind this was to try and prevent a pilot or members of the medical profession passing or catching the virus if they in fact had it. If a pilot had a flight review that expired on or after 31 March 2020 the same applied and that exemption would expire on 31 December 2020, the end of the year. This exemption can be regarded as a good move to try and prevent the spreading of the virus when doing a medical examination or having to work in the cockpit with another pilot who may or may not be carrying the virus. It is understood that the FAA in the US and the CAA in the UK have a similar exemption now running.