Warbirds #396 | Two Vampires, a Neptune and a DC-3

DC-3 takes to skies above Shellharbour

One of the final few airworthy Douglas DC-3 made a flying visit to the Historical Aviation Restoration Society (HARS) Museum in Albion Park in February, after being transported from New Zealand. The brief stopover in Albion Park brought a lot of keen onlookers, including a handful of RAAF Roulettes. The plane has spent nearly 8 decades in Aotearoa performing regular scenic flights with Air Chathams, registered as ZK-AWP. The plane has spent most of its multi-disciplined life in the Pacific, after being built in the US in 1945, and delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It has had mixed uses since then, as a civilian, commercial, and cargo aircraft plane, however, has been performing scenic jaunts since around 2013.

However, like so many Kiwis before it, ZK-AWP is making its way across the pond to Australia to continue its flying adventures. Next up, the plane is headed for Darwin, after being sold to a local scenic aviation company. It looks like the DC-3’s new owners are running regular test flights on the east coast to prepare its pilots, before making the move to Darwin. Rumour has it that the plane will also be placed on static display at the next Avalon Air Show for enthusiasts on this side of the pond to take a peek.

HFC takes on new Vampire from Paul Bennet

It seems perhaps the spooky season hit us late this year, with yet another DH-115 Vampire making headlines this quarter. The Hunter Fighter Collection announced on Facebook that it had taken in Paul Bennet’s – of Paul Bennet Air Shows – dual-control Vampire, to be displayed at its facility in Scone. HFC’s showcased collection has been growing mightily over the months and years, and the team sure seemed excited for this edition. Built in 1958, this particular plane formerly served as U-1213 with the Swiss Air Force. Today, it is painted in the colours of the Royal Canadian Air Force and will soon be put on public display with HFC at the Hunter Valley Air Show.

HARS shows off with French Neptune engine run

Another exciting day in Shellharbour this January, when a Lockheed Neptune, 566, heated up the tarmac for a full engine run. The plane is not the lone Neptune in the HARS collection, alongside a former RAAF Neptune 273 – in airworthy condition no less. It’s thought to be the only flyable Neptune in the world.

This plane, however, 566, was one of the first to join the HARS collection. Formerly in service with the French Navy, the plane was located in Tahiti in 1987. As the story so goes, a HARS representative located the plane along with several others, in an area “that could easily be described as a swamp, into which it was slowly sinking”. However, it was found that despite minor instrument damage, 566 was in surprisingly decent condition. Thus, of course, HARS did what it does best. Now, Neptunes are considered to be among the best preserved in the world, thanks to the dedication and care of the volunteers at HARS. And we certainly thank them for it!