Table of contents for Aug-Sep-Oct 2017 in Flightpath

Harvard III VH-HVD has been acquired by the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. The 1943 ex-RNZAF W.W.II trainer was bought by Hugh Waltho in 1989 and based at Essendon ever since. As NZ1075, it was converted to a Mk.III in 1957 and took part in the final RN-ZAF Harvard flypast over Christchurch on 24 June 1977. Sold to the private market in 1978, it was flown to Australia in August 1981. The RAAF Museum will use the Harvard for training and display flying and, although currently painted in RNZAF wartime training markings, the intention is to finish it as a Canadian Empire Air Training Scheme aircraft typical of the machines used to train thousands of RAAF pilots in W.W.II.…

A two-decade restoration project reached its conclusion on 7 June when Vintage Wings of Canada’s (VWOC) Spitfire Mk.IXe TE294 flew its much-anticipated first flight. It is the first Spitfire to be completely rebuilt to flying condition in the country. Built in mid-1945, TE294 was sold to the SAAF after brief service with the RAF. Its remains were eventually acquired by the Comox Air Force Museum, in British Columbia, where it became known as the ‘Y2K Spitfire’. A decade into the new century and the project had stalled due to lack of money. Mike Potter, VWOC founder, stepped in. The superb volunteer team at Comox finished the fuselage to an exceptionally high standard while the wings were constructed by Potter’s team in Gatineau, Québec. The aircraft was christened ‘The Roseland Spitfire’…

Film star John Travolta has donated his Ocala, Florida, USA based Boeing 707 to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) of Illawarra Regional Airport, Wollongong, NSW. The aircraft is a Boeing 707-138B registered N707JT, and adorned on the nose with ‘Jett Clipper Ella’. Flown for many years by Travolta, it last flew in December 2016, and needs maintenance to fly again. One of eleven delivered to Qantas in 1964, the 707 type was the first jet aircraft in Qantas’ fleet, replacing the Lockheed Constellations. Entering revenue service as VH-EBM ‘City of Launceston’, it had only a short career with Qantas, being retired in April 1968, then flying with Braniff before passing through a couple more owners, during which time it was configured with an executive interior, before being bought by…

On 17 April 2017, Grumman Goose N95467 flew again after a five year restoration from Spokane airport, Washington State, USA, with test and conversion pilot Fred Ball at the controls. The aircraft is owned by Pemberton & Sons Aviation and, following trouble free initial shakedowns, father Addison Pemberton and his sons have converted to type. The aircraft has already clocked up tens of hours and has been returned to water alightings and takeoffs, as well as dry land operation, much to the enjoyment of the family young and old, and good reward for the team, including volunteers who put in an estimated 8,000 hours work on the rebuild. Restored in US Navy colours as flown from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (Washington State), the aircraft was operated in the UK…

On the last weekend of April, the aviation enthusiasts of the ‘Fliegerwerft’ group organised a very special celebration. To celebrate the eightieth birthday of their Focke-Wulf 44 Stieglitz and Messerschmitt 108, more than thirty flying classics traveled to the idyllic airfield of Ober-Mörlen, north of Frankfurt. Another eight examples of the Stieglitz, and four of the Bf 108, were among the aircraft attending. Stieglitz D-EMOF was built in Sweden at AB Svenska Järnvägsverkstädernas Aeroplanavdelning (AB Swedish Railway Workshops Aeroplane Department) as a Sk12 in 1937 and came to Germany in the mid-fifties after its service in the Swedish Air Force. Today it flies in an authentic Focke-Wulf scheme from the thirties. Messerschmitt 108 D-EBFW was built in the same year (serial number 1561) in Augsburg and is the oldest surviving…

The fifth Radial and Trainer Fly-in was held in April at the Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, South Staffordshire. However, due to strong winds on the Sunday, it became a one-day event. With a good turnout on the Saturday, perhaps the highlight for many was the attendance of Avro Anson T.21 WD413/ G-VROE. Now owned by Glenn James, it made its first appearance away from its new home at Sleap Aerodrome in Shropshire. Also debuting were a recently restored Waco UEC (NC12467) and Stinson V-77 NC33543. The Waco is one of two airworthy in Europe and is a rare sight with only two others flying in the United States. The Stinson V-77 was the third of its type to be imported to the UK in the past few years by ‘Spirit…

Spitfire AR501 entered operational RAF service with the Czechoslovakian 310 Squadron at Exeter in Devon on 19 July 1942. (Notably, the unit was the first RAF squadron raised specifically to be crewed by foreign refugee nationals, in July 1940.) Often flown by Squadron Leader F. Dolezal, during this period AR501 would have been flown on convoy and coastal patrols as well as undertaking offensive sweeps trying to lure the Luftwaffe into the air. Remarkably, some wartime colour cine-film exists showing 310 Squadron and AR501 taxying past the camera. There is also a strong, but so far unproven, possibility that AR501 flew in support of the disastrous Dieppe raid on the 18 of August 1942. As the winter approached, 310 squadron reverted to defensive anti ‘Jabo’ patrols from Exeter, looking for…

LOCATION 1 Tom Moon Avenue (PO Box 263) Temora, NSW 2666 Ph: 02 6977 1088 Website: www.aviationmuseum.com.au Email: info@aviationmuseum.com.au OPENING TIMES 7 Days from 10 am to 4 pm except New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. ADMISSION FEE Admission Applies (See the Visitor Information page of our website for details). MUSEUM BACKGROUND Temora has a rich and noteworthy aviation history having been home to the No 10 Elementary Flying Training School (No 10 EFTS), which was set up by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in May 1941. No 10 EFTS was the largest and longest lived of the flying schools established under the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War Two (WWII). No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 12 March 1946 making it the last…

LOCATION 49 Medowie Rd Williamtown NSW 2314 (Newcastle Airport – adjacent to the RAAF Base) Phone: 02 4965 1810 Fax: 02 4965 1940 Email: admin@fighterworld.com.au Web: fighterworld.com.au Facebook: facebook.com/fighterworld Twitter: @ Fighter_World OPENING TIMES 10am – 4pm Every day (except Christmas Day) ADMISSION FEES Family $ 40 (Unlimited kids) Adult $15 Concession/Child $10 Child under 5 Free MUSEUM BACKGROUND For more than 25 years Fighter World has been preserving the history of Australian fighter aircraft and is now officially recognised as the RAAF Williamtown Heritage Centre. Born from humble beginnings, the RAAF Base at Williamtown was created out of necessity in wartime. The establishment has developed into Australia’s most important air defence and fighter base. Currently undergoing a multi-billion dollar redevelopment RAAF Williamtown will become the home of Australia’s newest…

When it joined the Soviet air arms in 1935, the I-16 was revolutionary, and unarguably the most advanced fighter of its time, being the first production retractable undercarriage cantilever monoplane fighter in service. There had been fast monoplanes before, even prior to the Great War, but they were almost all externally braced. The Polikarpov was notable for being the first machine to combine these many innovations, make it into production and active service, then be successful in combat. Designed by Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov, who conceived it after developing the I-15 biplane, the design was based around a wooden semi-monocoque fuselage, a large, bluntly cowled radial engine (going against the streamlined, in-line engine fighter doctrine of the era) and a cantilever wing that was made possible by a chrome-molybdenum steel alloy…

“Essentially a work of fiction, the book contains numerous errors” The official claims do not depreciate the critical strategic value of the deployment or sacrifices made by this small band of pilots under the command of John and Les Jackson. The squadron created an enviable reputation from this first deployment and the Japanese ledger adds colour to the unit’s history. Of the four Kittyhawk pilots who scored aerial kills - Wilbur Wackett, John Piper, Les Jackson and Peter Masters - it appears Piper, remarkably, was mostly responsible for three of the squadron’s four bomber kills. Disappointingly, most writing about this period provides limited insight, if any, into commensurate Japanese operations and losses. This is because researchers still incorrectly assume that Jackson’s pilots mostly fought ‘Zeros’ from the Tainan Naval Air…

The Kyneton Aero Club planned to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2016 with an airshow but because of heavy rains the event was postponed to 2017. With strong community backing, the ‘Spread Your Wings’ event on 23 April also featured a careers expo, vintage car display and local produce food stalls. After a delayed start due to low cloud the 5,000 strong audience was treated to some spectacular displays, once the skies cleared. The highlight was Paul Bennet’s Grumman Avenger with a number of tree-top passes. Doug Hamilton ‘rock and rolled’ in his P-40N Warhawk, while Chris Godfrey made his airshow circuit debut in his recently refurbished T-28 Trojan. Other historic displays included Dave Marshall’s Transavia Pup, locally based SF-260 jet and O-1G Bird-dog. Several formation displays included a vintage…

The 45th Meeting Aerien Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis, ‘Le temp des helices’ (‘The time of the propeller’), is one of Europe’s greatest airshows. Held on a big grass airfield at la Ferté-Alais over the Pentecost holiday weekend in late May or early June, it is a wonderful setting about thirty miles south of Paris. The event showcases the airfield’s Salis Collection, together with the ‘Memorial Flight Association’, and a number of other French and foreign participants. Primarily a vintage and warbird show, it features everything from the earliest flying machines to a few of the latest jets. The early days of aviation are always well represented, and this year was no different with a unique formation of the rotary engine powered ‘Pégoud’ Bleriot XI-2 (a two seat Bleriot XI) and the…

Italy’s Fly Party is organised by HAG (Historical Aircraft Group) in collaboration with the Avio Club of Montagnana, the Aero Club of Italy and several other smaller organisations. It is held on Montagnana airfield, near the historic wall city of Montagnana, in the province of Padua, northern Italy, over the weekend of 24-25 June. Over the past nine years, the event has grown in prominence on the Italian and European airshow scene. Almost 100 aircraft and pilots from all over Italy and other parts of Europe gathered at this little regional airport to spend two days flying and promoting aviation. With a predicted heatwave potentially reducing crowd numbers, organisers wisely trimmed the bookings of some planned international displays. However, the Swiss Pilatus P-3 Warbird Team brought five aircraft to the…

A DH.60M Moth that once called Australia home is now flying in Norway. Its post-restoration flight on 18 April 2017 was the first time it had flown in 87 years. The second production metal fuselage Moth, the aircraft (serial 711) was delivered to de Havilland Ltd in Melbourne as VH-UKC. It changed hands in April 1930, but was written off in a crash at Nyngan, New South Wales, on 4 May. The fuselage was rediscovered in 1993 and sold to Kjeller Flyhistoriske Forening in Norway in 2005. A small team of volunteers, led by Juul Furulund, spent ten years restoring the Moth. While much work was done on the fuselage, its having sat for so long, new wings and a new tail were built from scratch. The Gipsy 1 engine…

At the end of April the newly restored Messerschmitt 108 D-EOIO made its first public appearance during a private gathering of classic aircraft in Ober-Mörlen, north of Frankfurt (see page 14). Built in 1939 (serial number 2086) for the Swiss Air Force, it was found in France in poor condition by restorer Dirk Bende some years ago. The rare touring aircraft was restored from the ground up by Bende and his team at his workshop in Hangelar, near Bonn. The handsome machine received an original Argus As-10C engine which was also restored by Bende. Although it served with the Swiss Air Force, as ‘A-212’, the new owner decided not to replicate the original scheme, but instead painted it to represent the elegant look of former factory machine ‘D-IOIO'. In the…

An airworthy rebuild of an Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik ground-attack aircraft has flown after restoration and painting was completed in Russia. This example is an earlier ‘straight-wing’ version of the Ilyushin Il-2, and is another step towards re-recognising the importance of one of the most critical warplanes of W.W.II. Flown extensively by the Soviet air forces, primarily in the role of ground attack and tank busting, it was a type that was personally supported by Stalin, who insisted it was as critical to the Red Army’s survival in the Great Patriotic War as bread. Built in greater numbers (36,000) than any other military aircraft, ever, they were also lost in huge numbers, given the maelstrom of the Eastern Front, but were a decisive factor in the Soviet victory. The damaged Il-2,…

On 30 June 2017, aviation historian extraordinaire John Hopton passed away at the age of 77. John was a foundation member, and life member, of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia and its offshoot, the Moorabbin Air Museum. His collection of data and images pertaining to Australian aviation history was accumulated over a lifetime of photography and diligent archival research that made him an expert second to none. He developed his own method of storing and retrieving this data well before electronic record keeping became the norm, although he realised the benefits of the new technology early on. John maintained a vast network of fellow historians globally, exchanging information and images. He joined the editorial team at Flightpath in 1997 as Rob Fox took over as editor. John was a…

The weekend of 19-21 May was one of sun and clear skies in southern California. It was the perfect few days for Douglas DC-3 enthusiasts to gather and admire ten examples of the famous aircraft. Billed as part of the Flabob Flying Circus, several variants of the airliner flew in to join the healthy population of resident vintage aircraft. Visitors had the opportunity to fly in several of the star attractions and these were kept busy throughout the weekend. The Flying Circus is an annual event held at one of California’s oldest airfields where the local aviation nuts are known as ‘Flabobians’.…

The 30th Anniversary of the well-known P-51 Mustang training operation Stallion 51, based at Kissimmee, Florida, promised a great feature event at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun as more than thirty Mustangs had been invited. It would have been the largest gathering of the type since the ‘Gathering of Mustangs’ in 2007. Unfortunately, the weather and some serviceability issues meant that only seventeen aircraft were able to attend. However, for the Thursday airshow, organisers and participants pulled out all the stops for what was probably the best warbird flying display at a U.S. show in many years. Stallion 51’s Lee Lauderback led the way with an aerobatic display in ‘Crazy Horse 2’. He then joined another Mustang and a USAF F-16 and A-10 for a Heritage Flight flypast. Ten Mustangs…

When John Jackson arrived in Palestine in May 1941, his unit, 3 Squadron RAAF, had been sent from North Africa to provide air support for the Allies’ push into Syria. It was a dangerous time for such a venture, but it had to be done. A coup in Iraq in early April was eventually quashed at the end of May, most famously with the valuable assistance of training aircraft based at RAF Habbaniya. Units withdrawn from the desert to fight in Greece had been evacuated to Crete and Egypt. Those who reached Crete would soon face the Germans again while 3 Squadron began to come to grips with its newly arrived Curtiss Tomahawks at Aqir and then Lydda. With Iraq propped up by a pro-British government, the Germans could still…

The Royal Australian Navy invites you, your family and friends to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum. The Museum houses the nation’s most comprehensive collection of Naval aircraft ranging from a World War 1 Sopwith Pup that flew from RAN cruisers in the North Sea; through to the current ship-borne helicopters that now operate with the Fleet. The main focus of the museum is a display of RAN fighters, anti-submarine bombers and helicopters that have formed the Fleet Air Arm since 1948, covering the Navy’s involvement in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and peace-keeping and disaster relief operations over the last six decades. Artefacts such as engines, ordnance and flying helmets are displayed in the many exhibition areas and the Museum’s art gallery houses a unique…

LOCATION Air Force Memorial Estate Bullcreek Dve, Bullcreek, WA. Phone: 08 9311 4470 Web: www.raafawa.org.au\museum OPENING TIMES 7 days 10am-4pm. Closed Good Friday, Xmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day. ADMISSION FEES Adult $15 Concession $10 Child $7.50 Family $35 MUSEUM BACKGROUND Opening in 1979, the Museum has grown to become one of the finest aviation collections in Australia. Aiming to preserve and promote our proud aviation heritage, the Museum has divided its collection between two buildings – one chronicling the historical and civil aspects of aviation; the other dedicated to military aviation, in particular WWII. Complementing our numerous aircraft are fascinating exhibits covering such subjects as the WAAAF/WRAAF, radio communications, POWs as well as more personal stories and medals. The Museum also has a small aircraft children can…

LOCATION Essendon Airport, Vic. Located on Edgar Johnston Lane, which is near the corner of Lionel St & Wirraway Rd. Melway Map Ref 16 C7. Enter via Edgar Johnston Lane at the rear of Building 44. Phone: (03) 9374 3905 President: Roger Meyer OAM. Ph: (03) 9818 4950 (h) Postal address: Box 6, 20 English St, Essendon Airport, Victoria 3041 Email: cahs@optusnet.com.au Website: http://www.airwaysmuseum.com OPENING TIMES Tours of the Airways Museum are available on Tuesdays 9am-3pm and at other times by appointment. Groups are welcome. Check the website for special events. ADMISSION FEE entry by donation MUSEUM BACKGROUND The Airways Museum is an aviation museum, but with one difference – there are no aircraft! Instead, the Museum houses a collection of national importance that traces the development of Australia’s civil…

Lawrence Arthur Adamson was born on the Isle of Man on 20 April 1860. He qualified as a barrister after studying at Rugby and Oxford. A severe illness led to his migrating to Sydney, in search of a warmer climate, before moving to Melbourne in 1886, where he was soon admitted to the Bar. He turned to teaching and held several posts before being appointed the Headmaster of Wesley College in 1902, a position he held until his death on 14 December 1932. Through inheritances, he became a very wealthy man. He had a wide range of interests, including aeronautics. Adamson was a member of the Automobile Club of Victoria (later to become the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) and, after meeting with a fellow member, C.B. Kellow, a partner…

The annual air show at Albion Park soared to new heights this year. Aviation enthusiasts flocked to the New South Wales south coast for the show with a record of more than 30,000 people attending the two-day event. There was constant activity both in the air and on the ground, from thrilling displays of aerobatics to attendees being able to immerse themselves in aviation history in the static displays of vintage and classic aircraft. The much-anticipated Flug Werk FW 190 made its airshow debut. One of only four flying in the world, owner Chris Mayr flew the aircraft into Albion Park from Albury. It was among dozens of other aircraft to take to the sky on Saturday and Sunday along with the RAAF Roulettes, RAAF F/A-18 Hornets, the TAVAS Great…

If it is Easter in an odd year, then Blenheim, New Zealand, is the place to be for the bi-annual Classic Fighters air-show at Omaka. This year’s show featured quite a few firsts: the first time a husband and wife team have flown a Spitfire demonstration; the first appearance by an RAAF C-27A Spartan; and the first time the RNZAF’s Black Falcons, flying the new Beech Texan II, have displayed at Classic Fighters. The Brisbane-based Yak-3 ‘Steadfast’ was shipped across for an air race display with the local Yak-3 and Corsair. Its R-2000 engine has an amazing sound, and the smoke generators add an incredible element to its performance. Great War fans were treated to seven Fokker Dr.Is and the D.VII in formation, followed by the W.W.I segment featuring those…

Shuttleworth's third event for the season, their Military Pageant, was a stunning dedication to the contribution of the UK’s armed forces past and present. Old Warden in Bedfordshire is home to The Shuttleworth Collection. Founded in 1928 by Richard Shuttleworth, the collection spans aviation history from early pioneering aircraft to famous W.W.II fighters. Held in perfect conditions, the show opened with Peter Kuypers' display in the B-17 ‘Sally B’, flown over from nearby Duxford, joined by Richard Grace in The Fighter Collection’s TF-51D ‘Miss Velma’. Another aircraft that flew over, but did not land, was The Aircraft Restoration Company's Bristol Blenheim flown by John Romain. However, the highlight for many was the trio of Hawker Hurricanes. New airfield resident P3717/ G-HITT flew two formation passes with the Collection's Sea Hurricane…

This year saw the 25th annual Flying Legends airshow, organised by The Fighter Collection (TFC) at the Imperial War Museum’s Duxford Airfield in the U.K., held over the weekend of 8-9 July. Additional restrictions brought in this season by the Civil Aviation Authority meant that Display Authorisations from other European countries are no longer recognised in the United Kingdom. This severely restricted the number of participating aircraft from overseas, something the show is particularly known for. For the first time since 2013, ‘The Horsemen’ (Steve Hinton, Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley) came to Duxford from the U.S. to fly their formation aerobatic routine. They brought two aircraft with them from the Friedkin stable, both wearing 357th FG markings. P-51D Mustang ‘Frenesi’ was dismantled and shipped from Texas in a crate,…

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) has temporarily marked its Avro Lancaster as KB700, the first Canadian-built example of the famous bomber. Since 1988, the CWHM has operated FM213 as the ‘Mynarski Memorial Lancaster’ dedicated to the memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski VC who died while trying to save the trapped rear gunner of a 419 Squadron RCAF Lancaster (KB726) when it was shot down by a German night fighter on 13 June 1944. Over the past few years, however, the CWHM has painted the port side of the Lancaster to represent different aircraft flown by the Canadians of 6 Group Bomber Command. For Canada 150, the 150th anniversary of the country’s confederation, the CWHM chose to represent Lancaster KB700, the first to be built in Canada by Victory…

The Temco T-35 Buckaroo was a development of the Globe Swift for the 1949 USAF trainer competition, eventually won by the Beech T-34 Mentor (although the contract was then cancelled). Twenty-six Buckaroos were built, but the only major order was placed by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). One of the ten aircraft ordered survives in the RSAF museum in Riyadh, and another was restored to fly by the Swift Museum in Tennessee, but hasn’t flown for a number of years. A couple of others in civilian hands have been seen separately at fly-ins, but Sun ‘n Fun 2017 was the first time two had been together for many years, with the newly-restored N4PB (serial 50-0739) joining fly-in regular N68773 (serial 50-0740). Remarkably, besides the consecutive serial numbers, the aircraft…

A research project aiming to generate new understandings of how aviation has transformed Australian society has been awarded Australian Research Council funding. Representing the Civil Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) and Airways Museum of Essendon, President Roger Meyer OAM said: “The project will build a partnership between the aviation industry, community groups, museums, and a multidisciplinary academic team to develop fresh insights from under-utilised sources of aviation heritage, communicate their unique stories to the public through innovative exhibitions and publications, and help conserve it for future generations. “The CAHS is pleased to be a partner in this project, which is being led by Associate Professor of Cultural Heritage Dr Tracy Ireland of the University of Canberra. Academic colleagues, including CAHS and Airways Museum Research Fellow Dr Peter Hobbins of the University…

After more than a decade of work, the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC) has unveiled its Avro Anson Mk.II. It continues Canada’s proud association with the ubiquitous trainer. Like the RAAF, the RCAF received large numbers of British-built Ansons to support the Empire Air Training Scheme (locally known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). Due to supply concerns, almost 2900 additional Ansons were built in Canada. The Mk.II, as the first new aircraft were designated, were easily identifiable as they lacked the ‘greenhouse’ windows along the length of the fuselage and had smooth cowlings around the American-built 330hp (246kW) Jacobs L-6MB seven-cylinder radials. The museum’s aircraft was donated by Byron Reynolds of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, in 2005. As with many surplus aircraft, it was sold to a farmer…

The inaugural Staggerwing and Radial Reunion, held at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport in north-east Florida, was deemed a great success with more than twenty aircraft attending over the three days of 21-23 April. Considering only one Beechcraft Staggerwing made it to Sun ‘n Fun two weeks earlier, the organisers were thrilled to host six examples. Organised by the Moreau family, who recently purchased D17S NC20779, and other local owners and enthusiasts, the original idea was to host a fly-in for Staggerwing owners in the Florida/Georgia region. It rapidly grew to include other round-engine aircraft and owners. While several Staggerwings were unable to attend for various reasons, Roberto Garcia’s N838 made its first trip away from home base (Pilot Country Airport near Tampa, Florida) where it had recently been restored.…

Following the pioneering efforts of the two original Australian airlines - West Australian Airways and Qantas - in the early years after the Great War, commercial aviation was well on its way to becoming firmly established as a safe and efficient means of transport. The twenties saw steady advancement, although the full potential of air travel had only barely begun to be realised. In 1929, three progressive and far-sighted Brisbane men banded together to form an air service company to operate regular flights between the Queensland capital and northern cities as far as Townsville. This concern was destined to survive for barely a year before it disappeared into obscurity. The men were Captain Jack Treacy, an experienced airman, Mr Arch Winning, a prominent businessman, and Mr Bert Porter, a skilled…

On 1 October 1944 twenty-year-old Second Lieutenant Norman Summers was stationed on Noemfoor Island at the western end of Dutch New Guinea. That day he embarked on a four-hour return flight for a medium altitude bombing mission in a Douglas A-20G. At briefing the crews were told that their eleven 674th Bombardment Squadron (BS) Havocs would drop their bombs on cue from a solitary lead B-25D Mitchell equipped with a Norden bombsight. No A-20G pilot liked medium altitude missions as they had trained hard for their low-level attack role. Furthermore, such missions limited their options in avoiding flak. It had rained overnight on the island’s Kornasoren ’drome as trucks dropped the crews off at their waiting aircraft. The crew chief helped strap Summers into the cockpit of an unnamed A-20G,…

Based in Oakey – Qld, at the Army aviation training centre the Australian Army Flying Museum protects, collects and preserves the history of the Australian Aviation Corps and the men and women, past and present who serve within. A visit to the Museum, will see you journey through the history of Australian Army flying. From the basic machines first to explore the phenomenon of flight through to the sophisticated and technologically advanced machines now adapted for military aviation. On display you will find aircraft from pre WW1 spanning all the way through to current military aircraft. Our collection also includes memorabilia, uniforms, engines and weaponry. Hear the stories that depict the courage, bravery and ingenuity common of the Australian military aviator. OPEN HOURS Wed - Sun, 10am - 3pm CLOSED…

HARS Aviation Museum is one of the largest and most unique collections of aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere. The museum attracts over 15,000 visitors annually and houses more than 40 aircraft of historical significance, many of which are maintained in airworthy condition. HARS Aviation Museum tells the story of civil and military aviation history in Australia. With over 10,000 m² of indoor exhibition space, the facility allows you to get up close to the aircraft and imagine what it was like to fly such historic machines as the Tiger Moth and Dakota of the 1930’s through to the fast jets and airliners of the 2000’s. Take a seat in our flagship, the classic Lockheed Super Constellation or the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747-438, City of Canberra. Our military history is well…

In Spain, the Foundacion Infante de Orleans (FIO) is an historic aviation flying museum. It is a non-profit organisation, formed by a group of enthusiast pilots in 1989, dedicated to the collection, restoration and presentation of Spanish aviation history, not least by keeping their collection of historic aircraft in flying condition. The museum publically displays its flyable collection once a month at its home base, Cuatro Vientos airport, near Madrid. The collection has around 38 aircraft, spanning more than seventy years of Spanish aviation; all of them are airworthy or if not regularly flown, kept in flying condition by FIO’s own maintenance workshop. The foundation is named in honour of Don Alfonso de Orléans y Borbón (1886-1975), a famous Spanish pioneer pilot. He was Spain’s first military pilot, graduating in…

Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, the man who had left the USN in 1937, after two decades of service, had seen his fair share of adventure. Gunn and his family had settled in the Philippines where he flew for Philippine Air Lines. The company’s aircraft flew personnel and supplies around the islands following the United States’ entry into the war. He first arrived in Australia with a load of evacuees in late December 1941. Before he was able to return, in the second half of February, his wife and four children had been interned. He would not see them for years. During this first stint in Australia, Gunn led the effort to assemble P-40 Warhawks that had arrived in Brisbane in mid-January. All had been test-flown by the end…

The Australian Vintage Aircraft Society held its Great War Flying Display at Caboolture Airport during the lead up to Anzac Day. The event included the first display of the TAVAS Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5A replica acquired from Holland. It was joined by the society’s Bristol F.2B Fighter, Fokker Dr.I, and Fokker D.VIII. The show was also a great opportunity for Caboolture-based projects to show off their progress with the DAP Beaufort and Pacific Dakota Restoration’s Douglas C-47 proving popular. It was also the last chance to see Ralph Cusack’s DH Dove flying at the airport. Other noteworthy aircraft included four DHC Chipmunks, two Stinson L-5 Sentinels, an Auster, Nanchang, Yak-52, SNJ, Mustang and Wirraway, and a DH Moth, Leopard Moth and several Tiger Moths.…

Overcoming the threat of a legal injunction by several disgruntled airport tenants and the prospect of adverse weather, the staff and volunteers of the Planes of Fame Air Museum managed to produce another action-packed airshow at Southern California’s Chino Airport over the weekend of 6-7 May 2017. Featuring approximately fifty war-birds, the event included a salute to the museum’s late founder Edward T. Maloney, dynamic flybys, W.W.II and Korean War air combat re-enactments and high-performance flight demonstrations. The action began with the tribute to Ed Maloney featuring the museum’s Northrop N-9MB Flying Wing, Boeing P-26A Peashooter, the two-seat Seversky AT-12A Guardsman, Mitsubishi A6M5 ‘Zero’, Vought F4U-1A Corsair, Lockheed P-38J Lightning and North American P-51A Mustang. Fighter and bomber flybys included a Yak-3, Spitfire Mk.XIV, and Pilatus P-2, and were followed…

A genuine aviation extravaganza, the 43rd Annual Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, held over 4-9 April provided six days of non-stop activity. Generally about four hours in length and varying in content from day to day, the daily air shows featured civilian aerobatic displays, solo and formation warbird aerobatics, air combat simulations (complete with pyrotechnics) and jet aerobatic teams. Celebrating thirty years of excellence in providing high performance training for North American P-51 Mustang pilots, Lee Lauderback’s Florida-based Stallion 51 organisation staged a reunion of its Mustang alumni with a formation arrival and the P-51 Mustang Day on Thursday (see page 18). Aircraft taking part in Sun ‘n Fun 2017 covered the entire spectrum of aviation with perhaps the…