The Temora Aviation Museum held its final flying display for 2004 last weekend. Beautiful blue skies and light winds were inviting to aviation enthusiasts and plagues of locust alike. In a sight seldom seen, these winged wonders put on their own aerial display for hours on end over the weekend. The swarms of locust created aircraft safety and preservation issues, which unfortunately meant our aircraft could not fly.

Despite the Museum’s aircraft being unable to fly, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Squirrel helicopters were able to brave the skies. We would like to thank the RAN Squirrel Helicopter team for making the trip to Temora and conducting their fantastic displays over both days. We also extend our thanks to the HARS Catalina, which was able to conduct her first Temora display upon departure to Albion Park on Sunday. Good show!

We would like to thank all visitors for their patronage to the Museum’s flying days and would like to remind everyone that the Museum will remain open as usual except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday. Our flying weekend schedule will recommence next year on the 5th and 6th of February 2005. We hope to see a big crowd then and will pray for great weather and no bugs!

Temora Aviation Museum flying activity this weekend may be cancelled due to the locust plague.

Currently a locust plague is moving through the Temora Shire and may prevent flying activity. The Museum has prepared its aircraft and crew for the weekends events however flying will depend on local conditions on the day.

The Museum will still be open for the weekend and visitors can enjoy the exhibits, aircraft hangar, theatre and air-conditioning. The Catalina Flying Boat will also make a guest appearance here this weekend.

With only ten days until the next flying weekend, the Museum’s Engineering team are hard at work getting the aircraft ready.
Due to unforseen circumstances, the P-40 Kittyhawk and P-51 Mustang cannot join us, however the Musuem’s Spitfire and Matt Denning’s Boomerang will be on hand for you to hear their unique sounds.

The HARS Catalina will venture across from the coast to compliment the Museum’s Hudson Bomber, and the RAN Squirrels will entertain you with their dynamic helicopter formation display. Other aircraft from the Museum’s collection to be included in the weekend’s displays will be the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Cessna 0-2, Wirraway, Canberra, Vampire, Meteor, Dragonfly and Tom Moon’s ever dynamic Extra 300S.

Our flying weekends could not go ahead without the assistance of the pilots, crew and volunteers, thank you.

As we rapidly approach the last flying weekend for 2004, we would like to remind everyone of the essence of the Temora Aviation Museum. Temora in its own right played a significant role in aircrew training and thanks to the sacrifices of members of all Australian Services Australia enjoys an enviable freedom. The Museum is proud to preserve and display some of the key aircraft associated with Australian Military Heritage and we are lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy, see and hear these rare and magnificent aircraft. Lest We Forget.

To contribute to the Museum’s Flying Weekend (27 & 28 November), a number of significant aircraft will be attending to compliment our own. Linked with modern aviation, the RAN Squirrel Helicopters will demonstrate their precision formations. The HARS Catalina will be making its Temora debut and in concert with the Hudson Bomber will display an ominous airborne presence. The most significant formation of WW2 Australian fighters will also grace the skies. The Museum’s Spitfire will be accompanied by no less than Matt Denning’s CA13 Boomerang, Judy Pay’s P-51 Mustang and Australia’s newest P-40 Kittyhawk, courtesy of Col Pay. This photographic opportunity will rarely present itself, so should not be missed! We look forward to enjoying another fantastic Museum flying weekend with all of you.

Sunday October 31 saw the Museum’s aircraft participate in two fantastic aviation events. The A-37B Dragonfly was deployed to NAS Nowra in support of the Naval Museum of Flight’s Open Day. The weather was perfect with a clear blue sky and light winds. The flying displays commenced at 11 am and finished at 3 pm. In that time the spectators were treated not only to the Museum’s spectacularly nimble A-37B Dragonfly, but also to the Sea Fury, T-6, L-39, Tom Moon’s Extra 300, The Roulettes, Catalina and Constellation. The Nowra Museum reported that 10,000 spectators attended the day, which was considered a resounding success.

The Canberra ventured south to participate in RAAF Pt Cook’s Interactive Day. Their day included an aircraft display followed by ramp talk with the public learning about the aircraft just viewed. The Pt Cook Museum staff provided the commentary and ramp talk, and augmented the flying display with an engine start on their static Canberra. This allowed the spectators a first-hand sensation of the cartridge start in the Avon engines. Due to Pt Cook’s runway being too short for landing, the Canberra proceeded to Avalon to support its operations. RAAF Pt Cook commended the Canberra crew on an excellent aerial display, witnessed by one of their largest Interactive Day crowds so far, with standing room only for the spectators!

The Naval Museum of Flight’s Open Day and RAAF Pt Cook’s Interactive Day have both helped to showcase the Museum’s quality aircraft to thousands of visitors. The Museum hopes to see these aviation enthusiasts attending future flying weekends at Temora.

For all of the aviation enthusiasts that just can’t wait until the next Temora Aviation Museum Flying weekend on 27 and 28 November, there will be two flying events occurring on Sunday 31 October. The Museum’s aircraft will be displaying at both of these worthwhile venues.

The first event is at NAS Nowra, which will feature our A-37B Dragonfly. This is in support of the Nowra Naval Museum of Flight’s flying display. There will be a wide variety of notable partakers, which includes Tom Moon in his Extra 300S as well as the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, which will present both the Catalina and Constellation.

The second event will feature the Museum’s Canberra Bomber. It will venture down to the RAAF Pt. Cook’s Interactive Display Day. The RAAF Museum hosts a flying and commentary day on a regular basis to showcase significant Australian military aircraft. Temora Aviation Museum has greatly appreciated RAAF Pt. Cook’s support during some of our past displays and will now reciprocate participation.

The Museum would like to welcome Ian Hender and David Finch to its ranks. Both are engineers and their expertise will be much appreciated and put to immediate use. They bring a wealth of experience covering engines, fabric and the woodwork skills necessary to help maintain our antique aircraft.

Spectators have also been privileged to see Australia’s newest Spitfire pilot, Guy Bourke performing in concert with the Museum’s Hudson and Judy Pay’s Mustang. Since the end of WWII, this is possibly the first time that the Spitfire, Mustang and Hudson have been in formation together.
In keeping with the WWII theme, Guy dressed in a period WWII fighter pilot uniform to enhance his display.

The new runway is still under construction and will require certification prior to its use. We will keep you posted on its availability for the November weekend. We’re hoping this will be an early Christmas present for Temora.

On Friday morning the 8th of October, Channel Seven’s Grant Denyer will be broadcasting the weather live from the Temora Aviation Museum as part of the Sunrise programme. The show airs on the seven network from 6am to 9am EST. If your up early come and join us or tune in for a spectacular look at the Museum and our aircraft.

The October 9th and 10th Flying Weekend is rapidly approaching and promises to deliver a wide array of exciting aviation displays. Spectators will be able to catch Judy Pay’s Vampire and Mustang in the company of many of the Museum’s aircraft. Australia’s newest T-28 Trojan is slated to make an appearance and participate in a spectacular Vietnam scenario, showcasing the Cessna 0-1 Birddog, Cessna 0-2A, T-28 Trojans, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Canberra and the Navy Historic Flight Huey.

As a special treat, the Museum is proud to present, for our third consecutive year, the RAAF Roulettes Air Demonstration Team. These guys will showcase their flying skills in a spectacular formation flying display. The Roulette Team will be on the ground both Saturday and Sunday to sign autographs and pose for pictures with you and your family. Bring the children for this fantastic day of fun and flying.

Needless to say, the Museum’s second last flying display weekend for this year will include sufficient variety to appeal to almost every aviation interest and is not to be missed! We look forward to sharing this fantastic weekend with all of you.

Temora Aviation Museum is pleased to announce the permanent addition of a Ryan STM S2 (VH-RSY) to its aircraft collection. The aircraft has been on temporary loan to the Museum by its owner Richard Simms, since November 2003 and formal acquisition has now occurred.

The Ryan at the Temora Aviation Museum was built in 1940 and has a polished aluminium finish, with a wooden propeller. This two-seat open cockpit aircraft has a maximum speed of 228 km/h and a wingspan of 9.12 metres.

The Ryan will become an important part of the Museum Flying Weekends, which are held regularly throughout the year. Flying dates for the remainder of the year are August 28 and 29, October 9 and 10 and November 27 and 28.

Come along this weekend to watch the Ryan STM S2 fly along with many other fine examples of Australia’s best known ex-military aircraft. You could expect to see the Tiger Moth, Spitfire, Lockheed Hudson, Meteor, Vampire, Canberra and others, flying in a spectacular visual and auditory airshow.

We are very excited to announce that the Museum has extended its opening hours to 7 days per week, 10 am to 4 pm.
This change in opening hours reflects the Museum’s growth over the past four years and as a result of visitor feedback we will open the additional two days to meet visitor demand.
New Museum hours: Open 7 days 10 am – 4 pm except New Years Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

In May, the Museum acquired the world’s only airworthy Lockheed Hudson. In addition to current pilot Tony Alder, three additional pilots have received Hudson endorsements. Tony Alder trained Guy Bourke, Steve Death and Doug Hamilton to command this awesome machine. Gordon Glynn received training as 2nd crew.

We asked Guy Bourke what it was like to fly the Hudson, he said:
“Wow, what an honour and privilege to fly the only airworthy Hudson in the world! She is a delight to fly, reasonably heavy on the controls, but at the light weights we are operating at, she literally leaps off the ground! The Hudson is a fantastic addition to the (Museum’s) collection, and both Steve, Doug and I can’t wait to start flying her on flying weekends. Make sure you come out to see her fly!”

The Meteor and Vampire from the Museum’s collection will fly to RAAF Williamtown (near Newcastle NSW) later today in preparation for a historic fly-by. On Friday June 18th the two aircraft will participate in a formation fly-by with a 77 Squadron F/A-18 Hornet. The best place to see the formation will be from the viewing platform at Fighter World Museum. The Museum’s aircraft will return to Temora on Saturday morning.

It Only Happens At Temora
Last weekend the Museum hosted a successful flying weekend showcasing the aircraft collection. Sunday was extra special when the Vampire, Meteor and Canberra formed the Vintage Trio and entertained with a combination of formation passes and individual displays.

FLYING PROGRAMME
Lars Larson will commence the flying displays at 11:00am in the WWII Tiger Moth, followed by the Wirraway and the Spitfire. The Vampire will reacquaint itself with the skies making way for the Meteor, Canberra and Dragonfly to entertain you. Not for the faint hearted will be Tom Moon showing his aerobatic skills in the Extra 300s. Visitors have the opportunity to speak to the pilots and see the aircraft up close at 3:15pm prior to the Museum closing at 4:00pm.

WEATHER
The weather at Temora is gorgeous with cold nights leading into cool, sunny days. The forecast for this weekend is for clear, sunny skies and cool temperatures. So rug up and come and spend the day in the fresh air here at Temora Aviation Museum.

HOLIDAY MONDAY
Whilst Aircraft will not be flying on Monday, June 14, visitors are welcome to see the family of Warbirds in the Display Hangar as well as the static displays, theatre and gift shop. Be sure to check out the new multi-media exhibits, the enhanced tribute to No.10 ETFS and the new Skydancing display in the exhibition buildings. The Museum will be open from 10am to 4pm.

For this weeks newsletter we asked our Engineering Supervisor to provide us with an update on repairs to the Vampire. His report is as follows:

Over the last few months the repairs to our Vampire have been progressing at a steady pace, but during the last 4 to 5 weeks that pace has increased to hectic. We started by removing the hydraulic plumbing and components from around the damaged area, so that the wood repairs could begin. Those repairs have now been completed, as too has the repainting of the repaired areas of the fuselage pod and all the repaired or replaced panels. Inspections of the whole aircraft structure and engine have been conducted and replacement of damaged components has been carried out as required.

Currently the engineering team has just completed the refitting of the hydraulic system components, and is working through all the functional tests that are required after the systems have been disturbed. On completion of the functional tests, an engine run will be carried out to ensure that all is well with the engine and its systems, and then the final assembly of all the panels will take place. Once we are sure that all systems and equipment are operating as they should, the aircraft will then be test flown and checked in flight, which should then see the Vampire return to the skies over Temora on our regular flying weekends.

Lindsay Jordan
Engineering Supervisor
Temora Aviation Museum Engineering

Temora Aviation Museum is pleased to announce the permanent addition of Lockheed Hudson VH-KOY to its aircraft collection. The aircraft has been on loan to the Museum since December and formal acquisition occurred on Friday May 14th, 2004.

Lockheed Hudsons served during World War II on most battle fronts with the Allied Forces, including the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The aircraft was operated in a variety of roles including maritime patrol, trainer, transporter and bomber. A total of 2,941 Hudson’s were built, and of these 6 remain in existence today. Only one (VH-KOY) remains in flying condition.

The RAAF received 247 Hudsons in total between January 1940 and May 1942. These served with 12 squadrons in the Australian and South West Pacific regions.

The Museums Lockheed Hudson A16-112 (VH-KOY) was commissioned by the RAAF in December 1942 and served in coastal anti-submarine patrol off the coast of Western Australia. On transfer to No.6 Squadron it served out of Milne Bay, PNG on bombing, armed reconnaissance and patrol work.

Temora Aviation Museum Chief Executive, Kenny Love, stated “It is an honour to have the Hudson join our aircraft collection as it is the only World War II bomber that remains in flying condition in Australia. It serves as a tribute to all the men and women that serviced, maintained and flew bomber aircraft in defence of Australia.”

The Hudson will become an important part of the Museum Flying Days which are held regularly throughout the year. Flying dates for the remainder of the year are June 12 & 13, August 28 & 29, October 9 & 10 and November 27 & 28.

More information can be found on the Museum’s website at www.aviationmuseum.com.au

The Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds DVD and video are now in stock and available.

Featuring Australia’s most significant collection of flying warbirds. Climb aboard and fly some of Australia’s best known ex-military aircraft. Every aircraft in the Temora Aviation Museum is airworthy and this program presents comprehensive profiles on each. Learn how these aircraft are kept airworthy and view historic operation film showing how they went to war.

The Temora Aviation Museum collection is a tribute to those who flew in defence of their country. Fighter pilots from WWII, jet fighter pilots from the Korean War and a Vietnam War Forward Air Controller take to the cockpit again and tell their amazing stories: also meet the pilots who fly them now.

Narrated by Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell. Before becoming one of Australia’s best known and loved actors, Bud began his wartime flying career in the Tiger Moth at No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School Narromine, NSW. He went on to fly spitfires and Mosquito’s during WWII.

The program has a duration of 60 minutes with extras on the DVD including the Hudson and Canberra flying in formation; the Spitfire and D type Jaguar race; a tour of the Temora Rural Museum; Put yourself in the pilots’ seat of the Extra 300s.