The team at Temora Aviation Museum would like to welcome you back to our newsletters for 2010. Preparation is in full swing for our January Flying Weekend to be held on the 30th and 31st of January. This weekend promises to be very special so grab your chair, sunscreen, and a hat and come out to the Museum to enjoy the fantastic flying lineup we have organised for you.

Most of the Museum’s aircraft will be flying over the two Flying Days. We are excited to announce that the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) will be supporting the Museum by sending the Catalina Flying Boat to join the flying line-up for all of our visitors to enjoy. The PBY-6A Catalina is an amphibious aircraft which means that it is capable of landing on both land and water. HARS’ PBY-6A model, was built in 1945 by Consolidated at its New Orleans plant, and has been painted to resemble the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Black Cats squadrons, with its markings akin to those of A24-362 which served with 43 Squadron RAAF. An interesting fact about Catalinas is although they were flown by RAAF pilots all terminology within the aircraft is nautical due to the fact that they are considered to be a flying boat. Catalinas were a versatile aircraft during the war being used in bombing missions, barge harassing, air sea rescue, and mine laying missions, as well as being used by Qantas during the 1940s and 1950s for overseas travel.

Don’t miss the Catalina at this upcoming Flying Weekend on the 30th and 31st of January 2010! Go to our homepage to pre-purchase your entry tickets.

http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/

For more information on Temora Aviation Museum Flying Days, go to the ‘Visitor Information’ link and then ‘Flying Day Information’.

The first Flying Weekend for 2007 begins Saturday 17th February. Most of the Museum’s aircraft will be flying over the weekend including appearances by the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Boomerang, Canberra, Vampire, Meteor and Hudson. The Spitfire Mk XVI will fly on Saturday and the Mk VIII will fly on Sunday.

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) are planning to fly the PBY Catalina to Temora to participate in both Saturday and Sunday’s events. HARS’ Catalina is an imposing aircraft. It registers at 19.45 metres in length and has a wing span of 31.7 metres, and is able to carry up to 28 people. Due to the amount of people it was able to transport, Qantas purchased nineteen Catalinas between January and October 1941. They would convey important persons as passengers traveling overseas. Their most notable route was the ‘Double Sunrise Service’ direct from Perth to Ceylon, it was the only form of personnel transport between Australia, Europe and America during the war. The Catalina is actually termed an amphibian, as it is able to land on both land and water, hence the name, Catalina Flying Boat. It’s longest non-stop flight was recorded at 31 hrs and 45 minutes. We look forward to the Catalina attending. Unfortunately HARS are unable to bring their Super Constellation as it has gone in for maintenance. Look out for it at a future Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day.

If you are planning a visit to the Museum this weekend remember to bring appropriate clothing for your protection from the harsh Australian weather.

Bring the whole family along to witness at close range the Museum’s historic aircraft exhibit in the skies over the Museum. Gates open at 10.00 am with flying continuing until 3pm and gates closing at 4.00 pm.