Aircraft Showcase – Vietnam

Are you looking for something action packed? Why not join us for one of our Aircraft Showcase Days? These enjoyable days have been planned to provide you with an up close and personal experience and the program this Saturday, February 18th, will be no exception with five aircraft taking to the skies.

The flying program for this Saturday pays tribute to the operations of the RAAF, Australian pilots and support personnel during the Vietnam War. The Museum will fly two of the aircraft from the collection being the Cessna O-2A, which was flown by Australian pilots in the Forward Air Control operations, and the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly which carried out ground attack missions in support of Australian ground troops.

To add to the action we will be joined by Gordon Glynn’s Cessna O-1 Birddog, Steve Death’s T-28 Trojan and an awesome display from the Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight Huey helicopter. The Huey will demonstrate its manoeuvrability and capability in the air and for those of you who have never seen one in action it is a ‘must see’.

This flying line up of aircraft is sure to please all who come along and don’t forget you can stay after the flying ends to have a chat with our experienced team of Engineers and Pilots. Aircraft Showcase is a great day out for the family so pack up the kids and head out to Temora.

School Excursions
Following our very successful official launch which was attended by the Hon. Adrian Piccoli MP in December 2011 we were featured on the front cover of the N.S.W. History Teachers Association’s quarterly journal Teaching History. With the advent of the new school year Temora Aviation Museum is excited and ready for the students to visit us on school excursions during 2012.

Our new education programs have been created to challenge students to learn from history so that they can make informed decisions in the present and for the future. The program content makes the most of our incredible collection of historical ex-military Australian aircraft and engages students to make history relevant.

Each program includes a comprehensive Teachers Resource Kit with:
·  suggested pre visit and post visit activities
·  explicit Outcomes and links to Key Learning Areas
·  outline of the experience components
·  bibliography and a list of suggested resources
·  worksheets for students

Vacancies are filling fast so to avoid disappointment we encourage you to call and reserve your class’ excursion soon. For more information visit our website or call 02 6977 1088 and ask to speak to our Education Co-ordinator.

Announcing 2012 Showcase Dates and Themes
Mark the diary for your regular trip to Temora Aviation Museum’s Aircraft Showcase Days.

Feb 18th, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Korea to Vietnam
       Cessna O-1, Cessna O-2A, A-37B Dragonfly, T-28, Huey

Mar 3rd, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Trainer to Jets
Wirraway, Ryan, Meteor

Mar 17th, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Fighters
Spitfire, Boomerang, Sabre, P-40

Apr 7th, 2012  No Aircraft Showcase
NATFLY here at Temora Aerodrome

Apr 21st, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Three Conflicts
Spitfire, Hudson, A-37, Sabre

May 5th, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Australian Frontline
Spitfire, Boomerang, Meteor, Harvard

May 19th, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – WWII to Korea
Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Ryan, Sabre

Jun 2nd, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Pacific Theatre
Spitfire, Hudson, Ryan, P-40

Jun 16th, 2012  Aircraft Showcase – Korean Conflict
Cessna O-1, Harvard, Meteor, Sabre

Aircraft Showcase With spring just around the corner we have plenty of aviation friendly weather in the forecast for this Saturday and we know that this will attract many of you to visit the Temora Aviation Museum Aircraft Showcase. The theme for this event will focus on the Vietnam conflict as we acknowledge the Battle of Long Tan. Taking to the skies will be the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Cessna 0-2A and Cessna O-1 Birddog. As an added bonus, so as to allow our pilots some extra flight time, we will also be flying the Spitfire in addition to the theme. After the flying is complete, everyone will have the opportunity to meet our experienced pilots and engineers during the engineering hangar tour. So come prepared with all the military aircraft related questions you have always wanted to know the answers to.

Be sure to arrive when the gates open at 10am so that you have time to get a premium coffee from Sean, who we like to call “The Coffee Man”, before making your way to the Display Hangar for the feature film on the big screen. Prior to and after the flying you will have plenty of opportunity to explore the Museum displays and aircraft.

The Temora Aviation Museum is excited to announce that Warbirds Downunder will be held at the Museum on Saturday November 19th, 2011. There will be plenty of aerial action for you to enjoy with most of the Museum’s aircraft collection taking to the skies as well as plenty of visiting aircraft including the RAAF Roulettes, RAAF Hot Air Balloon, Allan Arthurs P-40 Kittyhawk, RAAF Museum CAC Mustang, Southern Knights Aerobatic Team. aircraft from Judy Pay’s collection and many more of our friends. The visiting aircraft which have confirmed, have been listed on our website – but we are still working on others so stay tuned. Apart from the flying program there will be other exhibits for you to see and enjoy. The children will be occupied with Kids Korner, jumping castles and other activities. A wide variety of food vendors will be here on the day to ensure you are provided with tasty delights and if you are a classic / vintage car and military vehicle fan, you can enjoy perusing the many vehicles on display for the event.

For quite a while we have been working on a new format for our website, online shop and email newsletter. This week we were able to launch all three and we are pretty excited with the results. However something is still missing…and we need the help of all our creative subscribers to give our email newsletter a fresh, exciting and unique name which reflects our Museum. You can email as many suggestions as you like to us and our secret panel of judges will choose the name they like the most. In the case that two of you come up with the same name we will go with the email we receive first. The winner will receive a ride in the Museum’s Tiger Moth and must be 18 years or older. So put your thinking caps on and very soon you could be soaring over the Temora countryside just like the trainees in World War II.

Now that the holiday break is over, everyone is getting back into the swing of aircraft maintenance and preparing for our next Flying Weekend, which is on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th February 2008.

Visitors will be able to experience the Museum’s collection in action over that weekend, with displays anticipated by the Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Hudson, Dragonfly, Vampire, Meteor, Spitfires and Canberra.

BOOMERANG AND 0-2A ANNUAL INSPECTIONS

The Boomerang and Cessna 0-2A are currently undergoing their annual inspections.

The Boomerang’s engine cowlings have been removed to facilitate inspection of the engine including checking the spark plugs and the magneto timing. The aircraft will soon be placed on jacks so a thorough operational check of the undercarriage can be carried out.

The Boomerang’s red nose, or the spinner, as it is more accurately known has also been removed to inspect the propeller hub. Under the supervision of Aircraft Engineer Jason Cockayne, Apprentice Aircraft Engineer Mitch Liebich is currently concentrating on the wing attachment points, making sure they are secure and free from defects.
   

Cowls from around the front and rear of the Museum’s Cessna 0-2A have been removed so that the engines are accessible for the Engineers to carry out an annual inspection. The interior seats and lining have also all been removed to gain access to the control cables to check for any defects, and to ensure the undercarriage retract mechanism is working correctly. Further tasks in the 0-2’s inspection to be accomplished before it can fly again include an inspection of the flying controls and the wheels, tyres and brakes.

These aircraft should be ready to fly for the upcoming Flying Weekend on 9th & 10th February. Keep a look out for them!

Preparations for the first Flying Weekend for 2006 are underway with the event to occur this weekend, 28th and 29th January.
Most of the Museum’s aircraft are flying, with the line-up including the Spitfire, Dragonfly, Hudson, Tiger Moth, Wirraway, 0-2 and Tom Moon’s Extra.

The Museum is pleased to announce it will be hosting visiting aircraft this weekend including a Boomerang and the RAN Squirrel helicopter team, which is based at 723 Squadron HMAS Albatross in Nowra, NSW. The Navy uses AS 350BA Squirrel helicopters as a lead in helicopter trainer. Training roles, which the Squirrel helicopter pilots undertake, include the conversion to rotary wing flying, operational flying preparation and basic utility training for aircrewmen. If you have previously been unable to catch the Squirrel’s air displays make sure you don’t miss their fantastic synchronised flying routines at this weekend’s event.

In other news, the Museum engineers have been hard at work continuing on the Canberra Bomber’s extensive annual inspection. The Canberra is anticipated to be finished in time for the March 4 & 5 Flying Weekend.

The imposing Catalina Flying Boat, with a wingspan of almost 32 metres, is currently at the Museum on static display. The Catalina was built in 1945 and is famous for the incredible versatility it demonstrated during World War II, including the significant disruption it caused to the Japanese supply lines by the destruction of their shipping. Check it out before it returns to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park.

Bring the family along to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas at the January Flying Weekend on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th. The Museum opens at 10.00 am with flying finishing around 3.00 pm both days. Food and drink are available for purchase from the Museum’s “Mess Hall”. Although some seating is provided, visitors are welcome to bring along their own fold-up chair.

The Museum is excited to announce that two more visiting aircraft are joining its ranks over the weekend. On both Saturday and Sunday, visitors will be able to view flying displays by Col Pays P-40E Kittyhawk, as well as the Catalina Flying Boat from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS). It will be a big weekend for the Museum with the inclusion of so many visiting aircraft, the entirety now consisting of Matt Dennings Boomerang, HARSs Constellation, Catalina and two DC-3s as well as Col Pays Kittyhawk.

All these visiting aircraft, along with displays by the Museum vintage collection, will make for an exciting event. Aircraft from the Museums fleet that are planned to fly over the weekend are the Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Vampire, Hudson, Spitfire, Dragonfly and O-2A. The Meteor and Canberra will fly Saturday only and Tom Moon plans to do a spectacular aerobatic display in his Extra 300s both Saturday and Sunday.

Weather

Visitors can expect a predicted top of 30°c over the weekend. Thunderstorms are predicted, however traditionally these tend to hit late in the afternoon, and therefore are not likely to affect our flying display. The weather at present (Friday 25th) is 30°c and is warm and sunny.
The most accurate way to discover the current weather conditions in Temora is to visit the Museums website and click on the Visit Us and Weather link and to choose the Live Radar Picture for Temora and Surrounding Districts icon. This will show you any rainfall that may be in the region, as well as the direction it is heading.

So come along and discover what a Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day entails. The Museum will be open from 10.00 am. Hot and cold food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day at the Museums ‘Mess Hall’ kiosk. The Museum advises to bring along a fold-up chair if you have one, otherwise stools are available for purchase at the Museum. Flying finishes around 3.00 pm followed by a Ramp Talk with the pilots.

The October Flying Weekend resulted in two successful, action-packed days with great weather. The cloudless sky created the perfect blue backdrop for aircraft displays by the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Wirraway, Dragonfly, Hudson, Spitfire, Cessna 0-2, Canberra, Vampire and Tom Moon’s Extra.

Sundays schedule involved the inclusion of Matt Dennings CA-13 Boomerang. The Boomerang is an all-Australian designed and built aircraft of which there are only two of them still flying in the world (Matts being one!). Matt began his Boomerang restoration when he was 15 years old. In August 1975 he coerced his father Ray, to part with the princely sum of thirty dollars to acquire a dilapidated tube steel fuselage frame that constituted the remains of a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) CA-13 Boomerang, subsequently identified as A46-122 (c/n. 945). The bones of this machine were recovered from the Oakey district in South East Queensland by an avid collector of aircraft artifacts, John Hill. From here on Matt initially set about restoring the aircraft to static condition, but then embarked into making it a fully operational aircraft. The rebuilding of the aircraft took 27 years – a feat of passion. In February 2003 Matt had the opportunity to fly his aircraft for the first time. Prior to this, it last flew in 1945. Matt continues to exhibit his aircraft for Temora Aviation Museum Flying Days and the Museum is fortunate to have his Boomerang on loan for the next few weeks, where it will be on display, so come and check it out.

Sydney Weekender

The Sydney Weekender Team filmed a segment for their show at the Museum on Friday and Saturday. Everyone at the Museum appreciated the effort that the team put into creating some great footage. We look forward to seeing it on air! The Temora Aviation Museum segment is due to screen on Sydney Weekender, Saturday 15 October 2005 at 5.30 pm on Channel Seven.

Kids Corner

The Museum trialled an area devoted entirely to children over the Flying Weekend. The area was called Kids Corner and it gave kids the opportunity to enter a colouring competition – the subject being the Spitfire. This proved very popular for children, as well as their parents (who enjoyed keeping the young ones entertained). Kids Corner will now continue over subsequent Flying Days with other activities also planned.

Changes to Flying Day Admission Prices

Flying Days admission prices will increase, starting at the November 26 & 27 2005 Flying Weekend.
Changes will be made to adults and senior prices, with children remaining the same.
Prices are as follows: adults – $15.00; adults over 65 – $10.00; children – $5.00.

The Temora Aviation Museums Lockheed Hudson has returned to the Museum resplendent in its new paint scheme.

The paint scheme is representing an A16-211 Hudson III bomber that served with No.6 Squadron RAAF during the decisive Battle for Milne Bay and later with No.2 Squadron in the North Western Area (Timor/Dutch East Indies -Indonesia).

The battle at Milne Bay occurred during August 1942 and was the first time that a Japanese invasion force was defeated anywhere in the Pacific/China/South East Asia area. A handful of Australian troops supported by two RAAF P-40 Kittyhawk squadrons and six Hudsons from 6 and 32 Squadrons RAAF fought off the Japanese in what proved to be the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

A16-211 survived Milne Bay and was flown to No.5 Air Depot at Wagga where it received a complete overhaul then transferred to No.2 Squadron flying out of Millingimbi in the Northern Territory. Together with four other Hudsons, A16-211 carried out an armed reconnaissance to Maikor and Taberfane (both Japanese floatplane bases) in the Aru Islands on 7th May 1943. One of the Hudsons was shot down by a floatplane fighter, while the other Hudsons received various degrees of damage. On returning to Millingimbi A16-211s undercarriage gave way and the aircraft ground looped. It was severely damaged and was converted to components. The remains of this aircraft are still at Millingimbi to this day. The Museums Hudson is painted to represent this aircraft that performed vital missions in the defence of Australia in the early days of the Pacific War.

The aircrafts representation of a Hudson that fought at the epic battle of Milne Bay honours both the pilots and ground crews that flew and maintained these aircraft in close quarters combat with Japanese troops who were quite literally fighting at the end of the runways from which the Hudsons were flying.

Peter Anderson, Museum Crew member, undertook considerable detailed research for the Hudsons paint scheme before the colours were matched and the final drawings for the camouflage and nose art were prepared. Irvine Signs in Temora produced the spray masks for the nose art and the many maintenance stencils that complete the aircraft’s authentic paint scheme. Worland Aviation Services in Albury NSW undertook the painting job and turned out a fantastic result.

The Hudsons first public appearance in its new scheme shall be at the “Salute to Veterans” (VP Day) air pageant to be held at Canberra on 14th August. The Museum is providing a strong presence at the pageant which commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the end of WWII. As well as the Hudson, Temora’s contribution to the display includes the Spitfire, Canberra, Meteor, Vampire, Cessna O-2A and Tiger Moth.

Due to this group of aircraft participating in the large event at Canberra on Sunday 14 August, Temora Aviation Museum will only have a few aircraft on display at home base.

To see the Hudson up close for yourself – come to our next flying days here at the Temora Aviation Museum on August 27 and 28.

The July Flying Weekend saw the Museum host a two-day event displaying its collection of aircraft. Saturday produced some cold weather with some very light intermittent rainfall. Luckily, it wasn’t enough to deter our pilots from flying. The line up involved the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Wirraway and Spitfire, Meteor, Cessnas 0-1 and 0-2, Dragonfly and a particularly spectacular performance by Tom Moon in his eagle-adorned Extra 300S.

Sunday was a much sunnier day although deceivingly cold with winds that felt like they were straight off the snowfields. Doug Hamilton brought his Ceres to join us for the day. The Ceres was built post World War II by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fishermans Bend in Victoria. Built mostly out of Wirraway components it bears a striking resemblence to our CAC Wirraway. The Tiger Moth and Ryan flew together followed by the Wirraway and Ceres, Spitfire and Vampire. After lunch the Cessnas 0-1 and 0-2 flew followed by the Canberra, Dragonfly and Tom Moon’s Extra. Both days ended with a Ramp Talk, which offered visitors the opportunity to get closer to the aircraft and to ask the pilots a range of questions.

We thank all those ardent supporters out there for braving the cold weather to support the Museum’s July Flying Weekend! Our next Flying Weekend is five weeks away and falls on August 27 and 28. A great drawcard for the August Flying Weekend is an expected visit from the Royal Australian Air Force Roulette Aerobatic Team on the Sunday… sure to be entertaining.

Williamtown

The Museum’s Gloster Meteor F.8 was unable to attend the Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron Association Reunion held at Williamtown on Friday 15 July, due to the overcast weather here at Temora. We hope that everyone, especially the Korean War Veterans enjoyed their day.

This weekend, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July is a Flying Weekend here at Temora Aviation Museum. Flying Weekends are a chance for visitors to witness the Museum’s vintage aircraft collection take to the skies. The Flying is set to involve the majority of the Museums collection including the graceful moves of the Tiger Moth and Ryan, the Cessna 0-1 and 0-2, the only flying Spitfire in Australia, Meteor, Cessna A37B, the Trojan and a spectacular aerobatic display by Tom Moon in his Extra. The only difference at this stage is that the Canberra and Vampire are flying Sunday only.

For those of you that have not yet visited a Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day, Museum doors open at 10.00 am with flying beginning at 11.00 am. Hot and cold food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day at the Museum’s ‘Mess Hall’ kiosk. Flying finishes around 3.00 pm followed by a Ramp Talk. This allows visitors to get up close to the aircraft and talk to the pilots, who will be stationed in front of their aircraft. The Museum closes at 4.00 pm.

Weather Forecast

According to the website ‘Weatherzone – Australia’s leading weather resource’ a forecast of a cool, mostly cloudy Saturday with a top of 13°C is expected. So remember to rug-up for the cool weather.
In the event of rain, the Museum will be open as usual. Depending on the rate of the rainfall, the Temora Historic Flight Club Director of Flying Operations, Darren Crabb will determine if the flying activity will take place.

Williamtown

The Museums Gloster Meteor F.8 will be flying to Williamtown on Friday to take part in a Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron Association reunion. Many Korean War Veterans will attend including several from the Republic of South Korea’s 102 Squadron.
The Meteor will return to Temora Friday afternoon to take part in the Museum’s Flying Weekend.

Anzac Day Flypast

On Monday 25th April the Museum’s Wirraway participated in the Anzac Day Commemoration Services at both Temora and Cootamundra, NSW. Its appearance signalled a moving counterpoint to the ceremonies.

30 April & 1 May Flying Weekend

This weekend Temora Aviation Museum will be hosting a flying weekend. Most of the Museum’s aircraft will be seen over both days, including the Wirraway, Spitfire, Canberra, Meteor, Tiger Moth, Vampire and Cessna 0-2A.

Visiting the Museum on Sunday 1 May will be the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulette Aerobatic Team. The Roulettes are a part-time aerobatic team that are comprised of Qualified Flying Instructors, from the Central Flying School, RAAF Base East Sale. The RAAF Base is located at Sale, in Gippsland, 200km from Melbourne. The Roulettes will be available to sign autographs and talk to the public before their flying display. The Museum looks forward to having them visit!

Representatives from ‘Wheelies with Wings’ will also have a table set up on Sunday’s flying day. They are a charitable non-profit company, established to offer physically disabled people the opportunity to gain a flying experience. This allows people with a physical disability the opportunity to gain a sense of freedom and achievement – a stepping-stone to use for further challenges.

Predicted weather for flying weekend

Make sure you dress in layers this coming flying weekend as it looks like the days could start off cool to become warm. Currently, this weekend’s weather forecast for Temora looks like it will be mostly sunny on Saturday with a top of 18 degrees. Likewise, a mostly sunny day on Sunday with a top of 21 degrees is expected.

Come along to Temora Aviation Museum’s flying weekend to check out all that it has to offer.

The Museum presented an amazing display for its first flying weekend for 2005. Moderate temperatures and clear skies contributed to the action-packed two days.

Saturday saw the participation of the ‘heavies’, with displays by the Hudson, Catalina and Canberra Bomber. These aircraft looked majestic as they took to the sky. The flying program included performances by Lars Larson in the Tiger Moth, the RAN Squirrel Helicopter Team, Boomerang, Cessna 0-2A, David Lowy in the A-37B Dragonfly, and was capped off by Tom Moon in his Extra 300S.
We would also like to thank the NSW Fire Brigade for participating in Saturday’s flying display by providing their jointly owned anti-terrorism helicopter ‘Fire Air 1’. The addition of their fire engines and HAZMAT van also created a welcoming site for those interested.

Sunday’s display showed one super heavy aircraft in the form of the HARS Constellation. The roar of her four R-3350 radial engines was something Temora won’t forget. Sunday held a fighter theme with performances by the Wirraway, Kittyhawk, Boomerang, Meteor, Vampire and Dragonfly. The day was complete with routines by the RAN Squirrel helicopters and Tom Moon’s Extra.

We are busy planning for our next flying weekend on March 26 & 27. See you then.

The engineers are fuelling the aircraft and are doing their final checks as our pilots are making their way to Temora for this weekend’s flying.

Many visiting aircraft will be at Temora over the weekend including:
Saturday – Matt Denning’s CAC Boomerang, Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Catalina, HARS Super Constellation, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Squirrel Helicopter Display Team from Nowra, Lynette Zucolli’s T-28 Trojan (static) and Fire Air 1 anti-terrorism helicopter (static).

Sunday – Matt Denning’s CAC Boomerang, HARS Super Constellation, RAN Navy Squirrels, Col Pay’s Kittyhawk and Lynette Zucolli’s T-28 Trojan (static).

From the Museum’s collection, we are planning for the following aircraft to take to the air: Tiger Moth, Hudson, Meteor, Cessna 0-2A, A37B Dragonfly, Vampire, Wirraway, Canberra and the amazing Tom Moon in his Extra 300S.

Weather

Temora has experienced varying weather conditions this week so we recommend that you bring along everything from a warm jacket for cool weather to a hat and sunscreen if it’s sunny!

Refreshments

Lunch and refreshments can be purchased throughout the day at the affectionately named ‘Mess Hall’. Hot and cold food and beverages are available. The Temora branch of the NSW Fire Brigade operates the Mess Hall and all proceeds go to local charity.

Come along to the Museum’s flying weekend on February 5th and 6th and enjoy the spectacular flying display, guaranteed to entertain visitors of all ages. The Museum opens at 10.00 am and flying begins at 11.00 am. Although some seating is provided, you are welcome to bring a fold-up chair.

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.