The Temora Aviation Museum is pleased to announce that HARS is bringing their Caribou to Temora for display during this Saturdays Aircraft Showcase Day. Twelve months ago the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) took delivery of two Caribous, including A4-210, part of the long but rewarding process of preparing one of the RAAF’s most important aircraft for a second life in the civilian world.

This will be an opportunity not to be missed as anyone who has seen a Caribou display would agree. One of its great virtues is its capability to operate from relatively rough dirt strips that cannot be accessed by other military transports. This light ‘footprint’ has been lacking in any of the Caribou’s successors. The aircraft was used by the RAAF for flare-dropping missions, medical evacuation, search and rescue and paratroop training exercises, but the main task was the airlift of troops, civilians, supplies, ammunition, mail and food.

The HARS organisation will generously allow visitors to walk through this unique aircraft and will have team of knowledgeable volunteer pilots and engineer’s on-hand to show folks through the aircraft and answer any questions.

Also flying on Saturday will be the T-28 Trojan, Harvard & Cessna A37-B Dragonfly. Unfortunately the Sabre, which was originally scheduled to fly this Saturday, will remain in the workshop due to current maintenance requirements. The remainder of the Museum’s aircraft collection will be on static display in the Display Hangar with those participating in the flying program available for a closer inspection as part of the popular Engineering Hangar Talk.

Perfect weather is forecast for Saturday and with the addition of the Caribou to complement the already impressive collection of aircraft a great day out is guaranteed. So pack your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen and make your way to the Temora Aviation Museum, bring a picnic or enjoy the fully catered Mess Hall facilities for a great day out.

Have you ever dreamt of being in an aerial dog fight, piloting a P-40 and shooting down other aircraft or being shot at? This weekend you will have the opportunity to be get up close and personnel with three of TAM’s infamous fighter aircraft, as they take to the sky you can get a feel for what it might have been like. See our Spitfire MK XVI, CAC Boomerang and RAAF CAC Sabre in full flight this this Saturday (March 17th) from 10am. Making a special guest appearance will be Allan Arthurs P-40, a ferocious fighter!

The Boomerang was Australia’s answer to a desperate need for fighter aircraft during WWII and in a hurry, going from drawing board to full flight in just over 16 weeks. Despite it’s short gestation period it served us well. The Boomerang was flown by R.A.A.F. Squadron’s No’s  4, 5, 83 and 85 defending the mainland, undertaking escort duties for shipping convoys and air to air operations against the Japanese. The Boomerang still remains the only fully Australian designed and built fighter aircraft to see ever production. 

The infamous Spitfire was made famous through its involvement in the Battle of Britain and has become synonymous as the aircraft of WWII. See our Mk XVI in action and hear the story of it’s armed reconnaissance mission in the Utrecht/Hague/Leiden area during WWII. Painted in the markings that it wore when flown with RAAF 453 Squadron, this combat veteran is well known to enthusiasts around the world  having spent many years in New Zealand as part of Sir Tim Wallis’ Alpine Fighter Collection before coming to Temora Aviation Museum (TAM).

Jump ahead almost 20 years and allow yourself to soar as you hear the Sabre’s magnificent Rolls-Royce/CAC RA.7 Avon Mk.26 axial flow turbojet engine start up. TAM’s RAAF Sabre saw service with the RAAF on the Australian mainland and then later with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Allan Arthur is bringing his P-40 Kittyhawk to the Museum to complement the Aircraft Showcase – Fighter theme. Built in 1943 his P-40N1 Kittyhawk is powered by an Allison 1710 V-12 engine which is rated at 1400 horsepower. The aircraft was retrieved as a wreck from a fire dump in New Zealand before being completely restored and painted to represent GAQ from RAF 112 Shark Squadron which fought in the Middle East against Rommel before moving on to Sicily and Italy. Allan spent more then six years rebuilding the aircraft and since returning it to the skies he has flown it more then 140 hours enabling thousands of people to see this magnificent machine!

Beat the Mothers Day Rush!

With Mothers Day just around the corner why not pop into our Gift Shop whilst at our showcase this Saturday. We have a lovely range of gifts for our Aviation loving mums. Perhaps she would enjoy 14k gold Airplane post earings, always a conversation starter, or glam up shower time with a pink camouflage showercap!
For those who are unable to make it here befor Mothers Day you are still able to purchase from our wide range of merchandise. Just CLICK HERE to head to our online shop more inspiration!

Upcoming Showcase Dates

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.

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PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL MUSEUM FLYING ON JANUARY 30TH, 31ST AND FEBRUARY 1ST HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THE NEXT MUSEUM FLYING WEEKEND WILL BE APRIL 11TH AND 12TH.

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Welcome to 2009 with the Temora Aviation Museum. It’s the start of another year, and we have lots in store for the year ahead including the anticipated first flight of the RAAF Sabre later in the year.

TEMORA’S TWILIGHT TAKEOFF

For the first time ever the Temora Aviation Museum will be presenting Temora Twilight Takeoff on Friday 30th January. If you have never seen these rare warbird aircraft fly against the backdrop of a Riverina sunset then we recommend you come to this inaugural event. We will have multiple aircraft flying for you including the Tiger Moth, Harvard Formation, Spitfire, Cessna A37B Dragonfly and the Super Constellation as a grand finale. The full Museum complex will be open for your enjoyment and the Mess Hall will be open for you to purchase some dinner. Gates will open at 6.30 pm with an anticipated finish time of 9.00 pm. Ticket prices will be: Adults $10, Adults 65yrs+ $7.50 and Children $5. You will also be able to purchase a Two-Day Pass so you can be a part of the full flying display on Saturday or Sunday.

FLYING WEEKEND

Our first flying weekend for 2009 is shaping up to be a huge event. The two days of spectacular flying is taking place on Saturday 31st of January and Sunday 1st of February. We are excited to announce that we will have the support of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) when they bring their stately Super Constellation to join the flying program. The Super Constellation, or ‘Connie’ as it is affectionately known, is a popular attraction at Flying Weekends as visitors are able to ascend the stairs to view the inside of the aircraft as well as watch it fly each day. The Connie is a militarised version which served with the United States Air Force from 1955 and then served with the Air National Guard in the United States during the 1970s. It is similar to the Super Constellations that were used by Qantas during the 1940s and 1950s as their main long range passenger aircraft, which pioneered their around-the-world service.
The Connie will join the unique and rare aircraft of the Temora Aviation Museum collection for what promises to be a spectacular weekend of flying.

BACK TO SCHOOL & VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS

We have added many new merchandise items to our online giftshop which will help you with those back to school supplies, as well as the perfect gift for your special someone on Valentine’s Day, which is only a few short weeks away.

In the Back to School merchandise page you will find items such as aeroplane themed pens and pencils, aeroplane shaped pencil sharpeners, a sticky-tape dispenser, a note-pad holder, pen set with ruler and bookmark, fantastic sturdy shark’s teeth backpacks, and beach towels for swimming carnivals.

On the Valentine’s Day page we have included gifts such as hand mirrors, trinket boxes, candles, earrings, a cosmetic bag and a frilly pink camouflage apron – for the ladies. For your man we have included cuff links, ties, aeroplane paperweights, spitfire clocks and keyrings, as well as clothing items.

The October Flying Weekend is on this weekend – Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th. Come along to experience the Temora Aviation Museum’s collection of ex-military warbirds perform an exciting display of aerobatics, handling and technical flying displays.

The majority of the Museum’s aircraft will participate in this weekend’s event. Visitors can expect to see displays by the Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Meteor, Vampire, Canberra, Ryan, Cessna O-2A, Dragonfly, Spitfires, Hudson and Boomerang. Take advantage of our Two Flying Day Pass and turn your day into a thrilling weekend.

All are welcome at Temora Aviation Museum’s Flying Days. Museum gates open at 10.00 am, with flying beginning at 11.00 am. Flying continues through until 3.00 pm, with an hour set aside to talk to the pilots and get up close to the aircraft, until close at 4.00 pm. Food and refreshments are available on site, and remember to bring along a light fold-up chair if you have one. Plan a trip to experience the sights, sounds and smells of these vintage aircraft at their finest! See you here.

MUSEUM IS A 2008 NSW TOURISM AWARD FINALIST IN THREE CATEGORIES
The Temora Aviation Museum is pleased to announce it is a finalist in three categories for the 2008 NSW Tourism Awards. The three categories that the Museum has received finalist status in are: Tourist Attractions, Festivals and Events, and Heritage and Cultural Tourism. Winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Sydney on November 20th. Fingers crossed for our success in all three categories!

Temora Aviation Museum is flying its warbirds this weekend on the 19th or 20th of July – another good reason to escape the crowds in Sydney during the World Youth Day events!

The line-up consists of most of our warbirds. You will see the Spitfires, Dragonfly, Boomerang, Hudson, Wirraway, Cessna O-2A, and more!

Museum gates open at 10.00 am and flying continues through until around 3.00 pm. Food and refreshments are available on site. Remember to bring along a light fold-up chair if you have one, and some warm clothing – you’ll need it!

NEW METEOR PILOT

Yesterday Alan Clements became only the second pilot in Australia in approximately 45 years to become endorsed on the Meteor F.8. His conversion to the aircraft was approved by CASA, and conducted by Darren “Buster” Crabb the current Meteor display pilot and Director of Flying Operations for the Temora Historic Flying Club (THFC). Alan, an experienced RAAF F/A-18 pilot as well as one of the current THFC Vampire pilots, stated, “It is certainly a privilege to be given the opportunity to fly the Meteor. This aircraft has significant historical importance the RAAF due to its combat service with 77 Squadron in the Korea War. As a past Commanding Officer of 77 Squadron this aircraft holds particular sentimental value to me.”

Using the Temora Aviation Museum’s Meteor, Buster conducted the training over two days culminating in Alan’s endorsement on 17 July 2008. Asked how he felt during the training Alan said, “Excited and nervous. It’s not often one gets an opportunity to fly such an aircraft. Modern aviation is based around simulation and dual instruction, your first flight in this aircraft is solo, which adds a little pressure considering it is the only flying F.8 in the world. I certainly didn’t want to get anything wrong.”

When asked how he felt during his first flight, Alan stated, “Well my heart rate had certainly risen, particularly as I came in to land for the first time. However, the sortie went exactly as planned, which is a reflection on Buster’s experience. Darren is obviously very experienced at operating this aircraft so it was great to be the beneficiary of that experience. He made it very easy by explaining everything in detail and highlighting those little ‘gotcha’s that can make aviation embarrassing.” Additionally the aircraft didn’t miss a beat. It performed well which is due to the quality of the Engineering Team here at the Museum. Pete and his team do a great job not only in maintaining and preparing these aircraft, but helping us understand the aircraft systems in more detail. It certainly helped with the nerves knowing how well they do their job.”

The years immediately post World War Two saw the emergence of many new and improved jet fighters. The early Gloster Meteors needed a redesign to keep up-to-date and so was born the Meteor F.8. The F.8 Meteor was based on the F.4 with a few improvements. The fuselage was lengthened by 76cm to fix the Center of Gravity (CofG) issues, a new tail that helped with changing CofG caused by ammunition expenditure, updated Derwent engines that produced 1633kg / 3600lbs of thrust, a Martin Baker ejection seat, new blown canopy and the ability to carry two 450kg / 1000lb bombs or 16 rocket projectiles. While the F.8 was the mainstay fighter for the RAF between 1950 and 1955, and RAAF from 1951-1958, it was soon being outclassed by new swept wing fighters such as F-86 Sabre and MiG-15.

The aircraft entered RAAF service in April of 1951, during the Korean War, when it replaced the Mustangs of 77 Squadron. A total of 93 F.8s and six T.7s (two seat) were allocated to the Korean War. Only 41 F8s and three T.7s returned to Australia in 1953. The aircraft remained in active service until 1958 when it was replaced by the Avon F-86 Sabre. Coincidentally 41 is the number of 77 Squadron aircrew killed in action during the Korean War. The Meteor continued to be flown by the Citizen’s Air Force until 1963, and then for some years by the Ministry of Supply and Trials conducting research.

Over the years there were 10 confirmed ejections from Australian Meteors (two mid air collisions, seven in combat and one un-commanded ejection).

Come to the Museum this weekend to see Al’s debut Meteor display flight.

Visit our photo gallery page to view photos of Al with the Meteor.

Would you like to escape the crowds and chaos of Sydney during the World Youth Day events? Then come to Temora Aviation Museum on the 19th or 20th of July and witness a spectacular weekend of flying, memories and fun.

During this first Flying Weekend of the new financial year visitors to the Museum will see the aircraft collection take to the skies to perform many aerobatic, handling and formation displays. The Museum will be showcasing its aircraft covering different eras from WWII onwards. Included in the list will be the WWII Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Wirraway. This aircraft is painted in forest green with white wing leading-edges and tail, as it was when it was being used by 5 Squadron (RAAF) in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea in 1945.

Visitors will also watch the only two airworthy WWII Spitfires in Australia, the Mk VIII and Mk XVI, which will fly over both days. The Mk VIII in particular, is well recognised for its distinctive paint scheme featuring Grey Nurse shark teeth.

The imposing WWII Lockheed Hudson, the only one still flying in the world, will exhibit over the weekend. Its green camouflage paint scheme is representative of a Hudson III A16-211 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 of the Timor/Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).

Also in the aircraft line-up for the Flying Weekend are two shiny silver Museum jets – the Vampire and Meteor. The Vampire was initially produced as a single seat fighter, but was then developed into a night fighter, fighter/bomber as well as trainer versions. ‘Halestorm’ as the Museum’s Gloster Meteor F.8, as it is also known, is the only F.8 still flying in the world. It carries the markings of a Korean War era Meteor operated by No. 77 Squadron RAAF, flown by Sgt. George Hale. Don’t miss its unique blue note, an organ-like sound created by airflow across its cannon shell ejector ports.

These are just some of the aircraft that will soar through the skies over the 19th & 20th July Flying Weekend – don’t miss them!

Museum gates open at 10.00 am and flying continues through until around 3.00 pm.

MUSEUM IS A FINALIST IN INLAND NSW TOURISM AWARDS

The Temora Aviation Museum is very excited to announce that it has been named as a finalist in the Inland New South Wales Tourism Awards 2008 for three categories. The categories in contention are Tourist Attractions, Festivals and Events, and Heritage and Cultural Tourism.
The Regional Tourism Organisations of New England North West, Central NSW, Riverina Tourism and Outback Tourism have collaborated since 2004 to conduct the Inland NSW Tourism Awards.
The Inland NSW Tourism Awards is an opportunity for tourism operators of attractions and businesses to gain an insight into their industry, their business, achieve recognition for their success and promote tourism within their region.
To gain the chance to become a finalist in the awards, the Museum was required to submit a detailed 2008 Inland NSW Tourism Award submission for Business Excellence for each category. The submissions outlined areas within the Museum such as the overview/history, our product, our facilities, our business plans, marketing, our commitment to environmental sustainability and areas of business innovation within the Museum.

The aim of the Awards is to encourage and celebrate creativity, professionalism and innovation within the industry, promote business planning amongst Inland NSW tourism operators, provide a benchmark for best practice within the tourism industry and to reinforce the value of the tourism industry. The awards are also an opportunity for successful entrants to progress to the Australian Tourism Awards.

Winners of each category will be announced at the 2008 Inland NSW Tourism Awards Gala Presentation Dinner, which will be held on Saturday 27th July.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia
Our next Museum Flying Weekend will be on 26 & 27 April and is set to be big. The Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia is a National organisation promoting the preservation, rebuilding, and above all, flying of old aeroplanes. “Old” includes Antique and Classic aeroplanes both Civil and Military. They will be here at Temora Aviation Museum for the 32nd AAAA National Fly-in on April 26 & 27. We are expecting over 100 Antique and Classic aircraft to fly-in to Temora over the weekend with several of them participating in the Museum’s flying programme – stay tuned for details.

Forward Air Controllers
Also joining us at the 26 & 27 April Flying Weekend is a large group of ex-Forward Air Controllers from around the world who are attending a reunion in Canberra and will travel to the Museum on Saturday. Part of the flying programme on Saturday will be dedicated to Forward Air Controllers and the role that they played in Vietnam. In addition the RAAF are bringing two current Forward Air Control PC-9 aircraft and are planning a demonstration for visitors.

1st Red Bull Flugtag Sydney
The craft that a group of Temora Aviation Museum team members have entered into the 1st Red Bull Flugtag Sydney Competition is now complete. Its design and artwork is based on the Museum’s Spitfire Mk VIII, and it is looking great (check out the photos). The Temora Supermarines, as the team is known, are all very excited about this event and are looking forward to the unique experience.

A uniquely loony competition, Red Bull Flugtag, involves manpowered flying machines and crazy pilots attempting to launch themselves off a 6m ramp and into the water below! Judged on the distance of their flight, the creativity of their flying machine and their pre-flight performance – the Red Bull Flugtag is most definitely the dream competition for showmen with a desire to take to the skies in a very unique way.

Red Bull Flugtag commences about 12 noon on Sunday, 6 April at Mrs Macquarie’s Point, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. It is a free event, so everyone is welcome to attend.

Pleasant weather conditions and an extensive line-up of vintage aircraft created a successful combination for the first Flying Weekend for 2008.

Most of the Museum’s aircraft flew over the weekend, with the lineup involving the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Boomerang, Wirraway, Vampire, Spitfire Mk VIII and Mk XVI, Canberra, Meteor, Hudson and Dragonfly.

Quite a number of visiting aircraft joined the Museum aircraft to participate in aerobatic and handling displays including three Harvards owned by Doug Hamilton, Ian Silvester and David Salter; Trojan owned by Steve Death; Cessna Birddog owned by Gordon Glynn; Lars Larson’s Cessna 180 and a P-40 Kittyhawk owned by Allan Arthur.

NEW VAMPIRE PILOT
The Weekend also saw Temora Historic Flight Club member Alan Clements perform his first public flying display in the de Havilland Vampire T.35. Al has enthusiastically learned to fly the Vampire under the watchful eye of Bruce Wood and we plan for both of them to regularly operate this aircraft as part of our flying weekends.

NEW BOOMERANG PILOT
THFC pilot Doug Hamilton is now able to fly the Museum’s CA-13 Boomerang. Doug was first endorsed by the late Guido Zuccoli in his Boomerang 14 years ago, and undertook further training on the Friday prior to the Flying Weekend to get him up-to-speed with the machine. He is looking forward to being a back-up pilot in the Boomerang for future Flying Days.

On the 24th of February, Doug plans to display Temora Aviation Museum’s Boomerang at Point Cook Air Show. Look out for it there!

AIRCRAFT LINEUP

The Museum will be flying most of its collection of warbird aircraft during the February 9 & 10 Flying Weekend. Taking to the skies you can expect to see the Spitfires, Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Canberra, Ryan, Meteor, Boomerang, Hudson and Vampire.

We are also expecting a visit from a WWII Stearman and several Harvards which will take part in a formation display. We will see you here at the first Temora Aviation Museum Flying Weekend for 2008 – 9 & 10 February.

Food and refreshments are available on site from our Mess Hall but don’t forget to bring a fold-up chair. Museum opens at 10.00 am with flying commencing at 11am..

TWO DAY PASSES
We are excited to announce the launch of a two day pass into the Museum Flying Days. These passes feature a discounted rate for visitors who intend to be at the Museum on two consecutive days.

The two-day pass prices are:
Adult – $22.50
Adult over 65 yrs – $15.00
Child (3-18 yrs) – $7.50

So if you intend visiting both days over the weekend, consider the two day pass!

NEW ITEMS IN GIFTSHOP
Valentines Day is not far away; the 14th of February for those who haven’t remembered! While you are visiting for the Flying Weekend, check out what is in stock at the Temora Aviation Museum Giftshop for your beloved.

If you are unable to make it to this Flying Weekend on 9 & 10 February, consider purchasing some of our stocked items on the Temora Aviation Museum Merchandise page on the website. There are now 12 different aircraft-themed caps in stock, as well as one beanie featuring the silhouette of the Spitfire. We have recently added two new caps to the range. They are the Boomerang and the Spitfire Mk VIII cap featuring the famous Grey Nurse teeth embroidered on the brim.

TEMORA GOLDEN GIFT
For those of you staying for the weekend in Temora who would like something to do on Saturday night, Temora will be holding its annual Telstra Countrywide Temora Golden Gift. This years Golden Gift is the 21st anniversary of the carnival and will be held Saturday 9 February at Nixon Park, Temora. The Gift is an athletics’ carnival with an evening session that begins around 5.45 pm. As a professional foot race, the Golden Gift carries a total prize pool of $15,000.

Get along to the Temora Golden Gift on Gallipoli Street to see what it’s all about after the Flying Day has finished.

The last chance to see our aircraft fly in 2006 is this weekend December 2nd and 3rd. We are looking forward to a big weekend filled with plenty of excitement.

Aerobatic and handling displays will be performed by the Museum’s aircraft including the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Wirraway, Boomerang, Spitfire Mk VIII, Spitfire Mk XVI, Canberra, Vampire, Meteor, Tom Moons Extra, and more.

Visitors on Saturday who purchase the Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds DVD receive an entry into a draw to win a ride in the Museum’s Wirraway. Even if you already own a copy of the DVD, it is sure to make a great Christmas present.

On Sunday we are planning to fly both of our Spitfires – Mk XVI and Mk VIII together. This is a rare event and something you will never forget.

Keep the Museum’s Online Merchandise in mind while you are shopping this Christmas. We stock a large range of aviation-themed gifts for people of all ages. Place your order online and we will ship within 48hrs direct to you – no crowded stores or full parking lots

Get geared up for the next Temora Aviation Museum Flying Weekend, which will take place this coming long weekend, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June. The Museum will be open from 10.00 am with flying commencing at 11.00 am both days. To date, most of the Museum’s collection of aircraft will fly, except the Canberra, which is still undergoing its annual inspection.

Visiting aircraft include the Boomerang, which will fly both days, as well as a quick visit and display from Col Pay’s Kittyhawk on the Saturday only. Visitors will also experience a Mustang in the aircraft display, also Saturday only.

Come along to the June Flying Weekend. Make sure you pack your winter woollies, it has been cool in Temora lately. Hot food and drinks are available from the Museums Mess Hall.

NEW SPITFIRE

The Museum has acquired a new Spitfire Mk XVI from Wanaka, New Zealand. The aircraft is currently being shipped from New Zealand to Australia, packaged in a container. Spitfire TB863 needed to be transported by ship as it cannot carry enough fuel to fly the distance from New Zealand to Australia. It was also considered to be an unwise choice to take the risk of flying this rare aircraft over a vast stretch of sea.
Although the new Spitfire won’t be here for this weekend’s flying, it certainly will be for the August Flying Weekend (5 and 6), where it is anticipated that it will make its debut flight in Temora.

The Temora Aviation Museum will be flying its aircraft collection over the Easter break on the Saturday and Sunday. The aircraft on the flying schedule over these two days include the Tiger Moth, Ryan STM, Wirraway, Hudson, Spitfire, Vampire, Meteor, Cessna 0-2A and the A37B Dragonfly.

At this stage there are three aircraft planned to visit the Flying Weekend to take part alongside the Museum aircraft. These are Doug Hamilton with his Harvard, Lars Larson and his Cessna 180 and Steve Death flying the magnificent Trojan.

For the younger aviators of the group, we have our aviation themed playground and an area for the kids to compete in a colouring-in competition and paper-plane making activities.

Museum opens at 10.00 am with flying beginning at 11.00 am. Food and drinks will be available on site over the weekend.

The Temora Aviation Museum will be flying four aircraft south this weekend to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Museum Air Pageant at Point Cook, Victoria on Sunday 9 April 2006. The air pageant traditionally attracts a wide variety of historic military and civil aircraft in the air and on the ground, as well as historic trainers and aircraft from all over Australia. Taking part in this year’s event will be the Temora Aviation Museum’s Hudson, Cessna 0-2A, Meteor and Wirraway.

For detailed information about what will be happening at the upcoming RAAF Museum Air Pageant, click on the link below:
http://www.raafmuseum.com.au/raaf2/html/what_s_on.htm

ANZCADay Opening Hours

ANZAC Day, was established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
This marked the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in around 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 who were killed or died of wounds or disease.

The Museum’s operating hours will change on April 25 2006, to allow Museum personnel to attend the morning Anzac Service at the Temora Cenotaph, O’Callaghan Park, Loftus Street, Temora. All visitors are also invited to attend. The Museum will open at 12.00 noon and close at 4.00 pm on this day. Normal operating hours will resume 26 April onwards.

Upcoming Flying Weekend

The April Flying Weekend is just around the corner – falling over Easter on the 15 and 16 April.

If you have family together over Easter, why not make a trip over to Temora Aviation Museum to witness our historic aircraft take to the sky… The list includes the Spitfire, Hudson, Meteor, Wirraway and more.

Museum opens at 10.00 am with flying beginning at 11.00 am. Food and drinks are available on site, and remember to bring some warm clothes. For more information on Museum Flying Days and the weather in Temora, click on the visitor information link below:
http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/vistor_information

70 years ago on March 5th, 1936, the prototype Supermarine Spitfire Type F37/34, registered as K5054, took its first flight at Eastleigh Airport near Southampton, UK. It was a historic moment that began the development of the Spitfire, one of the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. This Flying Weekend, March 4th & 5th, celebrates this important date in aviation history with the Museum’s Mk VIII Spitfire to fly both Saturday and Sunday. The Museum’s Spitfire is the only one flying in Australia! Always a popular attraction, the Spitfire appeals to war veterans, families and children alike. So don’t miss out on seeing it soar.

March 8th will mark the 60th anniversary of the closure of No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School. The Temora Aviation Museum is now based on the site where the training school existed. Upwards of 2,400 pilots were trained and more than 10,000 personnel were based here. The Museum’s de Havilland Tiger Moth was one of the 97 Tiger Moths, flown as training aircraft at the airfield. Come along to the Flying Weekend to see the Museum’s Tiger Moth take to the skies as it did 60 years ago.

Competitions

The Museum is holding a competition on the Saturday of the Flying Weekend to ‘Win a Ride in the Wirraway’. To have your chance to win, all you need to do is purchase a copy of the Museum’s DVD or video at Saturday’s flying day. ‘Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds’, features footage of the Museum’s aircraft including the Wirraway and Spitfire, it’s a great way to learn more about the aircraft and to experience what it’s like to fly in them. Footage filmed from the cockpits of the Museum’s aircraft is featured, as well as rare archive film.

Your chances can be doubled in this competition by also purchasing the book by ex-WWII Spitfire pilot Edward ‘Ted’ Sly, called ‘The Luck of the Draw – Horses, Spitfires and Kittyhawks’. This will enable the purchaser to have two tickets in the draw.

Visiting Aircraft

The Museum is also excited to announce that it is expecting the RAAF Roulettes to perform on Saturday only, with other visiting aircraft such as the Boomerang, Harvard, Ceres, Cessna 0-1 and Trojan joining the Museum’s already impressive list of aircraft over the weekend. Don’t miss out!

Live Music

The Australian Army Band Kapooka will be joining us on Saturday’s Flying Day to provide some live entertainment. We look forward to their performance.

Weather:

According to the weather link on the Visitor Information page of the website, the weather is expected to be mostly sunny over the weekend with tops of 33°C, so remember to bring your sun protection.