Australian Frontline
This weekend will see plenty of activity at the Temora Aviation Museum with Aircraft Showcase – Australian Frontline being presented to visitors on Saturday May 5th. The fantastic line up of aircraft includes the Spitfire Mk XVI, Boomerang, Meteor and two visiting Harvard’s owned by Doug Hamilton and David and Carolyn Salter. We are now also able to confirm that Al Arthur will be participating with his P-40 Kittyhawk which will make for a full program of flying. To complement the day’s activities, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Museum’s engineering hangar and investigate the current activities taking place.  Perfect autumn weather is forecast so make sure you bring a jumper and come to Temora to see these historic aircraft take to the skies with some very talented and experienced pilots at the controls. Don’t forget that all pilots will be available after the flying during engineering talk to answer your questions and share their knowledge and experience.

In the engineering hangar visitors will see the Mk VIII Spitfire with its engine, engine mount and fuselage fuel tanks removed as it is currently receiving a complete restoration forward of the firewall.  This is a massive task which will ensure the longevity of the aircraft. The engineers responsible for this project will be on-hand during the engineering hangar tour to answer any questions and give those interested a closer look at their progress.

Wings Over Illawarra 2012
The Museum is supporting the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) event, Wings over Illawarra 2012 on Sunday May 6th. The Hudson, Meteor and Wirraway will leave Temora at the completion of Aircraft Showcase on Saturday and make the journey to Albion Park for the open day. For more details you can go to http://woi.org.au

Upcoming Aircraft Showcase Dates
May 5th, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – Australian Frontline
May 19th, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – WWII to Korea
Jun 2nd, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – Pacific Theatre
Jun 16th, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – Korean Conflict

Warbirds Downunder Airshow
Thank you to everyone that has shown interest in a date for the next Warbirds Downunder Airshow. We can now confirm that our next Warbirds Downunder Airshow will be held towards the end of 2013. We will release the date via this newsletter soon.

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

The forecast for Temora this weekend is for clear sunny skies, warm with temperatures reaching a comfortable low 30’s http://www.weather.com.au/nsw/temora

The flying program is set and you will see aircraft ranging from the Tiger Moth and Ryan right through the WWII fighters such as the Spitfire and Boomerang before moving into the jet age with the Vampire, Meteor, Canberra, Dragonfly and the RAAF Sabre. Our special visiting guests have arrived with the HARS Catalina and RANHF Huey sitting on the ramp ready to go. Allan Arthur and Doug Hamilton have just arrived in the P-40 Kittyhawk and Harvard. And tomorrow we will have a beautiful Avro Cadet on static display in our aircraft Display Hangar.

Temora is a wonderful place to stay, however our Flying Weekends mean the town is very busy, so we always recommend that you book your accommodation before you leave home. There are approximately 5,000 beds within a one hour drive of Temora, which include local motels, hotels, caravan parks, and B & Bs. The Temora Shire Council also organises home stays which gives you the opportunity to stay with a Temora family.

Go to the ‘Visitor Information’ link, and click on ‘Accommodation’ for a list of numbers of where to stay in the area.

See you tomorrow and Sunday at Temora Aviation Museum

Join us for the last Flying Weekend of 2007. It is shaping up to be a big event with the inclusion of three visiting World War II aircraft. Col Pay will be bringing his P-40 Kittyhawk and P-51 Mustang. Allan Arthur will also bring along his P-40 Kittyhawk – don’t miss the two Kittyhawks at Temora! We also look forward to a special appearance from the Iroquois (Huey) helicopter from The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra, NSW.

Bell Iroquois UH1-B, Serial Number: N9 – 882 (897) was bought from Bell helicopters in 1964 and served with 723 Squadron until 1987 when it was taken out of service and given to Australia’s Museum of Flight, Nowra NSW, as it was then known; (the Museum has since been renamed to The Fleet Air Arm Museum).

The UH1B Iroquois is recognised by its iconic shape and its classic chopper sound. The ‘U’ stands for utility, as opposed to attack or cargo helicopters. The initial designation of the UH1 was HU-1 (helicopter utility), and this led to its nickname, Huey. The UH1B is best remembered for its extensive use in the Vietnam War throughout the 60′s, and was assigned to 135th Assault Helicopter Company (part of US 214th Combat Aviation Battalion), before its return to Australia and HMAS Albatross.

Don’t miss all these visiting aircraft perform their flying displays both days during the weekend.

The Museum also has a long list of aircraft anticipated to perform in the weekend’s flying. They include the Canberra, Hudson, Meteor, both Spitfires, Vampire and many more…

CANBERRA CITY BAND

The Canberra City Band will be joining us on the Sunday of the Flying Weekend to provide entertainment at various times during the day. We look forward to their performance.

DON’T FORGET…

Remember to pack your sunscreen, a hat, and a light fold-up chair (if you have one) when visiting the Flying Weekend. The Museum will open at 10.00 am, with flying beginning at 11.00 am. The Museum closes at 4.00 pm. Food and refreshments are available on site.

We look forward to seeing you here on the weekend!

The May Flying Weekend was a successful event, with plenty of flying action over both days, and in the absence of rain, all flying displays went ahead as planned.

The show included the Ryan, Boomerang, Hudson, Spitfire Mk VIII and Mk XVI, Meteor, Vampire and Canberra, along with Doug Hamilton’s Harvard, Allan Arthur’s Kittyhawk and the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F-111’s.

The F-111 flew over the Museum crowd to perform several handling displays without actually landing. The aircraft then returned to RAAF Base Amberley Qld, and then flew back on Sunday to perform the routine again. The amazing displays ended in the aircraft’s famous ‘dump and burn’ manoeuvre, where jet fuel is released behind the aircraft and ignited by the massive twin engine afterburners. It disappeared into the cloud above, leaving an amazing red glow.

Thanks again to the RAAF for involving its F-111 and Allan Arthur for displaying the P-40 Kittyhawk in the May 2007 Flying Weekend displays, we hope to have your aircraft back here again for future Flying Days.

Thank you to all the visitors that attended the Flying Weekend as well – it was a great crowd. Our next Flying Weekend falls on Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July, so start planning your visit now!

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 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.

A successful weekend was had by all at the Museums August Flying Weekend, which was held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28. All Flying displays were co-ordinated smoothly with a cloudless blue sky for the backdrop.

The Royal Australian Air Force Roulette Aerobatic Team proved to be a big draw card for visitors on the Sunday, when they performed their fantastic synchronised flying routines. We thank the Roulettes for attending our Flying Day and we look forward to them returning to Temora again.

Two other big attractions to the Museums Flying Weekend were Col Pays P-40E Kittyhawk and CAC Mustang. To continue the 60th anniversary celebrations that were held to commemorate the end of WWII in Canberra, these two aircraft, along with the Spitfire, put on a special World War II tribute by flying one after the other in the skies above Temora.

The Museums next Flying Weekend will fall on the weekend of 1-2 October. The Museum looks forward to seeing you there.

More action is expected at the Museum on September 9-11 when the Jet Flyers Association of New South Wales will meet for their annual Model Jet Championships for 2005. The event will be held over three days, Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September at Temora Aviation Museum.

The Model Jet Flyers Association claims to have the best jet pilots in Australia running turbine powered scale jets. Pilots come from all over the country to visit Temora to partake in this three day event. The high speed display, at 200 kph plus, promises precision aerobatics. Model aircraft that you are likely to see will range from the usual sport jet to the scale jets such as the F.18, MIG 15, F.15, F.86, Vampire, Euro Fighter, Saab Vigen and many more.

Friday will be a set-up and test fly day, with Saturday and Sunday being the main event days. Flying will begin at 10.00 am until 4.30 pm on Friday, with Saturday and Sunday’s times being 9.30 am until 4.30 pm.
Entry to the event is through the Museum at Museum admission prices:
$10 for adults; $7.50 people aged over 65; and $5 for children (3-18 yrs).

Full canteen facilities will be provided all days, which will be run by the local Fire Brigade within the Museum’s Mess Hall.

Its not long now until the Museums August Flying Weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28. According to the weather forecast from Weatherzone – Australias leading weather resource – Temora can expect cool mornings, clearing to fine both days, with tops of 21°c and 22°c. To visit the Weatherzone website or to find out more about the weather at Temora visit our weather page.

Both days are expected to be crammed with flying entertainment from both the Museums collection and visiting aircraft. Aircraft on the flying program include the only flying Spitfire in Australia, the speedy A37B Dragonfly, the graceful Tiger Moth, the only flying Gloster Meteor F.8, the only Australian built Vampire flying in Australia, the impressive Canberra, and the newly painted Lockheed Hudson. If you missed out on seeing the Hudson in its new paint scheme when it visited the VP Day Air Pageant in Canberra recently, come and see it up close this weekend.

Visiting the Museum for the weekend will be Col Pays magnificent Packard Merlin powered CAC Mustang as well as his P-40E Kittyhawk, painted in Bobby Gibbes Desert Scheme.

The RAAF Roulettes will also be attending this weekend, although they will appear on the Sunday only. The Roulettes are a popular attraction due to their skilled formation aerobatic routines. The Roulettes are based at East Sale Victoria and currently fly the Pilatus PC-9/A training aircraft. It is a single-engined, low-wing, tandem, two-seat aircraft with the most advanced cockpit of any trainer flying in Australia. The Roulette pilots will be available for a short period of time to sign autographs and answer your questions.

The Museum opens at 10.00 am with flying beginning at 11.00 am. Flying finishes around 3.00 pm with the Museum closing at 4.00 pm on both days.
Hot and cold food and beverages are available all weekend from the Museum’s Mess Hall.

Flying Days involve a mix of music, commentary, engines, aerobatics and the aroma of jet fuel. The day is ended with a ramp talk in which visitors have the opportunity to get close to the aircraft to take photos or to ask the pilots questions.
Bring the whole family along to the August 27 & 28 Flying Weekend to watch these historic aircraft take to the skies.

VP Day Celebrations at Canberra

Seven aircraft from the Temora Aviation Museums collection flew to Canberra over the weekend to participate in the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II – Victory in the Pacific (VP Day) August 15. The celebrations and exhibits were held over three days on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin and were themed as a Salute to Veterans. The Museums participation was concentrated mainly within Sundays events, where we were fortunate to have sunny weather. For those of you that visited the VP Day celebrations in Canberra but were unable to see the Museums aircraft up close, check them out at Temora Aviation Museums Flying Weekend on August 27 and 28.

The Museums promotion stand was taken to Canberra and it proved to be a popular attraction. Likewise, a busy time was had by the Museums engineering team, whom spent most of their time frantically fuelling and preparing the Museums aircraft, ready for flight above Lake Burley Griffin. We would like to thank Museum Crew member and aircraft historian Peter Anderson for the fantastic job he did with providing commentary throughout the event.

The Museum was also fortunate to have an F-111 visit briefly in the afternoon of Saturday 13. The F-111 flew with the Museums Canberra and Hudson for a formation practice in preparation for Sundays display.

Flying Weekend

The Museum continues its celebration of VP Day with our next Flying Weekend which will occur on August 27 and 28. Visitors can expect to see history come alive as the Museums fleet take to the skies above the Museum. The Museum is also pleased to announce that Col Pay is bringing his magnificent P-40E Kittyhawk and CAC Mustang for the weekend. Cols P-40E is painted in the colours of RAAF 3 Squadrons desert camouflage scheme. The aircraft carries the markings of Bobby Gibbes AM WG CMR DSO DFC* and is complete with a replica of the original nose art.

Another attraction to this coming Flying Weekend will be the attendance of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulette Aerobatic Team on the Sunday only. The Roulettes are always a popular attraction due to their skilled manoeuvres in synchronisation. The Museum looks forward to their involvement.

Museum Flying Days involve interesting commentary, interviews with the pilots and a selection of background music. Visitors can get up close to the aircraft and pilots during the ramp talk session, which occurs at the end of the day. This opportunity can be used to ask the pilots any questions, obtain autographs or get close photographic shots of the aircraft.

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 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.

Col has announced that he is bringing his newly restored P-40 Kittyhawk to the Temora Aviation Museum for Sunday’s display. Col will arrive late Saturday afternoon and participate in Sunday’s flying display. Col has painted his P-40 in the colours of RAAF 3 Squadron’s desert camouflage scheme. The aircraft carries the markings of Bobby Gibbes AM WG CMR DSO DFC* and is complete with a replica of the original nose art.

The Museum is also excited to announce that Matt Denning will be bringing his fantastic CAC Boomerang along to this weekend’s flying display. Matt spent more than 27 years restoring this fabulous Australian-built fighter.

Don’t miss these 2 visiting aircraft along with many others, including the Museum’s own unique collection. This weekend is planned to be a spectacular event that will entertain visitors of all ages.

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.