Aircraft Showcase
After arriving home from the Australian International Airshow in Victoria, all of us here at the Museum have turned our focus to our Aircraft Showcase program coming up this weekend which will feature the Spitfire and the Museum’s trainers, Ryan and Tiger Moth.

The current high pressure system over this region has been producing some glorious weather and this Saturday will be no exception. It is sure to be a perfect day for flying in these open cockpit trainers and the Supermarine Spitfire.
Gates open at 10am.

 Avalon
The Temora Aviation Museum would like to thank everyone involved in ensuring a successful campaign for the Australian International Airshow 2013. The Museum’s Meteor, Hudson, Spitfire Mk VIII, Boomerang and the RAAF Sabre all took part in this extraordinary bi-annual airshow which was held on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of March attracting over 180,000 visitors.

Our Warbirds were a popular attraction both on the ground and in the air as they performed some of the most incredible formation flying ever seen in this country. Avalon 2013 provided a great opportunity for the Museum to showcase the historically significant collection of aircraft as well as promoting to aviation enthusiasts the benefits of a visit to the Museum.

If you were at the Airshow and visited our promotions trailer, you may have been lucky enough to enter your name in the draw for free tickets to the Warbirds Downunder 2013 which is to be held on the 2nd November here at Temora. The winners of these general admission tickets were Michael Basins, Jayden Boyde, Tony Brook, Andrew Bevan, Reg Hough, Frank Robinson, Kevin Schramm, Mike Schaffer, Mark Tyzzer and Jesse Oweng. Congratulations to you all. We will be in contact with you soon with all of the details and we look forward to seeing you on 2nd November.

Warbirds Downunder 2013
Now is the time to mark the 2nd November in your calendar and plan your trip for Warbirds Downunder 2013. Plans are well underway for an action packed flying program as well as displays on the ground. It is hoped the flying program will be even bigger than 2011 when over 50 sorties were flown during this single day airshow.

Squadron Tent City
Accommodation in Temora during Airshows can be difficult to get – so this year we are trialling another option for those who would like to stay at the airfield and avoid the traffic when arriving and leaving the Airshow on the day.

New in 2013, the Squadron Tent Barracks is a temporary on-site accommodation facility consisting of cabin style tents tall enough to stand up in. Each tent will be set up before you arrive and feature an awning, internal lighting, carpet on the floor, camp style beds and roll up screened windows – all you need to bring is your linen (sleeping bag and pillow), towels, camping chairs and personal items!

The beds are camp style stretcher beds that come complete with a mattress which will ensure both a good night’s rest, and adequate storage room under your bed for your camping essentials. For more details and bookings **Click Here**

Upcoming Dates

Spitfire Mk VIII
VH-HET our Spitfire Mk VIII is set to return to the skies this Saturday after a prolonged absence due to an engine overhaul. The Museum’s Engineering Team lead by Chief Engineer Andrew Bishop has invested an enormous amount of time and effort into returning the aircraft to flying status. Vintage V 12’s in the United States was chosen to perform the overhaul of the Merlin Engine and during the process, Andrew spent several weeks in the U.S. working closely with Vintage V 12’s throughout the strip down and rebuild process.

In speaking with Andrew he said “the many weeks I spent in the U.S.  with Vintage V 12’s was an invaluable experience with so much learnt about this complex engine, the Museum now has a greater understanding of the Merlin Engine which should see the Museum’s Spitfires serviceable for many years to come.  After some initial engine ground runs and the first of a series of check flights later in the week, it is hoped that we are able to display the Mk VIII to the public on Saturday during Aircraft Showcase.

HARS Catalina
It has been some time since the Big Black Cat visited the Temora Aviation Museum but visitors attending this Saturday’s Aircraft Showcase will be treated to the spectacular display which the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Catalina VH PBZ in renowned for.

The crew from HARS always put on a great show and pilot Gordon Glynn said he is really looking forwad to bringing the Cat to Temora where he will allow our visitors to get up close and personnel with the Catalina during the morning prior to the flying program commencing.

Aircraft Showcase
The line-up for Saturdays flying is quite exciting. Al Arthur is bringing his P-40 to complement the Pearl Harbor theme while the Museum’s Tiger Moth and Ryan will also take part. What a line-up of aircraft to finish what has been an action packed year at the Museum. The weather prediction is for a very warm summer day, so make sure that you pack your sunscreen and hat and come and join us this Saturday for the last Aircraft Showcase of 2012.

The first Aircraft Showcase for 2013 will be January 19^th and with the theme of CAC Australian Made the Sabre, Boomerang, Wirraway, Winjeel & Ceres are all scheduled to participate.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING – SPECIAL OFFER
With Christmas fast approaching, you can purchase the perfect gift from the wide range of merchandise at our online giftshop. We have something for everyone, toys, books, DVD’s, Homewares, Clothing and Caps. Our range this Christmas includes Phil Makanna’s Ghost Calendars for 2013. http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=category&cat_id=13

We are offering a special Christmas promotion for all purchases of the Ghost Calendar made between today and Christmas Day (while stocks last). If you buy either the WWI or WWII calendar, we will give you a FREE ANNUAL PASS to the Temora Aviation Museum (including Showcase Days, excluding Warbirds Downunder) valued at $50. Check out the shop now!

Temora Aviation Museum President and Founder David Lowy AM flew the Museum’s Ryan STM from Wagga Wagga to Temora this morning with a special bag of mail, to celebrate the Centenary of Powered Flight in Australia with the launch of a series of three new aviation-themed postage stamps from Australia Post.

The Centenary of Powered Flight stamp issue, which commemorates the efforts of three notable aviators, Colin Defries, John Duigan, and escape artist Harry Houdini, aims to recognise the pioneers of aviation in Australia who helped shape the way in which mail was delivered in this country.

The day began with David displaying enlarged versions of the stamps in front of the Ryan in Wagga Wagga. After receiving his mail delivery he then departed Wagga in the Ryan and headed for Temora. The aircraft’s arrival at the Museum was witnessed by many visitors, who turned out especially for the occasion. David said a few words to those assembled, followed by the Mayor of Temora Peter Speirs. The mailbag was then handed over to the rider of a vintage postie bike for its journey to the local post office.

The last Flying Days for 2005 are coming up this weekend! Guaranteed to be a big event, the majority of the Museums aircraft collection will be flying both days, along with visiting aircraft from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS). The Super Constellation will be at the Museum both Saturday and Sunday, as well as Matt Dennings Boomerang from Toowoomba, Qld. HARS will have their two Ex-RAAF C-47s at the Museum for the Saturday only. For those that are interested in seeing the Canberra or Meteor fly, these aircraft will only be flown on Saturday. In general, the flying that happens on the Saturday of a Flying Weekend will be repeated with the same aircraft on the Sunday. Although, there are always a few exceptions to this rule, due to pilot availability and aircraft maintenance.

The Museum will open at 10.00 am, with flying beginning at 11.00 am both days. Hot and cold food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day at the Museums ‘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. Bring the whole family along for some great weekend entertainment!

Photoshoot of Hudson and Ryan

Film Producer Keith Webb came to Temora in late October for a photoshoot of the Hudson and Ryan above the fields of Temora. With the consistent rain Temora has been receiving lately, the paddocks were a lovely green, which created the perfect backdrop for the video and photographs, taken from the Museums Wirraway and Cessna 0-2A. The Hudson was chosen for this photoshoot to capture its new paint scheme in flight. Museum Crew Members Doug Hamilton and Gordon Glynn flew the Hudson. Gordon and Doug dressed for the occasion in a mix of vintage and replica WWII pilot outfits and headgear. Fellow Museum Crew Member Lars Larson, joined the team by flying the Ryan for the photoshoot.

New Storyboard Display

A new storyboard display has been hung in the exhibition area at the Museum. It features aircraft that have been used by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) since they began flying from ships at sea in 1917. The display has been chronicled from the earliest flown aircraft to the most recent aircraft, currently flown by the RAN. The extensive use of aircraft photographs featured in the display are sure to impress Museum visitors.

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 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.

World’s newest Wirraway Pilot

Lars Larson, the witty pilot and commentator that you can catch in action on Museum flying weekends, has just completed his endorsement in the Museum’s 1940 CAC Wirraway. Well-known Warbird pilot Steve Death visited the Museum for a couple of days to provide the training that helped Lars to successfully learn to fly the Wirraway.

Steve described the type of training that was involved before Lars could pilot the Wirraway on his own. “We began with extensive ground school prior to flight, after which, the first flying session with both Lars and myself involved general handling of the aircraft and its systems. We then returned to the airfield for a session of take-offs and landings. We carried on with this until the sun was setting and then returned to the field. A de-briefing process concluded the first day of flying.”

“A good cross wind was blowing the following day, in time to challenge Lars with his newly-found flying skills. The day began with a flight that involved carrying out emergency procedures training. This involved what to do in the case of engine failure and any other possible problems. We then landed at the field again, after which Lars performed his first solo flight.”

Lars found the Wirraway a delightful airplane to fly and commented that, “It’s noisy, it shakes, it rattles and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to fly it.”

Lars’s flying training was made much easier by his extensive flying history in tail wheel type aircraft such as the Piper Cub, Tiger Moth, Ryan STM and his own Cessna 180. During the week Lars is a 737 pilot for Qantas and has more than 10,000 hours flying experience under his belt.

Check out photos of Lars taken after his first solo flight in the Wirraway. http://aviationmuseum.ayera.com/news/LarsWirraway.cfm

History Channel

If you have not yet had the chance to watch the Museum’s program, Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds it will be showing on the History Channel on the 24 and 25 April.

It is a 60-minute program, which features rare archival footage as well as recent interviews with the veterans who flew the aircraft. It involves spectacular air-to-air photography and is narrated by the familiar voice of Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell.

If you would like to purchase your own DVD or VHS copy of Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds online, visit the Museum’s Website Merchandise page at www.aviationmuseum.com.au/shop or call the Museum on 02 6977 1088 to order a copy.

Busy Weekend over Easter

The Museum enjoyed a fantastic March weekend, with excellent weather and plenty of visitors. Spectators were treated to displays by the Museum’s aircraft featuring a duo by the graceful Ryan and Tiger Moth and the awesome sight of the vintage trio, which was comprised of the Canberra, the Meteor and the Vampire.

If you haven’t visited our flying days yet, start making plans today. Just bear in mind that if you are requiring accommodation within Temora to book ahead early. Accommodation is often limited around flying weekends, so we suggest accommodation within a neighbouring town as an alternative option.
For reference to accommodation contact details click on the link ‘visit us’ then click on ‘Accommodation’, or call the Museum on 02 69771088 to get an accommodation list for Temora and neighbouring towns faxed through to you.

Museum’s Hudson at Point Cook

The Museum’s Hudson recently ventured south to Point Cook, to partake in the RAAF Museum’s twilight spectacular – to mark the RAAF’s 84th Anniversary. The Hudson and other vintage aircraft in the twilight display provided a nostalgic backdrop against the setting sun.

Online shop

The Museum would like to remind all that the Temora Aviation Museum Warbirds DVD and VHS are available for purchase through the Museum’s online shop. The footage is narrated by Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and features:
•   Spectacular air to air photography
•   Rare wartime archive battle film and stills
•   Aerial routines from the pilot’s point of view
•   Veterans who flew the aircraft
•   What it’s like to fly these Machines
•   Warbirds from WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War

There is also a variety of other Warbird DVDs and Videos available, as well as a range of aviation-themed merchandise in stock.

Spitfire Propeller

After several months of maintenance the Spitfire is returning to our flying program. All four propeller blades have been replaced, with new blades purchased from the Hoffman Company in Germany. All the tooling to assemble the propeller had to be fabricated by the Temora Aviation Museum Engineers, as the tools are no longer available for purchase.

Temora weather

Temora weather for Saturday and Sunday is expected to be sunny with tops of 24 degrees. There is a very light cool breeze, so a jacket is recommended.

A reminder that daylight saving ends on Saturday night, when the clocks are turned back one hour.

Flying Programme

The flying programme for the weekend includes the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Wirraway, Hudson, Spitfire, Meteor, Vampire, Canberra, T-28 Trojan and the A37B Dragonfly.

Lunch and refreshments will be available from our ‘Mess Hall’. A variety of hot and cold food can be purchased. The Temora branch of the NSW Fire Brigade operates the Mess Hall and all proceeds go to local charity.

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.

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

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

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

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