Yesterday, May 1st was the 70th Anniversary of the opening of No.10 Elementary Flying Training School (10EFTS) in Temora and to mark the occasion the Temora Aviation Museum is offering one lucky visitor to this Saturdays Showcase event a flight in the Museum’s Tiger Moth. This aircraft actually served here at 10EFTS as a primary trainer between 1941 and 1945. This is a special event for the Museum and a rare opportunity for the lucky visitor who will enjoy the flight. To be eligible you must be over 18 years of age and be in attendance at the Museum this Saturday 7th of May. The winner will be announced during the day and must be ready to take to the skies following the completion of the Museum’s flying program. (more…)

Last Saturday the Temora Aviation Museum hosted another successful Showcase Day with the Piston Fighters a popular aircraft combination with the many visitor’s who turned for what was a beautiful day for flying. Those who attended saw the Wirraway and Spitfire Mk XVI fly along with Allan Arthurs P-40 which was visiting the Museum from Albury. It was an enthusiastic crowd who not only saw these magnificent Warbirds fly but spoke with the pilots who fly them and the engineers who do a terrific job in maintaining these Warbirds.

This weekend will see thousands of visitors and up to 1000 aircraft flying in to the Temora airfield for NATFLY 2011. The Museum will not be flying any of its collection for this fly-in of recreational aircraft however we will be open to visitors from 10am to 4pm each day throughout the long weekend except for Good Friday when we are the closed. So come and see the latest and greatest in homebuilt & light aircraft at NATFLY 2011 with all the industry leaders attending.

On ANZAC Day, as in previous years, the Museum will open its doors at 12 noon as a sign of respect for those who served their country and to allow all staff volunteers and visitors the opportunity to attend the morning services. In memory of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice the Museums Wirraway will be conducting a fly by at the morning services in Springdale, Ariah Park and Temora.

Our next Showcase Day is scheduled for May 7th and we will be acknowledging the role the Forward Air Control aircraft and personel played during the Vietnam conflict. Activities for the kids, feature films, pilot talks and engineering demonstrations will all be happening throughout the day so come on out to the Temora Aviation Museum and experience Aircraft Showcase.

The Museum now has an official Facebook page which is regularly updated with what is happening around the Museum along with lots of photos, links and videos, so become a fan today, http://www.facebook.com/temoraaviationmuseum

WAYS TO GET INFORMATION FROM US
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/temoraaviationmuseum
Twitter http://twitter.com/TemoraAviation
Website www.aviationmuseum.com.au

AIRCRAFT SHOWCASE – JET FIGHTERS
This Saturday the 2nd of April will see the Aircraft Showcase – Jet Fighters take place here at the Temora Aviation Museum. The Gloster Meteor F.8 and the RAAF Sabre CA-27 will be showcased both on the ground and in the air. The feature film and Engineering Hangar tour are both scheduled along with activities for the kids and of course most of the aircraft collection will be available for inspection in the Display Hangar. The weather is forecast to be great – this is a perfect time of year for Airshows. (more…)

NINETY years of history will be remembered at Temora next week to mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Beginning in Temora on Monday March 28th, sixty antique and historic ex-military and civilian aircraft will take part in an air pilgrimage from Temora to Point Cook, stopping in Tocumwal and Ballarat. The aircraft will arrive at Temora throughout the day on Monday with a gala dinner to be held in the Temora Aviation Museum display hangar that night for all event participants. Tuesday morning will see the aircraft commence their departures from Temora, headed for Tocumwal and the Temora Aviation Museum will be offering free admission to all visitors from 8.30am through to Midday to view this historic event take place.

The Air Pilgrimage will be supported by Museum aircraft with the Spitfire Mk VIII, Hudson, Wirraway and Ryan all participating in the event along with many other antique and ex military type aircraft.
RAAF Director of Regional Events, Air Commodore Rod Luke AM said Temora, Tocumwal and Ballarat played an important role in Air Force history as regional bases. “They have been chosen because of the significant history of these three bases as World War II aircraft training locations,” he said. “It is good for us to stop every now and again and reflect on our history and the service the Air Force has provided.”

We want to encourage everyone to help celebrate this milestone by either visiting the Museum or the airfields at Tocumwal, Ballarat or Point Cook.

Last Friday night, the Museum attended the 2010 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards which was held at Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth WA. The Museum was a finalist in two categories which were Best in Heritage and Cultural tourism and Best in Festival and Events Tourism. We were unsuccessful in the Heritage and Cultural Category but we are pleased to announce that the Museum won the Festival and Events Category for the Sabre Launch Flying Weekend held in September 2009.

Chief Executive of the Temora Aviation Museum Kenny Love said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, crew and volunteers who have been involved with the Museum since its inception. A massive amount of time and effort has been invested into the Museum and to see the result of those labours recognised with such a prestigious national award is very satisfying for everyone involved.”

Museum Founder and President, David Lowy AM said “Five years ago the Royal Australian Air Force entrusted us to restore their 1950’s vintage Sabre fighter jet and return it to flying condition and this award represents national recognition of our team’s achievement. The Museum is about recognising the efforts of the men and women who served and fought in defence of Australia and it is our mission to ensure their efforts are never forgotten.”

We also want to acknowledge the thousands visitors who continue to support this wonderful tribute to Australia’s military aviation heritage and encourage those who have not yet experienced the Temora Aviation Museum to make the time to visit.

FACEBOOK
The Temora Aviation Museum has recently set up an official Facebook page which can be found at http://www.facebook.com/temoraaviationmuseum. This page will be updated regularly with upcoming events, photos, video, important information regarding the Museum and Warbird aviation in general. The page is open for all to post comments and also has a discussion tab which allows interaction between all fans of the page and the Museum Team. Facebook is a fantastic platform to stay in touch with what is happening at the Museum and we encourage each of you to interact and communicate on the page. Uploaded on the page now are images from our involvement at HARS Wings Over the Illawarra Airshow and the 2011 Avalon Airshow so be our friend at http://www.facebook.com/temoraaviationmuseum and stay in touch.

AIRCRAFT SHOWCASE
This Saturday the 19th of March will see the Aircraft Showcase – Bomber/Attack take place here at the Temora Aviation Museum. The Hudson Bomber, T-28 Trojan and Spitfire Mk VIII will all be showcased both on the ground and in the air. The feature film and Engineering Hangar tour are both scheduled along with activities for the kids and of course the entire aircraft collection will be available for inspection in the Display Hangar.

Upcoming Showcase Dates
May 7th Aircraft Showcase – Forward Air Control
May 21st Aircraft Showcase – Pacific Theatre
June 4th Aircraft Showcase – Korea
June 18th Aircraft Showcase – World War II

November 19th Major Airshow

V-12’s and Trainers will be the theme for this Saturdays Aircraft Showcase. Come and visit the Temora Aviation Museum and embark on a journey from the simple Tiger Moth and Ryan STM trainers to the mighty V-12 powered Spitfire and Kittyhawk which will roar in an impressive display of unique sounds and nostalgia. Accompanied by music and informative commentary you will discover many interesting things about these aircraft and the men and women who served our country flying and maintaining them during WWII. We would like to extend a special thank you, to Al Arthur, who is bringing his beautiful P-40N1 Kittyhawk up from Albury to join us on Saturday.

Our Aircraft Showcase has proven to be very popular, with Museum visitors having the opportunity to see the aircraft display their capabilities in the sky before exploring the Engineering Hangar and having a chat with our Engineers who do such a fantastic job maintaining our collection of Australian ex-Military Aircraft. They have prepared demonstrations and displays which will show the internal workings of the famous Merlin engine and the Tiger Moth and Ryan will be available for that up close inspection.

The Museum opens at 10am and a historical feature film is aired shortly after in the Display Hangar, all buildings are air conditioned to escape the heat and activities for the kids are available throughout the day. Don’t forget the fully catered Mess Hall will be open with a variety of hot and cold food and beverage for you to enjoy.

Online Merchandise

The Museum’s Giftshop is constantly receiving new merchandise which is available via the online merchandise section of our website. This week’s special is a great range of Shark Teeth Backpacks. Looking very similar to the Museum’s MkVIII Spitfire markings, the packs come in a range of five different sizes and are very popular with children and adults alike. The pouch is ideal as a camera case and the uses for the backpacks are endless. Check them out today at http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/shop/category.cfm?cat=12 . All purchases online are secure and items are shipped within one business day.

All of us at the Temora Aviation Museum would like to welcome you into 2011 which is shaping up to be a huge year not only for the Museum but for Australian Aviation. Major events such as Australian International Airshow, RAAF 90th Anniversary Air Pilgrimage, AAAA Fly-in Echuca and the HARS Open Day all scheduled in the first quarter of 2011. The Temora Aviation Museum will be supporting all of these events as well as hosting our regular Aircraft Showcase days on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. The only exception to this is there will be no Aircraft Showcase on the 5th of March 2011 due to the Museums commitment at the Avalon Airshow on the same day.

To kick things off for 2011 the Museum will commence with Aircraft Showcase – Vietnam this Saturday featuring the Cessna O-1 Birddog, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly and the Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight Huey Helicopter. A feature film will be shown in the Display Hangar prior to the commencement of the flying program and interviews and talks with the pilots will take place throughout the day. Come and see the engineering work which is currently being undertaken at the Museums maintenance facility and have a look at the internal workings of the J-85 jet engine which powers the Cessna Dragonfly.

Saturday’s weather forecast for Temora is favourable for flying and we are ready to start this New Year with another successful Aircraft Showcase Day.

2010 has been a big year for the Temora Aviation Museum. In July we received awards at the Inland NSW Tourism awards, winning Best in Heritage and Cultural Tourism for the third year in a row and entered the Hall of Fame.

In November the 2010 NSW Tourism awards were held with the Museum taking out the Gold award for the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category and the Festivals and Events Category. We also received a Silver award for the Tourist Attractions category recognizing the success of the Museum as a destination.

The change in format from Flying Weekends to Aircraft Showcase Days twice a month has been a huge success and we have enjoyed many visiting aircraft which participated in our flying program. We were fortunate to have Birddogs, Harvards, Trojans, Kittyhawk, Auster, Gipsy Moth, Royal Australian Navy’s Huey helicopter, Royal Australian Air Force’s Hawks, HARS Catalina, plus many others. We thank those who participated in our historic flying displays and look forward to seeing them again in 2011.

Aircraft from the Museum have taken part in many outside activities during the year, including appearances at several airshows, open days, ANZAC Day fly-bys and special events.

The Staff, Volunteers and Crew from the Temora Aviation Museum would like to thank everyone that visited the Museum throughout the year. Your patronage helps us to keep our aircraft flying.

Our opening hours throughout the holiday period remain 10 am to 4 pm daily, except for closure on New Years Day (Saturday 1 January 2011). Make your way to the Riverina during the holiday season and visit the Temora Aviation Museum Aircraft Collection. Our team of dedicated volunteers will be here and happy to show visitors through, offering information on the aircraft and the Museum.

We are already in full preparation for our next Aircraft Showcase Day which will be January 15th. The theme of the day will be Vietnam and the aircraft featured will be the Birddog, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly and the Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight Huey. We have a special program planned which you won’t want to miss. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Temora Aviation Museum would like to wish all our newsletter subscribers a very safe and happy new year.

This weekend Temora Aviation Museum is presenting a Pacific Theatre theme for the last Aircraft Showcase of 2010. On the flying program are the Lockheed Hudson, Spitfire Mk VIII and Allan Arthur’s P-40 Kittyhawk.

The Lockheed Hudson is the only twin engine World War II bomber flying in Australia. This aircraft was one of 247 Hudsons which served with the RAAF during and after the war. In addition to the traditional bombing role the Hudson proved to be a versatile aircraft and was used for multiple roles including troop transport, VIP transport and coastal patrol which included air/sea rescue where a lifeboat was carried under the fuselage. At the completion of its RAAF service, our Hudson was owned by East West Airlines as a passenger carrying airliner and then Adastra Aerial Surveys where it was used in the role of high altitude photographic survey. In 1976 Malcolm Long purchased the aircraft and began a restoration process which saw the aircraft returned to airworthy condition and operated in memory of all the Australians that served in bomber crews during WWII. The Hudson became part of our collection in 2004 and is flown on a regular basis during Aircraft Showcase events and Airshows around Australia.

The Museum’s Mk VIII Spitfire is also flying this Saturday. Powered by the Rolls Royce’s V-12 Merlin which is harnessed to a propeller which swings four large wood blades, the Spitfire is an aircraft that sounds as beautiful as it looks. Painted in RAAF 457 Squadron colors, the Mk VIII carries the markings of Wing Commander R.H. (Bobby) Gibbes AM WG CMR DSO DFC*.

Allan Arthur is bringing his beautiful 1943 P-40N1 Kittyhawk to Saturday’s Aircraft Showcase. Powered by an Allison 1710 V-12 engine which is rated at 1400 horsepower, it was retrieved as a wreck from a fire dump in New Zealand. It has been completely restored and painted to represent GAQ from RAF 112 Shark Squadron, which fought in the Middle East against Rommel. The rebuild process took more then six years and was completed in 2006. Since then the aircraft has flown more then 130 hours. In addition to Allan, three other pilots regularly fly the P-40, Steve Death, Doug Hamilton and Scott Taberner.

Temora Aviation Museum’s Aircraft Showcase is an opportunity to get up close to the aircraft and see them where they are meant to be – in the air! After the flying there is time for a tour through the Engineering Hangar to see what projects our Engineering Team is working on. They have prepared many things to show this weekend and will also share with you their knowledge on non destructive inspection techniques, the theory and construction of gas turbine engines and the principles of operation of radial engines. We also screen a film in the Display Hangar and the pilots are available to chat with our visitors as well. The weather for Saturday will be brilliant for flying with clear skies predicted and a top temperature of 25 degrees.

MESS HALL
The Museum’s Mess Hall will be open for business on Saturday with a menu that would certainly out do the original Mess Hall from WWII. Steak and sausage sandwiches and a selection of cut sandwiches plus hot and cold drinks and ice creams are all available for purchase. This weekend our Mess Hall will be operated by the Temora Quota Club. Quota International, founded in 1919, is an international service organization that links members of all ages, occupations, and nationalities in a worldwide network of service and friendship. With a motto of “we share,” Quotarians are known especially for their service to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Quota members share the values of serving and encouraging others, developing friendships, and promoting international understanding. Recently the Museum introduced a new streamlined method of payment at the Mess Hall which means you will be served faster and you can pay for your food using EFTPOS.

SPECIAL SHOPPING OFFER
Its only ten days until Christmas and our Gift Shop here in Temora is well stocked for the season. We have a range of aviation gift items to suit men, women and children of all ages. If you are unable to visit us in person you can still purchase those last minute gift items using our online giftshop at www.aviationmuseum.com.au/shop. If you looking for ideas why not get a limited edition polo shirt featuring the RAAF Sabre or some airplane earrings available in either gold or silver. Don’t forget our Christmas Special. We are offering a special gift for all orders made between today and Christmas Day. If you spend $50 or more on merchandise from our online shop, we will give you a FREE ANNUAL PASS to the Temora Aviation Museum (including Showcase Days) valued at $50.

Two RAAF Hawk’s will add to Saturday’s Aircraft Showcase- Jet Fighters impressive line up of aircraft. The Cessna A37 Dragonfly will not by flying as per the original program but has been replaced by the ever popular Spitfire Mk VIII, Wirraway and two visiting Harvard’s. The Meteor and Sabre will complete the flying program for what will be a huge day for the second last Aircraft Showcase for 2010. One of the RAAF Hawks will be on static display and the other will take to the skies and perform a high energy low level aerobatic display.

It has been some time since the RAAF Hawks have made an appearance at Temora so be sure to come out and experience Aircraft Showcase-Fighters and see them in detail. The Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 is primarily used for initial or lead-in fighter training to prepare aircrew for operational conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet fighter. It is operated by No 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, and No 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce, near Perth.

The Hawk 127 is a low-wing all-metal aircraft, fitted with an integrated navigation and attack system, and powered by a single Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine. The avionics system is integrated via a 1553 multiplex database. The principle components are two display and mission computers (DMCs), which co-ordinate, process and command the display of information from the communications, navigation and attack sub-systems. Each cockpit has hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls.

The head-up display (HUD) in the front cockpit and three colour multi-function displays (MFD) in each cockpit present a range of flight information, ranging from aircraft performance and attitude through to equipment status reports. Mission-specific data can be pre-programmed by the pilot and downloaded into the system. Equipment performance, aircraft fatigue and engine life data is monitored and recorded by a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS).

The Hawk 127 armament system provides for the carriage, aiming and release or firing of practice and Mk 82 bombs, AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles and a 30mm cannon. The stores are carried on two wingtip missile stations or pylon-mounted on four underwing and one centreline hardpoints. A 30mm Aden cannon carried in a gun pod can be installed on the centreline station in place of the pylon. Stores are controlled by the integrated stores management system (SMS).

Click on the link top see a video clip on the RAAF Hawk courtesy of Air Force’s YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/AirForceHQ?gl=AU&hl=en-GB#p/u/43/BARsxKM57O8

Aircraft Showcase gives you a more detailed experience from the pilots perspective but also includes insights from our engineers with the Engineering Hangar Tour becoming one of the most popular parts of the day. The Engineering Hangar Tour encourages our visitors to talk one-on-one with our experienced team as they give detailed demonstrations and talks on the various aspects and operations of our aircraft.

For this Saturdays Engineering Tour some interesting demonstrations are planned. David Finch, our jet engine specialist, has a Rolls Royce Avon jet engine stripped down so you can see the internal workings, and he will be showing an animated video of how a jet engine functions. The Sabres, gas operated, Aden cannon will be on display with our engineers showing you how they work as well as a Pratt & Whitney R1340 cut-away engine showing the amazing internal workings as it is rotated.

So with the RAAF Hawks making an appearance, six other warbird aircraft and an array of interesting engineering demonstrations planned there has never been better opportunity to come and experience Aircraft Showcase.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING – SPECIAL OFFER
With Christmas fast approaching, you can purchase a gift from our 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 a variety of camouflage items including shower caps, aprons, oven mitts, tea towels and cosmetic bags.

We are offering a special Christmas promotion for all orders made between today and Christmas Day. If you spend $50 or more on merchandise from our online shop, we will give you a FREE ANNUAL PASS to the Temora Aviation Museum (including Showcase Days) valued at $50.

Check out the shop now!

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

On Friday night at the NSW Tourism Awards, the Temora Aviation Museum was fortunate to win awards in three categories.

This annual awards function is an opportunity for tourism based businesses in NSW to be recognised for their hard work and achievements. Going into the night we were finalists in three categories and were hoping for a great outcome.

In the Tourist Attraction category we received the Silver Award this year an improvement on last years Bronze.

In the Festivals and Events category we submitted for judging the Launch of the Sabre in September 2009 and were honoured to receive the Gold Award for this event.

Our third category was Heritage and Cultural tourism which we have won for the past two years. We were delighted to receive Gold again this year and as a result the Museum has been inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame.

Category winners from each state are now judged against each other with National winners to be announced in March 2011 at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Perth.

Of course, winning these awards would not be possible without the tremendous effort that has been put in by every member of our team. We also want to thank our visitors for their ongoing support of the Museum and continued interest in preserving Australia’s Military Aviation Heritage. Temora Aviation Museum President, David Lowy, said “This is a great moment for the Museum and I am very proud of what the team has achieved. I congratulate everyone for their efforts.”

Pictures

http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/PictureGallery2010.cfm

The weekend is rapidly approaching and the Museum staff are getting ready for Aircraft Showcase – Forward Air Control. The Museum’s Cessna O-2A and A-37B Dragonfly will be joined by visiting aircraft which include two Cessna Birddogs, owned by Gordon Glynn, The Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight’s UH-1 Huey and Steve Death’s T-28 Trojan. The Iroquois UH1B helicopter is graced with the iconic helicopter shape and the classic “wokka wokka” chopper sound. The UH-1 was used extensively in Vietnam throughout the 1960′s, was assigned to 135th Assault Helicopter Company (part of US 214th Combat Aviation Battalion) and now has a home with Nowra’s Historic Flight.

The Museum’s Cessna O-2A and both Birddogs are Forward Air Control veterans with records showing that the O-2A has logged more the 4,100 hours in combat. Gordon’s grey Birddog logged in excess of 10,000 combat flying hours, was shot down twice and had a mid air collision with a fighter which cut off several feet of one wing. The pilot Lt Col Richard Brown, who was a veteran of WWII and Korea, managed to land safely. This aircraft now carries the markings of the Royal Thai Air Force. The green ‘Dog was used as a FAC and served with Air America including some time with the Ravens. At one stage of its life it had twin M-60 machine guns mounted under the wings.

The flying will include a combination of individual sequences and some formation flying mixed with interviews from the pilots. When the flying is complete our visitors are invited to check out the Engineering Hangar where demonstrations will be taking place. Currently the Spitfire Mk VIII is undergoing an annual inspection and you will see the aircraft with all its panels removed. The Spitfire will be up on jacks and the engineering team will show you how the landing gear retracts as they put it through several cycles using a hydraulic power supply.

ACROSS OZ
Two adventure motorbike riders are on the journey of a lifetime, crossing Australia from East to West before returning home via the southern coastline. Damian Milo and Bruce Potts, will be completing a passion that has been in the planning for years, inspired by other great adventure motorcycling tales from around the globe and their own deep driven instincts for adventure and living life to the full.In conjunction with Fountainhead Retreat and the Anti Depression Association of Australia, the riders are promoting the awareness of depressive related illnesses across the country in an effort to send out the message that there are indeed answers to control this debilitating illness and to offer direction for sufferers on where to seek help. Covering six weeks and some 12,000 kilometers, the journey is coming close to the end and it wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Temora Aviation Museum. This Saturday the team comes to the Museum and will spend some time sharing their experiences with our visitors before heading north towards home. www.acrossoz.net

NEW DATES RELEASED
May 7th 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Forward Air Control O-1, O-2, A-37B, Sabre
May 21st, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Pacific Theatre Hudson, Spitfire, Wirraway
Jun 4th 2011 Aircraft Showcase Korea – Meteor, Sabre, Mustang
Jun 18th 2011 Aircraft Showcase – World War II Tiger Moth, Ryan, Spitfire, Harvard

And the date you have all been waiting for….

Temora Aviation Museum will be holding a Big Flying Event in 2011 on November 19th.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER FOR ONLINE SHOP…
Christmas is just around the corner with just over a month before Santa packs the sleigh. The Museum Gift Shop is well stocked with everything the aviation enthusiast in your life could wish for. Visit the Gift Shop while you are here this weekend or click on the link below to take you to easy online shopping.

Visit our online shop to check out our great variety of DVDs, books, caps, clothing, and giftware. New items have been added which include travel mugs, cups, hip flasks, and more. There are only a few limited edition Sabre hats left, and they make the perfect gift.

We are offering a special Christmas promotion for all orders made between today and Christmas Day. If you spend $50 or more on merchandise from our online shop, we will give you a FREE ANNUAL PASS to the Temora Aviation Museum (including Showcase Days) valued at $50.

Check out the shop now!
http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/shop/

The Temora Aviation Museum is proud be hosting the Temora Invitational Scale Classic 2010 on Saturday 6th November here at the Museum. The Scale Model competition will be incorporated into the Aircraft Showcase – Piston Fighters event we are scheduled to hold. This combined event will take place on Saturday the 6th November with the Scale Models also flying on Friday 5th and Sunday 7th.

When asked about the event, John Rolfe, organiser of the scale classic, had this to say: “Well once again the year has rolled around to one of the best Scale model competitions in Australia and to top this event off we have the Temora Aviation Museums Showcase on the Saturday. This year we have a few very interesting aircraft on display from WWI and WWII including multi engine aircraft and modern day military jets. There will be people on hand to explain to the visitors how these aircraft operate. Each flying routine will consist of 10 manoeuvres of the pilot’s choice and two compulsory ones. All aircraft will compete in four rounds over the three days of competition as well as static judging to see how close the aircraft detail is to a full sized version. With at least two aircraft in the air all the times it will be very exciting for those watching, visitors will also have the chance to get up close to the aircraft throughout the day.”

This weekend, you must come to Temora Aviation Museum to witness a full sized Spitfire, Kittyhawk and Wirraway along with dozens of meticulously built scale model aircraft in the air. So grab a chair and your sunscreen and come on out to the Temora Aviation Museum this weekend. Food and beverages will be available on all three days, with normal admission applying both Friday and Sunday and on Saturday Aircraft Showcase Day admission applies, see www.aviationmuseum.com.au

A couple of exciting additions have been incorporated into this Saturdays Aircraft Showcase – Korea. 2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War and the RAAF Sabre and Meteor are being showcased along with the CAC Mustang from the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. The Mustang is a welcome addition to our popular Aircraft Showcase. This is the first time the RAAF Museum Mustang has been able to make the journey to Temora, so this is definitely an opportunity not to be missed. http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/exhibitions/interactive/mustang.htm

With his aircraft fresh of the ship after finishing the Red Bull Air Race season, pilot Matt Hall will display his skills during the Aircraft Showcase this Saturday. Seeing Matt perform his tight turns, loops and rolls is something which must be seen to be believed. Matt is an experienced pilot and his logbook includes time in the F/A-18 Hornet as well as many Warbird and civilian types. When he last flew at the Museum it was in a WWII Mustang but this time he will amaze our visitors with an aerobatic routine in his Red Bull race machine. http://matthallracing.com/

Aircraft Showcase allows the you to get up close to the aircraft, talk with the pilots and gain a insight into how we keep these aircraft flying and what it is like to fly these old warbirds – which only a handful of pilots have the privilege to do.

One of the most popular aspects of Aircraft Showcase is the informative talks and demonstrations given by the Museum’s Engineering team. This Saturday, Engine builder David Finch will be on hand to demonstrate the operation of the Rolls Royce Derwent engine which powers the Gloster Meteor while Ben Muller will be helping you to understand the complex hydraulic system which is a critical part of the RAAF Sabre. Andrew Bishop with be available to answer any questions regarding the powerful V12 Merlin Engine and we will also have an assortment of instruments and gauges demonstrating their internal workings. The engineering tour takes place after the flying display with all engineers and pilots on hand to answer your questions.

We are also planning an informative discussion on ejection seat use and operation which will be presented by Alan Clements. Alan is a Group Captain in the RAAF and currently flys the Museum’s Meteor F.8. Assisting Alan with the discussion will be Sabre pilot Squadron Leader Paul Simmons. This will take place in the Display Hangar immediately following the morning movie.

Bomber Attack is the theme for Saturday’s Aircraft Showcase and leading the charge will be the Hudson Bomber piloted by a regular here at Temora, Doug Hamilton. Pete Pring-Shambler will be assisting Doug as co-pilot while they demonstrate the graceful manoeuvrers which this big bomber is renowned for. The T-28 Trojan will then perform before we close out the flying with an action packed display by President and Founder of the Temora Aviation Museum David Lowy in the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly. For those of you who have not witnessed this display, it is something which should not be missed. The Cessna A-37B Dragonfly is an all-metal, retractable gear, low wing twin turbojet powered aircraft and is one of the most powerful aircraft in the Museums collection when considering power to weight ratio. This aircraft weighs in at just 2,843 kg empty is capable of speeds of up to 778 km/h enabling David to demonstrate the aircraft in such a way that it is a must see for anyone with an interest in aviation. All three of the aircraft being flown during the Showcase are combat veterans with the Hudson serving during WWII and the T-28 and A-37 serving in Vietnam.

Ensure you arrive when the gates open at 10am to capture the entire experience of Aircraft Showcase which begins with the feature film of the day. This will be simulcast in the Display Hangar and Theatre. At the completion of the movie its time to find your place on the flight line as the pilots and engineers will commence the pre-flight checks; the pilot will also give you the closest experience possible of what is required in flight preparation. Each pilot will talk you through his pre-flight checks and highlight some of the intricacies involved with these warbirds.

In keeping with the Showcase theme, engineers Justin Anderson and Martin Lancaster will have on hand two cut-a-way engines. One example is the General Electric J85-17A axial flow turbojet which powers the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly. The other cut-a-way engine is similar to the one in the Hudson and shows the unique construction techniques which radial engines utilise. Visitors will be able to see the engines working and witness the internal working of a radial piston engine and an axial flow turbojet engine.

The weather forecast is for mild temperatures around 20 degrees. The Museum’s Mess Hall will have the BBQ running so you don’t have to worry about packing the picnic basket.