Temora Update

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This weekend’s Aircraft Showcase will have a Fighters theme and will feature the Temora Aviation Museum’s Spitfire Mk XVI, Meteor F.8, CAC Boomerang and Allan Arthur’s P-40 Kittyhawk.

 

This Showcase contains the best group of iconic fighters found anywhere in the world with all of these aircraft types operated by the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II and Korea. This will be the first time the Boomerang has participated in an Aircraft Showcase and the first time the aircraft has taken part in a flying display at Temora in more then a year. Built in response to Australia's urgent need for fighter aircraft during WWII, the Boomerang utilised the design principles and construction techniques of the Wirraway advanced trainer which was already in production at CAC. Such was the speed of its development that no actual prototype was produced and the first five production aircraft were already under construction when the first aircraft flew. From the official approval by the Government to proceed with the Boomerang production to the time of the first official flight was just a little over sixteen weeks, a remarkable achievement by world standards. The Boomerang still remains the only fully Australian designed and built fighter aircraft to see production.

 

Allan Arthur is bringing his P-40 to the Museum to round out the fighter theme. Built in 1943 his P-40N1 Kittyhawk is powered by an Allison 1710 V12 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.

 

The Museum’s Mk.XVI Spitfire will also take to the skies 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. Doug Hamilton will pilot the Mk.XVI on Saturday as well as the Boomerang.

 

The Museum’s F.8 Gloster Meteor will be flying under the command of Alan Clements. As a former Commanding Officer of 77 Squadron, Alan is no stranger to flying fast jets and enjoys the opportunity to fly the Meteor which is currently painted in the Korean War era markings of his previous RAAF Squadron.

 

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 our Engineering Team will invite you into the workshop where you can see the projects they are working on. This Saturday the RAAF Sabre will be on jacks as part of its annual inspection and our Team will demonstrate the gear retraction and extension sequence so bring a video camera if you have one handy. We also screen a film in the Display Hangar and the pilots are available to chat with our visitors as well.

 

WEATHER and FOOD

 

The weather for Saturday will be great for flying but it will be cool so bring a warm jumper or jacket. The Museum’s Mess Hall is open for business and will be operated by the Temora Rotary CLub. Steak and sausage sandwiches and a selection of cut sandwiches plus hot and cold drinks and ice creams are all available for purchase. The coffee man will be here selling premium coffee, tea and hot chocolate all day.

 

NEWLY LICENSED ENGINEER

 

Our congratulations go to a member of our engineering team, Justin Anderson, who has just become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority ensures that the process of becoming a LAME is very rigid and there are no shortcuts to obtaining a license. Justin has spent three years studying and passing numerous technical and regulatory exams and this professional achievement is well deserved. If you see Justin around the Museum or at this Saturday’s Showcase, be sure to congratulate him.

 

UPCOMING DATES

 

Note that we will be having a small break from flying over the Christmas period so be sure to check the dates during December and January.

 

July 16th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Fighters - Spitfire, Boomerang, Meteor

 

August 6th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – American Designed - Ryan, Hudson, Sabre

 

August 20th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Battle of Long Tan - Spitfire, Cessna 0-2A, A-37B Dragonfly

 

September 3rd, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation - Wirraway, Boomerang, Sabre

 

September 17th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Battle of Britain - Tiger Moth, Spitfire

 

October 1st, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Trainers - Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Ryan, Meteor

 

October 15th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Pacific Theatre - Spitfire, Boomerang, Hudson

 

November 5th, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Scale Model Invitational – plus the Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Boomerang

 

November 19th, 2011 AIRSHOW

 

December 3rd, 2011 Aircraft Showcase – Pearl Harbour/USA - Ryan, Hudson

 

December 17th, 2011 No Showcase Day

 

January 7th, 2012 No Showcase Day

 

January 21st, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – Australian Made - Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Boomerang, Sabre

 

February 4th, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – British Built - Tiger Moth, Spitfire, Meteor

 

February 18th, 2012 Aircraft Showcase – Korea to Vietnam - Sabre, Cessna 0-2A, A-37B Dragonfly

 

WAYS TO GET INFORMATION FROM US

 

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/temoraaviationmuseum

 

Twitter http://twitter.com/TemoraAviation

 

Website www.aviationmuseum.com.au

 

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

 

 

[Guest Mick Grinter]

How many guys work there at the moment?

 

Is Phil still there?