Aviation museums

[jb747]

The B52s and their refueller aircraft KC135s (I think) were regular visitors to Darwin in the mid 1980s, hence a B52 was donated to the museum. Also of interest was a 75 squadron Mirage fighter that was recovered many years later after flaming out circa 1985, just prior to FA18s came to Darwin

OT....but the Mirage in question was one of the dual seaters. The bloke in the back seat at the time was a navy pilot, who had orginally been posted to the A-4, but when the government decided to can them, he was amongst the group that moved to the RAAF. I don't know whether he ever flew the Mirage, but he did fly the F18.

 

[jastel]

I've long wanted to visit the Udvar-Hazy Centre at the Smithsonian and, finally, I should be able to wrangle a visit next week. Can't wait!

Did you see my post on the previous page? Pretty current info.

Pictures etc in the Trip Report

You will enjoy it.

I'll explane my North American Trip

I have posted this in the Aviation Museum Thread last week but did not include any pictures...so I will try to add some in here and make it a trip report. We all know pictures are better. Its my first report on here so apologies in advance for any stuff ups...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[jastel]

Well a recent trip ticked three more museums off the list.

South Australian Aviation Museum is near the port area of Adelaide, There are buses going nearby but I had a lift with a new friend. I went to ADL to meet the son of my Grandfathers Bomber Crew Captain from WW2, who I had recently found on Facebook. We spent a couple of days together swapping stories and photos etc.

F111 - this was swapped since my last visit about 10 years ago, the previous camouflage coloured plane was the only F111 that had seen action so Canberra took it. This white one was exchanged for it, but this plane was based at RAAF Edinburgh so it is more SA themed anyway.



F18 Hornet



The Great Air Race, some original artifacts



Mezzanine view, note the white F111



A model of a Halifax III, like my grandfather flew in. This plane is actually painted in HIS squadron colours and codes...he flew this plane "C". Well not this plane but the real one.



A life sized F35 Model used by BAE for radar and missile testing.



Caribou

 

[jastel]

The Vickers Vimy Museum is at Adelaide Airport, on the ground arrivals level you walk away from the Taxi rank end and towards the Artura Hotel end of the building. It is in a room down there, it is outside the main terminal building just a bit further around.
This is the WW1 Bomber that Ross and Keith Smith, with mechanics James Bennet and Wally Schiers flew from England to Australia in 1919 in under 30 days and won 10000 pounds and worldwide fame.



G-EAOU God Elp All Of Us...as the crew said on leaving.



Sir Ross Macpherson Smith, WW1 Hero.



Sir Keith Smith, his older brother.



James Bennett



Wally Schiers



The Outside area

 

[jastel]

We also visited the graves of the Smith Brothers and Schiers, these 3 were locals from Adelaide so that is why the plane is here...the AWM DIDNT want it back then.

Statue of Ross outside the Adelaide Oval, others names are on the back








Sir Ross Smith Grave



Sir Keith Smith, family plot next to Ross's.



Wally Schiers

 

[jastel]

Then to Perth and amongst other things saw the West Australian Aviation Heritage Museum at Bull Creek.
This is very easy to get to, take Mandurah train line to Bull Creek and then walk a few hundred metres to the museum.

This Spitfire is at the entrance, it is fake...the real one is inside. Lots of memorials behind.



Lancaster



Engine cover removed showing the Merlin



In the Tail Gunners seat - I did the inside tour...it cost extra.



coughpit



Painted as JO - D for "Digger" of 463 Squadron, actual plane never flew in the war but was used by the French in the Pacific for search and rescue. NX622 is only a few serials number away from NX611 Just Jane in England that does taxy rides with the engines running.



A Copy of the Book of Rememberance of 466/462 Sqns which was my Grandfathers one in WW2



F18 Hornet



Tornado from RAF, only one outside of UK supposedly.