Baz invades Australia

[Baz62]

i am running a thread on the NZ website but thought I would post parts here for you lot to drool over. teresa and I were in Aussie for 3 weeks and managed to see only a few of the splendid aircraft collections over there. Enjoy!


Our first port of call was the Bankstown Aviation Museum at (funnily enough) Bankstown Airport south of Sydney. Only a 20 minute drive from where we were staying (Liverpool) with Teresa's brother and his wife to be Skye.
Now we did two trips to this Museum as old clever clogs here didn't check the website and find out the times they were open and closing. We arrived at 3pm and they closed at 4pm!!
Lucky for me I chose the only weekday (Wednesday) they are open to visit too!! They are also open Saturdays hours are 10am til 4pm.
So when I upload the other photos you will see there is more to see than whats in the hanger. Just as well as it was raining outdoors. I think we got two totally fine hot days the 10 days we were in Sydney/New South Wales!
I apologize for the camera shake in some of the photos but we only had the little digital camera and it could be a pain to keep nice and still!
So the biggest (and fastest) exhibit in the hanger was this RAAF Mirage.






Apparently this one had a missile motor (wasn't a live one) explode causing enough damage for the RAAF to sell it. The story goes (as told to me by a guide there) that when the Aussies Government sold the Mirages to Malaysia (I think?) they were one short. Upon being told about the disposal they asked for it back. They were told no and so here she sits!

A very Australian aircraft was the DeHavilland Drover based on the Dove and they have a very nice one here. The drover originally had 3 Gypsy major engines (even then not the swiftest aircraft!) but some were modified with more modern Lycoming 0-360 engines (as this one has been)




And an interior shot:


The fuselage of a DH60 Moth on floats is resident and rather than have me prattle on you can read the Information board!




Some parts of a Mosquito are displayed (found another bit outside on the second visit) including the cockpit frame at the top of the thread.
First a Merlin:


With an Allison for company:


Lower engine cowling and radiator with Merlin Cylinder Heads on the trolley beside them:


Another view of the Canopy :


Loving engines as I do my eyes were drawn to this Pratt and Whitney R2000 or 1830. Not quite sure which one it is as its partly dismantled and I didn't want to start lifting off the covers. There was no one round at the time to ask either. (And when there was I forgot to ask ::))


But I DO know this is a R2000 as it says so on the board resting on it. These engines powered the Caribou amongst others.


There were a few microlights or ultralights on display as well. Not really my cup of tea but there will be someone on here who would like to see them:




There are a few homebuilts too:




And even something for Zac. Not a topdresser as displayed but certainly as a type. And the name of it escapes me (Transavia Airtruck?):




Parked near the front is this Dove/Devon with the engines complete with props by the front door as you went in. Looks to be an ex-RAF or Royal Navy example.




I did ask if they wanted to part with the engines and props as I know a certain Devon down Ashburton way might like them. I got a polite laugh and that ended that.

They also have a Wessex (or whatever the civilian designation is for one of these) used by a farmer until the operating costs (and the size) led him to get something more modern and smaller.


They also have replicas of a Fokker Triplane and a Se5A:




Right thats one Museum visit down. Our second visit here with some larger metal will be next. followed by Canberra"s War Memorial Museum, Temora, the Gold Coast War Museum and finally the Queensland Air Museum.

And the second visit:

After Teresa's Mum and Step-Dad were in-country we took them to Bankstown on a much nicer day(Saturday) and this time the hanger door was open and we could go and look at the airframes outside.
Looming in the doorway was this Dakota:


Obviously these airframes are a work in progress. Because they are going to be moving to another location they aren't getting too carried away assembling everything as there is no point putting the wings on a Dakota if you are just going to have to pull them off again!






They actually have 2 Dakotas and for some reason each has one engine off. They have 2 more complete engines and props which came from an RAAF training school I believe.




I think its a Tomahawk in the foreground?


Close up of the logo on the engine cowling.


Teresa and her Mum NOT looking at the aircraft treasures!! Probably gas bagging about the upcoming wedding we were attending the next day!


Another fine DH product. A Heron:


Like the Drover this has been modified to take Lycomings in place of the original Gypsy Queens.




Heres another couple of shots of the Devon:




Now why I hear you ask have I got a dismantled hangar photo? Because this is the original hangar used by Sir Kingsford Smith.
Now thats historic!


The father in law had the right idea! A Scottish Twin Pioneer behind him.








Here you go Shorty one HS 748! (Thats the one behind Teresa ;D) Apparently the prop on this side is actually a Friendship one.


It flew with the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) and I'm sure I saw one at Wigram once, a Navy one not a RAAF one. Be cool if it was this one!




We got to go inside this one, glad I wore an appropriate Tshirt thats day!












Now heres something you don't see everyday. A Mig 15 2 seater. This aircraft is quite complete and while under different ownership even had the engine run.






Not sure what this is. Piaggio? Looks like it should be in space!


Finally a nacelle from a Mosquito, its upside down and its where the undercarriage folds into with the engine firewall on the right.


One of the guides (Bob I think his name was) took us round the back and we saw some of the Boeing 747 sets used in Mission Impossible (2 or 3). There was also the nose radomes off a C130 and a Boeing 707 (ex RAAF VIP)
As you can see we got a bit better with the camera! Next set of photos will be the Australian War Memorial Museum in Canberra.
Bye for now.

[Jigsaw]

Excellent stuff mate, keep them coming

Wouldn't mind a job there. Really diverse collection.

[Hihonyr8811]

The Bankstown Aviation Museum reminds me very much of Newark air museum over here, I know that sounds an odd thing to say seeing as the subject is almost the same , but I think it's the hangar/building that does it.



Oooooooo lots of Daks to be fixred

Great to see the pics, thank, I doubt very much I'd ever be able to get over there to see them in person, so wonderful to se what they have

[Thumper]

Thats great Baz, I really enjoyed reading that and looking through all the pictures. I LOVE that MIG15, she's a beauty!!

[Xplumberlives]

Thats great Gaz, I really enjoyed reading that and looking through all the pictures. I LOVE that MIG15, she's a beauty!!

Should have gone to SPECSAVERS!



Nice work BAZ, I'm drooling!

[RLN]

Nice photos Baz. Thanks for posting them.

[Thumper]

Whoops! Amended, come on the B & G are really close together and it's early after a late night

[Xplumberlives]

Whoops! Amended, come on the B & G are really close together and it's early after a late night

Oh yes of course, the LEISURE CLASSES, not like those of us in the real world!

Awake at 08:30 on Friday, worked around the house, garden and loft, went to work and did a 10 hour shift, knocked off and drove to Wellesbourne and started helping to prepare 655 at 07:30 for her move and ground runs, back to Northampton and grab 3 hours kip in the car and then a 13 hour night shift last night. Drove home and started to sort out yesterdays photos, then I might have a sleep!

[Baz62]

Thanks for the nice words people! I really need to go back and have a look t he other Museums plus its the 90th Anniversary of the RAAF next year with a big airshow at Avalon so might see if I can squeeze that in before going to Classic Fighters at Omaka at Easter (so many airshows so little time ..........or cash!!)
Anyway we took a drive to Canberra, approx 2 hours drive so spent most for the day on this expedition.
Australians can be very proud as this Museum does a superb job in detailing the conflicts Australia has been involved in and displaying artifacts.
Here I am near the steps leading into the Museum with the Parliament Building off in the distance.


Near by is this statue depicting Simpson and his Donkey. This medic carried many wounded back to safety on his donkey. Sadly he was killed but a New Zealander (Henderson)who was helping him took over the role.


I also found this impressive weapon (ahem ahem) ;D




It was from the No 2 turret on HMAS Australia and had been removed for repairs . Although the ship was heavily damaged during the war she survived it until being broke up around 1956.
This next shot is the central section of the Museum and I found it quite sobering. The doorway in the far background is the entrance to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier containing the remains of a World War 1 Australian serviceman. It was very quiet and quite humbling and both Teresa and I found ourselves whispering. A little boy went to walk on the gravestone only to be whisked back by his father who obviously knew how wrong THAT would have been. Teresa reminded me to remove my hat! ::)


And of course the lists of all the Australians lost in all the wars including the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. On the WW2 side the losses were recorded by unit (say Navy and the ship) even the RNZAF had an Australian loss (can't recall the number)
Their names are recorded in the alcoves either side of the eternal flame memorial, WW 1 to the left and WW2 and later to the right.












Quite chilling to see space for more names to be recorded under Iraq and Afghanistan in the last shot.

And the eternal flame:




Since I'm mainly interested in aircraft the majority of the photos are of them. But I know you lot like other things as well so took a few things other than aircraft (at great restraint I should add)
There are lots of very detailed dioramas including this one showing the Grand Harbour at Malta:
I love the way they blended the background in including this Stuka who has lost his wing!




In the WW2 section I found a clever use for the Jeep.


A nice example of a Kubelwagon(??) as used by the Afrika Korps. Wonder if it came from the showroom floor with the extras inside?








Here's Teresa studying the displays about Tobruk


For the motorbike fans..................a BMW motorbike!


Complete with sidecar. For some reason I was humming the theme from the Raiders of the Last Ark!!


This is a German 20MM anti aircraft gun.


These two photos are of artifacts recovered from Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb attack.


In this shot the object in the rear was a cup and saucer but the cup melted!


On this table the Japanese signed their surrender of Singapore.


This boat was used to land Australian troops at Gallipoli.


And a nice touch for the ANZAC spirit formed at Gallipoli two soldiers side by side one from Australia and one from New Zealand.


Right then on with the aeroplanes. The big thrill for me was seeing Lancaster G for George. We also watched the audio visual display which was very impressive which you can see being played in the background.






This is a shot taken looking forward and underneath the starboard outer engine and you can see the radiator visible through the open cooler door.


Pointing its nose at the Lancaster was this Me109G still wearing its WW2 paint.


During the audiovisual show the guns in the nose flashed as if a night fighter was attacking the Lancaster.



The Rear Turret turned as if to fire at the 109.


In a small alcove was a Me163 and this Me262 also wearing original paint.




Over the far side was another aircraft hall and audio visual display with a Se5a hanging before the screen. I watched the "movie" that was displayed showing the most incredible dogfight scenes and was trying to figure out what movie it was from. I should have guessed as I thought I recognised some of the Triplane markings. This was a small movie put together by Peter Jackson(Of Lord of the Rings fame) for the Museum. I tell you what I would LOVE him to make a full length version, it was fantastic.
On the floor was this Avro 504K


An Albatross which was used as a template for the one that flies here now. It was scanned into a computer using a laser. Thats right a frikin laser!




I think this is a Fokker D7.


Also in the WW2 hall was a real V1 with a scorch mark on the side which was as found. (Obviously it wasn't sent off on its mission)



Not the easiest aircraft to photograph due to its position but here's the Australian built Mosquito!


Note 6 exhaust stacks instead of the usual 5 (the last one was a 2 into 1)










The last Australian Mosquito built? Isn't the MoTat one Australian built?


And a P40 Kittyhawk














And overhead the famous Zero




On display was the engine and prop of a RAAF Hudson




And yet another one but not sure if it was the same aircraft as it was in a different part of the museum.
Front:


and rear, you can just see the supercharger impellor:


The nose of an Avro Anson with cockpit complete.


This Wirraway (a license-built version of the T6 Harvard) is more than an example of a famous aircraft as this one actually managed to shoot down a Zero (postwar records show this was actually an Oscar but still a great feat!) Probably due to a lack of room she is displayed wheels up and with one wing removed but a nice touch was having the access panels removed on one side.












And a very shiny CAC Mustang!








Under the Mustang was this beauty, a FB.II Hawker Sea Fury as used by the Royal Australian Navy.






I quite like this shot






And to top off the WW2 aircraft we have a MKIIa Spitfire again still in its wartime paint.
















Postwar aircraft are also on display like the Sea Fury there is this fuselage of a Mig 15 (sorry its a bit dark............maybe it was a night fighter ;D)


And the cockpit of the RAAF Meteor fighter/bomber used in Korea




The Vietnam section had this audio visual display. Over the sound of the Iroquois was the sound of battle and radio calls and if you stood by the aircraft you had a blast of air from above as if the rotor was spinning.






And from one wall a nose profile familiar to us, a Canberra.


And a few items from the Iraq conflict
A sea mine



A GOLD plated AK47!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thats all folks! Next will be Temora!

[Jigsaw]

Really appreciate you taking the time to post all these Baz Fantastic stuff

Must visit my brother in Canberra asap

[Lucas1860]

Great report with fab photo's.

Jim

[Olicat]

i want the AK !!

[Xplumberlives]

Nice photos mate, shame that bloke keeps getting in the way!

[Baz62]

Now we head off to somewhere I was really looking forward to. Temora!
Its an easy drive from Sydney, takes about 4 hours so we stayed in the township (very nice place) and had a nice meal that evening in the ex-Services club (like a RSL which is like our RSA clubs in NZ)

Here I am at the door into aviation heaven!


Oh yeah Teresa was there too. (Note the Mosquito t shirt!)


And the Hyundai i30 rental in the carpark. (Hey no one can say I wasn't thorough!). It was great car (2 litre auto) and nipped past the Aussies on the motorways with ease!


This Lockheed Hudson is the only airworthy example in the world.






And now to make you all jealous heres some shots from inside! It isn't normally allowed to get inside the aircraft but since we were by ourselves and I had mentioned the RNZAF Museum's Hudson and my small part in its restoration, I was allowed (on condition I froze if someone else came in!)




Views from the pilots seat looking at 2 Spitfires amongst others!




This shot is looking back and upwards into the rear turret.


Australia's 2 airworthy Spitfires in the same hangar.










Here I am wearing my Boomerang hat purchased at Bankstown in front of the very thing! Also airworthy (as is everything here).


We will call this an atmospheric shot of possibly the only Canberra actively flown in the world. Currently down for maintenance as is the Two seat vampire (T55?). This is not an Australian built Canberra and never flew with the RAAF but is ex RAF.




Avon engine as used by the Canberra and the Sabre.




Wright Cyclone R-1820 as used in the Hudson and the B17 Flying Fortress and even the early DC3s.


And the famous Pratt and Whitney R-1830 as used in the Boomerang, DC3 and certain Marks of Hudson.


Vampire






This is the military version of the Cessna Skymaster known as the O-2 and used as a FAC aircraft in Vietnam. A few RAAF (and RNZAF) got to fly these with the USAF in Vietnam. The Air Force Museum at Wigram also has an example.


This Tiger Moth actually served at Temora during the war.


This T28 Trojan is in Laos Air Force markings.








Outside was the RAAF Sabre. This is still owned by the RAAF but was put back in the air by the team at Temora and is operated and maintained by them (at no cost to the RAAF.)


And being put back in the hangar. The meteor was outside as well having an engine run. Most likely these two were being checked out ready for the Flying Day the Saturday coming. (Of course I wasn't going to be around to see it!!)


And the only airworthy F8 Meteor (I believe thats correct).




You can view the engineers at work from a viewing gallery upstairs.
Wirraway in foreground.


Meteor safely inside.


A37 Dragonfly


Cutaway engine (Pratt and Whitney R1340?) and a Merlin as well.






Now this was tempting..............but Teresa said no. C130 Hercules prop blade for $900!


Well thats all from Temora. I want to go to one of their flying days, they have their engineers give talks on various aspects of the aircraft systems which I would love to go to (oh yes and see some flying too!)

And now we have the Queensland Aircraft Museum!

Heres the main entrance with propeller and Teresa:


and the plaques mounted close by:






and a general view showing the partially closed in hangar but first in the smaller hangar we find a MK 1 Spitfire!!!!!


Ah but sadly not a real one but a very convincing replica of the MK1 with the fixed 2 blade wooden prop.




















Now if you are looking at the prop on this Spitfire and wondering why it looks a little different thats because it is not a Spitfire propeller but one off a Barracuda. In fact I recall a thread ages ago showing a blade like one of these at AvSpecs (I think it was) so perhaps it is one.

And the history of this Spitfire:


And heres another shot of the J5 Auster:


And a cockpit shot.


One thing I loved about this Museum is none of the aircraft are roped off and quite a few have access stands to view the cockpit. Once a year they have an Open Cockpit day so you can get the chance to try them out! Oh I may have to try that!
Now over to the big hangar.
Now this isn't a Lancaster Dave but here I am sitting in the 12th oldest surviving DC3!!






Chocks away old boy!


Now in this shot Teresa thought I would still be in the cockpit. So sadly, you only have a DC3 to look at. (I know don't worry I'm sure you will see me again!)


And a few more shots of this historic aircraft Oh look there I am! ;D:






And being an early DC3 she had Wright Cyclone R1820 9 cylinder engines rather than the more common Pratt and Whitney R1830 14 Cylinder ones we are familiar with.


And some info about this DC3.


Handily under the DC3 was the "guts" of an 1830 so for those wondering how a radial engine works have a look.



The large oval lump is one of the 2 counterweights. The blue conrod is the Master rod, so called as it is the only one attached to the crankshaft (well actually there are 2 master rods as this is a 2 row engine) the other green slave rods attach to the bottom end of the master rod. Hope thats clear enough ha ha. Must be fun doing valve and ignition timing on one of these. :o

Here you go Dave I believe this is a Jindivik!


Not the most shapely of aircraft a Fairey Gannet:












And its Double Mamba powerplant.




And beside the Gannet a DeHavilland Sea Vixen:


And of course you have to have a Canberra:








And a Rolls Royce Avon as used by the Canberra (and the Aussie built Sabre.


And more British Jet goodness a F8 Meteor like the one our lads at Ashburton have got their busy little fingers on.




And they have 2 of them with I think a NFII Night fighter modified for drogue towing duties:




And here is a sign on the back of a Sea Vixen forward fuselage modified to be towed on the road for fundraising purposes:




Ok thats all for now but we haven't finished with Queensland yet as we are only half way through the photos! Lot more classic British aircraft for you to ooooo and ahhhhhhh over lads (and lasses!)

[Thumper]

Baz these are just fantastic!

I love looking at this thread!! I am liking the motorbike, Sabre, Mustang and Sea Fury a LOT

[Hihonyr8811]

I'm not jelous that you got to sit in that beautiful DC-3, honest

[Jigsaw]

More brilliant pics. Thanks mate

[Gaz]

Some great photos there Baz. Thanks for sharing

[Baz62]

On we go!
Parked near the Meteor is one of 2 Hunters:


Two sides of the hangar are open to the air so apart from helping with the lighting for us photo taking aviation geeks you can also see interesting aircraft parked outside like this relation of the Hudson and Lodestar, the PV1 Ventura.














A view up into the bomb aimers window up to the currently gutted cockpit.


One of the Pratt and Whitney R2800 engines installed:


And I believe this is the other one ready to go although it seems to have a different exhaust configuration. Maybe its actually a R2000 from a Caribou?


While we are talking engines we have a P&W R1340 as used by the Wirraway. Similar to the one used by the Harvard this model has a reduction gearbox mounted on it.


In these two photos you can see the reduction gears normally hidden by the housing.




My clever wife managed to find something that Al will find interesting. a Bristol Hercules!






And the data plate showing this is a 216 series engine (from a Hastings)


Seems most Museums over here have a Drover and Queensland are no exception!



And keeping it company a Fokker Friendship. Is it me or do those props look small (as in diameter)?








Spied from the steps by one of the Hunters was a Dove. Although when I got round the other side I was wondering why it had 4 Lycomings. Duh it was a Heron parked beside the Dove. ::)


Heres engine detail for the Heron and the Heron itself.










And the Dove parked beside the Heron.






Love the see through engine cowlings!


Nearby another Gypsy Queen as used on the Dove.


Continuing with the British jets now we have a Vampire:




And a navy version of the Venom:






Under going restoration is the fuselage pod of a Vampire Mk30 (helps having the signs to tell me what mark it is!!)




A familiar shape hanging from the roof, an Airtourer.




Right thats all for now fans. Still haven't finished with this museum yet! (I know its got a huge collection!!)
Stay tuned.

[Olicat]

Thanks as always
looks like a great place

[Baz62]

Quick update, the nice looking engine is a R2000 for the Caribou (one of which they also have and you will be able to eye up soon! ) and not a R2800 for their Ventura.

[Baz62]

Sorry for the delays lads but I now bring you some more photos of the Queensland Air Museum. Since my visit they now have a Wirraway (Australian license-built version of the Harvard) which was flown to Caloundra. The Wirraway will be kept in ground running condition.

Ok heres another shot of the Australian built version of the F86 Sabre.


Heres one to keep the topdressing fans happy AND its a New Zealand one to boot! A Piper Pawnee ZK-CEL.




This is a Rotax starter unit as used in the Venom with the info board to, well, inform you. (Teresa hogging the limelight again!)



If you haven't got an aircraft type in your collection...................build one! A replica of a P51D Mustang


Complete with a real Merlin displayed in front.


The cockpit has real Mustang parts and looks very realistic.


When I went to peer into the cockpit I saw a note taped to the canopy: "Don't forget to turn around and check out the guns in the wing."
What? I turned around and all was revealed.


Out the back of the hangar is a few "future projects" lined up.
S2 Tracker


Amphibian (Lake Buccaneer I believe?)


Nomad


And to end the tour some outside exhibits.
First an ex-RAAF Caribou with Vietnam history and a story about ending up with one wing wearing US insignia due to a taxiing accident between them and a US aircraft(the Aussies weren't moving so.......)


Photo of the dual markings. Basically the Americans gave them a wing from stock to replace the damaged one. Well is wasn't going to have RAAF markings now was it?


Plus a few that didn't make it.


Currently only one engine in place.






And with the ramp open you can wander inside.


Perspex cockpit "door" to keep fingers off but a handy slot to take photos. Very thoughtful!




No jokes about heavy loads now! ;D


And a close up shot of the wing centre section to fuselage attachment showing why they are so strong and can handle rough strips and heavy loads!


They also seem to have the cockpit of another Caribou.


Parked by the Caribou is a Metroliner or "Flying Pencil".




Under restoration is another DeHavilland product, a Chipmunk.




I nearly forgot these photos of models of Spitfires wearing just about every Air Force paint scheme and a few civilian ones as well.




Now back to real aircraft. a Cessna Skymaster the civilian version of the military O2 used in Vietnam.


Also on display is this Viscount forward fuselage.


Teresa playing Flight attendant.


Viscount cockpit




And a story about this Kangaroo


For the "More Power!" fans. A turbocharger as used by the P47,P38, B17 etc.


Another view of the outdoor displays.


And thats it. Hope you enjoyed my little photo essay. Now I have a better SLR digital camera the quality of the shots should improve!
Cheers
Baz ;D