Hi to All,
I have just witnessed one of the best flying days at the Temora (Regional NSW Australia)Aviation Museum, that I have seen, I would like to share it with you! We are so lucky here in Oz to have climatic conditions that allows historic flying almost 365 days a year!
The weekend 16/17 Sept saw the Prime Minister the Hon. Mr. John Howard officially open the new runway (a combined effort of the Federal Govt, Temora City Council and the Temora Aviation Museum (President and Founder Mr. David Lowy AM) which will now allow even a Boeing 737 to operate there!!After the formal speeches,to start the days flying display;( I was there Saturday only),we were treated to a fabulous display of the RAAF Roulettes flying their PC9’s to perfection in a cloudless blue sky. Next to take to the air for the first time in 60 years, were Supermarine Spitfires “A58-758” HF.MkVIII (VH-HET), ex-MV239, and the just acquired TB863 LF.XVIe, (ex-ZK-XVI),the restoration being completed in 1988 at Duxford by the Fighter Collection and subsequently owned by Sir Tim Wallis Alpine Fighter Collection, and finished in the original scheme of RAAF 453 Sqn. Sqn Codes F_UP. What a sight, and the sound of 2 Merlins at full boost on take off (especially in front of the original pilot who flew it in combat) almost had all enthusiasts in tears!! Fabulous!! The flying display was superb!! To see 2 examples of Sir Reginald Mitchells (and with of course Mr. Joe Smiths refinements) machines with the beautiful elliptical wing planform in the air was breathtaking! Next to take to the air were the Hudson Bomber, the CAC Wirraway, Col Pays’ Curtiss P40e Kittyhawk,the worlds only flying CAC Boomerang,and 2 North American P51 D Mustangs!! Sheer bliss!!As we had to leave early due to work commitments, the last display we saw was by the fabulous Gloster Meteor F-8 (ex-G-METE), VH-MBX (meatbox; as they were known in RAAF parliance).Ah!! the ‘blue note!! What fun 🙂
Kindest Regards to All, Darryl.
By: QldSpitty - 20th September 2006 at 10:17
Last time I heard a Merlin was at Aerotechs Anniversary of Flight show a few years ago when Snifter came down and flew with Lynetts Fiat.To sweeten it Matt was there with the Boomer and a Yak 9 was in attendence as well as a few others.Last I heard the sweet whistle of the Boomer was 12 months ago at our new Museum opening..Soon after that Matt took the Boomer down for the Southerners to enjoy.And as they say the rest is history.Next month flying days our project manager will be down there spreading the good word so you might be able to catch up with him:) ..lucky bast@rd he is….
By: JDK - 20th September 2006 at 09:51
Of course we should be welcoming, I thought I was. …
As for the Meatbox comment, it’s just a bit of gentle leg-pulling chaps. No harm in that surely?
Hah. WE thought of leg pulling before you did. :p
I guess that’s all cleared up then!
PS: Drop me a PM when you are in the Melbourne area Steve, and we could meet up at one of them aerodromeythings.
By: Steve Bond - 20th September 2006 at 08:26
Of course we should be welcoming, I thought I was. I have tremendous respect for all the fantastic vintage aviating that goes on Down Under, that’s why I have done the rounds of the main airfields of interest there a couple of times, and will be doing so again next year. It’s great to hear news like this at first hand, thanks for that.
As for the Meatbox comment, it’s just a bit of gentle leg-pulling chaps. No harm in that surely?
By: richb - 20th September 2006 at 00:31
Yes – Welcome to the forum! – thats one place on my visiting list soon I hope! Coming from the UK I think we can get spoilt with all the spits and P51’s flying around! – but as I generally prefer things with more than one engine anyhow (personal trait!) – I am really looking forward to seeing a Hudson fly!
By: Merlin4_me - 19th September 2006 at 23:48
To Qld Spitty,JagerMarty,JDK and Moggy C, Thanks for the welcome to your site. To answer all questions, No, unfortunately I did not get any pics as there was over 3000 people in attendance, I could not get good shots and I don’t possess a telephoto lens. However, a lot of press people were there, so no doubt it will be covered in the flying magazines.To Qld Spitty and Jager Marty, please let me know if you can get to Temora, you would be made most welcome.
To Mark V and Steve, when was the last time YOU saw a Lockheed Hudson and a CAC Boomerang in the air at the same time? Kindest Regards, Darryl
By: Moggy C - 19th September 2006 at 15:08
Quite right James.
Welcome Darryl! 🙂
Moggy
By: JDK - 19th September 2006 at 14:46
Oh.
You know, if I was ‘Merlins’, I’d be a little unimpressed by the patronising responses, and nary a sign of a ‘welcome’ from the northern hemisphere. Mark V, a little poetic licence, Mmmm?
C’mon chaps, a little less pooh pooh, and a bit more welcoming, eh? Steve, perhaps. but not by much. First Australian flying Meatboxes was Tony Gaze, DFC, RAF, 1944, and first Meatbox in Australia, Feb 1946.
Glad you had a good time, M4M, welcome to the forum. Did you score any pics to share?
Cheers
By: JägerMarty - 19th September 2006 at 14:33
Glad you had a good day, the last decent flying I saw was @ the last Tyabb show. Will have to head up to Temora. How many ppl there?
By: Steve Bond - 19th September 2006 at 14:22
Sounds wonderful, oh to have been there! By the way, we in the RAF called them Meatboxes long before you guys down south got your hands on any.
By: Mark V - 19th September 2006 at 12:12
the sound of 2 Merlins at full boost on take off
Really 😮
By: QldSpitty - 19th September 2006 at 11:53
Cheers for the story mate.Will get down there one day.And yes we are blessed with the quality of the sky sometimes…Now who do we have to bribe to get all those lovely warbirds to come up here!!!!
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September 19, 2006 at 11:43 am