Heron 1B s/n 14011 restored in NZ

Sorry – not meaning to demean the Bull Creek peoples efforts in at least getting it into storage. It is, however, low on their priority list and they would prefer to have the space for other stuff – it is quite tight packed in there, especially so, now they have the PBY assembled. With the dearth of prototype aircraft in existence, it seems a shame there isn’t, currently, a loving home out there for her.
I love the Heron – spent many hours flying around the Fiji islands – as a passenger – back in 69-70 and it’s great to see BBM looking good.

How difficult are engines and props to get for the Heron? I saw a Lycoming powered version in Sweden at an airshow about three weeks ago.

T J

I understood the project had come to a halt at Bull Creek. The website has not been updated in many years!

Just after we bought our Heron – about 10-12 years ago, we were offered G-ALZL. The logistics of getting it back were beyond us at the time. If it were to be offered again, I may take a fair stab at it. That said, we spent an awful lot of time and effort restoring G-AOTI, and ‘ZL would to some extent just be a duplicate, notwithstanding that it is the prototype.

Bruce

And meantime, the Heron prototype lies neglected and unwanted in the Bull Creek Museum in Perth, WA………………..

I think that’s a bit unfair on the Bull Creek museum. It was ‘neglected and unwanted’ at Jandakot airport, and there were a couple of unsuccessful rescue attempts – but unlike the others, the Bull Creek team did manage to release the aircraft from the ‘someone will pay the parking fee eventually’ approach of the airport, and have actually made a start on a restoration.

Without wishing to denude Australia’s heritage -she does deserve to come home. There are other examples of the Heron in Australia which have a greater history on the continent and in some cases show the ingenuity of the Australian’s with various mods to improve them i.e Lycomings.

No arguing with that, David, but ‘deserve’ needs money behind it. Weren’t there at least two failed British rescue attempts? In the meantime, Bull Creek are preserving it. If someone fronts up with enough money or a good deal, I’d expect the Bull Creek folks would be happy to see it your way. How about an exchange for a Mosquito, for instance? 😀

Cheers

Without wishing to denude Australia’s heritage -she does deserve to come home. There are other examples of the Heron in Australia which have a greater history on the continent and in some cases show the ingenuity of the Australian’s with various mods to improve them i.e Lycomings.

And meantime, the Heron prototype lies neglected and unwanted in the Bull Creek Museum in Perth, WA………………..

Originally registered as G-ALZL, here is a full report on its history and possible future.

http://www.raafawa.org.au/wa/museum/heron/default.htm

And meantime, the Heron prototype lies neglected and unwanted in the Bull Creek Museum in Perth, WA………………..