New Virtual Tour at Moorabbin Museum site

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Folks,

After much cursing and gritting of teeth the Virtual Tour of the Australian National Aviation Museum has been reinstated bigger and better after a 12 month rest.

(Note: These images arise from 2004 and are not up to date with current displays)

For those interested the Virtual Tour is accessible from the link on the front page of the museum website

http://aarg.com.au

(I know there are some page alignment problems that will be rectified over the next week)

for those operating Internet Explorer from Windows XP you may need to upload a Java Plugin as Microsoft no longer pack Java in its windows system, a link is provided on the virtual tour help page.

For those interested, some new photos of the museum’s restoration of its P40E A29-53 are located here:

http://aarg.com.au/RestoreKittyhawk.htm

Regards

Mark Pilkington

I am member (and web manager), but not a councillor, of the AARG, who own the aircraft, so I am unable to speak on behalf of the organisation.

But given the internal past battle over the intended disposal of the aircraft and the subsequent heritage listing and export ban of it as the prime intact example of an Australian built Mk21, (the only other one existing here is already fitted with Bristol Freighter engines) I would expect there is little chance that the group would ever consider swapping the engines for static examples, and certainly the engine runs in the open were traded for the security and protection under cover in the building, but the current situation doesnt permanently preclude future engine runs as the Museum building program extends and modifies the current display.

I’m not sure that position stops the current ‘airworthy” projects from proceeding successfully, and probably on the basis of Freighter engines as the AARG engines would need to be more than “runable”, they would need to be in tolerance for flying operations and supported by operational spares, pistons/rings/cylinders etc, all problems when the engines are so hard to find in any condition, whereas there are still a number of Freighter engines about –

However I do understand that may complicate prop options, but again as exampled by the AARG’s own situation originals arnt plentiful either.

I know its a constant battle between the security of an example for posterity on the ground, and the desire to see these aircraft in their natural element, unfortunately when you get down to the last 10 examples world wide, parts become scarce for both endeavours, but in some cases compromises on the accuracy of the flying aircraft to access later, more plentiful/more serviceable or reliable systems/engines etc make more sense for safety, costs and long term support of operations, BBMF “spits” with later model merlins being a good example.

Ideally we can have our cake and eat it too!

regards

Mark P

Mark, I had heard that the Beau had it’s engines run some years ago but was under the impression that this hadn’t happened for some time. I also heard that she was not runable now due to the aeroplane being inside a permanent building, which does make sense.

However, if you’re looking for replacement hubs that would suggest you’re looking at moving her outside for engine runs. Is this really feasible? If not, I can suggest two Beaufighter restorations to airworthiness that would benefit from your running Hercs in exchange for statics… 😉

Beaufighter

Yes,

Both engines of the Beaufighter have been restored to operating condition and before the Museum had constructed its building to put such historic aricraft in from the elements it was run regularly for demonstration.

(one engine was not run due to problems with the propellor unit and any leads for a replacement hub would be appreciated)

Despite its location inside the museum a strategy is being explored to allow engine runs to be again be undertaken.

regards

Mark

‘A Beaufighter with runable engines’ 🙂 🙂
mmitch.

Its a nice link indeed. Thanks for that one. I do enjoy browsing museum websites.

Great.

PS: Also I wish you a warm welcome Mark!

J.V.

Flying aircraft

Hi, thanks for the welcome,

The Museum doesnt have any flying aircraft at the Museum, it previously had a flying Firefly and Wirraway restoration, since sold off during previous tight financial periods, a Desoutter and BA Swallow are under airworthy restoration for the Museum but due to their rarity are unlikely to be actively flown, a number of the Aircraft – DC3 Beaufighter, Ceres, Tiger Moth and Sycamore are maintained with runable engines.

regards

Mark

Thanks for the link Mark and welcome to the forum. Does the museum have any airworthy aircraft owned by it or based there?
mmitch.