Maybe so. There are significant other parts being imported and sourced too……
Ill be able to share this with you when the owners are ready I guess.
2 more photos of the Reevers B-25 Mitchell bomber as it currently is in the USA before it is moved to Australia for restoration. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reevers-Warbirds-Roundup-News/422369271274607
The first of a few photos of the now underway B-25 “Lucky Lady” project heading to Australia see it at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reevers-Warbirds-Roundup-News/422369271274607
The B-26 Invader has been assessed as needing much more work to return to the air. It may be delayed by 1-2 years or more we are not sure at this stage how long.
We are looking at releasing more detail to a Australian aviation magazine with a bigger update soon.
Another update on the bomber that “never existed” — see more at the Reevers story https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reevers-Warbirds-Roundup-News/422369271274607
Rathmines Catalina – update March 2015 from the Rathmines Catalina Memorial Park Association Inc.
“Very happy with progress being made on fuselage of ‘Our Girl’. Terry, along with one of our volunteer’s Ray, has been making good progress on the rear section of the fuselage. Ray is also now up to speed with corrosion treatment etc.. All volunteers are now able to drop in as their time permits to spend an hour or two working on ‘Our Girl’. Won’t be long & we will be ready to prime approximately the rear 1/4 of the fuselage! (May have started by the time you read this).
Will then move up to the forward section & start prepping, whilst some sheet metal work is being done in the area around the rear hatches. After much thought about primer application, we are going to trial an area by roller. Envisage there could be too much of a problem with over spray on adjacent property, boats, parked cars etc..
Meanwhile, we have been fortunate to snare the assistance of a retired QANTAS engineer to assist Warren on the engines. We welcome Kerry to our ‘happy clan’, along with his expertise. Excellent progress has been made dismantling one of the engine’s, ready for cleaning & restoration to display condition. It is planned to take this engine, on a display stand, to various locations to assist with awareness of our project, to raise funds etc..
Since the above report was received, preparations are being made to relocate the fuselage to a suitable covered area so as work will be able to proceed under suitable weather protection. The move will hopefully be made in the very near future, with the support and assistance of DARACON once again.
Also, our Business Plan has now been submitted to Council, along with a copy to each of the twelve Lake Macquarie Councillors.”
The past weekend saw the Australian B-24 project have its cockpit on display at the Avalon Airshow. Also the visiting HARS museum team at the airshow came to the hanagar for a BBQ.
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1548458288752680
The Australian B-24 Liberator project at Werribee has an interesting announcement today to share…. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1546163218982187
Project updates and news from Werribee.
Warbirds are becoming more frequent each year at the Rathmines Catalina Festival event…
Here we have early news for the 2015 Catalina Festival…write this into your diaries.
Rathmines Catalina Festival – SUNDAY, 25th October, 2015.
Put this date in your Diary.Please also note the Festival will be held on SUNDAY this year, NOT on a Saturday. Further details to follow regarding participants, air show etc., (now in planning stages).
Another update on the Invader project.
Reevers has announced that upper and lower carry through spars of the aircraft, found inboard of the engines, are being sourced as the current ones on the aircraft need replacing.
Queries for new spar sets via emails have been sent out to a number of contacts asking for assistance in sourcing replacements.
Once suitable sets can be acquired and installed this will enable the restoration overhaul to proceed again back towards flight.
Additionally this current spar issue will push back the first flight into later 2015 now and will for now also put on hold the crew training.
The Yale is now for sale ….. owner can be contacted via http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54953
Update on 4 upcoming displays helping to educate people about the Australian B-24 project.
1) Public display of B-24 engine
WHEN – On 10th & 11th January 2015
WHERE – Geelong Steam & Traction Show, at the Geelong Show Ground.
WHAT – Our community display will be running the P&W R-1830 engine on both days.
2) We won’t have a display at the Avalon Airshow 2015 but….
WHEN – 27th, 28th Feb, 1st March 2015
WHERE – Avalon Airshow, Avalon, Victoria.
WHAT – Some of our artifacts will be used by the Commemorative History Society, Victoria in their display. That will be an interesting place to visit if you’re at Avalon.
**** Please take note our hangar and the B-24 Liberator at Werribee, Victoria will be open every day of Avalon Airshow 2015 Week. Days are Tues 24th Feb to Sunday 1st March 2015 from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
Our hangar is very close, only 20 mins / 23km drive from the airshow area, so please consider come visit us if your coming to Victoria for the airshow.
3) Public display of B-24 items
WHEN – 7th, 8th and 9th March 2015.
WHERE – Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Show, 1200 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby, Victoria.
WHAT – We will have a small heritage display of our project for the public to view.
4) Public display of B-24 items
WHEN – May 2015
WHERE – Gisborne, Victoria
WHAT – Heritage display with B-24 items for public viewing
A-26 Invader update
The return to flight schedule for the Australian based A-26 Invader, currently in Qld undergoing repairs and upgrades, has taken yet another step forward with official advice being provided on how best to conduct flight crew training.
This should now occur in early 2015 with the A-26 to be move south to its new home base of operations and airshow displays once all operational issues are finalised.
A small update with some progress….we now have a new name.
It better reflects where we are in the process of restoring A72-176.
We are now known as:
B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia.
The Department of Justice have accepted this as well as the Constitution which we have written in line with their Model Rules.
AWAL CEO Mark Awad has some information regarding flyin events and airshows where AWAL intends to be at – in order to help promote warbirds.
These several aviation events are coming up over the next few months and may appeal to in Australia and overseas if they are travelling down under.
“Great Eastern Fly-In
Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome
Evans Head NSW
10-11 January 2015
I will be there with at least one other AWAL director. We will have a marquee supporting members in attendance and generally promoting the Association. If you fly in for the event, please be sure to say Hi!
The Australian Army Flying Museum Fly-in and Exhibition weekend
Oakey Air Base Qld
21-22 February 2015
Likewise, I and AWAL Director/Safety Officer Matt Handley will be there to support members in attendance and promote Warbirds.
Australian International Air Show
Avalon Vic
27 February – 1 March 2015
We will be at this year’s Air Show at Avalon representing AWAL and providing hospitality to members. We hope to see you there!
Until next time…
Merry Christmas, Safe Flying and Best regards;
Mark Awad
Chief Executive Officer”