mark_pilkingtonThanks Matt/Oliver,
this item is actually still current on ebay but my recent spending spree looks like I will let this one go through to the keeper but someone else may have an interest in pursuing it so::
Its curently sitting on a USD$50 bid with 2 1/2 days to run, and located in the USA.
Matt, would look forward to dropping up your way some time to catch up and visit your Wirraway project and discussing workshop planning, my shed starts its metamorphis 😮 from junk storage yard to cleaned up workshop this weekend
(I hope?? :confused: ?? actually got my oldest son now offering to help with old aeroplanes!! and not playing computer games!! 😉 ) ,
or alternatively I and JohnP/Setter are planning to meet up for a Moorabbin Tour, perhaps you and JDK and others can descend on Moorabbin enmasse for a forum catchup and a gold coin donation to the Beaufort project, and admire Ralph Cusack’s handiwork up close and personal. 😀
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonSetter,
I’m sorry I had to resort to this to get you and OD to spill the beans, but it was a badly kept secret in anycase, and the world had a public interest right to know what you were doing.
(The photos and video are now being sort by Murdoch, Packer and O’Reilly in a 3 way auction!!, KP couldnt keep up in the bidding!!)
no-one is falling for that story of the Cosford Liberator going to Hendon either , by the way when does it go to the docks for shippment to Australia, or is it intended to strap it to the top of one top of the Concorde delivery flights as per Shuttle/B747 transporting?? 😀
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonI’m not sure if thats Setter with his sunglasses and T shirt off with his back to the camera, but the conversation overheard was
“John!! today Queensland – tommorrow the world”
to which the other replied
“Randy just keep working we have a Beaufighter and Liberator on their way soon so we have to shift all your TBM’s off to make room!”
Its time you guys came clean with what you are doing!!
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonSetter and OD’s staff working in the large cavern area of the tunnel systems obviously preparing for delivery of F-111 components, the staff has local and interstate employees due to the size of the operation, in these shots the local Queenslanders have their backs to he camera to hide their identities
so there you go OD !! the gig is up!!
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonEven more Avenger parts!! hidden in the tunnels!
mark_pilkingtonThe hidden cache of TBM Avengers stored deep inside the tunnel system!!
mark_pilkingtonThe suspicious looking mountain (and the active volcano, a dead giveaway!) and the secret entrance to the cave and tunnel system where the aircraft were hidden!!
mark_pilkingtonok Setter and OD,
I gave the Sunshine State Air Force enough time to come clean, you left me no option but to disclose where these Avengers are hidden.
I attended a very large swimming hole in the Gold Coast and noticed this suspicious looking hill with an obviously fake volcano on the top, I immediately realised I was looking at the handywork of AVM Setter!!
I hired a small boat and my team and I entered the labyrinth of tunnels via a stream, and quickly found the cache of Avengers hidden in the tunnels,
Later as we entered the larger caven I was greeted by some of your employees (they looked like typical Queenslanders) who were obviously unpacking more aircraft.
We quickly left the tunnel system with these photos of our investigation and the details of the RAAF F-111/TBM trade that has been under planning for some timeh!!
Its time you came clean on your activities in this underground facility! (and let your staff get some sunshine for their complexion!)
as threatened earlier I will now follow this disclosure with photos to prove it!!!
regards
Mark Pilkington
mark_pilkingtonFred David, a Jewish German immigrant to Australia worked at Heinkel and later one of the Japanese manufacturers before ending up at CAC in Melbourne and designing the CAC Boomerang, (Heinkel and Japanese influences are hold to spot over the NA parentage, but it is worth noting CAC built the Mustang and the later CA-15 was Mustang like but actually a design evolution from the Boomerang and its CA-14 derivitive.
Perhaps Fred scribbled up the Mustang in his spare time on the boat between Germany and Japan and slipped to Dutch at North American via his boss L J Wackett, in that case its obviously an Australian and not a British designer who is mentioned in this myth (another one claimed for down under!!)
Three days after the attack, Fred David, Chief Engineer at CAC, sketched a drawing of a single seat fighter, using the most powerful engine available in production in Australia, and using as many Wirraway components as possible to allow for rapid production. On 21 December 1941, detailed design began, and by 29 May 1942 the first aircraft had test flown, a staggering period of little of 22 weeks.
Fred David, as a German Jew, had previously worked for Heinkel in Germany, and later a Japanese Aircraft Company before fleeing Japan as a refugee as it established military links with Nazi Germany. As such Fred David was considered officially as an “unfriendly” alien, and was required to report to the police every fortnight.
It is ironic that development of Australia’s “stop gap” fighter was due to the efforts of a man technically treated as the “enemy”.
http://www.aarg.com.au/boomerang.htm
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonDon,
I enjoy watching warbirds, seeing the aircraft of my childhood and adult interests in the natural environment where they belong, but I suspect in 100 to 150 years future generations will consider we were very spoilt in what we have today, petrol blends, engine parts and many other issues will act to reduce the operation of 20th century airframes moving forward (not too quickly I hope)
so I totally agree with your comments about the importance of static museums and aircraft.
regards
Mark P
While I quite enjoy air displays, they are after all showing off carefully cossetted antiques, far from the rough strains of service life, and still we manage to crash them. In a hundred years from now or more, our great-great-grandchildren should still be able see that Victory, that DH9, that Blenheim, or that Tornado in which young people stepped forward to protect us.
mark_pilkingtonElwyn
Thanks for the work to enhance those two pictures, I take it then you couldnt enhance “Marilyn” any further?? 😉
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonMartin,
Thanks for that update, that really is great news.
I think the back is broken in that the City will fund the building apparantly, and its only the aircraft restoration costs that they were shying away from.
your news is confirmed in the local paper
The paper was inundated with emails/letters from overseas enthusiasts and I am sure this gave the local efforts both moral and physical support to argue the case.
I had received an email and letter myself from the Mayor of Albury in reply to my own letter/email, indicating they were seeking a satisfactory outcome to the aircrafts future, it seems that is being delivered, thanks to all who took the effort to write and support this important aircraft’s retention and preservation, its still a long road to under cover display but at least its being given the chance! it deserves!!
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonSetter and OD
its time for you Queenslanders to come clean on these imported Avengers!! and the secret purpose you have for them.
oscar duck
Rank 4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 326So how did you guys break the code>>>enigma???
I found your cache of Avengers hidden in under a tunnel deep inside a mountain in Queensland in October 2004.
I lead a team to explore this hidden maze of tunnels and even encountered your henchmen working in a huge caven in the centre of the tunnel complex!!
If you guy’s dont immediately come clean I post the rest of the photographic evidence I have here for the world to see!!
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonI took a video in and that might capture some better images but here is the only digital image from my camera that actually showed something, the entire “set” which contains a dummy “Nissan Hut” the mockup fuselage tailgroup and wings, and three large scale models are all used in a demonstration of how real life images, a superimposing of “croma key” images are brought to the life on the big screen, an audience member is taken aside and put into a uniform and fly’s the B17 cockpit on a mission with one of the staff, all while viewed by the rest of the audience, the B17 cockpit is set up on actuators etc that allows it to rise up into the “sky” and take formation behind the models and next to a projection screen.
it is very impressive to watch, as are the operating turrets and gunfire from one of the models.
The other pictures are:
Another “Memphis Belle” who was on display at Movie world QLD
(also with impressive turrets?)
Some aircraft buried beneath a mountain at Seaworld QLD
regards
Mark P
regards
Mark P
mark_pilkingtonJDK,
Duxford is an inspiration to us all as to what can be done, the 7 year campaign to save Point Cook was largely driven by the vision of “Duxford Down-Under“ over 40 handbooks were given to State and Federal Minsters, and many travelled to Duxford to see for themselves.
Point Cook offers the same opportunity to preserve 1914, 1920, 1930, 1940 and post war developments, and at Point Cook much of the WW1 airfield complex still remains (despite a recent attempt to demolish 1 building) including a complete seaplane base and 1916 Jetty for the launch of Maurice Farman “Waterplanes”, Southhamptons, Seagull III and Seagull V/Walrus aircraft (the site was also prepared for the mooring of 10 Squadron Sunderlands that were being delivered the time of declaration of war).
Duxford may raise the ire of warbird enthusiasts from time to time but as a total preservation of an historic aviation site and retention and re-use in preservation and display of historic aircraft it is an inspiration!
regards
Mark Pilkington
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