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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2011 14:54:16 GMT 12
Well I was not "having a go" at the people there, just correcting mis-information posted here. We should be celebrating that there are three complete Beaufighters on public display nowadays.
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Post by Andy Wright on Jul 2, 2011 15:13:13 GMT 12
The Lee must be rare, I think most of them were destroyed by the Germans. The British version, the Grant, was a bit more successful I think. We had a few here in the country during the war but I don't think they went overseas (I think we sent lighter stuff to New Guinea etc). Post-war, they were very popular with farmers who found them useful for clearing land etc (with cut-down 'bodies'). I reckon most would have had a harder life post-war! ;D |
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Post by yak2 on Jul 2, 2011 15:33:30 GMT 12
A friend who helped establish the MB museum and pioneered the local warbird movement visited the RAF Hendon museum a couple of years ago. I understand that several of the exhibits including their Beaufighter, now have revised (and accurate) histories. Mark makes a good point. For a number of years the MB aircraft was probably the only complete example anywhere, after being rescued from a kids' camp on the Mornington Peninsula. Shameful that they haven't updated the description board I know, but understandable given the circumstances.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2011 15:57:14 GMT 12
It is not shameful, these things happen. Maybe they don't even know that the NMUSAF example is finished and on display. But now you all do, and that's all that I was trying to say.
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Post by strikemaster on Jul 2, 2011 16:42:53 GMT 12
I'd bet that is the case. I know you're not having a go, mate. I'll mention it next I'm there, Rob too I guess.  Might have to budget for a new sign, they struggle to keep the place rolling too. I was chatting to a fleer restoring a Gypsy moth I think it was and mentioned I'd love to get my hands dirty down there. He made the comment that all the young feller's my age have kids etc and generally don't have time to help out till they hit retirement age. He was right. There is also a distinct lack of interest from most in my generation and younger too. |
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Post by yak2 on Jul 3, 2011 10:46:09 GMT 12
Did a bit of sniffing around. The ex RAAF Fairey built Beaufighter now displayed at the USAF museum was sourced via Moorabbin, and had its cockpit restored by HARS in Sydney.
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Post by Bruce on Jul 3, 2011 14:49:58 GMT 12
OK... on to Darwin! I arrived at Darwin in the wee small hours and grabbed some much needed sleep. I had 1 day to spend in the City, before taking the flight to Arnhem land the next morning. so......  Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre was first on the list! Another awesome museum, dominated of course by a B52 bomber. there were however lots of other things to see. Sabre  Mirage - this one actually made a pilotless landing on mudflats after the engine flamed out on takeoff and the pilot ejected. It was in good enough condition to be restored as a fine static example.  This Wessex was one of the flight that arrived from HMAS Melbourne during the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, so is very special to Darwin.  HueyCobra Gunship in the Vietnam section  MU-2 displayed largely because of its awesome paint scheme  No Buff too tough!  Skycraft Scout and Hovey Delta Bird ultralights - with B52 for scale!  B52  Remains of a Zero shot down during the 1942 bombing raids  B25 Mitchell under restoration - they are missing the fuselage section between the wing and Tailplane, but they are well on thier way to securing this.  Boomerang fuselage in semi - restored state  Engine collection - with a unique "ceiling"!   Replica (but quite realistic) Spitfire  Sections of "Betty" bomber  Auster Autocar of the Salvation Army Flying Padre service recognises the input of missionary flying in the region.  Timor Airlines Dove  Pieces of steel framework from the RAAF Hangar attacked in 1942, complete with patched bullet and shrapnel holes. This building became the Darwin airport Terminal, and this steel was in service until the building was demolished in the late 1990s.  Remains of a USAAC Curtiss P40 shot down during the initial 1942 Bombing raids.  From the air museum I travelled to the city by way of the Charles Darwin National park, which is the site of a former RAAF Ammunition storage area. Armco Magazines like this are all through the area. This one is open with some historical displays inside.  View of the City from the National park. I quite liked the City (at this time of year it wasnt too hot or humid) as it has a friendly, small town feel, sort of like Tauranga or New Plymouth. Did some shopping for outback essentials there - Sunscreen, tropical strength bug repellent and an akubra hat!  The Suburb of Fannie bay is built on the site of the prewar Darwin airfield (landing ground for all the prewar record breakers and pioneers) and hidden amongst the housing developments the original 1934 Qantas Hangar remains. it is in good condition and is proudly maintained by the local vintage car and engineering club, who use it as their workshops.  The East Point Military Museum is located around the 9.2" WW2 Coastal gun emplacements. This is a replica gun in one of the casemates, showing the huge size of these weapons. The same size guns were used at Stoney Batter, Whangaparoa and Wrights hill in NZ, but the Darwin emplacements are very different, being above ground with huge concrete covers.  Sperry ventral ball turret from a B24 at East point  general view of East point Museum with a Buffalo amphibious transport, Bren Gun Carrier and buoys off the harbour anti - torpedo net.  The second 9.2" gun emplacement is empty.  Whilst i was at East Point, 4 FA18 Super Hornets carried out a buzz and break to land at Darwin Airport. With only a compact camera I didnt get much of a shot, but did get the second pair...  Following morning I departed on Qantas Boeing 717 for Gove, and my Arnhem Land adventures.... stay tuned! |
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Post by Bruce on Jul 5, 2011 21:08:35 GMT 12
After an awesome early morning flight from Darwin (watching the sun rise over the "top end") I arrived in Gove in Northeastern Arnhem land, home of a Bauxite (aluminium) Mine and Refinery. The flight had an interesting demographic - about 70 or so on board, but no more than 4 or 5 women - the rest were blokes in their 20s and 30s - Miners or support workers. The first thing you notice is the red dust everywhere. The airfield and the mine taken on one of my later C210 flights:   The refinery from the boat harbour (WW2 Catalina base)  At Gove airport there are the remains of a CAC Boomerang. it appears as though someone is taking an interest in it as the Fuselage frame has been preserved and repainted.   My Friend Kylan flies for Mission Aviation Fellowship, an organisation providing freight and passeneger capability for Missionary and community organisations in the area. They also Operate Layhna Air on behalf of the local Aboriginal tribal Authority (Layhna Homelands - who look after infrastructure and Welfare of the Homelands communities) Most of my travels around Arnhem Land. The operation is essentially an Air taxi service, flying eduacation, Medical and social workers in and out of the communities, and ferrying locals to Gove for Medical appointments and supplies. The service is essential in the region, especially during the wet season when most of the "roads" are washed out. When I was there the region was still isolated from the rest of Australia except by road and barge. Even in good conditions, the roads are extremely slow. In one case, two villages 7 minutes flight time apart would take 9 Hours to drive between! Layhna Air have a fleet of 2x Cessna 206s, 2x Gippsland Airvans and 2x Cessna 210s which are usefule for the longer distance flights. I took a number of flights out into the remote communities, and had a look at the airstrips. They are plenty big enough, but the surfaces can be quite rough, especially in the wet season. Briany Briany  Garrthalala - Teachers and kids are regularly ferried in and out of the school here   Wundawuy   Dhuruputjipi (note termite mounds)    Baniala   Ramangia  Me in my Aussie hat at Ramangia:   Ski Beach  Arnhem land enroute - its not really desert, being gently rolling scrubby hills, Swamps (with crocs) Billanbongs and rivers.   Spot the main road!  Above broken cloud    Being on the gulf of Carpentaria, there are some nice beaches - pity there are Crocs and jellyfish!   Whilst not flying I helped out in the new MAF engineering hangar, which was pretty good, but since I was greasing wheel bearings and had dirty hands, i didnt get any pics! After 6 awesome days I headed home by way of Cairns, - quite a shock coming out of Auckland airport 9pm at 12 degrees, after leaving Gove in nice mild 28 deg Sunshine! |
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Post by strikemaster on Jul 5, 2011 22:16:53 GMT 12
Great pics, Darwin is a magic place. Did you get into the local grub? Just awesome.
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Post by yak2 on Jul 5, 2011 22:18:05 GMT 12
Interesting report Bruce. You can always tell a Territory aircraft or car by the coating of red dust. And you learn a lot about flying...... the importance of understanding density altitude (I nearly found out the hard way), communication limitations/options, ensuring fuel will be available at your destination, weather (particularly in the Wet season) and navigation in remote areas. Plus always carrying water and an emergency kit. Ya gotta like the heat but  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2011 22:35:41 GMT 12
Amazing photos there Bruce. The museum shots are very interesting, but that landscape is just fascinating. Note not a single McDonalds at any of the airports, Aussie must be pretty primitive. Do you reckon you could live there? Or is it just too different? I reckon it would be a very harsh life. |
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Post by Bruce on Jul 5, 2011 23:48:09 GMT 12
Amazing photos there Bruce. The museum shots are very interesting, but that landscape is just fascinating. Note not a single McDonalds at any of the airports, Aussie must be pretty primitive. Do you reckon you could live there? Or is it just too different? I reckon it would be a very harsh life. There is a maccas just around the Corner from the Darwin Air Museum... and I really didnt have any specific NT food. I went to plenty of BBQs around Gove though - the MAF guys are really hospitable. The Gove Surf club (with all the crocs they must be only the best surfers!) was the community gathering spot on Friday nights and they turned on good food too. 6 Days in Gove really wasnt enough to know whether I could fit in there. Certainly the MAF crew are great blokes and really friendly, but I wasnt exposed to the heat and humidity of the wet season, the disruptions to everything you do due to weather, nor the isolation of being so far from home. (nor snakes!) There is a certain social tension in the area too - the mining community with lots of well - paid white guys with very little to do (and access to alcohol) and the Aboriginal communities with next to nothing, lots of social issues and alcohol bans. the MAF operation sits between the two sides with a foot in each camp, and its quite tricky to find the balance. A very interesting experience all told! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2011 0:13:08 GMT 12
Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 6, 2011 21:52:39 GMT 12
Great report and photos there, Bruce.
Some amazing country up there in northern Australia.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 6, 2011 21:58:29 GMT 12
Agree, awesome trip report Bruce and great pics. Cheers.
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Post by oggie2620 on Jul 7, 2011 10:24:51 GMT 12
Fab pics. When I read the bit bout the HMAS Melbourne chopper I couldn't remember why I knew it. It then clicked. They have several mentions in Laughter on the Wing. Mostly Aussie aviation funnies but some others inc Kiwi ones...
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Post by baz62 on Jul 10, 2011 11:57:23 GMT 12
Great trip report Bruce. Man Australia is a big big place alright! ;D
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Might have to budget for a new sign, they struggle to keep the place rolling too. I was chatting to a fleer restoring a Gypsy moth I think it was and mentioned I'd love to get my hands dirty down there. He made the comment that all the young feller's my age have kids etc and generally don't have time to help out till they hit retirement age. He was right.
