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Post by planecrazy on Jan 22, 2022 7:52:29 GMT 12
A set of old images, 2013, the Moorabbin Aviation Museum, Victoria, Australia. Auster J-1B Aiglet  Victa Airtourer 100  CAC C28 Ceres  EX RAAF Tiger Moth A17-377  Beaufort nose section  Ex RAAF Bristol Beaufighter A8-39     Ex RAN Fairy Firefly WD827  Ex RAAF Mirage A3-45   Ex RAN Fairey Gannet XG789  Ex RAAF Avon Sabre A94-989  Ex Pakistan Air Force/Air Express Bristol Freighter  Ex RAAF/Ansett DC3  Ex RAAF Catalina A24-88, be great to see her together, does anyone know how she came to be at the museum, almost looks like she has perhaps been restored?  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 22, 2022 9:58:14 GMT 12
It's an excellent and interesting museum, that one.
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 22, 2022 16:57:12 GMT 12
Another that's on my To Do list and has been for a long time. An amazing collection.
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 26, 2022 21:58:56 GMT 12
Nice to see, planecrazy. Gee, Moorrabin hasn't changed much; it looks much like it did more than 25 years ago, the last time I was there. The Cat is more recent.
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Post by planecrazy on Jan 28, 2022 10:36:44 GMT 12
I went there many years ago prior to this visit in 2013, they had a P40 fuselage
sitting on a Mustang wing, wonder what happened to this P40-51?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2022 10:45:36 GMT 12
The P-40 is being rebuilt along with several others in Ashley Briggs' restoration facility. They also acquired a Mustang in recent years. The museum has in fact done a lot in recent years, remember these photos are from nine years ago. I believe there is a new building now and most of the outside aeroplanes are now indoors.
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Post by tbf2504 on Jan 28, 2022 14:56:59 GMT 12
Some great exhibits. However, a pity that the Beaufighter canopies are crazed and opaque. Perhaps they will be replaced eventuall?
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 29, 2022 16:19:09 GMT 12
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 30, 2022 9:38:32 GMT 12
The P-40 is being rebuilt along with several others in Ashley Briggs' restoration facility. They also acquired a Mustang in recent years. The museum has in fact done a lot in recent years, remember these photos are from nine years ago. I believe there is a new building now and most of the outside aeroplanes are now indoors. Ah, well that explains it. That is good to hear that they have more under cover space. There's a great collection of stuff there. Now, if only Camden will reopen and allow visitors again. |
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Post by vultee43 on Jan 30, 2022 17:17:28 GMT 12
Yes, Camden have some very rare birds that need some love and attention. Almost a bit like our version of the late John Smith Collection.
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 31, 2022 10:55:00 GMT 12
Yes, Camden have some very rare birds that need some love and attention. Almost a bit like our version of the late John Smith Collection. It sure does, I contacted one of the owners a few years back prior to a visit to Aus to ask about access, but that was a no and when I asked about when it might open to the public again, was given a rather negative response. Perhaps Ando knows more. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 11:45:00 GMT 12
I was very fortunate to be invited to visit Camden by one of the people who looks after the collection, back in 2015 when I was on the Wings Over Australia tour. A terrific collection indeed, and sad that they are held in a sort of stasis. But at least they are preserved, and looked after, and all under cover.
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Post by Antonio on Jan 31, 2022 12:27:50 GMT 12
I love it when museums display the powerplant in front of the aircraft.
Especially if they have been sectioned.
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Post by Mustang51 on Jan 31, 2022 13:48:00 GMT 12
I volunteered at Camden from 1965 (only permanent volunteer for about 5 years when I started) and worked there for about 13 years. It was/is completely funded by the Thomas family. No Govt grants...nada. The Moorabbin Beaufighter owes a lot of its "nice" bits to the Camden machine which was then at Boree Creek near Wagga Wagga. Interesting recovery in about 1,000,000 degree C temps. The museum is not open any more due to insurance issues. It is now surrounded by residential development when - after its move from Camden airport - it was just cow paddocks. I know...I did the survey work to set out the new hangar there. It is an incredible life's work by the family and unlike the Smith Collection, was always open on the weekends until bad health saw it finally close its doors.
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Post by saratoga on Jan 31, 2022 17:31:56 GMT 12
I visited the Camden museum a few times in the mid '90's. Hot and dusty trip on vague train/bus services, it was very isolated at that time. I Was allowed to clamber through the Beaufighter and on the Vengeance. The Mosquito at the time was just a pile of firewood, they have since managed to assemble more of it too resemble a Mossie. Apparently the bulged cowls on the RNZAF museum Anson are on loan from Camden.
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Post by vultee43 on Jan 31, 2022 20:51:06 GMT 12
My Grandfather was a Vengeance pilot and was hoping to see the last one (at that time). Unfortunately it was not to be. Maybe I will get the chance one day.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 20:58:00 GMT 12
It's an impressively large and ugly beast of a plane.
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Post by nuuumannn on Feb 1, 2022 9:07:02 GMT 12
I volunteered at Camden from 1965 (only permanent volunteer for about 5 years when I started) and worked there for about 13 years. It was/is completely funded by the Thomas family. No Govt grants...nada. The Moorabbin Beaufighter owes a lot of its "nice" bits to the Camden machine which was then at Boree Creek near Wagga Wagga. Interesting recovery in about 1,000,000 degree C temps. The museum is not open any more due to insurance issues. It is now surrounded by residential development when - after its move from Camden airport - it was just cow paddocks. I know...I did the survey work to set out the new hangar there. It is an incredible life's work by the family and unlike the Smith Collection, was always open on the weekends until bad health saw it finally close its doors. I knew you'd done something with them, Ando and fascinating to hear. I do hope the collection is looked after and the family choose to keep it together, perhaps one day doing what the Smiths did. |
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Post by nuuumannn on Feb 1, 2022 9:08:04 GMT 12
It's an impressively large and ugly beast of a plane. Which is all part of its charm...  |
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Post by nuuumannn on Feb 1, 2022 9:09:54 GMT 12
On the subject of rare Aussie collections, what ever happened to the guy who had Whale World's collection, the Kingfisher and I believe he had some Vengeance remains too? I vaguely remember reading the Vengeances were undergoing restoration, but what's happened to the Kingfisher, surely a unique type in this neck of the woods?
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