Benalla Aviation Museum in Benalla, Victoria | Museum

Benalla Aviation Museum

Locality: Benalla, Victoria

Phone: +61 429 629 415

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25.01.2022 The Shuttleworth Collection brings us the Mew Gull a fascinating aircraft with a huge history full of blood and gore... seriously!! Alex Henshaw's adapted aircraft in all its glory.

25.01.2022 Another one of The Shuttleworth's unique aircraft! Used in WW2 as a cladenstine operation aircraft. Picking up spies, dropping them off and also helping the French resistance. #aircraft #planeresurrection #lysander #planes

25.01.2022 Aermacchi 339C In 1993 I was assigned as the Project Test Pilot for the initial evaluations of contender aircraft for the replacement of the Macchi MB326H for t...he Lead-In-Fighter role. Eight contender aircraft were flown, including the T-45, AlphaJet, AMX-T, Hawk 100, L-139, L-59, TA4-SU and MB-339C. Here’s a few condensed and summarized comments: I flew the MB339C twice, at the Aermacchi facility located at Venegono north of Milan Italy on the 21st and 22nd of September 1993. Both sorties were flown from the front seat and covered the full range of the flight envelope including weapons carriage. The aircraft was an RNZAF aircraft in the process of factory production tests prior to delivery to New Zealand. Also in the hangar (shown as the grey aircraft in the pictures) Aermacchi were developing the MB339E (Electronic) version with two LCD displays, and a trial air-to-air refuelling probe. A future development 339FD (Full Digital) was in the planning phase and would have incorporated three LCD displays, replacing all the electro-mechanical instruments, displays and indicators. Compared to the MB326, the following improvements and upgrades had been made on the 339C: Engine upgraded - Viper 680 producing 4400lb thrust at sea level; Six underwing pylons for weapons carriage; Higher instructor seat position with own HUD; Martin-Baker Mk10 Zero-Zero seats; Boosted Aileron circuit to reduce lateral stick forces; Anti-skid brakes allowing continuous full pedal application on landing; Nose wheel steering system replacing differential braking for ground steering; Inertial Navigation System; Head up Display for both pilots; Radar Altimeter; Laser range finder for air-to-air combat; Weapon Aiming Computer; Hands-On-Throttle And Stick (HOTAS); and External strip lighting for night formation flight. Overall, the MB339 was very pleasant to fly. The cockpit layout and HOTAS system was well designed and similar to US-designed aircraft. The cockpit was provided with a combination of electro-mechanical instruments and a single electronic display. Checklist procedures were simple and easy to use, and were shown on the electronic display. The nose wheel steering system was a distinct improvement from the differential braking of the MB326 and had excellent authority and sensitivity. The flight control system was well harmonised, with light breakout forces and good stability in all axes. Stalling behavior was unremarkable and pleasant, with good pre-stall buffet and a slight nose drop and occasional moderate wing drop. Recovery was simple and standard. Spinning characteristics were pleasant and predictable. Once settled into the developed spin (after three turns) the turn rate was approximately 3 seconds per turn. Inverted spins were approved and flown without difficulty. Several inflight engine shut down and relights were conducted at various points throughout the flight envelope without difficulty. Approach and landing characteristics were pleasant, with the HUD providing good cues for speed control and stall margin. Engine response was good. The Macchi 339 was a pleasure to fly and the improvements planned by Aermacchi would have made the aircraft even better!

25.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAc_-ENRKw

25.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmjKODQYYfg

23.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/photo

22.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1074456459255350/permalink/3322945087739798/

21.01.2022 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo_irQ9bjzU

21.01.2022 Warbirds invade South Coast

21.01.2022 F-111 A8-148 at RAAF base Edinburgh for Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) task E2617, Photographs taken on route between RAAF Edinburgh and the drop zone, south of Kangaroo Island. Aircraft is loaded with an AGM-142. The aircraft also had 16mm high speed cine cameras mounted on the wingtip.2005-04-28SGT Mick Botthttp://images.defence.gov.au/000-176-034_0011.jpg

19.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV4c_ILdcwQ

19.01.2022 VERA LYNN - WE'LL MEET AGAIN Saying goodbye to the Forces' Sweetheart VERA LYNN who died today at the age of 103. A leading symbol of resilience and hope during... wartime, Vera's songs such as We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover inspired both troops abroad and civilians at home. "The family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers at the age of 103," a statement said. Taken from the 1943 British musical film 'We'll Meet Again', directed by Philip Brandon and starring Vera Lynn in a plot loosely based on her life, I've upscaled and colourised the original black & white film of Vera performing the classic WE'LL MEET AGAIN which can be viewed here... https://www.youtbe.com/watch?v=zMUuuaUGff0

18.01.2022 Air to air of No. 6 Squadron Catalina NZ4016 XX-S on patrol over the New Hebrides. Aircraft flying from Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo.

18.01.2022 Tiger Squadron headlines KTLA 5 news.

17.01.2022 From Brian Fooks: 65/66 Darwin, Indon Confrontation, defending the country.all of 20 years old. 76 Sqn provided defense of the north whilst 3 Sqn and 77 Sqn we...re flying over seasMalaya as it was then and Borneo. From left to right: Charlie Philcox (deceased), Brian Fooks, John Deroyter, Brian Dirou (DFC in Vietnam on Aussie gunships), Peter Condon (on the wing), Mac Cottrell (DFC Vietnam FAC), Geoff Peterkin, Jack Smith(on the wing), Dick Kelloway, and Al Walsh(deceased). Let’s not forget the grand lady in the photo, Sabre 915. Amazing how these turn up. See more

16.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efdBX3SjdCI

15.01.2022 The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber based at RAF Coningsby flew over Derwent Dam in the Peak District this afternoon. The event re-creates an...d commemorates the famous 617 Squadron "Dambusters" Operation "Chastise" during the Second World War. We didn’t have anybody on the ground but we did have a Royal Air Force Photographer in the nose and the rear gun turret. It’s a bumpy ride but worth it!! #battleofbritainmemorialflight #lancasterbomber #royalairforceconingsby #derwentdam #617sqn #royalairforce #rafphotographer

15.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com//6713/permalink/4617135641637297/

14.01.2022 A press photo of Squadron Leader Eugeniusz Horbaczewski, the Commander of No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron sat in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang Mk III with Flt... Sergeant Tadeusz So at RAF Ford, 25 June 1944. They were showing how Horbaczewski had managed to rescue and bring home one of his squadron pilots, Sgt Tadeusz Tamowicz, who was forced to ditch his aircraft in Normandy. No. 315 Squadron transferred to RAF Coolham, an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in West Sussex in April 1944. On the 6th June, they took part in D Day providing close air support for the landing troops and their attempts to push inland. The battle for Normandy continued to rage. On 22nd June, the pilots of 315 squadron, together with 129 and 306 squadrons, were engaged in a ferocious ground attack on German positions in Cherbourg harbour. During a strafing run, Sgt Tamowicz’s plane was hit by several 20mm cannon shells from heavy AA fire. With a severely damaged engine and splinter wounds to his legs, he was in serious trouble. Tamowicz radioed to advise he was going to try and land. He turned south hoping to coax his damaged aircraft back to the American lines. Losing height and power, he successfully ditched his aircraft in a marshy area, south of Valognes. Sqd Ldr Horbaczewski had been following Tamowicz’s crippled plane and was circling above as he belly landed in the marshes. He managed to haul himself out of his aircraft and signaled to Horbaczewski that he was OK. Taking note of the location, Horbaczewski, true to form, made the decision to land at the newly completed Azeville emergency airfield, only a few kilometres from Tamowicz's position. He climbed down from his aircraft and asked if he could borrow a Jeep, as he needed to go and pick up one of his pilots who had crash landed in the marshes. The intrigued Americans obliged. An hour or so after ditching, Sgt Tamowicz had bandaged his legs and was sitting on the wing of his Mustang, which was slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the mud. Then to his great surprise and relief, he saw his Squadron Leader wading towards him through the marsh. With Horbaczewski’s help, the two men made it back to the Jeep and drove back to Horbaczewski's aircraft at Azeville without incident. Tamowicz was helped into the Mustang cockpit before his Squadron Leader clambered in and sat on his knees, which must have been agony. Horbaczewski fired up the Mustang and roared off the runway at full throttle to the cheers of the American servicemen who had witnessed the whole thing. After what must have been a painful and uncomfortable flight for both of them, they landed safely back at RAF Coolham. As they were trying to extricate themselves from the aircraft, they heard another loud cheer go up. This time from the ground crew of their own Squadron, who were amazed to see two men get out of the cockpit. Sgt Tamowicz was helped down, transferred to an ambulance and rushed off to hospital. Unfortunately Sgt Tamowicz missed the photo call three days later, as he was still in hospital recovering from his wounds. Sadly, two months later on 18 August, Sq Ldr Horbaczewski was killed during a sweep over Northern France, leading 12 Mustangs of No. 315. The squadron, using the element of surprise, attacked a group of 60 Fw 190s of JG 2 and 26 over an airfield near Beauvais. Horbaczewski quickly shot down three Focke-Wulfs, but went missing during the dogfight. In the ensuing battle, the squadron was credited with 16 victories, 1 probable and 3 damaged for the loss of their missing Squadron Leader. It later transpired that his aircraft had dived into a field at high speed just off the east end of the Beauvais runway. The burnt out surface wreckage was cleared and the hole filled in. In late 1946, Horbaczewski was still listed as missing and a full recovery of the aircraft was made by the RAF MREU (Missing Research and Enquiry Unit). Such was the colossal force of the impact, that Sq Ldr Horbaczewski’s body was found underneath the engine. He was buried in a CWGC grave alongside 54 other RAF airman in the Creil Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Credit IWM CH 13566

14.01.2022 Point Cook RAAF base Hauntings RAAF Base Williams in Victoria comprises two bases 20kms south-west of Melbourne at Laverton and Point Cook. This is the birthpla...ce of the Air Force and the oldest continually operating military airfield in the world. However, it has a secret history hidden away in the unexplained experiences of the hundreds of pilots, aircraft engineers, mechanics plus other employees, who have experienced something eerie, giving it the title of the Air Forces most haunted base. There were so many reports that Wing Commander Ken Llewellyn wrote about them in his book, Flight Into the Ages (1991). Here’s a few stories : In 1985 a Point Cook guard accompanied by his dog on night patrol challenged a man wearing what resembled a World War 1 pilot’s uniform. Ignoring the guards command and the dogs unusually ferocious barking, he walked briskly past then simply disappeared. In 1978 a 9 Squadron helicopter crashed in South Australia killing the commander and crew. Two days later apparitions of the dead men were seen by a pilot at the RAAFs Amberley base near Brisbane. In 1986 a phantom figure dressed in a flying suit appeared to an F111 navigator at Butterworth Base, Malaysia. Matched reports show that at the moment the entity materialised a young Mirage pilot had died off the Newcastle coast. Another strange event occurred on 5 September, 1920 when flying instructor Captian Willaim Stutt and his mechanic Sergeant Abner Dalziell left Point Cook in a De Havilland 9A biplane in search of the missing schooner Amelia J, which had disappeared crossing Bass Strait. A second plane joined the search only to see Captain Stutts plane fly into a cloud and disappear. The missing aircraft and schooner were never found. Reference: Haunted The Book of Australian Ghosts by John Pinkney (2005)

13.01.2022 A contender to fill a gap in the gallery, A52-1006 at Whenuapai on 08 Nov. 1946 on it's delivery flight to the RNZAF. (Whites Aviation photo)

13.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs82YgHYwNM

11.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7n-Hl3vBM

10.01.2022 In the low flying area.

10.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgZ62jyPiQ

09.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFy9mzjl0o

08.01.2022 Macchi Sunset -near RAAF Gingin 1981 Digital Art by Gregory Todd.

08.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JgyKO3WT28

07.01.2022 http://warbirdsnews.com//spitfire-restoration-news-downund

07.01.2022 Guam trash pit 1945

06.01.2022 75(NZ) Squadron RAF. Image from the No. 75 Squadron album collection. Armourers with bombs on trolleys prepare to load the bombs into a No. 75 Squadron Wellingt...on. Believed to be at RAF station Feltwell in the early evening light 1942. Photo: RNZAF Museum Ref: MUS090236. Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland @HowdiColourWorks.

05.01.2022 Three Spitfires and one Hurricane have taken part in a flypast to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain Today's top stories: https://trib.al/AJY5VpR

05.01.2022 Labelled the worlds deadliest aircraft, but what a hunk of metal!

05.01.2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0aKBhga-o

04.01.2022 One of the best time-capsules in the form of a WWII aircraft would have to be the Martin B-26B Marauder known worldwide as Flak Bait. Flak Bait flew more missio...ns than any other American combat aircraft of WWII, completing a stunning 206 missions from 1943 to 1945, and has over 1,000 patches over bullet holes and shrapnel damage to prove it! Flak Bait survived three missions on D-Day, bombed 21 V-1 launch sites, and came back with no hydraulic systems (twice), came back on one engine (on one of those occasions, it came back with an engine fire), a shot-up instrument panel, a night mission, and returned with it's electrical system shot out, yet although crew members were wounded, no one who flew Falk Bait ever died aboard her, a comforting fact for the crews that flew her. And while most Marauders were immediately scrapped upon war's end, General Hap Arnold himself saw the value of preserving this plane, and personally selected Flak Bait to be a permanent fixture of the Smithsonian's National Air Museum (later the National Air and Space Museum). While the nose section went on display in 1976, the rest of the aircraft remained in storage. Today, Flak Bait is undergoing preservation efforts at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center's Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar in Chantilly, Virginia. Eventually, she will go on display in the WWII Aviation Gallery, next to the Enola Gay, fully assembled for the first time since 1946, still in her wartime paint. See more

02.01.2022 This epic aircraft joins our Vietnam fleet. The Skyraider is one of our favourites, and we hope you love this monster machine as much as we do!

01.01.2022 The Mossie, a multitalented aircraft, plunged into many roles during its time, and built on home turf, England. A wonderful insight in to the work being done to get these aircraft airworthy once agin.