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23.01.2022 Warbirds Online has been going through our photo archive while we’re in the COVID-19 cloud & found this interesting one from an airshow many years ago. Oh well, yes it's April Fools Day today. As I'm sure many of our Warbird enthusiasts would know there never was such an aircraft displayed - the photo is a compilation of 3 images by Mrs Warbirds Online in Photoshop to help lighten the mood in our trying times. Keep safe and well everyone. PS - BTW all our other photos are genuine in case you were wondering.
21.01.2022 Today we share our photos of the Warbirds in the Treloar Conservation Centre taken in 1999 in our retrospective of the past. Warbirds Online was fortunate to visit the Treloar Conservation Centre, Mitchell ACT at that time when it was possible to tour around the facility via an elevated passageway above the collection laid out on the floor of the huge warehouse like building. I was able to see many of the aircraft which had been in storage as well as some of those which had b...een on display in confined space in the AWM. Work was also able to be observed on some of the restorations being carried out on aircraft such as the famous Avro Lancaster Mk. I bomber G for George code AR-G serial number W4783 which was undergoing a very comprehensive refurbishment and conservation program. Most of the aircraft were relocated back to the AWM in 2003 & no longer as visible in some cases. One drawback on the day of our visit was that the aircraft had to be viewed through windows made of orange tinted Perspex which interfered with the color and focus of images, however we pressed on regardless and captured the attached photos to the best of our abilities! Some of the aircraft seen on the day included Messerschmitt ME262 jet fighter aircraft W.N.500200, Avro Lancaster Mk. I bomber G for George squadron code AR-G, serial number W4783, operated by No. 460 Squadron RAAF during World War II, Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet Rocket Fighter Werk number WN 191907, P-51D Mustang A68-648 a P-51D-20-NT serial No 111-36389 USAAC tail No 44-13106, Albatros D Va single engine biplane scout/fighter aircraft serial no. D5390/17, SE5a scout fighter A2-4 formally serial number C1916, Pfalz D.XII single engine biplane scout/fighter aircraft, serial no. 2600/18 , Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk aircraft Polly RAAF Serial A29-133 P-40E -I-CU US military serial 41-36084 and DH98 Mosquito PR 41 Reconnaissance aircraft RAAF serial A52-210/319 an FB.40 converted to PR41 on the production line at Bankstown NSW. We look forward to the future when all of these wonderful aircraft and those that were also stored at Treloar Conservation Centre such as the DAP/Bristol Beaufort and Lockheed Hudson will be on display again in the fantastic new space being created at the AWM. In addition there are many other more modern types to be added such as the F/A 18 Hornet and DHC 4 Caribou waiting in the wings for their turn on display. #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #helicopters #aviationgeek #aviationphoto #aviationdaily #aviationphotography #ww2planes #ww2aircraft #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #AvroLancaster #mustangp51 #curtissp40 #Messerschmitt #coldwar #WarbirdsOnline #autralianwarbirds
17.01.2022 Warbirds Online presents a series of photos from our archive from an unknown WWII parachute trainee taken at RAAF base Richmond NSW, thought to be in December 1943. These images although generally of poor quality give an insight into the training environment of the time. Among the photos we have found in our archives are those taken during a graduation / presentation ceremony at Richmond at the end of a course. One image depicts a Medical Sergeant loaded down with a seemin...gly impossible amount of gear which the caption in the album states includes Medic Orderly Kit and Stretcher which illustrates the difficult and stressful nature of the WWII parachute units deployment. Also of interest is the use of a unique Australian invention the Storepedo fitted underneath a DC2 of the RAAF. The Australian Inventions Directorate headed by Sir Laurence Hartnett, tasked the Ordnance Production Directorate to produce a solution. G.W Griffiths, on a secondment with the directorate, came up with the answer to examine the problem -a shock absorbent heavy-gauge wire netting container to absorb the impact. Griffiths named this an 'Aeropak'. The design also allows for a parachute to be attached to slow the descent. The design was refined by Morris & Walker Pty Ltd of Melbourne. The printing firm added a three foot cardboard cylinder to carry 250lbs. A hessian parachute was also added. The nose cone is hollow which also takes a proportion on the impact. Per the AWM. The Storepedo was an Australian patented invention and carries the names of E.R. Campbell, K.M. Frewin, F.W. Lennox and R.P. Morris on the application for Patent. Another of the photos depicts a wind machine being utilized to simulate strong winds the trainees would have had to contend with upon landing it appears to have been constructed on a vehicle frame using a redundant Radial aircraft engine and prop. Several of the photos depict RAAF DC2 aircraft although identification of the individual aircraft is not clear. We would welcome any comments which would highlight the identity of any of the aircraft depicted in the photographs. The apparent use of the emblem on the aircraft in one of the DC2 photographs suggests it is A30-11 c/s VHC-RE sqn. code RE-B named "Maaleesh"? The photos were taken 40 years ago from the originals - we hope you enjoy these great memories of a bygone time. #australianwarbirds #warbirdnews #warbirdrestorationprojects #WarbirdsOnline #WWIIaircraft #Paratrooper
17.01.2022 We know you’re missing the Airshows in Australia so today we’re sharing images of a great line up of #Warbirds at some of the past and more recent Australian Airshows. #WWIIaircraft #airshowfun #keepthemflying #mustangp51 #curtissp40 #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #instagramaviation #aviation #aviationgeek #aviationphoto #aviationdaily #aviationphotography #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #hawkerhurricane #T6Harvard #WOI2019 #warbirdnews #avgeek #warbirdsonline #hawkerhurricane #australianwarbirds #ww2aircraft #cacboomerang #T6Harvard #b25mitchell #militaryplane #modelaircraft #cacsabre #chancevought #faireyfirefly #lockheedneptune #vulteevalient #warbirdsdownunder #cacwirraway #FireBombers #AirTractorAT802
17.01.2022 It’s only natural that you would want to know about the other Warbirds in the Vintage Fighter Restorations workshop at Scone NSW such as CAC Mustang CA-18 Mk.21 A68-107 VH-AUB she’s undergoing her usual maintenance prior to the airshow season as well as P40E VH-KTY, North American T6 VH-HAJ and Hawker Hurricane, Serial No 5481 C/N 60372, Mk XII / IIB VH-JFW also receiving routine maintenance. The rebuild of Cessna O1 Bird Dog VH-LQS wings continues following some damage it ...sustained a few years ago. Talking of two seat Warbirds excellent progress is also reported on the two- seat P40N being completed for Pays in Australia and it should join the stable in the next year or so. More on this exciting development in future news as it moves closer to completion. #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #avgeek #ww2airplanes #ww2planes #ww2aircraft #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #warbirdsonline #cacmustang #mustangP51 #cessnabirddog #hawkerhurricane
12.01.2022 Two CAC CA-25 Winjeels are on the way to Scone NSW. Ross Pay has purchased two former RAAF Forward Air Control CA-25 Winjeels, A85-411 and A85-426 plus a spares holding. The move to purchase the aircraft comes as the Scone Aviation Attraction Museum is under development at Scone NSW airport. The two aircraft operated extensively in the Hunter Valley from their base at RAAF Williamtown and when fully refurbished and returned to the register at least one of the aircraft will ...operate out of the new Museum. The decision to purchase and operate the Winjeels comes not just from a historic or Warbird perspective but also for a number of more pragmatic reasons. The Winjeel is a particularly practical and useful aircraft for a Warbird operator. It can be configured for up to 4 seats enabling engineering and other staff to be transported to displays and airshows as well as being able to return to base to retrieve parts and personnel should that be required if one of the single seat fighter aircraft has a technical issues and requires off base service. The aircraft can also be configured for Warbird experience flights either in their own right or as an observation aircraft in formation with one of the WWII fighters from Scone. Once at an Air Show the Winjeel can also perform as a Warbird in its own right. The presence of the Winjeel also adds a tail dragger training capacity for those pilots moving onto flying the more exotic WWII Fighters such as the Mustang, Spitfire or P-40. The large spares holding will also help to ensure the Winjeels can be operated for years to come. With plenty of time on your hands while floating in the COVID-19 cloud you can read more about the history of these 2 Winjeels on our website at https://bit.ly/3a7cQo6 . Warbirds Online acknowledges and is grateful for the use of images from a number of sources and contributors to highlight the rich history of these aircraft. #CACWinjeel #coldwar #keepthemflying #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #warbirdsonline #modelaircraft #traineraircraft #avgeek #avdaily #aviationmuseums
12.01.2022 Warbird restoration work continues at Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) at Scone NSW despite the COVID-19 virus. Warbirds Online visited VFR before the pandemic shutdown to see the big news - that Mk IX Supermarine Spitfire MH-415 has now been completed & has had engine runs & taxi trials which were very successful. Sadly, the aircrafts owners decided to send the aircraft to the UK for its first flight and to participate in various airshows in the summer season there. Unfor...Continue reading
09.01.2022 We know you miss the Duxford Airshows so today we feature our favorite photos from the Airshow over the past 20 odd years. Warbirds Online has been very lucky over the years to travel to the UK on a number of occasions to view various airshows, particularly at the WW2 RAF base at Duxford, now administered by the imperial War Museum (IWM) and the site of the famous Flying Legends Airshow. This Airshow is one of the best conducted anywhere in the world and what could be a more ...appropriate site than the famous Battle of Britain airfield. The airshow always hosts a fantastic variety and number of #Warbirds often dating back over 100 years with a number of truly rare and exotic types on display. The show always features a bumper action packed schedule and culminates with as many Warbirds as possible taking part in the huge Balbo fly-past on both days. The Airshow is run in conjunction with the Duxford based Fighter Collection and has sadly been cancelled this year due to the COVID -19 pandemic. When we eventually get back to post COVID travel again we can highly recommend putting this Airshow on your ultimate bucket list of must see things to do! #WWIIaircraft #airshowfun #keepthemflying #mustangp51 #curtissp40 #hawkernimrod #polikarpov #grumanbearcat #p51mustang #hispanobuchon #airacobra #corsair #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #aviation #avgeek #aviationphoto #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #seafury #aviationdaily #aviationnerd #warbirdrestoration #warbirdsonline
08.01.2022 Today Warbirds Online shares some of our images of the Warbird World of the past and how we now view life differently with Social Distancing in the face of Coronavirus (COVID-19) - so the captions on our images today reflect the ongoing safety messages. It’s certainly a serious issue here in Australia and Worldwide and we trust we’ll all get through this difficult time soon. Keep safe and well. #keepthemflying #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #modelaircraft #avgeek #aviationmuseums #warbirdsonline
08.01.2022 Today we present a variety of photos from the Leuchers Airshow in 2003. Warbirds Online undertook an Aviation tour of the UK with a group of fellow aviation enthusiasts from Australia that year and it was a memorable adventure to attend the NATO Air Show in Scotland at Royal Air Force station Leuchars, located in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. This was at the time a near century old RFC and then RAF base and played a major role in the Defence of the UK and NATO with se...veral front line RAF Fighter Squadrons based there right from WW1 and WW2. It was also a pivotal base during the Cold War in the 1950’s and 60’s when fighters from the base frequently intercepted Soviet bombers intruding into UK airspace. In 2011 the UK Government announced that the base would close in 2015 and it now serves as a reserve Army base and is a diversion base for Eurofighter Typhoons. RAF Leuchars was home to the annual RAF Leuchars Air show which originated many decades before. This usually took place on a Saturday in September. In 2003 when we attended the show displays including the Red Arrows, Tornados from the RAF and Luftwaffe and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane. Air forces from many NATO countries provided additional static and flight displays. The final air show was held on 8 September 2013 and circa 45,000 people were on site. It was the last occasion that I used a 35MM film camera as I moved to using a digital camera a year later. We hope you enjoy the photos and that we can soon attend many more Airshows soon as we move out of the COVID-19 cloud. #WWIIaircraft #airshowfun #keepthemflying #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #instagramaviation #aviation #aviationgeek #aviationphoto #aviationdaily #aviationphotography #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #hawkerhurricane #warbirdnews #avgeek #warbirdsonline #ww2aircraft #avrolancaster #coldwar #panaviatornado #follandgnat
05.01.2022 Today we feature the Fire Bombing aircraft at Pay’s Air Service, based in Scone NSW. Whilst not Warbirds in the true sense, the efforts of the Fire Bomber aircraft in Australia in the past have been epic Air Wars nonetheless. The fleet at Pays comprises 3 Fire Boss amphibians, 6 standard AT-802s , 1 Bell Jetranger , 1 Bell Longranger, 2 AS-350 Squirrels and 3 Cessna C-208 Caravans. The Fire Boss is an AT-802 modified with the addition of Wipline 10000 amphibious floats and as...sociated water scooping equipment allowing the Fire Boss to be a self-filling firefighting platform. The makeup of the fleet at Pays changes with each season as demands of the season differ as does the intensity. In the past, Pays have operated types such as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, various Cessna light aircraft and even the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk as well as other fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Pay’s Caravans are contracted to provide fire crew transport, fire reconnaissance and surveillance, and air attack coordination of firebombing aircraft. Sadly this year it has been brought home how dangerous the ground based firefighting work has been in Australia and also in the air with the loss of a number of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. This is tough and exacting work and comes with a full range of diverse dangers inherent in the task. Next time you see the fire bombers on the TV news or in the air, saving people and property, give a thought to the hard work of the bravery of the crews carrying out this vital task. You can read more about this Fire Bomber aircraft fleet on our website at http://bit.ly/2PFhjqL #WarbirdNews #AustralianWarbirds #WarbirdsOnline #FireBombers #FireBoss #AirTractorAT802
04.01.2022 The repainting of CAC Mustang CA-18 PR.22 A68-199 at Scone NSW is now complete and the aircraft is back in service. There is no camera installation as yet, which will complete her restoration if it is decided to take that step. At present, as previously detailed, this is the only CAC built Mustang restored to PR (Photo Reconnaissance) configuration and one of the few PR specific Mustangs in the world. The quality of the paintwork is stunning as well as the detail of the sten...ciling & general attention to detail. This is certainly an upper end restoration and as close to perfect presentation that can be found. The paint finish is gloss for ease of maintenance and longevity & the shade of silver is precisely researched and correct. Warbirds Online has been following her repaint since August 2019. So if you want to know more about the repaint work undertaken or about her history then go to the news on our website at http://bit.ly/2RPaTXz #warbirdnews #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #mustangp51 #CACmustang #ww2aircraft #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #avgeek #australianwarbirds #militaryplane #modelaircraft #warbirdsonline
02.01.2022 We know you want to know about the Warbird Restorations underway at the workshop of Matt Webber and his team at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration (LAR), NSW. Warbirds Online dropped by to see the progress on the many aircraft transiting through the workshop and on our most recent visit there was a hive of activity. Our old friend, the former Archerfield Queensland based North American T-28D Trojan VH-TRO was in the workshop. She has recently changed hands after many years opera...ting Warbird Adventure flights out of Archerfield & attending numerous Airshows and Fly-Ins across Australia. The new owners are NSW based and it is thought the aircraft will operate out of a Hunter Valley NSW base. The mighty Trojan is undergoing a regime of maintenance and cosmetic work before it resumes its flying activities. LAR’s work also includes the return to flight of Ross Pay’s new two former RAAF Forward Air Control CA-25 Winjeels, A85-411 & A85-426. Winjeel A85-426 is currently undergoing a maintenance program to return her to the air being the most recently flying aircraft of the pair & is in excellent condition. It is anticipated that the work on this Young Eagle will return to the air and make its way to its new home at Scone NSW in coming weeks. Winjeel A85-411 will be worked on next to return her to the air and follow A85-426 to Scone NSW. This Winjeel has been out of the air longer & requires a little more work to get her flying. CAC CA-3 Wirraway VH-WWY of Paul Bennet Aviation was in the LAR workshop for routine maintenance work. In the workshop area there were numerous DH Moths of various iterations and the beautiful Bristol F.2B Fighter restoration making steady progress to its first flight. Warbirds Online thanks Matt Webber and the team at LAR for allowing us to tour the workshop to share the news about the meticulous work underway on these great Warbirds. #australianwarbirds #warbirdnews #warbirdrestorationprojects #WarbirdsOnline #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #CACWinjeel #NorthAmericanTrojan #BoeingStearman #CACWirraway #ComperSwift #YakovlevYak52 #TigerMoth #aviationphotography #avgeek #model aircraft #militaryplane
02.01.2022 Warbirds Online has just visited the Spitfire restorations at Pay's Air Service & Vintage Fighter Restorations at Scone NSW. Following completion & shipping of Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX MH415 to the UK recently, attention has now turned to the completion of Spitfire F Mk. IX MH603, with many of the systems & details now in the final phases of installation including the hydraulic systems. On the day of our visit, the main undercarriage retraction system was being te...sted. The Spitfire was also having a host of other electrical, hydraulic & fuel system items finalized. Many of the fairings have now been completed as well as the cowlings ready for final fitting when the aircraft is completed. The Rolls Royce Merlin engine for the Spitfire is believed to be almost ready for shipping from the USA & will be air freighted to Australia & fitted to the airframe as soon as possible. All being well it should not be long before MH603 is complete & ready to commence engine runs building to its first flight, hopefully before the end of the year. Progress is reported to be excellent on the restoration of what will be a Scone resident Spitfire Mk.IX BS548 as a two seater Tr 9 in the UK. The fuselage is now largely structurally complete. Once finished the fuselage will be shipped to Australia & new wings will be completed at Scone in the wing jigs already in place with the restoration taking its place in the que of Spitfires as with MH415 & MH603. The aircraft will be fitted with the Grace Spitfire type of canopy configuration rather than the original bubble canopy. Once complete & added to the fleet the two seat Spitfire will allow for Warbird experience flights & advanced Warbird pilot training & will form a fantastic addition to the growing Vintage Fighter Restoration fleet. It was great to get out of the COVID-19 cloud & view the progress on the Spitfire collection. #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #supermarineseafire #avgeek #ww2airplanes #ww2planes #ww2aircraft #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #warbirdsonline
01.01.2022 It’s only natural you’d be interested in the Aviation memorials in the UK commemorating the service of the men of Bomber Command. Warbirds Online discovered on our UK tour in 2018 some touching memories of the men and women of Bomber Command with some poignant reminders of the young Australians who served there and in some cases died on operations out of there. In York there’s Bettys Café Tea Rooms located at 6-8 St. Helen's Square, York that was a base for many RAF and Commo...nwealth airmen - not just for tea and cakes. Contained in Betty’s basement are walls lined with mirrors where it was quickly discovered during WWII that with a diamond ring, of the type many of the Airmen wore, it was possible to record their signature for posterity on the mirrors. During the course of the War, over 600 Airmen did so. Almost unbelievably given the robust behavior of the servicemen the mirrors survived the conflict and are still on display in the basement. In 1937 Betty’s obtained a liquor license which resulted in a cocktail bar & basement bar being constructed & as the population of the RAF bases grew Betty’s was adopted as a sort of off base OPs room for the crews where they could relax and kick up their heels to relieve the unbelievable stress of their missions over Europe. Fortunately Betty’s survived the war largely undamaged, although it was hit, in 1942 by an incendiary bomb which caused little damage. Its worst situation occurred as a result of the British Army attempting (unsuccessfully) to try to requisition Betty’s. The attempt failed when it was pointed out that it served 20,000 servicemen each week and there would be a riot if it was forced to close! Post War the Betty Café Tea Rooms has continued to grow and prosper and is now a small chain of Cafes in the UK. So when the Covid-19 cloud lifts & you can travel again, make a visit to Bettys Café Tea Rooms in York to see the Airmen signatures & take in the Yorkshire Air Museum nearby and visit RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby, and the International Bomber Command Centre at Lincoln to view the historical legacy of Bomber Command located on Canwick Hill, overlooking the city of Lincoln. #WWIIaircraft #keepthemflying #battleofbritain #supermarinespitfire #supermarineseafire #avgeek #ww2airplanes #ww2planes #ww2aircraft #warbirds #warbirdrestoration #warbirdnews #australianwarbirds #warbirdsonline #HandleyPageHalifax #AvroLancaster #aviationmuseum
