Since only aircraft buffs are likely to venture here I'll just put in
the photos and keep the text down. The Society has many more aircraft
than are pictured here and I would strongly recommend any aircraft enthusiast
to visit should an opportunity arise.
Super Constellation VH-EAG still flies
regularly. Here her inboard engine has its cowls open.
Connie's Flight Deck.
An Australian-built Avon Sabre with air brakes open. It will not be
restored to flying condition as was left in the weather as a 'gate guardian'
for too many years.
A second Neptune is parked behind the Sabre.
This aircraft won't have been seen too often outside Australia. It's
a de Havilland Drover undergoing a one hundred hourly inspection. It's
of the same
era as de Havilland's Dove (2 engines) and Heron (4 engines). The Drover,
however, has three.
The "Black Cat" being prepared for flight. You'd never call
her sleek, would you? Her hull is no longer sealed so she can't operate
from water.
After belching blue smoke at engine start, the Catalina
taxies for take-off to fly to Canberra.
One of two airworthy C-47 Dakotas owned by H.A.R.S. This one left
for Canberra shortly after the picture was taken.
What a magic sight! The hydraulics must have been improved as both wheels
are retracting together.
One of two airworthy Neptunes owned by H.A.R.S. I can't vouch
for this, but I was told that the Neptune weighs more than a Constellation.
The advertising on the nose wheel door belongs to H.A.R.S.'s sponsors.
Those Neptune engines burned a few litres of oil on start-up. Note the
rack under the wing for rocket attachment. I never knew that Neptunes
had four engines,
did you? The pods under the wings are jets used for take-off and climb
- the red intake doors open automatically on start-up. When this Neptune
climbed out
the jet roar drowned out the sound of the other engines.
And away she goes, the trees shimmering in the heat from her engine
exhaust.