Wagga Relics Get A Makeover

[Dave Masterson]

Forest Hill RAAF aircraft relics get a makeover
BY BEN GLOVER
29 Apr, 2011 12:00 AM
AFTER serving Australia valiantly in the Vietnam War and then moving to the Forest Hill RAAF base to guard the gates, two defence force relics are being treated to a makeover.


The two aircraft, a Canberra bomber and a Mirage fighter, have been stationed at the gates of the RAAF base since the early 80s but neither has been refurbished for the last 15 years.



Victorian company Douglas Aerospace Ltd has been contracted to do the job, expected to take just over two weeks, and according to the RAAF base's commanding officer, Group Captain Tony Checker, they'll end up just about as good as new.



"They'll strip them right back and fix the panels with corrosion or holes in them," Group Captain Checker said.



"Obviously sitting out in the sun for years has knocked them around a little bit so it's good to be able to restore them and give them a new coat of paint."



Group Captain Checker described the two aircraft as "a reflection of Wagga's aerospace link" and said that they'd played a significant role in Australia's history.



While the work is being done, there will be scaffolding and other activity around the planes that will have the potential to distract pedestrians from the nearby school or road users on the busy highway, so Group Captain Checker said it was important for drivers to keep their eyes on the road.



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[Martin Edwards]

"AFTER serving Australia valiantly in the Vietnam War and then moving to the Forest Hill RAAF base to guard the gates, two defence force relics are being treated to a makeover."

I have no doubt that the Canberra served valiantly in the Vietnam war but the Mirage?

Good to see them both get a bit of attention.

What about the Winjeel, Sabre and Meteor?

[Martin Edwards]

The Canberra repainted

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[Martin Edwards]

and the Mirage

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[Dave Masterson]

Wow..very nice, very nice indeed :)