South Australian Aviation Museum, Visit 15 May 2013

[Brendan Cowan]

To all,

Last week I had the privilege of being the guest of the South Australian Aviation Museum Museum courtesy of the Museum's Curator, Paul Daw.

I'm embarrased to say that this is the first chance that I've had to visit the SAAM despite having a long held ambition to do so.

My very first project with ADF-Serials (still incomplete!) was to take on authorship of the Fairey Battle page back in 2005. SAAM of course has been undertaking the long term restoration of Battle N2188 so I have been keen to see this airframe close up for years.

Apart from this, there are many more reasons to visit this quite stunning collection including Langdon Badger's Spitfire, the forward fuselage of Meteor A77-851 (Halestorm), the Canberras, Blue Steel Missile, Vampire, Sea Venom, C-47, Anson, Moths, Link Trainer, Shelduck, Wessex, Macchi, Nomad, Fokker 27, RV-4, Jindivick, Missiles, Engines, and many, many more.

The opportunity to see the newly arrived RF-111C A8-134, turned out in immaculate condition, was just more icing on a very enticing cake!

Speaking of A8-134, does anyone have any pictures that we can pass on to SAAM of her from the 1970's in her early camo scheme?

I have undertaken to do some small research tasks for SAAM and will pose a series of quick questions to appeal for help as I go along.

I'll also upload my more presentable photos to our image gallery as time permits.

Thanks again to Paul, and all of the crew who very generously took time out to look after me at the museum last week.

Paul really made me feel humble when he put this visit in terms of a thank you for the work and attention to historical accuracy of the ADF/NZDF-Serials team.

Guys, you and the team at the museum are doing a great job - so thanks to all of you from all of us.

All the best

Brendan

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[Brendan Cowan]

Couldn't help slipping in this shot of the part of the team working on the restoriation of Fairey Battle N2188 during my visit:

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[Martin Edwards]

There are a few good DoD photos of A8-134 in its original SEA scheme
http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/F-111-A8-134

[Dave Masterson]

Hi Brendan. I paid a visit there myself in early April...and was very impressed. The F1-11 looks great in its SEAC scheme ,also configured as an RF111. Well worth a visit. Nice bunch of people working there and very helpful. Like you also got to have a look around the workshop. Love that smell of aircraft oil. Should be able to make a men's cologne out of it ;)

This post has been edited by Dave Masterson on May 20 2013, 04:05 PM

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Martin and Dave,

If any one can help us locate additional photos, that would be great too.

Dave,

I think that cologne idea might have legs!

I couldn't agree more on what a friendly, helpful and active group they are at SAAM.

Cheers

BC

[Brenden S]

I photographed everything there in Feb if you guys would like some pics?

[Brendan Cowan]

Hi Brenden,

We are always happy to recieve photo contributions!

The best way it to go to our Photo Upload Page and add your images there (I've just uploaded a few there myself over the last 24 hours).

It helps us a lot and saves heaps of time if you are able to format your captions as follows (if info known):
- Aircraft type
- Serial / Code
- Squadron/Unit
- Location
- Date
- Photo provider

As time permits, Martin moves them into the appropriate photo album for the aircraft type and then we make them accesable on the related aircraft page too as well as listing the updates here on the message board.

Thanks and Cheers

(the other) Brendan

[Brenden S]

No worries mate, I will get there eventually and upload them.