Trip Days #14, 15 & 16

Hi,

10th March
To a closed Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown. I knew it would be but didn't expect to be that far away from it at the fence.
VH-EVC Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer3 578
N15-709 Avro 7482/268 1709
VH-DVE de Havilland DH-104 4420 XJ319
43-22653 Douglas A-26C 18800 No fin
VH-UPQ Douglas DC-3C-47B-35-DK 16552/33300 06 No wings
VH-MMD Douglas DC-3C-47B-35-DK 16553/33301 No wings
plus Aero Commander and Piaggio P.166

Pity about the condition of these aircraft. In stark contract to,
11th March
Historic Aircraft Restoration Society Illawarra, Wollongong
A7-030 Aermacchi MB-326H CA30-30 Wings of A7-012 nearby
A11-300 Auster AOP.6 3059 VH-NVY NW/875
79-22598 Bell AH-1G Aircobra 21032
51-12472 Cessna 305O-1A 22914
A85-435 Commonwealth CA-25 25-35
A94-901 Commonwealth CA-27Mk.30 CA27-1
A20-99 Commonwealth CA-3 97 Under renovation, displayed in foyer
46679 Consolidated PB2B-2 2043 A24-352 VH-MBX
A3-42 Dassault Mirage IIIOA 29-42
A4-234 de Havilland Canada C-7 234
A4-210 de Havilland Canada C-7 210
A79-637 de Havilland DH-115 VampireT.35 4159 Under renovation
A79-665 de Havilland DH-115 VampireT.35 4187 Under renovation
A17-394 de Havilland DH-82A DHA436
VH-PAF Douglas C-54E-15-DO 27352 Markings removed
A65-95 Douglas DC-3C-47B-30-DK 16348/33096 A65-95
A65-94 Douglas DC-3C-47B-30-DK 16358/33106 A65-94
A84-502 English Electric CanberraT.4 71469
A8-109 General Dynamics F-111C 154
N12-152812 Grumman S-2G 281-C 851
503 Hawker HunterFR.74A S4/U/3313 R Sing AF mks
VH-EAG Lockheed C-121C 4176
147566 Lockheed SP-2H 726-7183 566
A89-273 Lockheed SP-2H 726-7273
A89-281 Lockheed SP-2H 726-7281 VH-NEP
VH-OFS Nord N.1002 285 In WW2 Luftwaffe mks
84825 North American SNJ-5 88-16496 VH-XAN, Spanish AF mks
816 PZL-Mielec TS-11100bis[B] 1H08-16 Dismantled

Full tours now running at normal entrance fee. Excellently handled. Clearly confirmation of Auster A11-300 as VH-NVY as a quality refurbishment noted. The Iskra is privately owned and to be re-assembled.

In adjoining hangar was the Thunderbolt rebuild alongside a Stearman and a yellow T-6 in Luftwaffe marks. No photos allowed so could not capture (or remember) the USAF serial on the T-6 tail and would appreciate any help with identity - privately owned.

Then onto well recorded FAA Museum at Nowra, 11th March via Nowra Info Centre near bridge
N9-3102 Bell Helicopters UH-1C 3102 894

and Gannet Road on NW side of Nowra airfield
N12-152334 Grumman S-2G 221-C 845 Poor state
N12-153597 Grumman S-2G 341-C 842 Poor state

to museum,
N14-077 Aermacchi MB-326H CA30-77 No serial or codes
A1-640 Bell Helicopters 47G-3B1 6640 640
N9-882 Bell Helicopters UH-1B 882 Coded 897 and 898
66-16290 Bell Helicopters UH-1H 5984
XD653 Bristol B.171HC.51 13071 850
XA220 Bristol B.171HR.50 13064 907
A85-364 Commonwealth CA-22 1527 Prototype
WZ937 de Havilland DH-112 Sea VenomFAW.53 12779 Y/211
XG770 de Havilland DH-115 Sea VampireT.22 15645 NW/808 Marked as XG766
N2-43 Douglas DC-3C-47A-10-DK 12542 NW/800
N2-90 Douglas DC-3C-47B-30-DK 16135/32883 NW/802 On field at southern end
A65-86 Douglas DC-3C-47B-30-DK 16131/32879 50 On field at southern end
142871 Douglas TA-4B 11933 882 N13-154903
N13-154911 Douglas TA-4G 13784 880
WJ109 Fairey FireflyTT.6 F.8813 K/238
XA434 Fairey GannetAS.1 F.9304 M/846
A77-878 Gloster MeteorF.8 Unknown Dismantled to rear of museum building
N12-153600 Grumman S-2E 344-C 845 Outside hangar
N12-153582 Grumman S-2G 338-C 859
VW623 Hawker Sea FuryFB.11 41H/613993 K/110 Marked as WG630
607 Mikoyan-Gurevich SBLim-2A 1A06007 A 607
WS101 Westland ScoutAH.1 F.9548 841 WS101
N7-226 Westland Wessex HAS.31B WA226 836
N16-118 Westland Sea King Mk.50A WA793 07

Great museum but fewer exhibits than hoped considering what is held. Meteor serial unconfirmed.
And final day before return home to East Sale 12th March
A85-405 Commonwealth CA-25 25.05 Gate guard

heat haze prevented clear visuals on operational side.

West Sale 12th March
A7-015 Aermacchi MB-326H 6387 Gippsland Aviation Museum
A7-014 Aermacchi MB-326H 6384 Gippsland Aviation Museum
N12-153566 Grumman S-2G 322-C 854 Gippsland Aviation Museum
N12-152811 Grumman S-2G 280-C 850
N12-153598 Grumman S-2E 342-C 841
N12-152837 Grumman S-2G 306-C 853
N12-153578 Grumman S-2G 334-C 857
XW374 BAC Jet ProvostT.5A EEP/JP/1024 Unm Unpainted on apron
BAC Strikemaster Camouflaged In Bae Systems hangar

Clearly this latter sighting has me puzzled and further research necessary.

And finally, 12th March, at Cranbourne RSL
N14-087 Aermacchi MB-326H CA30-87 Blue/wh c/s

So gentlemen, you have a wonderful country in so many ways with only wildlife as a slight downside. My trip could not have been as enjoyable without the use and help of ADF Serials and sincerely hope that the information noted in the above and previous mails assists in updating and encouraging more museum visits.

As noted last night, there may be errors which I can rectify by way of photos as pretty much everything including Echidnas, Koalas, Rozellas and Roos were photographed. Thanks again and hope to return much sooner than I had expected before I came out.

Kind regards to all
Rick Ware
Scotland

Presumably Saudi 1107, a known resident, as listed in "World Military Out of Service".
Andy

Evening Andy,

And again my thanks. Don't have that tome and last note I had for 1107 was at Tocumwal. Unable to find any pics of it and stange it would be in that hangar. However much appreciated.

Regards
Rick

G'day Rick
Just had a look through your comprehensive reports.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share with us.
I am glad that you enjoyed your trip down under.
Cheers
Martin

IF there were no SIDE NUMBERS on the Macchi on display at FAAM NAS Nowra then I believe/have been told that there is an intention to make it SIDE NUMBER 862 with the ALBATROSS TAIL:

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/n14.htm

N14-086 CA30-86 862 Delivered 31/08/71 to 724 Sqn (VC-724).
Wore 'Albatross' Tail markings when in RAN service.

The 'Admiral's Barge' as it was known "Albatross Tail" Macchi 862 was used firstly like any other RAN Macchi for Fleet Support Duties and continuation training and of course tactical training for new RAN pilots before going on to the A4G Skyhawk. 862 gained the 'Albatross tail' to signify that it would be used by VC-724 Squadron Senior Pilot (SP) Lcdr Al Hickling [later CO VC-724] to enable to Captain or CO of HMAS Albatross (NAS Nowra) who was not a pilot, to learn to fly; but not go solo. Captain later Commodore "Nobby" Clarke flew in the front seat with Lcdr Hickling in the rear seat.

STORY 'bout how it came about:
"WOATA Ron Smith (earlier responsible for assisting the Macchi into the RAN) tells the story: “Captain ‘Knobby’ Clarke wanted some unique tail decoration to be placed on one aircraft which he would use to transport himself to Canberra whenever the need arose. The Senior Pilot of VC-724 [NOT Al Hickling because time is before] proposed some contortion that resembled an arrow head or something similar. I think it may have been used on 724 Skyhawks sometime later. He also wanted the colour to be white. [Captain Clarke learnt to fly (only dual with LCDR Al Hickling) in this particular aircraft.]

I was experienced in Show Card and Ticket Writing, as well as having assisted Prof Edwards paint names, insignia etc. on various aircraft throughout the years. They picked me to do the heavy stuff but I had my own idea of what ‘Knobby’ wanted. I approached VC-724 SP with my scheme but he rejected it and told me to do it his way. ‘Knobby’ called us all together to see how we were going and I took the opportunity to present both sets of plans. I was careful not say anything about which plan belonged to which person. Knobby pointed to the Gold Albatross and said, "That is perfect for what I
want." The SP replied, "I thought you would like that. I have told the Chief to go ahead." Sometime later, at a piss-up at the Ensign Club, the SP bought me a beer.”

I guess I could name the SP but really irrelevant to the story thread. ADFserials photo: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albu...86/N14_086.jpeg

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Morning Luig,

Have attached two graphs identifying my notes and qualifying the state of the paintwork as on 11th March 2015. HTH

Regards
Rick


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Hi,

Second as advised.

Regards
Rick

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Thanks Rick, The RAN Macchi has been this way for several years now with the idea that 'when money available' (or perhaps even sufficient expertise) the paint scheme will be the 'Albatross Tail' (the only one with it - ever) of side number 862.

BTW there were many variations (especially in the early years) from the original RAAF 'Fanta Can' (orange/white) paint scheme. 'NAVY' was added in various places over time then the scheme became what you see now with 'NAVY'. However I'm told NOT ALL the RAN Macchis were repainted in 'Blue/White'. I left the RAN in 1975 when there was still a mixture of paint schemes.

Probably the ADFserials photo gallery has all the variations. There is an 'RAN Macchi ONLY' PDF available here with all the variations plus a lot of other info:

SpazSinbad Page on Microsoft OneDrive (only free registration required):

FOLDER: Various RAN FAA Aircraft PDFs
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=CBCD63D63407...6340707E6%21438

FILE: Macchi_MB326H_RAN_FAA_pp222.pdf (101Mb)

Please 'right mouse click' on the PDF file to download it to your computer and view it with the latest version of Adobe Reader suitable for your operating system. DO NOT left mouse click on the file because this will open the 'native PDF viewer provided by Microsoft which is likely to fail and just waste your time.

On the SpazSinbad OneDrive site you will see a lot of info about RAN fixed wing aircraft particularly the A4G Skyhawk whilst info on helos included just because - well just because.

SpazSinbad page on GoogleDrive has some of these files: (free rego req.)

https://drive.google.com/?authuser=0#folder...aDhIQ0szeVJFY0U

This post has been edited by Luig on Apr 8 2015, 11:58 PM

Evening Luig,

Many thanks for this access. Very informative and not just with the Macchis :>) Some great photos amongst them. Any queries with my reports, please do advise. Pretty much everything was graphed and if any doubt at a museum shot the notice too although I am aware that these are not always accurate.

Appreciated.

Regards
Rick

Please download any PDF at either site that takes your fancy - they are all FREE and best viewed with the latest Adobe Reader for your OS. Just the other day Adobe released a new version of Acrobat (the program) called Acrobat DC (for Document Cloud) and of course they renamed - again - Adobe Reader now as frickin' ACROBAT READER DC for fsake. But anyway I have tested my main 4.4GB PDF (which has all the RAN FAA sub sections and up to date) and it goes well. However at moment I can only test with Windows 8.1 up to date.

I have not been to the new museum FAAM, however I know that for example the 'Sea Venom' MB ejection seat on display notice board is incorrect because the seat is a MACCHI variant (with canopy breaker spikes). Very sad indeed.

Anyhoo you are welcome to pass on the information/URLs to anyone interested. Please add the 'method to download first and NOT view online' though because it can be frustrating otherwise. :-)

This post has been edited by Luig on Apr 11 2015, 08:07 AM