Month: January 2017

Next Meeting Sunday 5th February

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We are back again this Sunday for the first official meeting of the year. Its been along spell since the end of year meeting in 2016 until now, so lets make this a great day.

The meetings will continue with our new format with reduced formalities and more chat, as well as opportunities to see what other have been up to over the break.

I am sure many of us would have been busy at the model bench enjoying some new plastic from santa. If you have then bring it along and share it with the group and enjoy the spotlight with a quick review.

Look forward to seeing you all!

 

Point Cook Museum Visit in Review: 2017

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Martin our illustrious club president arranged a club visit to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. The day began with 7 club members meeting at Michels Patisserie just a few minutes up the road from the museum. The weather was perfect with a sunny 23 degrees and after a Banana Smoothie and an Aussie meat pie we were off for a fun day.

After parking the car our first sighting of an aircraft was that of an outdoor display of a DHC- 4 Caribou, with a nicely weathered exterior and perhaps a future modeling project in the making. The entry to the museum was via the front entry (funny that) which was actually the gift shop. We were greeted by a gentleman who took us through the visitors guide and pointed us in the right direction to being our experience.

Our first stop was an area that covered the RAAF early history with exhibits enclosed in glass cabinets with some terrific memorabilia and artifacts. As we moved through the exhibits we next came to areas covering the major wars, and after that it was onto the main display hangers.

The first hanger otherwise known as the ‘Training Hanger’ included the following:

  • Maurice Farman Shorthorn (20)
  • Avro 504K
  • DH82a Tiger Moth
  • Macchi MB 326H
  • de Havilland Vampire T Mk35
  • CAC Winjeel
  • CT4A Airtrainer

Then onto the ‘Technology Hanger’ which included:

  • SE 5a
  • BE2a
  • Supermarine Seagull V/Walrus
  • de Havilland Vampire F-30
  • Bell UH-1B Iroquois
  • Douglas A-20C Boston
  • Mirage III0
  • Various missiles and armaments

The next hanger was called ‘Display Hanger 180’ and included:

  • Hawker Demon
  • Avro 643 MkII Cadet
  • CAC CA26 Avon Sabre
  • GAF Pika
  • GAF Jindivik
  • Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina – hull
  • De Havilland DH-84 Dragon
  • CAC CA-12 Bomerang
  • Cessna O-1G Bird Dog
  • Fire Appliances
  • Sikorsky S-51 Dragonfly
  • Dell UH-1H Iroquois

The next hanger was ‘Strike / Recce Hanger 178’ which included:

  • McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom
  • General Dynamics F-111G
  • GAF Canberra MK20

The final hanger was the ‘Restoration Hanger 187’ where we could see a few projects on the go including:

  • De Havilland Mosquito
  • P51

We all had such a great day and can highly recommend going along for a visit or even for a club field trip. From the moment you access the base and enter the hangers, I can guarantee that you will be impressed and satisfied that you took the time to make the trip. The layout and display hangers are real quality and have been put together with the visitors in mind. There is something for everyone, and as I have visited some of the best military museums in Australia and NZ, I can honestly say that this one is right up there with them – highly recommended.

Click here to view images of the day.

Point Cook Museum Visit – Jan 15th

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It has been confirmed that Warbirds will be heading off to the Point Cook Museum for a club field trip on Sunday, January 15th.

We will meet for lunch prior to attending the museum and then head off to the museum afterwards.  Current financial members will have lunch covered (or coffee & cake if you prefer).

Details as follows:

  • Meet at Michel’s Patisserie at 11:30AM
  • Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre 300 Point Cook Road, Point Cook, 3030
  • From there we’ll head off to the museum. It will be quite informal and you can stay as long or short as you like.

 

 

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Cheers

Michael Tabone

Club Secretary

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