The Warbirds of Avalon

Avalon 2005 was a showcase of "The shape of things to come". Current day aircraft filled the parking pays with plenty of attention from the crowds. However there are many aircraft enthusiasts who still enjoy the feel of yesteryear, especially the warbirds, and Avalon 2005 didn't disappoint.

A few favourites at the Airshow included the Mustangs of Jeff Trappett
(VH-AGJ #A68-118, CA-18 mk.21) and Bob Eastgate (VH-BOB #A68-104) VH-AGJ was originally built in 1948 and served in the RAAF for approximately 10 years. In 1958 the airframe was placed on the civil register as VH-WAS and stored at Bankstown (a regional airport in NSW) between 1960 and 1973. As the interest for the Mustang grew, the aircraft was loaned to the Camden Museum of Aviation for five years and was then re-registered in 1978 before it's restoration to flying condition at Morwell in 1981.

The third Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-18 making an appearance at Avalon 2005, was a Mk. 23 Mustang, was VH-SVU (#A68-170), which was piloted by Darcy O'Connor and is owned by the RAAF museum.

A68-750 is a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation build of the North American P-51D-25NT Mustang IV. This example carries the markings of the real A68-750, which currently awaits restoration in California. This is actually A68-170, a post-war build from 1950 that served with the City of Brisbane 23 Squadron. The aircraft currently carries the markings of 77 Squadron, which served in Korea. The aircraft began its restoration in 1995 and was completed in the 1998 time frame.

Other information regarding VH-SVU (Source: MustangsMustangs.Com):

1950: RAAF 78th Fighter Wing No. 2 Operational Training Unit
1960: RAAF Stores Depot
1970: RAAF Museum "Duffys Delight"
1995: VH-SVU, restoration to flying condition

Among other favourite warbirds to grace our skies during Avalon 2005 was the Hawker FB-11 Sea Fury (VH-SHF S/no: 41H643827) operated by Flying Fighters in Queensland. This particular Sea Fury is an all metal semi monocoque structure fitted with a Bristol Centaurus Twin-row 18 cylinder sleeve-valve air-cooled radial engine rated at 2470hp with a max speed of 740kph (460mph) with a range of approximately 1125km (700 miles) This particular airframe was delivered to the Iraqi Air Force in December of 1953 and was eventually recovered from Iraq in 1979 by Ed Jurist & David C. Tallichet and subsequently stored in Florida registered as N43SF. The airframe was later acquired by Steve Hart (Hart's Flying Fighters Pty. Ltd) and re-registered as VH-SHF, and currently flies as Royal Navy WJ232/114/O.

Also on flying display was the Winjeel (VH-FTS #A85-439 CA25-39) The aircraft was built as a three-seater trainer - the two front seats being side by side – for the Royal Australian Air Force as a replacement for the Wirraway and the Tigermoth. The aircraft type was built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and the first prototype (CA-22) was flown on February the 3rd 1951. After a few modifications, the first production (CA-25) Winjeel (the Aboriginal word for "young eagle") first flew on February 23rd 1955. Deliveries to the RAAF continued through 1958 with the aircraft still in service well into the 1990's. The aircraft is fitted with a 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 Wasp Junior radial piston engine with a maximum speed of 188 mph, a range of 550 miles and service ceiling of 15,800 ft. It's basic use as a trainer was eventually taken over by the Macchi MB-326 jet, however the Winjeel was also used a communications aircraft along with a Forward Facing Air Control trainer. There were 60 production aircraft built along with two prototypes and there are approximately 30 still airworthy. A large number of Winjeels ended their military career and were bought by private collectors who still enjoy flying them today.

A Harvard MkIV also made an appearance at this years Airshow, however in a slight disguise. The Canadian Car and Foundery Harvard was converted to look like a Mitsubishi Zero for the film "Tora Tora Tora".The aircraft is currently owned by Jeffery Muller and the aircraft was put through it's paces during the show and was well received by the public.

An Australian restored Commonwalth CA-13 Boomerang was also a flying display at this years show. The Boomerang (VH-MHR #A46-122) nicknamed Suzy-Q was faithfully restored by Matthew and Ray Denning using various sections of Boomerangs found all along the eastern seaboard of Australia. The restoration began back in 1975 when Matthew Denning paid $30.00AUD for a dilapidated airframe later identified as A46-122. The restoration was finally complete, and on the 14th of February 2003 at Toowoomba airport, Queensland, A46-122 roared into the air once again, a mere 58 years after it's last flight.