SAAM swapping RF-111C A8-134 for F-111C A8-132

Mike Milln

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAAM has agreed to an F-111 swap so that our existing loaned aircraft A8-134 will go to the Australian War Memorial and be replaced by A8-132, presently at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

We regard this as a win-win. The AWM gets an RF-111C aircraft that was active in the East Timor theatre, and we get an F-111C with long and distinguished South Australian provenance of weapons trials with ARDU at Edinburgh. We are also delighted to further strengthen our existing cordial and cooperative relationships with the AWM and RAAF Heritage.

We are not sure yet exactly when the exchange will take place – but it’s soon and for a short time there will be two F-111s on site while the exchange takes place. Not to be missed!! We will keep you posted.

NEW! Profile of SQNLDR David Leicester DFC and Bar OAM available for download

Mike Milln

Mike Milln of the Museum’s History Group has produced a profile of SQNLDR David Leicester DFC & Bar OAM. This extraordinary man, still alive and well with his wife in Adelaide, completed a tour of 30 Ops over Germany and France with 158 and 640 Sqns RAF, then volunteered for a 31st when squadrons were called on to make ‘maximum effort’ to field aircraft for the infamous Nuremberg raid in March 1944.

During that time he was promoted from Flight Sergeant to Squadron Leader to become the youngest squadron leader and Flight Commander of all the allied air forces.

He didn’t stop there, as he could have done. He volunteered for the 8 Group Pathfinder Force and completed an incredible further 37 missions with 35 Sqn. This really is an amazing story. You can download his story by clicking on the image at left.

New! Wing Tips – The story of the Royal Aero Club of South Australia – Book 2: 1941-1946

Mike Milln

SAAM History Group member Mike Milln has just published Book 2 of his Royal Aero Club of South Australia history. (Book 1, covering the 1926-1941 period, was published in 2011.)
Book 2 covers the 40 postwar years until the Club’s failure. This is a warts-and-all story that is sad in some parts and funny in others. But it’s much more than just an aero club history – it also describes the context within which the club operated – the national aero clubs movement and the changing postwar aviation policy and regulatory environments that spelled its downfall. It is a must read for anybody connected with the club and/or interested in the part the aero club movement played in Australia’s aviation development.
You can buy the book at SAAM, at Dymocks and Adelaide Booksellers in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall, and/or on-line at:
www.mikemillnbooks.com
www.avonmorebooks.com.au
Price $45
B5 softcover
465 pages
192 images – 33 in colour
Full index, bibliography & 9 appendices.

March Newsletter ready for download!

Mike Milln

You can download the March newsletter by clicking on the front page image at left. This month Chas Schaedel has profiled WWI aviators the McCloughry/McClaughry brothers, Langdon Badger tells of his exploits up in the islands, the Anson receives its first bit of test top-coat, Reg Marratt profiles another of the “Battlers” working on the Fairey Battle restoration, president David Byrne brings you up to date on the Orion and our immediate strategic priorities… and more…

What to do and see at SAAM!

Mike Milln

Here’s a snapshot of all the things you can do and see at the South Australian Aviation Museum – and every day too! Well, almost every day – the only day we close is Christmas Day.

Come and see for yourself!

Click on the poster at left for link to full size.

Another milestone reached in SAAM’s re-assembly of AP-3C Orion A9-756!

Mike Milln

On 24 February 2018 the port wing of SAAM’s AP-3C Orion was lifted onto a trestle lent for the purpose by Airbus Edinburgh and re-attached to the fuselage by SAAM volunteers. Our thanks to Airbus  for their ongoing generous support and for the vital trestle, and to Nick’s Cranes who performed the flawless lift in very confined circumstances.

Next tasks will be to reinstall the engines, propellers and main landing gear.

New Cockpit Experience Tour Program!

Mike Milln

 

 

We have just introduced a new tour program – for $30 you can choose between our F-27 Friendship, C-47 Dakota, Macchi Jet Trainer or DHC-4 Caribou to spend 30 minutes in the cockpit with an experienced guide. – or $50 for a couple in the same aircraft… Just click on the poster to go to our tours page for the details!

If you want a full-on experience on the F-111 you can book a 2-hour one-on-one tour in our popular F-111 program too – details for purchasing and booking are here: http://www.saam.org.au/tours/