NEW! Order your Epic Flight Centenary Commemorative Medallion!

Mike Milln

SAAM is the exclusive on-line distributor of these collectors’ medallions. They have been released by the Epic Flight Centenary Committee under the auspices of The History Trust of South Australia and in association with the Adelaide Mint to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the pioneering flight from England to Australia by South Australia’s Smith Brothers.

To read more about them and to place your pre-paid order for postage of a medallion to you within 10 days of your order, just click on the image at left or go to the Sales tab on our home page.

August newsletter ready to download!

Mike Milln

Our August newsletter is ready to download – just click on the front-page image, or go to the Newsletters tab to browse past issues.

This month President David Byrne tells about SAAM’s participation at the Minlaton celebrations of Harry Butler’s 1919 flight over the Gulf and gives a projects update; there are restoration updates on the Anson and Fairey Battle as usual; Beverley McWilliams tells how she came to write a Children’s book about Harry Butler soon to be launched at SAAM; we print a 1973 letter from Horrie Miller to his friend Ray Hannan that clears up some historical mysteries; a piece on our Caribou’s participation in the East Timor evacuation in 1975; the story of HMAS Adelaide’s and Edinburgh AP3-C’s part in the Bullimore rescue in 1997, and SAAM’s plans for an Air Sea Rescue display; and a History Group profile of airman John C. (Jack) Doudy. Read on and enjoy!

July Newsletter ready for download!

Mike Milln

 

This month’s big news was the unveiling of our Epic Flight Centenary Vimy Mural, and there are stories too about the Harry Butler Centenary at Minlaton, a profile of his life and invitations to two book launches about him.

There are also lots of other interesting articles, so click on the front page image at left to download, or browse past issues under the Newsletters tab.

Epic Flight Centenary Vimy Mural unveilled!

Mike Milln

Our Epic Flight Centenary life-sized Vimy mural, painted by SAAM member and artist Janice Eames over the last three months, was “unveiled” on Wednesday night 3rd July by Dr Robert Black AM RFD MD (Group Captain Rtd), president of the RAAF Association (SA Division) who sponsored the project. About 170 invited guests and members watched the illumination of the mural accompanied by an Illuminart Show by Cindi Drennan. The running of SAAM’s Rolls Royce Merlin engine added atmosphere to the event.

After the show, guests returned to the Museum for hot soup and refreshments and Dr Black and Greg Mackie, CE of the History Trust of SA and chairman of the Epic Flight Centenary Committee, spoke about the Epic Flight and celebrations of the event throughout the year.

Janice Eames then explained how she had achieved such a magnificent outcome assisted by SAAM member Stephen Nitschke, who had projected the image for Janice to outline and fabricated special paint rollers to aid painting on the corrugated surface.

SAAM is very proud of the result, and grateful to the RAAF Association (SA Divsn) for the sponsorship that made it possible.

Book Release!

Mike Milln

Congratulations to SAAM’s History Group Chairman, Peter Ingman, on the release of his first book for British publisher Osprey titled Spitfire VC vs A6M2/3 Zero-sen Darwin 1943.

The book features photos of the Badger family’s Spitfire VC A58-146 UP-O on display at SAAM.

Books can be purchased via Avonmore Books website at https://avonmorebooks.com.au/

…And another Harry Butler Centenary Book Launch!

Mike Milln

MidnightSun Publishing will launch “Born to Fly”, a children’s book about Harry Butler by Beverley McWilliams and delightfully illustrated by Timothy Ide, at SAAM on 31st August 2019 at 10:30am. Beverley and Timothy will be on hand to sign books, and light refreshments will be served. Please join us!

You can download the publisher’s advance information sheet by clicking on the image at left.

 

Harry Butler Centenary Book Launch at SAAM!

Mike Milln

Wakefield Press will launch “The Red Devil, the story of South Australian Aviation Pioneer, Captain Harry Butler AFC” at SAAM on 17 August 2019 at 11am. The book is by Les Parsons & Dr Samantha Battams, who will be on hand to sign book copies. Complimentary wine and soft drinks will be served to book purchasers. Come and join us and meet the authors!

To download the program, click on the image at left.