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.
Here is video of the speeches made on 3rd July at SAAM’s unveiling ceremony for our Epic Flight Centenary Vickers Vimy mural project.
SAAM Vimy Presentations from South Australian Aviation Museum on Vimeo.
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.
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/
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.
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.
The Props, Jets & Rotors 18th Annual Aviation Scale Model Display and Competition will nor be held at SAAM on 24th & 25th August 2019 – please note this date change.
You can download the program and competition details by clicking on the image at left.
Here is the final installment of the History Festival preesentations by Mike Milln about the Vickers Vimy and crew.
Our June Newsletter is ready for download. Just click on the image at left, or go to the Newsletters tab on the Home Page to browse past issues.
There’s lots to read as usual – President David Byrne updates our activities including the F-111 exchange, F/A-18 disposals, the Port Dock Rail Project and our Vimy Mural unveiling; long-serving member Lionel Thiele is farewelled in “retirement”; restoration updates; a story on the “other Smith aviator” Charles Kingsford Smith after we’ve published so much recently on Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith; RAAF History stories on WWI ace Les Holden and Henri Hermene, a French orphan child who was brought back to Australia by a 4th Sqn AFC airman; AND part one of a History of SAAM from its establishment in 1984 until 1991.
Enjoy!
The latest installment of Mike Milln’s History Festival presentations – Part 3, The flight down from Darwin.
