SAAM has one of the best aviation history research libraries around, and our librarian, Nigel Daw tells you asll about it in this short video filmed during our COVID shutdown by SAAM sponsor David Hales of Optical Design.
Our July newsletter is now available for download!
You can download our July newsletter here or just go to the Newsletters tab to browse past issues.
This month our President David Byrne updates you on how the Museum is virtually back to normal while coping well with the COVID-19 safety procedures. Other content includes a book review of Mark Lax’s Taking the Lead (a new library acquisition); Nicky van der Drift’s Operation Manna about the 1945 humanitarian food airlift to the Netherlands; restoration updates about the Mirage, Aero 145, Fairey Battle and SAATAS engine test rig; a couple of interesting RAAF History articles from WGCDR Ian Gibson; and Mike Milln’s profile of Jimmy Mollison and Amy Johnson in the context of the Aero Club.
Enjoy!
SAAM Member Steve Nelson talks about flying the Caribou
Ex-RAAF SAAM member Steve Nelson clocked up many hours flying the DHC-4 Caribou and he talks about the aircraft in this short video filmed during our COVID lockdown. Steve is seated in SAAM’s Caribou A4-225 on display in Hangar 2. The aircraft is open to visitors so you can watch the video then climb aboard the aircraft next time you visit!
SAAM fully (almost!) up and running for school holidays!
SAAM is now almost back to the new normal and the parking lot is filling up at last… but there’s loads of free parking!
There is effectively no limit on the number of visitors we can accommodate under the Stage 3 COVID requirements, so plan a day in the Port and be sure to visit us.
Here’s where we are at:
- Reception space limits us to welcoming 12 visitors at a time,
- We ask for cashless entry payment,
- We have hand sanitiser stations at reception and throughout both display hangars,
- We have fine-tuned our cleaning protocols to ensure all touch surfaces are regularly sanitised,
- The vast spaces of the display hangars make social distancing easy,
- The shop has been re-stocked with model kits for all ages, toys and books, and
- The C-47, Caribou and Orion are open to visitors with more to open soon.
AND note – until we are completely back to normal with all exhibits accessible we will maintain our discounted pricing! (See the home page side-bar for entry times and prices)
June Newsletter ready for download!
Our June newsletter can be downloaded here.
This month our president David Byrne reports on SAAM’s reopening under COVID-19 protocols and the projects that have restarted. He also contributed an article on his participation in the 1978 recovery of Keith Anderson’s Westland Widgeon from the Tanami Desert, where it had lain since its forced landing in 1929. There are restoration updates and project reports; another “Langdon remembers…” episode in which Langdon describes his Sunderland trip to Lord Howe in 1962; and History Group chairman Peter Ingman contributes another article in his series about SA WWII RAAF bases, this time about RAAF Gawler.
To browse past issues, just go to the Newsletters tab on the home page.
SAAM reopening on Saturday 6th June!
SAAM WILL REOPEN ON SAT 6th JUNE
And we’ll be open every day 10:30am to 4:30pm.
We have SA Health COVID-Safe requirements in place to ensure the museum is ready to go – including cleaning schedules, social distancing and lots of hand sanitiser…
Please be prepared to pay by card/Paywave – we will not be handling cash until further notice – and note we have reversed our recent price increase in view of access to aircraft interiors not being available and the shop being closed.
Charges are detailed on the side bar.
Social distancing requirements will restrict us to only 4 visitors in the reception area, so we may ask you to wait briefly outside if necessary. Once in the display hangars there’s lots of space!
Also please note that SA Health requires us to keep records of visitor contacts, so be prepared to fill out a form!
We’ll make it all as easy as possible and we are really looking forward to seeing you!
John Roberts talks about the Bullimore rescue!
SAAM FB Grab – Tony Bullimore from South Australian Aviation Museum on Vimeo.
SAAM sponsor David Hales has filmed a number of 5 minute video “grabs” of members talking about some of the projects going at at SAAM – or are presently in abeyance during our COVID-19 closure.
This one is of John Roberts explaining about our new maritime rescue display, which features Orion A9-756 and a diorama of HMAS Adelaide and the Tony Bullimore rescue in the Southern Ocean. John apologises for referring to HMAS Adelaide as “HMS” throughout, and blames a reversion to his English heritage under the pressure of filming!
You can also go to our Media Gallery tab on the home page to browse other videos.
May newsletter ready for download!
Our May newsletter is now ready for download. Just click HERE or go to the Newsletters tab on the home page to browse past issues.
This month President David Byrne gives an update on the COVID-19 situation in relation to SAAM; Langdon Badger contributes a story about von Richthofen’s funeral; we update you about projects our members are working on at home; there’s a history of TAA Bristol freighters in NG; RAAF History contributes a story about the fatal Orion crash in the Cocus Islds and Dean Robinson finishes the history of QEA flying boats in part 2 of his profile.
It’s a big issue!
Video – “A Fiery Exit” added to our Media Gallery!
This short video was filmed by Huni Melissa Bolliger for the NT Dept of Tourism, Sports and Culture and the NT Major Events Company in December 2018 at SAAM. It tells the story of FLTSGT Colin Duncan’s bail-out of his on-fire Spitfire A58-2 during an attack on Darwin on 30 June 1943.
Ms Bolliger filmed actor pilot Bill Allert in the Badger family’s Mk Vc Spitfire UP-O EE853 (A58-146) on display at SAAM. You can play the video from the image below, or go to our Media Gallery page to view other videos here.
You can also download Langdon Badger’s story of the recovery and restoration of UP-O here.
Another History Group profile to download!
Peter Ingman, chairman of SAAM’s History Group,
has written a number of profiles of the South Australian WWII Empire Air Training Scheme bases, including Port Pirie, Mt Gambier, Parafield, Mallala and now Gawler.
You can download his new profile of the History of RAAF Gawler 1941-1946 here.
Or just go to the History Group tab down arrow to World War II and browse the other profiles too.
