Open Cockpits & Engine Run Day on Sunday 19th April 2020!

Mike Milln

SAAM will open around 10 cockpits for visitors to sit in on our Open Day on Sunday 19th Apil 2020 – all for no additional charge except for the F-111 for which we do charge an extra $5. A great experience for adults and kids alike!

You can also learn about our historic aircraft engines and see (and hear!) some of them run throughout the day!

For more information and to download the action-packed program, just click here: http://www.saam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Open-Cockpit-Day-19Apr2020-Poster-2.pdf

February 2020 Newsletter ready for download!

Mike Milln

Our February newsletter is ready for download here http://www.saam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PM-Feb20.pdf, or just go to the Newsletters tab above to browse past issues.

This month’s edition includes President David Byrne’s update of our coming events and activities, the usual project updates, some interesting RAAF History articles on SQNLDR Lawrence Wackett’s RAAF Experimental Station and No 1 SQN’s aerial photo-mapping in Palestine a hundred years ago, Member Jim Roger’s explanation of why aeroplanes fly and Mike Milln’s profile of the 1966 National Air Show in Adelaide.

Sit back and have a good read!

Another History Group Profile available for download!

Mike Milln

“The 1966 National Air Show and RACSA’s part in it” is ready for download here: http://www.saam.org.au/download/1966-national-air-show-and-racsas-part-in-it/

History Group member Mike Milln has adapted chapter 29 of his book “Wing Tips – The story of the Royal Aero Club of South Australia – Book 2: 1941-1986” as another Significant Aviation Events profile.

It tells the story of the 1966 National Air Show at Parafield and Edinburgh, and RACSA’s part in its planning and execution.

Another History Group Profile to download!

Mike Milln

“The development of Adelaide West Beach Airport” is ready for download here: http://www.saam.org.au/history/post-world-war-ii/

Mike Milln has adapted Chapter 11 of his book “Wing Tips – The story of the Royal Aero Club of South Australia – Book 2 1941-1986”, which details the circumstances that led to the need for a second airport in Adelaide, the selection of the site and all the drama of its lengthy construction timetable.

January 2020 Newsletter ready for download!

Mike Milln

Our New Year’s editions is ready for download here: http://www.saam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PM-Jan20.pdf

Read the President’s New Year’s report; Tours Manager John Jefferson’s analysis of SAAM visitor origins; restoration updates from the Anson and Mirage crews; an article by VP Mike Milln on Keith Virtue and his ferry of Aero 145 VH-DUH, sister ship of VH-ZCL under restoration at SAAM, from Czechoslovakia to Australia; and History Group Chairman Peter Ingman’s fine profile of No 6 SFTS Mallala.

Our December newsletter is ready for download!

Mike Milln

There is a big Christmas edition ready for download!  Just click on the image at left, or go to the Newsletters tab to browse past issues.

In this edition the President writes about the events of the past year and our priorities for next year; we share a couple of pages of photos of our Christmas party on 7th Dec; there are Anson and Mirage restoration updates; Chris Doudy tells us about his trip to the Mid North Christian College’s grad ceremony and their Aero 45 restoration progress; Mike Milln muses on the birth of the Vickers Vimy and its descendants, and contributes a profile on the development of Adelaide Airport; Langdon Badger reminisces about Spitfire wreck recoveries; and there are a couple of interesting RAAF History snippets.

Have a good read – and Merry Christmas from all of us at the South Australian Aviation Museum!

Jimmy Pink is SAAM’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year!

Mike Milln

Jimmy Pink was recognised as SAAM’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year at our Christmas party on 7 December 2019.

Jimmy is very special – you can read about his wartime RAAF and postwar BOAC careers in our April newsletter here http://www.saam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/PM-Apr19.pdf but since he joined us as a member aged 82 in 2006 he has worked tirelessly on reception duty and as one of our most popular tour guides.

His 95th Birthday Party was held in Hangar 1 on 13th April and a video made of it that you can view by clicking on the image of President David Byrne awarding him the Volunteer of the Year Shield.

Congratulations Jimmy!

F-111 Tours Christmas Sale!

Mike Milln

Looking for something different to give for Christmas??

Our one-on-one F-111 tours give you an intensive 2-hour tour of the aircraft with plenty of cockpit time. Until 31st December 2019 they are on sale for 25% off the normal purchase price. Buy a Christmas Gift Certificate for the discounted price of $75! The lucky recipient can make a booking for their tour any time they choose – there is no expiry date on the Certificate.

Click on the F-111 image for details on how to purchase and book a tour!