WIX Meet at Tyabb, Vic, Aus.

[JDK]

WIX members JohnS and his son Ben from the UK, and DaveyMac from Canada were both in town for a one-day overlap, so I organised a trip to Westernport Airfield, Tyabb, the home of Judy Pay's Old Aeroplane Co.

It was NOT nice weather at 30 degrees C (86F) and gusting about 30 kmh (20mph) - I'm sure those at minus 30 might think they'd like that but we were very grateful for the cool change when it came through.



A big thanks to Bernie and the crew who made us feel welcome and made time to let Ben sit in the aeroplane of his choice (he chose the yellow Tiger Moth, which also is now in his top four aeroplanes. )

They were busy doing an annual on this T-28.



...which wears the unusual Royal Laos Air Force's three-elephants marking!



Lots of good stuff:

[JDK]

A good variety. This ex Royal Rhodesian Air Force Vampire is being restored to static running condition.



Immaculate interior.



The Fieseler Storch is pretty rare in Aus. Hopefully this will enter the rebuild schedule in 2009. Anyone got English or German tech stuff on the metal (not wooden) wings and tail?

[JDK]

The ‘jewel in the crown’ is the P-40F under rebuild to fly. It was unique in this objective (there’s a couple of other Merlin P-40 survivors) but it’s just been joined by a P-40F under rebuild for TFC in the UK at Wangaratta at the other end of Victoria. A deal of sharing data and building new radiators is underway on this unusual version as a result.





looks different, eh? The item below is the Merlin’s updraft carb air intake channel.



Widgets – anyone?



It’ll appear as ‘Bonecrusher’:



This will be familiar here, from Jacks posts!



And what it’s all about – in this case giving a special needs school a day out.



Thanks again to Bernie, the chief engineer and the team for their welcome for this international flying visit, and I hope you enjoy the pics!

[Obergrafeter]

Well there is one T-28 for the Ravens movie.

[JDK]

Well there is one T-28 for the Ravens movie.

Oh, we can do better than just VH-CIA. There's another here with interchangeable markings...

[Obergrafeter]

Allright we add a couple of Birddogs a U-17 or two and were in business for the Raven movie. Still want to know who would you have play "Magnet Ass"

[muddyboots]

THat P40 model has the wrong color wheel chocks. They should be teal blue.

[Robbie Roberts]

tem below is the Merlin’s updraft carb air intake channel.



Widgets – anyone?

Did the P-40 use the full SCR-274/ARC-5 radio set? I figured they probably had the SCR-522 set... Or did they have both?

Robbie

[JDK]

Did the P-40 use the full SCR-274/ARC-5 radio set? I figured they probably had the SCR-522 set... Or did they have both?

Yeah, but only with the right hand flange and the wigitacator insuffulator attachment.

I dunno, I hoped some WIX member would know.

These were on the rack next to the P-40, but I didn't ask and I wasn't told they had anything to do with it - my assumption.

Cheers!

[Jack Cook]

Good to see all my photos on display.
BTW the P-40F was not Bone Crusher but rather Pee Wee flown by Sam Hitchcock.
BC was a later a/c also #106 flown by Doc Wheadon:idea:

[LadyO2Pilot]

Allright we add a couple of Birddogs a U-17 or two and were in business for the Raven movie. Still want to know who would you have play "Magnet Ass"

OMG I just spit coffee all over screen keyboard and desk. Ober, do not do that to me early in AM. But it is an intriguing question....LOL He may be "uncastable"

[LadyO2Pilot]

JDK...pictures are great. Looks like y'all had a wonderful time....and that it sure would be interesting place to visit...<counting pennies for trip downunder>

[JDK]

JDK...pictures are great. Looks like y'all had a wonderful time....and that it sure would be interesting place to visit...<counting pennies for trip downunder>

Anyone gets to Melbourne, drop me a PM, I'd be delighted to show you some of the sights.

[Nathan]

wow thats cool...love that P-40. Hope they can correct the name though!