Red sky at night, shepherd’s (and pilots) delight!
First night at Corowa, with the promise of perfect flying for the weekend.
(Photo provided courtesy of James Kightly, vintage aero writer)
Corowa Airport is an ex-WWII training airport with only a couple of the original buildings remaining. It has also been used for national and international parachuting events.
On the 18th-21st April, it hosted the 50th Anniversary of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia.
Over 150 amazing aircraft attended the brilliantly organised event. It was a huge success with 300 people attending the awards night on Saturday.
Flying began in 1914 at the site of what is today the Ballarat Airport in Victoria but military flying did not commence until World War Two. The RAAF airbase was established there in 1940 with No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School (WAGS) under the Empire Air Training Scheme(EATS) using Avro Anson multi engined andCAC CA-6 Wackett single engined training aircraft. This was one of only three WAGS training facilities in Australia and the only one in Victoria. The Anson was a stable platform for crews to hone their skills and 72 served at RAAF Ballarat.
Alan Penhall’s “Faithful Annie”, Avro Anson on display at Ballarat Aerodrome. The Anson was developed during the mid 1930’s from the earlier Avro 652 airliner.
Ryan on display in the Ballarat Aviation Museum, open weekends. A resurrected vintage aircraft tug now in use.
Ryan arrives Essendon Airport – Photo by Paul Johns ATC EN TWR
First established on farmland known as St Johns. On 11 August 1921 acquired by the Commonwealth Government for the purpose of formally establishing an airfield. Early tenants H.J. Larkin, Capt Matthews, Bob Hart and Major Harry Shaw operated from the grass runways. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith visited the airport on several occasions. On 16th August 1926, 70,000 people swarmed across the grassy fields upon the arrival of Alan Cobham in his DH60, flown from England to Australia.
Another devoted Ryan SC W enthusiast has made himself known to me, Argyris Giannetakis from Athens in Greece. He is currently building a 1/4 scale all aluminium flying model of the Ryan SCW. His accuracy and quality of work is stunning, to the extent that I have trouble working out what photos are his 1/4 scale and the ones I send him, of my full size Ryan.
An almost completed fuselage built by Argyris, with his recently fitted canopy. Every detail is exact, including rivet sizes and their positioning. The canopy, track, fairing and handle locking mechanism are identical to the real airplane, and are in working condition – Incredible!
His construction method is identical to the Ryan Aeronautical San Diego factory, from way back in 1938.
Argyris has previously built a wooden 1/4 scale version of Russell William’s beautiful all polished Ryan SCW, N18914. He has even made a model of Russell himself, who occasionally gets to sit in the model. There have been a few YouTube videos showing construction details of this model, and also progress of his “all metal” version. We look forward to seeing further progress, particularly construction of the wing. Well done Argyris.
It is wonderful that you share your Ryan SCW passion with us. Thank you!
Following an absence of just over one year, based at Riddell’s Creek airstrip 13nm NNW of Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport, VH SCW returns to Ballarat.
This time sporting a new engine cowl, built from scratch by metal craft guru Mike Subritzky, Allied Fighter Rebuilds Ltd, New Gisborne. The snug fitting cowl has improved engine cooling significantly and improved airspeed. She purrs along beautifully and is seen here flying over my granddaughter’s home whilst approaching the circuit at BLT.
During the past year Mike has painstakingly built a brand new engine cowl to factory specs and dimensions. What an amazing job he has done.
Brand new engine cowl, fresh annual – ready to go.
Acknowledgement – Phil Hosking for providing this amazing sunset photo following a sudden rain shower.
Temora, NSW was home to No.10 Elementary Flying Training School 80 years ago.(May 1941) Established under the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War Two. During its peak, 97 Tiger Moths were used to train upwards of 2400 RAAF pilots. It was the last WW11 flying school to close, on 28th Feb 1946.
Sydney business man David Lowy AM, established the Temora Aviation Museum in 1999. It had all the attributes – “rich in aviation history, hospitable people, an encouraging and co-operative local council, good weather, flat terrain and uncontrolled airspace below 20,000ft”.
Today the Air Museum is first and foremost a flying Museum. Displays are conducted by the Temora Historic Flight Club, which is a separate entity from the Museum.
Temora was chosen for this years 45th AAAA Fly-in, and appropriately timed to coincide with the RAAF’s Centenary Celebration.
Another coincidence, was the arrival town of the historic Southern Aurora train, during its 5 day rail tour from Sydney. The Temora Rural Museum, containing over 4 acres of exhibits, provided an open day for the travellers. An impressive range of displays, and another reason to visit Temora.
Due to lockdown restrictions the Ryan has not flown for many months. She has been kept under wraps since the annual inspection. With the onset of winter, flying opportunities are becoming limited. Hopefully, with the gradual easing of Covid restrictions, flying in general will be back to normal soon.
Below:-
Field Air Chief Engineer, Cameron Wright’s 1953 Armstrong Siddeley 18hp Whitley, 2 door fixed head coupe. Elegant body lines, inspired by Pininfarina and Gordon Buehrig are shown to full advantage in the fading light, on the tarmac at Ballarat airport. Following a 10 year restoration by a husband and wife team in Canberra, the car imported in 1994 has had its sure-footed and delightful road manners reinstated. Powered by a 2.3 litre 6 cylinder, and having overdrive on a 4 speed gear box, ensures relaxed and luxurious motoring at highway speeds. Following 4 years of ownership, Cameron is proud to admit that it’s an absolute pleasure to drive, and looks forward to appreciating its well engineered and quality build for many years to come.
Armstrong Siddeley, an English manufacturer was well known for the production of fine motor cars and aircraft engines. Post war car models were named after the successful wartime aircraft that they had produced, eg Hurricane, Tempest, Typhoon and Lancaster. Company mergers and takeovers with Hawker Aviation and Bristol Aero Engines saw the car production through to 1960. The Rolls Royce conglomerate interested in the aircraft engine business, finally absorbed the company. Eventually all remaining spares and motorcar interests were sold to the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club Ltd.
Ryan Ramblings SCW 