April, 2014
Permanent Home
Met with Places Victoria & Melbourne Water representatives. Nothing much to report but we are still talking.
Membership
It’s renewal time. Attached to this newsletter is the renewal form. Please fill it in & return to PO Box 156 Werribee 3030 by mid June if you want a receipt in time for your tax return. Otherwise we would appreciate a return by the end of June. We rely heavily on the money from your annual renewals.
This year we are offering the opportunity for people to directly deposit their subscription into the B-24 Liberator bank account.
If you wish to use this facility please contact our Treasurer/Membership Secretary Lyn Gorman on lyn_gorman@hotmail.com or on 0488 588 011.
Thank you for your support.
Remember: If you do not want your address/phone number available to any members who ask to see the membership list please contact the Secretary, in writing, at: 3 Eldorado Crt. Wyndham Vale, Victoria 3014
Re-union Lunch
This will be held at the Restoration Hangar on Saturday 26th April from 11am. If you haven’t yet contacted the Secretary to let her know of your attendance please do so ASAP.
We do look forward to seeing you all again.
Engineering Heritage
The students working under the guidance of Owen Peake have just about completed their work on the aircraft. They are still collecting information about the building.
We’ll know by July this year if the project has been accepted by the Engineering Heritage Group. There are 3 categories for recognition:
Victorian;
Australian; and,
International.
International status would be good to have.
Photo
This photo clearly shows the two areas of interest for the engineering students.
The Heritage Order is on the timber trusses in the roof. These allowed the building to have such a wide roof span without internal supports.
(The metal props now in the hangar are holding the roof down in case of strong winds.)
And it’s a great image of the plane.
The two components "fit" each other. Would be a great pity if the restoration left Werribee Satellite Aerodrome.
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Liberator Update
We are now working on the saddle. It is being re-aligned and the mounting brackets are being lined up. For those who don’t know…. the saddle is on the top of the fuselage. It is a cover over the central wing section.
There have been several ropes strung along the top to make it safer to work up there.
The pipework for the saddle is being prepared to be put into place.
Nathan, one of our younger members, applying a protective coat of laqueur to the pipework.
The hangar workers are also sorting the engine control cables which are connected to the carburettors. These cables are fitted under the leading edge of the wing and connect to each engine.
The leading edge has been removed to allow access so that the cables can be strung across.
Removing the leading edge was quite a job. The workers involved in this were showered with the dust accumulated over lots of years; not a job they want to repeat.
Words of Wisdom
Words that soak into your ears are whispered…..not yelled.
Forgive your enemies: it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something you know is meaner than you.
The hangar re-organisation is proceeding. The work benches have been relocated and, despite some initial objections, the men now seem quite happy in their new accommodation.
Charles & Dan, much more comfortable.
Oxford Update
Work is progressing on the main wing section. This is keeping 3 men gainfully employed.
Work is also progressing on the Cheetah engine. We still need to source Cheetah engines, at least one more. If you know of any available Cheetahs please contact the Secretary.
Tony working on the Cheetah , Ed supervising.
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Hangar Shop
We have stocked up for winter. We have available, windcheaters in grey & navy and sleeveless vests, some knitted, some waterproof. These are in red & navy.
We are trying a range of T-shirts. They are in white or grey & have been screen printed.
We are putting the number of the aircraft (A72-176) on some merchandise. We hope to establish a recognisable "brand" for the restoration.
Prices:
Vests: $50
Windcheaters: $40
T-shirts: $20
plus postage & handling if you want to have any sent to you.
There is a wide range of merchandise available in the shop.
Descriptions and pictures of shop stock can be found on both this Face Book page.
Have a Laugh
Living on Earth is expensive but it does include an annual trip around the sun.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
Poem by John Bushell
John is a long time member. He has written this poem on behalf of "our aircraft". Thought I’d share.
I Am the Proud Werribee B-24
I do not really know why, but again, never will I fly.
It seems so very, very sad, but on display won’t be too bad.
Altho’ somewhat of a has been at least I will be able to be seen.
I used to be able to fly really well
Cos my crew treated me really "swell". My motors run up when I am on the ground
To my ears ‘tis a magnificent sound
My four twin wasps roaring away, but on the ground I must stay.
On the ground I rest on my wheels even against my constant appeals.
Dearly, I would love to be flown but those chances are now blown.
With parts from many a place, many have worked on me, as in a race.
Soon I will be completed at last and show my original form of the past.
My thanks to the many who cared so to the public I can be shared.
Never again will I raise my wheels
Altho’ boring, I just stand and cool, my heels.
Hopefully I can remain at my home in Werribee
Where I can be in my thoughts so happily.
Still I dream of being high in the clouds
But, alas, I am bound by shrouds.
Thanks, John
Nose Turret
Reported last time that Graeme Hore has completed the nose turret and put it on display in the hangar. He has done a great job so am including a picture of the turret.
Face Book
After the RAAF Centenary we had several visitors at the hangar. One was Phil Buckley. He offered to put up a Face Book page for the restoration. Phil works in this area & does these pages for other museums.
We took up his offer & he had the page up & running within a couple of hours of being given the go ahead.
Since then we have had numerous visitors to the page.
Ron Taaffe is working with Phil to keep the page current. It is well worth a visit.
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee
B-24 Liberator Calendar
20th April: Toyota Car Club, display in hangar grounds from 9.30
26th April: Reunion Lunch in hangar from 11 am
18th May: Gisborne Steam Rally & Tractor Pull. B-24 will have a display.
Publicity
We are still attracting people who want to advertise the restoration and the eventual home for the Liberator.
A team from TV Channel 31 will be doing a story in the near future.
We still have a couple of stories in aviation magazines pending.
Youth Club
The B-24 Liberator Youth Club is looking for new members.
If you know of any boys or girls, 12 to 15 years of age who are interested in aviation, model making and the Liberator please contact Tony Maher at the hangar, (97311263) on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays.
The group meets once a month, first Sunday of the month, at the hangar between noon and 2pm.
Parents are welcome to accompany their children
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And, Laugh Again
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on!
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Birthdays are good for you: the more you have the longer you live.
