April, 2016 News
Apology
Sorry to everyone who receives a printed copy of the newsletter. February newsletter was not good; small print and crammed on to 2 ½ pages. For some reason my computer decided not to “play nice” with the printer’s computer and the mistake wasn’t found until we were putting the copies into the envelopes. Hope this one is better!
Membership
Included in this edition is the renewal form for your membership.
Due to rising costs of utilities and materials we have decided to increase the fees. We have not done this for a number of years.
The following costs have been voted in by Committee.
12 month’s membership $50 with $5 GST, total $55
Concession: $30 with $3 GST, total $33
We would need proof of concession. A photocopy of a concession card can accompany the application.
Some of you have paid in advance. The increase will not affect you.
The Hangar Building
Pigeons in the hangar are an enormous problem. Their droppings are everywhere so the hangar crew is continually cleaning which takes time away from the aircraft projects. As well, the droppings, if allowed to accumulate, will damage the Liberator.
Denis O’Brien (O’Brien Electrical Services) has sent his scissor lift to the hangar and we are blocking up some of the holes, access points for the birds. Hopefully this will deter some from entering.
The museum section is badly affected even though all the exhibits and cabinets are covered when we leave the building.
As well, space in the shop is very limited. So, Graham Collis, new to Committee this year, is developing a plan to give us more room protected from the pigeons. He proposes that we build, inside the hangar, a room complete with a ceiling and a large viewing window so visitors can see the plane; this building will then contain the shop, the museum, the TV, a small sitting area and facilities for a coffee/tea break. We may be able to use the roof for storage.
Graham says:
“We are trying to maximise the use of resources in restoring A72-176 and at the same time, trying to obtain full museum accreditation. This is proving to be a “big ask” with the relatively small number of members, income from the shop and other fund raising enterprises. For this reason we are asking our members and friends of members, for special donations over and above their normal, valued, membership fee.
We need immediate assistance with two “big ticket” items:
- Security cameras: $1500. Due to the recent theft of a second trailer from the grounds it has been decided to install a digital high definition CCTV system to guard the exterior.
- Visitor Centre housing the shop and museum. This will enhance the visitor experience and give the shop crew a clean, spacious work environment. The cost is still to be determined but we hope to attract a sponsor/sponsors to alleviate the cost of the build. Naming rights are a possibility!”
A72-176 needs YOU.
Liberator Update
The bomb bay doors are still in work and progressing well.
A modified Forward Plan is being assembled to identify work outstanding, sequence of installation and team members responsible. We ran into problems with wiring which was ready for installation but the area where it was to go wasn’t ready to receive it.
The electrical system assembly is proceeding with testing planned in the near future.
Jim has organised a team to work on the piece of fuselage which has been hanging round the hangar forever. They will restore this and make it part of our displays.
Making it presentable
After a long period of discussion and upgrades the P&W1830 engine will again start firing up once a month. The propeller on the test rig has been overhauled and a Safety Officer appointed. The first run was on 17th April and was a success. Phone the hangar for dates of engine runs if you want to hear the “beast” roar. If you are organising a club outing to the hangar it may be possible to have an engine run for your group. This is at an extra cost. Have to pay for the fuel.
And, for the first time in “lots” of years the engine crew got the old Cheetah 10 engine to fire up. We found the engine behind a farm shed and it was in a sorry state. There’s been much swearing and lots of bloodied knuckles and fingers but it is now operating. It’s not yet ready for public display but is on the way.
Just a bit of smoke! Stand back.
That’s better.
Boomerang Update (Nick Knight)
The Boomerang has been in the Liberator Group hangar for a year now. During that time I have received some great feedback from visitors’ comments.
Tom Eaton and some of the younger volunteers have put in a lot of effort installing components onto the engine such as rocker covers, accessories and cowling brackets.
I haven't been able to spend much time at the hangar, but have been busy at home restoring the pilot’s seat and also making new elevators and a rudder. The main electrical box has been removed for further work, and I have recently removed the fin to reproduce as part of a swap deal for obtaining other components. I have started building a new stand which will raise the fuselage enough to get the propeller blades on. Ken Hindle has recently organised a couple of workers Alan and Doug to help me on the wooden fuselage shell. I’m hoping to get the wood finished this year. Any members who would like to help out on the wood or other components would be very welcome.
Our “young guns” hard at work.
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Oxford Update
Steady progress is still being made. The latest Oxford recruits, Les and Pat, have taken to the woodwork with enthusiasm and the pilot’s floor beams are nearly complete. Next step will be to install the plywood floor. Soon some metalwork will have to be done. Two damaged flaps need to be reskinned. Richard is also assisting fixing one of the flap tubes which was bent.
The Oxford is a popular exhibit with visitors.
National Trust Festival
This will be on 7th May. Dave has collected interesting material about Werribee Field during WW2 to display to visitors. It was decided to highlight the field for this festival as we have concentrated on the aircraft and the hangar during previous events and the story of the aerodrome is an interesting one. Dave has compiled a book about the aerodrome and this will be for sale in the shop to those who are interested. If you are interested in this tour contact the Secretary to book in.
External Buttresses
Two have now been replaced and are waiting for a coat of paint so they are not so obvious. Doug, John and Dominic have done a great job. Just as well we got on to this. The existing buttresses are in poor condition. The third one on the Princes Highway side of the building will be replaced next week. The three on the other side have been protected from the weather so replacement of them is not as critical.
River Walk
A new person has been appointed at Places Victoria to liaise with B-24 Liberator. We hope to meet him in the near future.
Doug Tipping (Melbourne Water) resigns at the end of April. He will be sadly missed. He was a strong supporter of the Liberator and was very involved in getting us to the present situation. Hope he enjoys his retirement.
Heritage is still considering the relative costs of moving H1 or building a new museum hangar.
Inverleigh RSL
Last year we donated an undercarriage leg to this RSL. It is now in place and looks great. We’re invited to the dedication next month.
Upcoming Events
Aerojumble Sale: at Moorabbin 14th May. We have sorted out a trailer load of “stuff” not needed by the Liberator or Oxford and will take it to Moorabbin for this event. We hope to come home with an empty trailer. This is a very popular event run annually by the Moorabbin Air Museum.
Gisborne Show: at Gisborne Showground 15th May. We’ve attended this now for a few years and it’s a great day out: lots of exhibits, live steam engines, tractor pulls and car displays.
We’re in discussion with the Geelong re-enactment group about the event on August. There will be plenty to see at this show. More details closer to the day.
And, in October we have been invited to two shows: the Engineers’ display at Rowville and a re-enactment show at Bannockburn. We’re still deciding about these.
The view from the scissor lift. As you can see, desperately in need of more room, particularly as the “Oxford Boys” are plotting a takeover.
Information Centres
We were asked by the Gisborne Visitor Information Centre to host their members during a training day where they visited several points of interest around Werribee so that they could then give informed advice to visitors. The visit was very successful.
As a result we have invited other centres (Williamstown, Geelong and Bacchus Marsh) to take part in a similar exercise. We are doing everything possible to let people know we are here and ready for visitors. Williamstown is interested. We did a similar thing last year with the Werribee group.
Liberator Reunion 2016
We had over 60 guests; only about 12 veterans but the support of their families and friends is great. It was a good day.
Lunch under the wing of Liberator A72-176.
Nat Eichler’s family had a cake specially made to commemorate his service as well of the service of all who served. Thanks to the family for this gesture.
Thanks to all those who put in such an effort to be part of this day; travelling from all over Victoria and interstate.
