Annual General Meeting 2019.  

The AGM was held on 16/11 with 30 members in attendance supported by 17 proxy votes.  

A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of reflection on Judith Gilbert’s passing.  

Reports were submitted by the President, Lyn Gorman, Historian Dave Miller and Treasurer Gary Singline. Our Patron, Group Captain Carl Schiller congratulated our volunteers on the progress made over the past 12 months  

The President’s and Treasurer’s reports were accepted by a show of hands.  

The committee for 2020 consists of: Lyn Gorman (President), Graham Collis (VicePresident), Gary Singline (Treasurer), Norman Morris (Secretary).  

Committee members are: Paul Rourke, Tony Muller, John Keevins, Marge Albert, Graeme Hore and Tony Maher.  

National Trust representative: Phillip Hingston.  

Phil Taylor was awarded Life Membership.  

John Keevins was the recipient of the Ken Bullen Trophy for 2019.  

Lindsay Warner, Phil Taylor,Paul Rourke and John Gilbert represented our organization at the Armistice Day ceremony held at Point Cook R.A.A.F. base.  

Lest we forget.  

Hangar news.  

On Tuesday 12 November we received a visit from Ms Caitlin Metropolous of the National Trust. The purpose of the visit was to introduce Mr Phillip Hingston who is replacing Mr Cyril Curtain on our committee representing the National Trust. \

Cyril has been part of our committee for many years and has provided sound advice and pathways through difficult problems that we did not have the experience to handle professionally. 

We extend our thanks and appreciation to Cyril for his sincerity and support of our project. 

Informal discussion took place on the possibility of the re furbished Hangar 1 being listed with the National Trust thus allowing an appeal for its fitout and enhancement to be created. 

Two “expeditions” were carried out during October and November. 

The first one was to Tocumwal for their Airshow, as Toc’ was the training base for our Liberators during WW II. We were very well received, gaining a pilot’s seat as a donation and additional funds for our coffers. A big thanks to Paul Rourke, Tony and Margot Muller, Bill Graham, Jasmijin Smid,Tony Maher and Lesley Knights.  

The second one was to Nhill to attend their popular Airshow event. Again we were well received by our hosts and an enjoyable and social event ensued with many new contacts made and visits promised. Again many thanks to all concerned.  

Liberator, 2020 work plan.

Detailed fit- out work will continue on the electrics, fuel, oxygen and hydraulic systems. Assembly work is being carried out on the rear turret. Total engine runs for 2019 was six with approximately 15+ visitors per run making a special visit to experience the P&W 1830 operating.

Our consignment of replica 0.50 cal’s arrived early November and will be progressively fitted to the turrets and waist gun positions. They are highly detailed and superbly finished.    

As previously stated, the clock is now ticking for the restoration and re-assembly of Hangar 1. We need to start now and consider what is required to enable us to move the Liberator into its new home as close as possible to the hangar completion (2023).  

Major items that require addressing are: outer wing removal with the manufacture of temporary storage/transport equipment:, planning and organizing the timetable and external approval to remove and replace the relevant vertical roof supports to allow the Lib. to exit the hangar; ensuring the aircraft is able to be moved and relocated safely.    

Additional tasks to be considered and decided on are: internal fit-out of Hangar 1, perimeter fencing, security fit out, shop re-design and re-location, reduction of containers and disposal of excess stores stock.  

Oxford, 2020 work plan.  

Some catch-up work on the centre section structure will be carried out. The tilting of the centre section in its assembly jig allowed us greater access to the internal frame work. The painting of the wings and tailplane is progressing well. After the final colour coat (trainer yellow) has been applied the roundels and registration number will be applied. This will give the project additional visual impact to our visitors. Three of the Oxford crew attended a training course,“Working with wooden aircraft” at Bacchus Marsh airfield during November. A major tidy up of our work area was carried out at the end of October this has allowed us extra space to stretch our legs.

The flash drive Oxford drawing system is again operational, however the technology gap between the 1934 engineering drawings requires some getting used to. Ah, well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  

2020 will see continued effort on the centre section, main undercarriage and engines. It is planned that towards the end of the year one of the engine nacelles can be assessed for restoration. One of the requirements for this task is a competent sheet metal trades person.  

Museum precinct news.

In response to a question we had on the progress of land tenure re Hangar 1 relocation and our ability to apply for grants etc., our expectations had been that it was to have been completed by November. However several steps between Melbourne Water and the Heritage Council require addressing. The item that has changed our expectations is explained as follows.  

Melbourne Water’s Major Project Delivery Team will need to retain the ownership of the hangar site whilst the relocation and restoration works are being undertaken to avoid having to apply for a construction permit (for land not owned by them) which is a lengthy process. So in order not to add additional complexities to the project, it is best to effect the land transfer once the construction is completed.

Our thanks to Melbourne Water for clarifying our question.  

Museum activities.   

Our war against pest infestation of fabrics and paper continues.    

The problem was highlighted last week with the news that Howard Hughes “Spruce Goose” NX37602, a huge seaplane that only flew once has its wooden structure greatly infected by dry wood termites. The recommended elimination of these termites is either by extremely high or low temperatures around the infected parts. Not thought practical on an aged wooden aircraft structure. Stop Press!!!!. This turned out to be a hoax. On further investigation the original press release was dated April 1 and the attached comments supported this conclusion.

Recent donations received include a pilot’s seat retrieved from a lake at Tocumwal in surprisingly good condition, a series of photographs which also includes a large aerial shot of our airfield taken in 1945. This is considered significant as it illustrates buildings, roads and services that existed at the end of WWII.  

Just for information.

This is another one of the photos from Ed Crabtree’s collection, taken at Parafield in South Australia during 1940. It illustrates a De Havilland Gypsy Moth being re-assembled after overhaul.   

Forthcoming events .  

We will be attending the annual Geelong Steam rally on the 11th & 12th of January. Again we will be demonstrating our Pratt & Whitney 1830 radial engine that will eventually be fitted to our Liberator aircraft.  

For Gabrielle.  

1. Black cow.  

A totally black cow was standing in the middle of the road. A man came round the corner with no head lights on. He slams on his brakes at just the right time to miss the cow. How did the man see the cow? It was daytime!!.   

2. Ham and cheese sandwiches.  

Two friends had lunch together every work day for 7 years. They sat in a shelter beside the river and enjoyed each others company. On this particular day John appeared agitated and not his usual self. Suddenly he stood up and threw his lunch box and contents into the river. “Ham and cheese sandwiches” he yelled “*^#@+!, I hate ham and cheese sandwiches, every day for 7 years its been @#*&+)* ham and cheese sandwiches for my lunch”. His friend tried to calm him and said “why don’t you get your wife to make you something different?”. “I can’t” he said. “Why not”? asked his friend. “Because I make them up myself”.   

Liberator Lego prize.   

The winner of our $100.00 prize for the best model Liberator went to Oliver ??, aged 10. The sponsorship was in aid of the Wyndham Brick Fest charity appeal.    

Not forgotten.   

Sgt. Malcolm Fairbairn with crew.   

Just a blast from the past.  

Skin repairs on the rear fuselage by John Keevins, Ken Hindle and Jock Lindros.  

Please note.

The Hangar will be closed for the Christmas break from 17th December until January 7th 2020.  

President’s message;.   

I approach my final message of 2019 with a mixture of sadness and achievement. I was deeply saddened by Judy Gilbert’s passing - as were so many of us -because of her exceptional, sustained contribution over many years to the B-24 Liberator restoration project. We miss her very much, and we extend our sympathies to John. 2019 also saw us farewell our oldest veteran, Ed. Crabtree, who died aged just over 100. Ed too had made a long-running contribution to our project and his passing broke another direct link with those who served with B-24 Liberators during World War II.   

We can also end 2019, however with a sense of achievement for continuing progress with the Liberator restoration, the rebuilding of the Oxford, the negotiations with Melbourne Water and others concerning Hangar 1, the development of our museum and progress in managing our heritage collection of small items, success in attracting new volunteers and progress through others undertaking training courses.  

I welcome new members elected at the AGM on 16 November to our Committee of Management and thank outgoing members for their work in 2019. I wish all our members and those who read this Newsletter a safe and happy festive season and good health and happiness in 2020 (into another decade of the twenty-first century…hard to believe!).  

Lyn Gorman, President.