February, 2014
Permanent Home
Nothing has happened. The first step in the process is getting the land taken over by the Crown. State Government seems to have other things on its agenda. Will try to get another meeting organised for March.
Victorian Heritage Engineers
This group has now set up two groups of students who will report on the condition/history of both the B-24 Liberator and the hangar. They are under the guidance of Owen Peake from the Heritage Engineers’ group.
The group concentrating on the aircraft had their first session at the hangar Thursday 6th February working with Dave Miller. 4 students and Owen Peake attended. They had sent a list of areas of interest before they arrived so we were able to answer their questions and show them the relevant parts of the aircraft.
Their completed report will be available for use by the Liberator Restoration group. We hope it will be of value when Heritage looks at the existing Heritage Order on the hangar and surrounding land R.A.A.F. Centenary Pt Cook.
This will be held at Pt Cook RAAF Williams Base on 1st and 2nd March 2014. We will open the hangar on both days from 9.30am to 5.30 pm to cater for those attending Pt Cook who also wish to see the Liberator. There will be an engine run on the Sunday at 11am. (This costs an extra $5 for visitors who wish to hear the “noise”.) Hopefully we will also put on a Norden display.
The Torii Aviation Tour Group, who will be attending the Centenary, will have dinner at the hangar on Saturday night. This is a private event.
This is also the weekend of the local Weerama Festival. The Liberator will enter a float in the street parade. Joe Sammartino is organising this. We will, also take part in a Wyndham initiative providing a voucher booklet for people who attend the festival and pick up the book of special offers. We will offer participants 10% off all shop purchases during the voucher period.
Hopefully we will have a display of military vehicles in the hangar grounds on one or both days. Still negotiating on this one.
One of our members, Graeme Hore, has been restoring 2 nose turrets one of which will be placed on the aircraft. Graeme has been working on these for some time, in his backyard shed. During this weekend one will be on display in the hangar. The turret on the plane will have the ability to function (but not fire the guns) during “live” aircraft demonstrations.
Cataloguing Group
Work has started on this project. One member is spending one day a week doing the work & others who have completed the training course are giving time when they can be spared from the work on the Liberator. We are also looking for a volunteer who has museum or library experience, who would be prepared to assist in this task, willing to work regularly at the hangar. If you know of anyone who might be interested, we would be pleased if you could pass along this request.
Retirement
Bev Edwards who has been a stalwart in the shop for several years, has retired. She will be missed, but she has already indicated that she wants to be the emergency roster so we will still be seeing her happy face when we need help.
Thank you Bev for the work you have done for the Restoration.
B-24 Update
The rear section of the fuselage is finished with elevator control quadrants fitted. It is now ready for the tailplane.... when we have room. Thanks to Roger Williams & John Balas who have been hard at work for over 6 months.
The electrical wiring is being delivered in preparation for looms to be manufactured.
Engine control cables are measured up and being manufactured and fitted.
Charles Cull showing a new recruit, Chris Meyers, the operation of the Norden Bombsight.
Ron Taaffe fitting an engine nacelle.
Crew communication station fitted in rear of fuselage.
Oxford
The wing ribs are under construction at the home of one of the workers. Space in the hangar is at a premium.
In the hangar the main wing section is under construction.
Request for Assistance
Marilyn Campbell is writing a book concerning RAAF medical transport Dakota A65-61. She is particularly interested in contacting veterans who were on Moratai or Biak on 18th September 1945. The book is dedicated to the memory of personnel who died on that flight on that day. Marilyn would be grateful for any information/pictures relating to these men. A list of their names can be found on our website.
Contact: marilyncampbell.author@gmail.com or 0400 084 578
Anzac Liberator Reunion
We have decided to hold the Anzac Liberator reunion on Saturday 26th April after Anzac Day. We encourage you to put this date in your diary.
This event is for veterans, their family & friends.
In choosing the date, we were aware that Easter & Anzac Day are so close and that people last year were unable to attend because the function was held midweek. We do hope 26th April 2014 will suit you. Air crew & ground crew are welcome, whatever theatre you served in.
Information will be sent out soon to those on our mailing lists for the reunion. If you have not attended this event & wish to be a part of it please let the Secretary know.
Film Makers
2 productions have been associated with the hangar. We have given advice & supplied some artefacts used in the filming.
Fact Not Fiction Films has completed a film titled “Shady Lady” about a Liberator which forced landed in the Kimberley, WA. The film is now available in DVD or can be seen on the web: www.factnotfictionfilms.com & www.dfenterprises.com
This group is planning on making a feature about “Little Eva”, a Liberator which crashed in Queensland. We have part of “Little Eva’ in the hangar.
The group making “Unbroken” at the Gold Coast has leased some artefacts from the hangar. This film is about a Liberator pilot, captured by the Japanese. The company has taken good care of the items which have now been returned. We have also provided information to this group.
Calendar of Events
1st& 2nd March: RAAF Centenary, Weerama Parade, hangar open 9.30 to 5.30
20th April: Toyota Car Club, display in hangar grounds from 9.30am.
26th April: B-24 Liberator Reunion, in hangar
Something to Watch
These short films on You Tube are about Liberators & worth a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnuqqoQJ-M8
This one is about the Consolidated Liberator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKH6rNciTo
This one shows the Willow Run Liberator assembly line: xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/15654030/1604819366/name/bomber_plant.wmv
Giggle Time Mk#1
Junk is something you keep for years & throw away 3 weeks before you need it.
Exit Survey
To give us a greater understanding of the needs of our visitors Tony Muller has prepared an exit survey to be filled in after people have toured the hangar. Hopefully, analysis of the responses will enable us to provide a better experience for people.
Open Weekend: Important to look our best on 1st and 2nd March.
Bill Graham has been busy with his extra long feather duster. Think a nicely patterned pinny would have completed the picture! After the dusting was finished he polished the windows on the nose of the aircraft. Has done a great job!
Storage: With space so hard to come by every little bit is being utilised. Mario Piovesan & others are building a shelter beside one of the containers to house our scaffolding when it is not in use.
Story Boards
Ron Taaffe is gradually completing the storyboards which are placed at strategic points around the hangar to give visitors a meaningful experience & greater understanding of the project.
The B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Aust. Inc. gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government & Public Records Office for making this project possible.
Story of the ball turret.
Story of the construction of the nose section.
Giggle Time Mk#2
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again.
Someone who thinks logically makes a nice contrast to the real world.
If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
