October, 2015 News
Annual General Meeting 2015
This will be held at the hangar on Saturday 21st November, 2015 at 11 am. Light refreshments will be served after the meeting.
As you will recall from last year we need 10% of the membership to attend before we have a quorum. Proxies are accepted if you can’t attend in person. Included in this newsletter is a proxy form. It must be filled in and returned by noon on Friday 20th November 2015. It is important that you carefully follow the instructions on the proxy form. Only forms with correct details can be counted. Completed forms can be scanned and emailed to the Secretary or they can be mailed to PO Box 156 Werribee 3030.
Thank you for assisting in this matter.
Executive and Committee of Management 2016
As the number of nominations equalled the number of positions there will not be an election this year. Following are brief resumes of nominees so you can gain some idea of your representatives. # denotes a sitting member:
Executive
# Lyn Gorman (President)
I seek the support of members for re-election as President for 2015-16, following a year in this role. While I have been President, restoration work on the B-24 Liberator has continued, replication of the Oxford has gained momentum and many tasks in and around the hangar have been undertaken, including OH&S concerns. Good progress has been made with the Museums Australia (Victoria) workbook for formal accreditation as a museum. A highlight of 2015 was the special event and pop-up exhibition in May. This focused on the role of B-24 Liberators, crew and support staff in repatriating Australian POWs in 1945. The special event attracted a large and appreciative crowd, we collected invaluable first-hand testimonies and work preparing and staging the exhibition equipped volunteers with skills that will be invaluable in the future.
As I have stated before, my personal commitment to the success of this memorial project remains strong because of my father’s wartime service as a Liberator pilot. In 1944, with the 5th US Army Air Corps, 380th Bomb Group, No 528 Squadron, he flew Liberators from Darwin particularly in combat missions over the Dutch East Indies. He then joined RAAF No 24 Squadron and in 1945 was based at Morotai. After the war ended he assisted in the transport back to Australia of former POWs. He was discharged with the rank of Flight Lieutenant in April 1946.
Our Association continues to have difficult matters to negotiate in 2015 and beyond, particularly the ongoing issue with Heritage Victoria about permitted development on the land provisionally granted to this group. I seek your ongoing support as President at an important time for the project’s long-term future.
# Ken Abbott (Vice President)
My first interest in aviation came at age 5 after a joy flight with my grandfather. At 16 I started flying and finally ended up with a commercial pilot licence with aerobatics and formation endorsements.
About 14 years ago I discovered the B-24 restoration through contact with my old cadet instructor, Ron Platt. At this time, as I was between jobs, working on the B-24 provided the push into a career move into aviation maintenance, first with Ansett then ultimately with Qantas. I am now an aircraft engineer licenced on the Boeing 737 and working experience on the 767 Airbus, the A330 and the A380.
Current projects in the hangar are varied but the most prominent is sorting through the library to find the necessary manuals to help our restorers in achieving the goal of putting 176 back together.
# Judith Gilbert (Secretary)
In 2005 I was elected Secretary of this organisation and have served in the role ever since.
I seek another term of office as there are still many decisions to be made and I wish to be a part of the decision making.
I continue to work on the sub-committee liaising with State and Federal Parliament members, executives from Melbourne Water and Places Victoria, heritage architects and Heritage Victoria to achieve a solution to the problem of museum development on the Werribee Field site.
As well as general secretarial duties I publish the newsletter and manage the Hangar Shop for Committee. I also worked on the POW display in May and was instrumental in getting the booklet we produced which grouped together the memories and statistics of the event, accepted by the War Museum Canberra as part of our historical record.
I ask your support for serving again on the Executive.
Murray Spowart (Treasurer)
Murray is a great family man who has always enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, Merrilyn, 4 children and 5 grandchildren. He is an avid Geelong Cats supporter who tries to never miss watching a game.
Over the past 40 years Murray has been a volunteer with a couple of different organisations which include being Treasurer with the kindergarten back when his children attended; he is a member at Lions Club Lara and is currently volunteering at “Mainly Music” for children at Lara Uniting Church and with Uniting Care in Geelong.
Murray has worked as a Certified Practising Accountant for the past 40 years or so with the majority of this time at Blue Circle cement. He retired in 2013 to enjoy some travelling and a more relaxed life style of living only to find himself recently employed again on a part time basis with Uniting Care Geelong as their accountant.
Murray comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience and looks forward to using this to help out with the B-24 Liberator restoration.
Committee of Management
# Jim Johnson
Hi. My reflections since joining the B-24 group nearly a year ago.
I guess the best place to start is not about me or the aircraft; it’s more about the friends and the stories they have regarding the simple pleasure of being a part of restoring this magnificent machine called a B-24. The shared space, to rub shoulders, to listen and laugh, to admire those who flew; I am humbled to be part of this group.
It is a levelling experience to work alongside veterans and volunteers who, little by little, give life to each component as it finds its way onto the aircraft. She (the B-24) reflects each person’s contribution by those who have been before me and those who will follow me.
Each day I enter my name in the Attendance Book alongside all the others, I am proud to do so. We are, day by day, creating history that will, one day, bring much pleasure to so many.
My background is unimportant, my skills are long outdated, my qualifications meaningless. My passion and my dedication are the important things.
KenHindle
I began my involvement with the B-24 at the local Weerama Festival in 1997 so you could say I am a bit of a veteran. I did serve on Committee before for a few years.
I was the co-ordinator of the B-24 until work started on the Oxford. I now hold the position of the Oxford Co-ordinator. I have a small but dedicated crew working with me and we have three ailerons, one tail plane, and port and starboard wing spars all complete. We are now working on one wing section and the elevators.
I have spent a large part of my life in the aircraft industry from my apprenticeship in 1944 till joining the Royal Navy in 1947 and ending up in Fleet Air Arm till 1995. I worked for Avro till I came to Australia in 1964 with my wife and 3 children. I then joined CAC at Fishermans Bend.
# John Keevins
I have served one term on Committee and wish to re-nominate. I am in charge of the sub-committee engaged in preparing our organisation for museum accreditation. In the past year we have completed Book 1 and have done quite a bit of work on Book 2. I am keen to see this work completed.
In the hangar I am supporting the restoration of the oxygen system. I am also collating hydraulic fittings in order to salvage anything serviceable. I am restoring the turnbuckles which connect the control cables.
I am currently working part time as an English tutor. Previously I taught communication skills at Victoria University. I am also a journalist and have worked as a storeman and Administrative Assistant. I am also a musician and have done artwork for band posters, logos and website.
# Joe Sammartino
I joined the B -24 restoration in 2001. The first project I worked on was building, with other volunteers, a full size “shadow” of the Liberator as an exhibit at the Avalon Air Show.
Since then I have worked on many jobs around the hangar including putting on displays/shows, representing the B-24 at Weerama (a local Festival) and being responsible for the flower beds around the hangar. I also sat on the planning committee for our 20th birthday celebration.
During my first year on Committee I have represented the Liberator group at several Wyndham City Council events, committees and discussion groups.
It is my pleasure to come twice a week to the hangar to enjoy the company of our people.
Graham Collis
I have been associated with the B-24 since 1995 and was part of the group that recovered the fuselage and set it up in the hangar.
I am a member of the Werribee Classic and Collectible Car Club (owner of a Jensen) and also dabble in custom cars.
I currently work in the marine electronics field as a Service Engineer on merchant cargo vessels in Victoria, interstate and overseas working on bridge electronics such as radar, gyro, autopilot, etc. The Sperry brand will be familiar to some B-24 workers.
I live in Werribee across the road from the B-24 hangar. As a Committee member I can attend meetings and work for the group in my own time and assist in the hangar when I can.
I look forward to working with the B-24 again. My thanks to Nat Eichler for encouraging me to apply for the Committee. I hope I can continue his outstanding work over many years.
# Tony Maher
I have served on Committee for several years and enjoy the role.
I am Hangar Manager responsible for opening and closing the site for the workers. I am in charge of general security and co-ordinate with the security firm that looks after the hangar.
By trade I am a spray painter and often use that skill around the restoration.
I work with the team doing engine restoration and putting on engine runs. I am also a tour guide and have the responsibility of training new guides. I also assist with outside displays. As well I am the building and safety supervisor responsible for ground support equipment.
I look forward to another year on Committee.
___________________________________________
Committee wishes to thank these members retiring after serving on the 2015 Committee:
Nat Eichler who has served on Committee for over 20 years as Vice President and Committee Member. Nat continues on as Hangar Guide where he does a great job.
Dan O’Connell who was a member of the Committee of Management for several years. Dan will continue to be in charge of the stores.
Both men will be missed for their commitment and dedication.
B-24 Restoration (Dave Miller)
The past month has seen progress on the refurbishment of the rear turret in particular the mounting ring which requires new roller bearings and corrosion removal and re-protection.
The search for suitable flying control cables continues around the hangar as the stores area that contained them was transferred from Sayers Rd and some were misplaced. It is intended to salvage as many as possible prior to purchasing new items.
The wing trailing edge flap fairings are going through a “prior to fit” inspection with small snags being rectified in the process.
And another hangar reunion took place early October when a visitor called in and asked for Nat. This visitor had last attended the hangar 15 years ago and fondly remembered Nat as his tour guide. Nat supplied an up to date tour which took slightly less time than the 15 year gap.
__________________________________________
The Oxford
The team continues to work on the wing and ribs. A special wing spar jig has been designed and this is making the work easier.
Hinge point, outer wing mounting bracket
During the war, 99 Squadron, based in Darwin had a successful footy team. Nat Eichler was in that team and for a long time we’ve had this picture of the group displayed in the hangar shop. A short time ago Blackburn RSL visited the hangar for a tour and lunch and 2 other members of that team were in the group. There was a great deal of storytelling and bragging done during that lunch!
From left to right: Mac Ford, half back flank: Alan Laidlow, centre half forward: Nat Eichler, rover.
Committee has been looking at the need to prioritise work on the Liberator restoration. It has been decided to concentrate on the fuselage. In the recent hangar re-organisation of books, etc. several manuals were found which related to fuselage areas. Teams have been appointed to work on specific fuselage areas, to repair anything incorrectly fitted and to complete to working standard things such as the bomb bay, lighting, etc.
