Come along this weekend, 30th and 31st of January, for a big Flying Weekend to kick off 2010. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s (HARS) PBY-6A Catalina Flying Boat, as well as the Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight’s Iroquois UH-1B Huey helicopter! The Catalina and the Huey are both coming from the South Coast of NSW and we are really looking forward to their involvement this weekend.

Regular visitors will notice that the Catalina has undergone some interesting changes to its appearance. Look out for the addition of two blisters – Perspex bubbles attached to the rear of the fuselage. The Catalina is an interesting World War II vintage aircraft which is classed as an amphibian, able to land on both water and land. It was used during WWII in several different capacities, having been utilised in bombing missions, air sea rescue, barge harassing, mine laying missions, as well as by Qantas during the 1940s and 1950s for overseas travel.

The Huey derives its nickname from its original designation of HU-1. This designation was later changed in the early 1960s to UH-1, although the helicopter retained its nickname. The Huey is well known for its distinctive sound and is the helicopter most associated with the Vietnam War.

Also participating in the displays this Flying Weekend is Alan Arthur’s Kittyhawk, Al Harding’s Auster, Gordon Glynn’s O-1, and Doug Hamilton’s Harvard “Harold”. This will be a great weekend of flying for these rare vintage aircraft. On the flying schedule is all of our visiting aircraft as well as the Museum’s collection including the Tiger Moth, Ryan, Boomerang, Canberra, Spitfires, Wirraway, Meteor, Vampire, Sabre, O-2A, Dragonfly, Hudson, and Vampire.

Don’t miss the Huey and the Catalina at this weekend’s Flying Days on the 30th and 31st of January 2010! It should be an event-filled weekend, so grab your chair, sunscreen, and a hat and come out to the Museum to enjoy the fantastic flying lineup we have organised for you. Gates open at 10:00 am, flying begins at 11:00, and follows through until around 3:00 pm. Ramp talk goes for an hour until Museum close at 4:00 pm.

Go to the homepage for the link to pre-purchase your entry tickets if you wish.

For more information on Temora Aviation Museum Flying Days, go to the ‘Visitor Information’ link and then ‘Flying Day Information’.

TOM MOON AVENUE

Many of you will remember that we lost our friend Tom Moon in an accident this time last year. Tom was a founding member of the Temora Aviation Museum Governing Committee, a brilliant pilot, a mentor, friend and great Australian.

In recognition of his role in establishing the Temora Aviation Museum and to honour his memory, the Temora Shire Council has received permission to rename the street on which the Museum is located from Menzies Street to Tom Moon Avenue.

Airport Road and Menzies Street will be closed between 1615 and 1700 on Saturday 30th January 2010 when a ceremony will take place to officially rename the street and unveil the new street sign at 1630. Everyone is welcome to join us in honouring this man who we miss very much.