Earlier in 2017 the Temora Aviation Museum announced that some major projects had been approved for completion, including the English Electric Canberra TT18, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, DH-115 Vampire T35 and RAAF CA-27 Sabre. It has been many years since some of these aircraft have flown and we are excited to see them return to service.

The Museum’s Engineering team has made some major progress on the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly restoration, and this should be rewarded with test flights set to take place sometime in early 2018.

The English Electric Canberra TT18 has commenced its mammoth journey of return to service with the first stage of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) now complete, and we are pleased to announce that it passed with flying colours! The next stage of its major service is to have the entire airframe x-rayed, which should be completed prior to Christmas.

We are continuing to work through the complexities involved with the ejection seat solution for the RAAF CA-27 Sabre, and are hopeful for a positive outcome. Once a solution is found, the Museum’s Engineering team will set about completing the prescribed extensive servicing required to see the aircraft returned to service.

These major milestones, in conjunction with the continued focus on our operational fleet of aircraft, has instigated a slight modification to the Museum’s 2018 flying schedule. Some previously scheduled dates in February, July and August have been cancelled, with June and September Aircraft Showcases being upgraded to two-day events. These changes will ensure that all serviceable aircraft are flown at every scheduled Aircraft Showcase event, allowing visitors the opportunity to see a wider variety of aircraft.

In addition, the revised schedule will allow the Engineering team to focus on the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, English Electric Canberra TT18, DH-115 Vampire T35 and RAAF CA-27 Sabre projects at the critical times in their journey to return to service. To view the entire 2018 Aircraft Showcase schedule, you can visit the Museum’s website. The updated 2018 calendar will be as follows:

• March 3^rd 2018 –  Aircraft Showcase
• March 31^st & April 1^st 2018 – Easter Weekend Aircraft Showcase
• April 28^th & 29^th 2018 – Autumn Weekend Aircraft Showcase
• May 19^th 2018 – Aircraft Showcase
• June 9^th & 10^th 2018 – June Long Weekend Aircraft Showcase
• September 1^st & 2^nd 2018 – Weekend Aircraft Showcase
• October 12^th & 13^th 2018 – Warbirds Downunder 2018
• November 11^th 2018 – Remembrance Day Aircraft Showcase
• December 1^st 2018 – Aircraft Showcase

Cancelled Dates are as follows:

• February 17^th – Aircraft Showcase
• July 13^th & 14^th –  Aircraft Showcase
• August 4^th – Aircraft Showcase
• August 25^th – Aircraft Showcase

The Museum is continually taking feedback, measuring, monitoring and altering our operations accordingly. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone who has planned a trip in February, July or August 2018, but we believe this to be the best way forward for the aircraft and visitors alike.

Saturday December 2nd will be your final chance to catch an Aircraft Showcase until we return in March 2018.
The Summer Aircraft Showcase will see the Museum open a little earlier than usual in an effort to beat the heat. This will allow the flying program to commence at 10.30am in the cooler part of the day. After the flying is completed all visitors will be invited to join the pilots and engineers out on the flightline to take a closer look at the aircraft and chat to the pilots who flew them.

The Engineering Hangar will also be open to the public so you will be able to get an up close look at the progress of the English Electric Canberra TT18 return to service project: it has been stripped of its engines, tail fin and many other components as the engineers work through its second phase of non-destructive testing (NDT). The project is progressing well so make sure that you come and check it out during your visit.

Online tickets are available by clicking on the “Purchase Tickets” button below, or you can visit the Temora Aviation Museum events page by clicking here to plan your next visit. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day. The entire 2018 calendar is now live on the website.