“ Buff s and Pig s ”
the official members newsletter of
FEBRUARY /MARCH 2016
AHSNT COMMITTEE & OFFICE BEARERS IMPORTANT DIARY DATES
PRESIDENT CURATOR Tony Simons Ken Lai Tuesday 8/3/16 0427 187 356 0401 148 672 AHSNT Committee Meeting 8931 2576 (H) [email protected] [email protected] Tuesday 22/3/16 PUBLIC OFFICER Members Meeting – 6:00 PM AT AAHC VICE-PRESIDENT Ron Ninnis Craig Bellamy [email protected] Tuesday 12/4/16 0403 872 205 AHSNT Committee Meeting 8985 4881 (H) ARCHIVIST [email protected] Craig Bellamy 0403 872 205 Sunday 8/5/16 SECRETARY 8985 4881 (H) Open Cockpit Day AAHC Julie Mastin [email protected] 8946 6835 (W) Tuesday 10/5/16 [email protected] GENERAL MEMBER AHSNT Committee Meeting Alan Cairncross TREASURER 8927 3273 (H) Richard Spillett [email protected] [email protected] MEMBERSHIP LIAISON WEB MASTER Richard Spillett Ron Ninnis [email protected] [email protected]
Page 1 of 4 THE EDITOR’s OBSERVATIONS
WELCOME TO 2016
A belated Happy New Year to all members and their families. I trust that everyone had a restive and festive break. We have lots in store for the new year, the submission for funding for museum extensions being top of the list.
Other priorities for 2016 identified during our annual planning day include :- . Completion of works on the Mitchell cockpit . Restoration of the Liberator ball turret . Completion of panelling on the northern wall
MEMBERS MEETING
The first Members’ Meeting of 2016 will be held on Tuesday March 22nd at the Aviation Heritage Centre commencing 1800 hrs.
All members are welcome to attend for a brief information and discussion session with eats supplied.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Financial results to the end of January were again a little disappointing. Visitor numbers were quiet as expected but shop sales also declined considerably. Additional expenditure was incurred with the replacement of internal lights in the Museum, however our year to date result sits at a profit of $22,500.
HERITAGE CENTRE NEWS
LIGHTING UPGRADES
Through the good work of members we were able to secure a grant to cover 50% of the cost of replacing all the halogen lights in the Heritage Centre Hangar. Total cost of this project was $32,000 however significant savings on power are expected to offset the cost and it is anticipated that the project will pay for itself over two years.
HERITAGE CENTRE EXTENSION
The process of obtaining funding to extend the museum hangar area continues. Our plans for extensions either into the hardstand area or on the northern side towards the airport boundary were sent to the Department of Infrastructure for preparation of engineering plans and to provide costings that we can take to the Chief Minister. The option to extend onto the hardstand is not feasible, so we have agreed a position on extensions to the northern side. Department of Infrastructure is providing costings for the following :-
. Extend the floor base out 25 metres towards the boundary fence (this will require installation of a retaining wall and backfilling) . Extend the under-roof area out 20 metres towards the boundary fence and 50 metres along the existing wall, terminating where the existing roof line curves down at the western end . Construct new annexe to match the existing exterior, but with the top section of the walls being clear Perspex for natural lighting . Roof to be covered with solar panels for power generation . Sliding access door on the western end and two fire doors on the northern wall . Line the internal walls to match the panelling done by members in the existing northern wall . Provision of power, water and fire suppression systems
Page 2 of 4 . Removal of at least two of the current northern wall panels to provide access to the new extension
It should be noted that this is a costing proposal only and does not represent a commitment for funding. Once costings are provided we will need to go back to the Chief Minister with a business case to support the provision of funds.
The quote has been received and estimated cost of our proposal is $1.49 million.
A business case is being prepared and will be framed around two key proposals – one is to allow us room in the hangar to accommodate an F/A18 Hornet when they are retired from the RAAF. The second is to create a dedicated “Bombing of Darwin” annexe to the existing museum. The Bombing of Darwin annexe would house the following existing displays in the museum :-
. P-40 Kittyhawk display . Liberator display (enhanced with additional material from storage at Gardens Hill Workshop) . Beaufighter and Catalina displays (again enhanced with additional material from storage) . Wirraway and Boomerang airframes . Japanese aircraft wreckage (again enhanced with additional material from storage)
Additional material at Gardens Hill will also be assessed for suitability for display, especially Japanese artefacts.
In addition to the Bombing of Darwin displays, it is planned to move the existing motor vehicles and engines, and bring in the search light generator and airfield construction grader currently stored externally.
We may also consider moving the Spitfire into the new annexe, subject to a condition inspection to ensure it will not be damaged if moved.
The Zero will not be moved on account of its fragility and associated difficulties in relocating the airframe.
Once material is moved into the new section we will be able to re-arrange other existing displays and this will give us ample room to accommodate an F/A18.
A copy of the proposed site drawings is appended to this newsletter.
THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS
The thanks of the Committee and staff at the AAHC are extended to both Ron Green and Jeff Chaffey. Ron has spent a few days walking around the museum guiding visitors and VIP’s from visiting cruise ships and very positive comments have been received from our visitors. Jeff has been tireless in his efforts to keep the museum grassed areas looking presentable.
VIRTUAL TOURS
Phil Withnell (one of our interstate members) was in town at the end of January doing the photography work necessary to develop the web-based virtual museum tour. Construction of the tour site will commence shortly and will greatly improve our ability to market ourselves to interstate and overseas visitors.
GENERAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
PARTS EXCHANGE
There has been no further progress on the exchange of aircraft parts with either Rob Greinert of Alec Wilson. A formal agreement is being drafted for the exchange of Beaufighter material with Mr Greinert.
Page 3 of 4 Discussions will continue with Mr Wilson following his planned visit in June when we will identify, catalogue and photograph Spitfire material in our possession.
----ooooo---
Page 4 of 4