We’re on the www.

Thanks to Don Taylor the MAAA has now its own individual Internet web site.

Look us up on www.aussiemossie.asn.au.

Don has slaved over a hot PC for many nights teaching himself how to undertake the task, and the result as you will see is a credit to him.

He welcomes all feedback, as well as genuine articles that are unique, as he does not want the site to be just another list of numbers but wants to have articles that portray the human side as well. You can email him with your anecdotes via the Contact Us section on the site.

Our thanks also go to stalwart Brian Fillery for making his personal site available to the MAAA for the past few years. It was greatly ap- preciated.

By the way if you are look- ing for the home page, there is not one, it is now known as the Hangar page (Don’s humour—you can tell by the smirk on his face).

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 1

The President’s Log—by Alan Middleton OAM

in the RAAF post 1945, retiring ers moved into Coomalie Creek in with the rank of Air Vice Mar- November 1942 and it remained an shal. operational base until the end of the The Gillespie Room is named war. for Sqn Ldr Jim Gillespie, a Pilot with 87 who died as a A report was recently seen in an result of a crash on takeoff at Airforce Association publication on Coomalie Creek on 2 August the death of Fred Stevens DFC, the 1945. author of a book "An Aussie in a The Sharland Room is named Mossie". It appears this book is no for Cpl Darcy Sharland, an longer available but, if anyone has a experienced photographic ex- copy or knows of one, we would like pert who was flying as a crew to hear as the collection of Mosquito member of a B24 Liberator records of this nature are of great with 380th Bombardment interest to us. Group USAAF when he was killed in action over Babo. A well known Mosquito Pilot, who We would be delighted if any- was also an Australian Test Cricket- one has details of Darcy’s er, Keith Miller, was recently hon- RAAF career or of his family oured by having his likeness in a The Point Cook Pageant on 24 Feb- which could be placed on record bronze statue unveiled at his old ruary was again the spectacular with the new 87. School, Melbourne High School in event we have all come to expect The recognition of Darcy's service is South Yarra. The statue is placed on and enjoy. Static and flying displays of tremendous interest as I feel that the front lawn of the School, in com- of historical and current day aircraft the contribution to Australia's war pany with a similar statue unveiled were presented with high profession- effort by the members of the ground at the same presentation, of another alism and the weather was the staff of the RAAF of all musterings, famous cricketer, and former Aus- same, which made the day for the has been sadly underrated. tralian Test Captain, Bill Woodfull, large number of visitors who attend- who was also a former principal of ed. the School. To the Members of Museum Staff, Another item of interest is that the The ceremony was attended by Friends of the Museum and our own CO of 87SQDN, WgCdr. Rick Keir members of the family's of both Bill Members who worked to make the AM , is proposing to have the Social and Keith and several hundred Pageant a great success and a high- Club named "The Mossie Club" with guests, including representation of light of Australian aviation I extend the wearing of the MAAA lapel pin our Association. heartfelt thanks. as a sign of membership.

On your behalf, once again I thank We have been advised that 87 Sqdn Committee Member, Don Taylor, all the Members of your Committee has moved into new Headquarters at has been working very hard to es- who devote a lot of time to the af- Edinburgh, SA. which includes five tablish a Website for MAAA which fairs of your Association and I also conference rooms which have been can be accessed by thank all Members for your continu- named to bind the connection be- www.aussiemossie.asn.au . ing interest as, without your ongoing tween the present 87 and the 1PRU The information Don has already support, even though it may only be & 87Sqdn of 1939-45 as The Light- made available is well worth a look. to the extent of paying your Annual ning Room, The Mosquito Room, We congratulate Don on his efforts Subscription, the Association could The Sharland Room The Gillespie and know he will be looking for fur- not carry on------and this we must Room and The Jordan Room. The ther items of interest to be included. do. Lightning and Mosquito Rooms need no explanation as it is well known these were the two main aircraft The Heritage Advisory Council of Regards used by 1PRU & 87Sqdn, but per- Northern Territory intends to recom- haps a few words on the others may mend the WW2 airfield at Coomalie Alan Middleton OAM be appropriate. Creek and environs be declared a Heritage Place. Richard Luxton, the present owner of the area ,is in full The Jordan Room is named for AVM support of this project and MAAA Sam Jordan AO, one of our Founda- has written to the Council advising tion Members and the Patron of our them of our interest and support, as Association. Sam served as a Navi- this is where 1PRU and 87Sqn were gator Wireless Operator with the based. 31 Sqn operating Beaufight- rank of Flying Officer and remained

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 2

Restoration Update by TRB

Work on the RAAF Museum’s Mosquito A52-600 has been proceeding quietly, but with measurable progress.

Most significant step forward has been the completion and installation of a sub-frame in- side the fuselage at the cut-out for the wing. It’s really a small- er jig mounted on the main fu- selage jig, and is designed to accurately locate the wing at- tachment points, and act as a reference datum to which the fuselage frames can be trued up. Four frames, plus several areas of the fuselage shell need restoring, and that means we’ll need this new Next step here is to begin items still to come for comple- structure as a support as well stripping the offending frames, tion; the tail wheel assembly is as those all-important datum repairing and re-installing complete and on a display positions. A piano wire has them, then get on to the fuse- stand in the Restoration been strung the entire length lage shell repairs. Hangar. of the fuselage on its centre- line, and a known distance (8) MAAA volunteers Arthur Win- We joined with the Friends of above the longitudinal refer- ton, Bob Stevens, Graeme the RAAF Museum plus Mu- ence line. It’s not on that refer- Coates, Don Taylor and oth- seum staff to help set up and ence line because it would ers have made good progress man the Mossie display area have to pass through at least on the main landing gear as- on Pageant Day in February; two frames toward the rear of semblies, with the left hand see the separate notes else- the aircraft; not advisable. assembly nearing completion. where in the Aussie Mossie Another Friend of the Mu- Bulletin. seum is machining a batch of four stirrups for the bottom of the legs, which will carry the wheel hubs. These are the last ma- jor

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 3

Chatting with an ex Hatfield employee—by TRB

18 February 2008 fice to say that the entire world suburbs, and Edna aviation industry benefited has fond memories of cycling De Havilland in the early from the thoroughness of to work down tree-shaded 1950’s these investigations. De Havil- country lanes with her friend land led the way forward with Jill. She met and subsequently It’s been our privilege to meet their research and develop- married an Australian design many people associated with ment programs, resulting in draftsman, George McKaige, the Mosquito in various ways. scheduled pure jet passenger also a company employee dur- However Ms. Edna McKaige, services recommencing with ing the early to mid 1950’s. who worked at De Havilland at Comet 3 and Comet 4 aircraft. George then returned to Aus- Hatfield (on the north western As this is written, Nimrods (a tralia to take up a design role outskirts of London, U.K.) Comet derivative) are still in with Commonwealth Aircraft gave us some interesting in- service with the RAF. Corporation at Fishermen’s sights into the post-Mossie Bend, and Edna followed by company at a recent meeting Edna worked in the photo- ship (the ‘Orion’) a month or at MAAA President Alan Mid- graphic section at De Havil- so later. dleton’s home. land, preparing everything from parts manual illustrations She fondly recalls this voyage Major projects on the boil dur- to press releases. Among her as a memorable way to leave ing her days there included the memorabilia is a photo of a one stage of her life to begin Vampire and its derivatives very young Princess Margaret another in Melbourne. such as Sea Venom, plus oth- in the front office of a Comet er military aircraft, and of with Sir Geoffrey De Havilland. Thanks for the memories, course the world’s first pure jet Edna. airliner, the Comet. Life at the company included TRB active participation in the dra- Much has been written about matic society, arts club and the tragic losses of three Com- dances, as well as some pretty ets with all aboard, and the high pressure deadlines at subsequent enquiries, investi- times. Hatfield in those days gations and re-designs. Suf- was beyond the confines of

Note *** MAAA Committee Arrangements

Please note: Alan’s address is: stated on the new web site —

That the MAAA Secretary, 14 Fitzgibbon Crescent [email protected] Treasurer and Editor is going CAULFIELD NORTH on an adventure to the UK and Victoria 3161 Europe for the best part of 3 is also available for use. months (end of May through to the end of August 2008). If you have a telephone en- Every effort will be made to quiry please feel free to con- answer all correspondence but tact anybody on the rear page, if it falls through the cracks it During Bob’s absence please their roles can be found there. may be a few months before forward mail and emails to you get an answer. Alan Middleton in the first in- stance. Also the new email address as

Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 4

Project 2014

A flying replica of the Boxkite is being constructed at Point Cook.

Project 2014 was set up by a that may arise during the small, dedicated team com- building of this machine, and On completion, the aeroplane prising Ron Gretton, AM, and the subsequent test flying. will be formally handed over to Geoff Matthews to construct a the RAAF Museum. reliable and safe modern flying replica Military Bristol Biplane The engine will be an Australi- for the RAAF Museum. an seven cylinder 110hp For more information on this (82kw) radial Rotec R2800, project please visit website: designed and manufactured The aeroplane will be availa- by Rotec Engineering Pty Ltd ble to fly at Point Cook on the at Moorabbin, Victoria. www.boxkite2014.org 1st March 2014, celebrating 100 years of military aviation in the best possible way. Rosebank Engineering has or contact: kindly supplied the engine and all the timber for the project. Ron Gretton or This Australian replica Boxkite will be built over a period of Geoff Matthews, Mobile Network has supplied four to five years. This will en- c/- RAAF Museum, sure that the aeroplane is the wheels and structural met- available in sufficient time to al, and Aerostructures and RAAF Williams, take part in celebrations that Macdonald Technologies In- Point Cook, will occur in March 2014. ternational have also provided significant support. Victoria 3027.

With Project 2014 having start- ed in 2006, ample time is The project is, of course, sup- available to allow for the reso- ported by both the RAAF Mu- lution of unforeseen problems seum and the Air Force itself.

By law, every child in Belgium must take harmonica lessons at primary school.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 5

Flights of History by Brian Fillery—Part 2

Aviation Trivia (with many aircraft crashes omitted) compiled by Brian Fillery from his program 'Dates', a timeline of history based on English monarchs from 1066. This is the second part with the rest appearing in later editions. A complete and up to date list can be obtained directly from Brian.

1865 "D'Amecourt's steam helicopter, France (never flew)." 1884 "Alexander Mozhaiski's steam driven mono- plane makes small hop, Russia." 1866 Aeronautical Society of Great Britain (Royal Horatio Phillips investigates curvature of aircraft Aeronautical Society in 1918). plane surfaces. "Capt Charles Renard and Lt Arthur Krebs, 1867 Patent for rocket-driven aircraft propeller. make electric dirigible flight of 2 ½ miles (4 km) at 12 mph (19 km/h) and return to take-off point in 23 minutes, France." 1868 "First aeronautical exhibition (10 days), Crystal German military balloons. Palace, London, features Charles Spencer's which has flown 120 ft (36.5 m)." 1888 "Dr Karl Wolfert flies balloon with 2 hp (1.5 kw) Daimler petrol engine, Germany." 1870 "Alphonse Penaud's rubber band powered 'helicoptere' flies 50 ft (15 m) for 26 secs, France." 1890 "Clement Ader flies 164 feet (50 m) in steam "At the Siege of Paris, during the Franco- powered bat-wing aircraft Eole, France." Prussian war, microfilmed messages are sent out by carrier pigeon and about 200 people es- 1891 "Clement Ader flies 328 feet (100 m) in steam cape and 2.5 million letters and dispatches are powered aircraft, France." sent in about 51 hot-air balloons. " First Russian wind tunnel. Prussian 37mm Ballonkanone is first anti- aircraft gun but scores no hits. " starts glider tests (over 2,000 by 1896), flies 50 ft (15 m) in 'original' hang-glider, "World's first wind tunnel (built to test wings), Germany." Greenwich."

1893 "Lawrence Hargrave's box-kite experiments, 1872 "Paul Haenlein's airship with internal combus- Australia." tion engine that runs on gas from balloon, Ger- many." Horatio Phillips claims to fly unmanned multi- winged Multiplane with 72 lb (33 kg) ballast.

1876 "Alphonse Penaud's aeroplane patent covers all 'modern' ideas including instruments except for 1894 "Lilienthal's biplane glider flies 100 yds (30.4 m) the internal combustion engine, France." at 50 ft (15 m), Germany." Hiram Steven Maxim's biplane with two 180 hp (60 kw) steam engines flies at 2 ft (60 cm) alti- 1879 "Military Balloon Unit, UK, first purpose-built UK tude. army balloon Pioneer uses coal-gas."

1895 "Percy Pilcher starts glider flights, ." 1880 "Alexander Mozhaiski patents steam powered flying machine, Russia." First UK use of military balloon. 1896 "Samuel Langley's steam-powered 16 ft (4.8 m) long model aircraft flies 1/2 mile (0.8 km) in 1 "Dr Karl Wolfert's engine powered dirigible 1/2 mins, US." crashes, Germany." " starts glider flights (to 1901), US." 1883 "Albert and Gaston Tissandier's electric dirigible "Otto Lilienthal killed when his glider crashes, (motor and batteries), France."

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 6

Flights of History by Brian Fillery—Part 2 (contd)

Germany." """I think it most unlikely that aeronautics will Unmanned balloons analyse air at 9.3 miles ever be able to exercise a decisive influence on (15 km) altitude. travel. Man is not an albatross..."" - H G Wells." "Lawrence Hargrave links 4 box-kites and is lifted 20 ft (6.1 m) into air, Australia." 1902 "Gustav Whitehead flies twin engine flying boat on 7 mile (11 km) circular course and lands on water, flight unrecognised, US." 1897 "Clement Ader flies twin-engined plane 984 feet (300 m), France." First British airship. Percy Pilcher flies 750 ft (228 m) across valley "Wright Bros glider flies 350 ft (106 m) at 6 ft in glider. (1.8 m) altitude, US." "Weisspfenning and Watzesch airship 155 ft French balloonist Leon de Bort finds border (47 m) long with 12 hp (8.9 kw) motor makes between troposphere and stratosphere. demonstration flight but, on landing, it is torn """In the present state of science, there is no apart by spectators, Germany." known facts by which one could predict any "First recorded dirigible deaths when Dr Karl commercial future for aerial navigation."" - Woelfert's airship with 8 hp (5 kw) petrol engine Thomas Edison." explodes in flight, 2 die, Germany." "First attempt to use balloon for Arctic explora- 1903 "Scientific paper on spaceflight, Russia." tion, all 3 die, Spitzbergen." "Richard Pearse flies 459 ft (140 m) in home German all-metal balloon piloted by a soldier built monoplane with ailerons and 25 hp (18 makes it's first and only flight. kw) petrol engine (flight unrecognised), NZ (Mar)." 1898 "Konstantin E Tsiolkovsky proposes liquid hy- "Lebaudy airship 178 ft (54 m) long, 30 ft (9 m) drogen and oxygen as rocket fuels, Russia." diameter, with 35 hp (26 kw) motor and 2 twin- bladed propellers makes first fully controlled flight of 38 miles (61 km) in 2her 46min, 1899 "Wilbur and Orville Wright start glider experi- France." ments with wing-warping, US." "Aida d'Acosta is first woman to fly dirigible so- "US-born Samuel Cody starts experiments with lo, France." man-lifting kites, UK." "Samuel Langley's full size powered plane fails Percy Pilcher dies when his glider breaks up. to fly (but does in 1914), US." "Leon Levasseur's lightweight high-power An- toinette aero engine, France." 1900 "Von Zeppelin's LZ1 420 ft (128 m) long by 38 ft 6in (11.7 m) airship with two 16 hp (11.9 kw) """We hope that Professor Langley will not put engines makes maiden flight of 20 minutes at his substantial greatness as a scientist in fur- 17 mph (27 km/h) with 5 passengers, Germa- ther peril by continuing to waste his time, and ny." the money involved, in further airship experi- ments. Life is short, and he is capable of ser- """No possible combination of known substanc- vices to humanity incomparably greater that es, known forms of machinery, and known can be expected to result from trying to fly... forms of force can be united in a practical ma- For students and investigators of the Langley chine by which we will fly long distances type there are more useful employments."" - through the air."" - US scientist." New York Times, Dec 10."

Wright Bros first flight 120 ft (36.5 m) lasts 12 1901 "Wright Bros experiment with man-carrying secs and is recognised as they have photos gliders, US." and observers (Dec 17). "Gustav Whitehead twice flies twin engined aircraft 880 ft (270 m), navigates around trees, 1904 "First ship designed specifically for balloons is flight unrecognised, US." Ballondepotfartyg No 1, Sweden." "Wilhelm Kress' benzene powered triple- after 6 years has only man- winged seaplane, built over 20 years, crashes aged to fly 16 ft (4.88 m). on takeoff." "Wright Bros Flyer II makes first flight, Wilbur "Santos-Dumont wins Deutsch Prize flying his powered controlled No 6 dirigible round Eiffel (Continued on page 12) Tower, Paris."

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as substitute for blood

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 7

From the Mailbag

right place at the right time all members to help by provid- 15 April 2008 and acquired one of the previ- ing some content. Items we Bits and pieces ous models on our behalf. see as useful:

Sometimes we’re all fortunate We’ve already recouped the Accounts by former aircrew of enough to be in the right minimal outlay by selling our flights they made – 94 Sqdn place, at the right time; last old one. Nick, of Disney’s VP day flypast. These do not month marked one of those Newsagency, Hampton (a have to be operational mis- coincidences. Owner of Coo- Melbourne suburb), had some sions but things that are malie Farm and Coomalie ink jet cartridges to suit in his unique. Creek airfield Richard Luxton ‘old stock’ bin, and has passed was in Melbourne in February them on to us. Accounts from ground crew of this year for the RAAF Muse- things they got up to – prob- um’s bi-annual Pageant Day, Thanks to you both from the lems that had with mainte- and passed on a thirty page Aussie Mossie Volunteers. nance, sports activities document from the Heritage Accounts of the VP bonfire at Advisory Council of the North- Coomalie Creek. ern Territory. TRB Details of restoration work done on mosquito a/c or col- The information is titled “WWII lection of Mossie memorabilia. Coomalie Airfield and K5 Anti- Visits to overseas mossies Aircraft Battery Site Heritage with pics of course. Assessment Report, 2007”, The Aussie Mos- and lists various criteria for sie can now be found The site is still under construc- recommending the heritage on the internet. tion as it is a very time con- listing of these important his- suming task compiling infor- toric sites. For more infor- Our web address is mation to add to the site. mation, contact the HAC N.T. www.aussiemossie.asn.au so There are quite a few pages on (08) 8924 4143 or at GPO take a look, the site is very under construction missing lit- Box 4198, Darwin N.T. 0801. much a work in progress but tle bits of detail to complete. you will get a feel for what we So keep an eye on the site as Your Executive has made a are trying to get on site. we hope to update the site submission to the HAC on be- every few weeks. half of the MAAA, strongly We have sections on: supporting the heritage listing The biggest issue we have of Coomalie Airfield and its en- Restoration of A52-600 with the site that the moment virons. We’ve added some Mosquito specifications is that of copyright. We cannot positive and constructive sug- Squadron History publish anything on the web gestions, and invited the HAC News of the Association that we do not have the copy- to use our records if required. History of the Association right owner’s permission to do This is likely to be a long-term so: If the material is public do- project, and we’ll keep you Others will come as content is main material that’s OK but we posted on future progress. complied. Our biggest problem have to be sure it is, the fact it is original content. is on the web does not guar- And on another subject entire- antee that it is public domain. ly, thanks to Jeff Brown and We hope to make the site Nick Disney. A major Australi- unique and not just trot out the If you have an article (or a an automotive manufacturer usual stuff you see on 50 other suggestion for content) please where Jeff works has recently sites. To do this we need origi- forward it to us on our new upgraded the computer aided nal material preferably not email address in- design system plotters in their published elsewhere. So we [email protected]. Design Centre; he was in the are putting out a challenge to

Mosquito repellents don't repel. They hide you. The spray blocks the

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 8

From the Mailbag—contd

Electronic submission is pre- men on a number of occasions Email: ferred. and one stands out. Mike ar- [email protected] ranged for the two warriors to Don Taylor give a presentation at the Pt Home 03 9733 4608 Cook flying club. It was a fas- Mobile 0411 092 154 cinating night with both men recounting their flying experi- ences. I am the Treasurer or the Fur- niture History Society of Aus- Both David and Bob are abso- tralia (Inc). I have been docu- lute gentlemen and very gen- menting the history of Furni- Interesting that you mention erous with their time. ture Manufacturers in Aus- Bob Cowper's book in the pre- tralia and have recently vious Bulletin which I have in It's a terrific book and I man- come across some my possession. I worked as a aged to get mine signed by photo- graphs of volunteer at the RAAF muse- Bob. I also have that print work during the um for a number of (signed) of Bob shooting down war years on the DH Mos- years (and am still a a Do217. quito Bomber at F Dicken Pty mem- ber of the Ltd, which I enclose a CD , Friends). George Dragicevic this is your copy. Laboratory Manager My partner on Saturdays was Department of Medicine I was an apprentice cabi- Mike Leicester who I believe is University of Melbourne, St. netmaker in 1954 at Rick- still the president of the Point Vincent's Hospital etts and Thorp P/I at Rock- Cook Flying club. dale in Sydney and I remem- Phone: 61-3-92882586 ber there were still parts in Anyway, Mike's dad David Fax: 61-3-92882581 the factory. I know that a few Leicester was a Halifax / Lancaster bomber pilot and flew a full 50 sorties over Germany mainly with 35 Sqdn Path- finders (and other squad- rons) RAF.

David Leices- ter and Bob Cowper are best of friends and both live in Adelaide (I believe they are still in good health). I've had the privilege of meeting both

In the course of an average lifetime you will, while sleeping, eat 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 9

From the Mailbag—contd

Regards, Alan Perry 68 Parklands Avenue, Heathcote, NSW, 2233

Thanks for your article on the Volunteers' Presentation in the MAAA Bulletin.

However, I should alert you to a few mistakes in regards to names and titles.

The speaker on the day was Group Captain Kathryn Dunn who is the manufacturers in Sydney tation or books of war work RAAF College Commandant. did work for the bomber. undertaken around Austral- Parker Furniture, Chiswell ia by Furniture Manufactur- Cheers, Furniture, I think Cemac and ers, I would be interested to Ralph Symonds. And many use in an article for our Mary Briggs more. Newsletter. Administration Officer/ Volunteer Co-ordinator RAAF Museum Do you have any documen- RAAF Williams POINT COOK VIC 3027

Thanks for your cor- rections, Mary.

Our apologies go to Group Captain Dunn for our mistakes. Ed

Sad news. 03/05/2008

Tom died last night after a torrid 4 months of ill- ness in hospitals and nursing homes, but was

The pupil of an eye expands as much as 45% when a person looks at something pleasing.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 10

From the Mailbag—contd always cheerful and making jokes with the staff. Regards, Barbara Baird

He enjoyed a concert with his Probus Men's Choir while in a nursing home, taking his place in the choir.

On Anzac Day Barry (his son) and An- drew wheeled him up to the small service in this village, wearing his medals and insig- nia, where with their help he laid a wreath under the flag.

I've attached a photo of Tom and me taken on the day. Just 1 week later, after a bad fall, he passed away.

Tom had a good long satisfy- ing life (he was 89). He had great memories of the return to Coomalie Creek.

Many thanks to you all for con- tributing to that.

Published by The de Havilland Aircraft of She floats all righty, but ... Canada Ltd., Toronto, 1944

- all the same it was nice of them to make sure the dinghy box and emergency-hatch fixings worked. But where are the cards, Paine?

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 11

Flights of History by Brian Fillery—Part 2 (contd)

(Continued from page 7) First aircraft flight with passenger in US. makes first circuit and first flight over 5 minutes, "First powered flight by Englishman, A V Roe." they make 105 flights this year." "First powered aircraft fatality is Lt flying with Orville Wright, US (Sep)." 1905 "Dufaux Bros 37 lb (16.7 kg) model helicopter Leo Steven invents self-contained manual with 3 hp (2 kw) engine lifts 13 lb (5.9 kg) pay- opening parachute. load, France." "Gnome 5-cylinder rotary aero engine, France" Wilbur Wright in Flyer III makes 39 minute 23 sec flight over 24.2 miles (39 km). 1909 Handley-Page first English aircraft manufactur- er. 1906 Rumanian inventor Trajan Vuia flies first mono- plane aircraft 40 ft (12 m). J T C Moore makes first official UK flight (May). "Britain's first hot-air balloon race, there are 7 A V Roe flies first UK designed and engined entries." aircraft (now in Science Museum). Stonehenge is first British archaeological site "Louis Bleriot flies English Channel in motorcy- photographed from air (balloon). cle engined monoplane in 37 mins at avg speed 42.7 mph (68.7 km/h) winning Daily Mail prize "Santos-Dumont flies aircraft 14-bis 200 ft (60 of £1,000." m) in Oct, and 721 ft (220 m) in 21.2 seconds at average speed 25.65 mph (41 km/h) in Nov, "First international air races, France, 38 entries, France, setting first recognised flight, distance 23 take off." and speed records in Europe." Wilbur Wright flies over New York. Alps crossed by balloon. Aircraft automatic pilot (?). "Igor Sikorsky's first helicopter (never flew), 1907 "Hague Declaration bans dumdum bullets, Russia." dropping bombs from balloons, airships or air- Bleriot's Type XII plane is first to carry 2 pas- craft." sengers. "Henri Farman claims first(?) flight in "Clement Ader's 'L'Aviation Militaire' predicts Europe, 1 minute, France." flat-top ships with runways for aircraft and "Robert Esnault-Pelterie invents aileron and 'islands' set off to one side (ship control areas), aircraft seat belt, France." France." "Phillips Multiplane aircraft with 200 very narrow "Elise Deroche is first woman to fly aircraft solo, chord wings flies 500 ft (152.4 m), London, France." first(?) powered flight in UK." Air speed record 34.03 mph (54.76 km/h). "A V Roe is first Englishman to design, build, Air altitude record 510 ft (155 m). and fly (1908) his own aircraft, a biplane."

First British built military airship Nulli Secundus makes world record 3 hr 25min flight with 50 hp (37 kw) engine. John Dunne's secret government funded D5 flying V-wing (no tailplane) aircraft (flies 1910). "Henry Farman makes first recorded aircraft turn, France." "Paul Cornu's man-carrying helicopter flies for 20 seconds at 6 ft 6 in (2 m) altitude, breaks up on landing, France." "Victor de Karavodine patents pulse jet engine, France (used 1944 in German VI flying bomb)."

1908 Wright Bros patent their flying machine. "Henry Farman claims first aircraft passenger (Mar), first woman passenger Madame Peltier (Jun), first circular flight over 1 m (1.6 km), France." … to be continued in the next Bulletin.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 12

Vale

It is with regret that the Association must relay the passing of the following members:

Baird, Thomas, of Albion Park, New South Wales Morgan, Betty, of Kurrajong Hills, New South Wales. Many thanks to her sons Barry and Alwyn for continuing the MAAA relationship. Nitschke, Hedley, of Loxton, South Australia Vassie, Ronald, of Caringbah, New South Wales. Many thanks to his wife Eileen for continuing the MAAA relationship. The Association’s condolences are extended to all the Member’s loved ones.

New Members

The Association is pleased to announce and welcome the following people who have joined us since the last Bulletin was published:

Callanan, Wayne, of Airport West, Victoria (also a Friend of the RAAF Museum) Homewood, Bruce, of Faulconbridge, New South Wales Jones, Walter, of Millthorpe, New South Wales Macquet, Jean-Pierre Richard, of Ormond, Victoria McAuley, John Thexter, of Darwin, Northern Territory Morgan, Barry & Alwyn, of Kurrajong Hills, New South Wales Vassie, Eileen, of Caringbah, New South Wales Wells, Darryl, of Werribee, Victoria (also a Friend of the RAAF Museum)

Welcome to you all, we hope you have a long, enjoyable association and take an active interest in Mosquitos and in particular the restoration of A52-600.

Military wisdom

 "Cluster bombing from B-52s is very, very accu-  "Mankind has a perfect record in aviation; we never rate. The bombs are guaranteed to always hit the left one up there!" ground."  "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in  "If the enemy is in range, so are you." peacetime."  "It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the  "You know that your landing gear is up and locked area you just bombed." when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal.”  "Tracers work both ways."  "A slipping gear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would  "If your attack is going too well, you're walking into make you quite unpopular in what's left of your an ambush." unit."  "Any ship can be a minesweeper ... once."  "Blue water Navy truism: There are more planes in  "If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, the ocean than submarines in the sky." it's probably a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe."  ”Airspeed, altitude and brains. You need more than  "When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane two of them to successfully complete the flight." you always have enough power left to get you to the  "Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a scene of the crash." flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."

Leonardo da Vinci invented scissors.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 13

RAAF Museum News

KALKARA ACQUISITION The Soviet Union attempted to Ten Dakota transport crews The RAAF Museum was suc- gain control of all Berlin in from Nos 36 and 38 Squad- cessful in its bid for a Kalka- June 1948 by strategically re- rons sent to on 21 ra (aerial target vehicle) and stricting all road and rail August 1948 to join other arrangements are being made transport destined for the Commonwealth airmen for to relocate the vehicle and its Western zones from passing training and deployment by parts from their current loca- through its territory. This the Royal Air Force. tion at JBRF (Nowra) to Point threatened crucial supplies to Cook. The disassembled items the military and for the civilian and major components include rehabilitation underway in the Call for photographs, ob- the tows, tow launchers, wing- British, American and French jects and memorabilia relat- tip burners, launch stands and zones. ing to the Berlin Airlift 1948- 1949 expired RATO booster motors. The Kalkara will arrive at the Museum on 30 April and will The only option, other than The Museum would like to be reassembled when it is re- relinquishing control to the So- know of any RAAF members quired for display. The RAAF viets, was to utilise three air or personal effects relating to was the highest user for the corridors to fly in supplies for the Berlin Airlift in support of Kalkara which is why the Mu- the western troops and over 2 the Museum’s next Special seum has acquired one. million German civilians. This Exhibition. This may include triggered a commitment to the recollections, photographs, longest and largest airlift in uniform, equipment, newspa- NEXT SPECIAL EXHIBITION history - the Berlin Airlift. per clippings or memorabilia from the RAAF or personal experience from the time. The upcoming RAAF Museum A number of Australian air- Special Exhibition will be on crew participated in this mo- the Berlin Airlift 1948-1949. mentous operation and they Please contact Allison Bartlett, The exhibition is due to open include: Curator at the Museum on in mid July this year. Two RAAF crews already in (03) 9256 1007 or email alli- England serving with South [email protected] Following the fall of Berlin to Africans, New Zealanders, Allied forces in 1945, the city Canadians and Americans on was carved up between the exchange duty with No 24 victors into four zones for rep- (Commonwealth) Squadron of aration and administration. the Royal Air Force.

Patron: Air Vice-Marshal J.C. (Sam) Jordan AO (RAAF-Retired) President: Alan Middleton OAM +61 3 9523 9774 [email protected] Vice President: Terry Burke +61 3 9598 0116 [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Stevens +61 3 9800 4364 [email protected] Bulletin: Terry Burke +61 3 9598 0116 [email protected] Bob Stevens +61 3 9800 4364 [email protected] Association Archivist: David Devenish +61 3 9885 5373 [email protected] Web Master: Don Taylor +61 3 9733 4608 [email protected]

MAAA Mailing Address: 32 Clarke Crescent, WANTIRNA SOUTH, Victoria, Australia 3152

Articles in this Bulletin have been faithfully reproduced and credit has been given to the reference source where known. If any details are misrepresented or incorrect, please contact the Editor who will makes amends in following publications. All previous Bulletins are available from the MAAA web site.

Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries.

THE AUSSIE MOSSIE / APRIL 2008 / 14