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Caloundra Air Museum holds open cockpit day |
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Written by Les Fawkes
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Monday, 07 July 2008 |
Since the early development of
powered flight in Australia in 1910, air services developed passenger
and cargo transport, airmail, medical, and search and rescue
services. The development of military aviation from 1912 and the
engagement of the Australian Flying Corps in the First World War
contributed greatly to pilot training and investment in aircraft and
hangers. Since the first air trial between England and Australia in
1919, international aviation has also played an important part in
Australian aviation history.
The formation of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) in 1912 paved the way for use of aircraft for military
| A Biplane exhit at the QAM display, Caloundra
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purposes but it was not until the 1920's that Australia really embraced airplanes. It was the offering of a Ten Thousand pound prize offered by the Australian Government for the first Australians to fly from England to Australia in 30 days. Ross Smith and Keith Smith won that prize in December 1919 when they touched down in Darwin in their Vickers Vimy. Both had flown in the First World War, Ross extensively in the Middle East campaign. This opened the way for the growth of aviation in Australia.
The Queensland Air Museum now situated at the Caloundra Airport is now playing an important part in documenting Australia's aviation history. It now holds exhibits of some 40 aircraft plus hundreds of smaller exhibits. From a very difficult start in 1973 the Queensland Air Museum had a nomadic existence for a number of years until it received an invitation from the then Landsborough Shire Council to locate to the Caloundra Airport in 1986. From a very basic start the Queensland Air Museum has now amassed a very comprehensive list of exhibits that outlines the aviation history of Australia.
| | R.F.D.S. - Drover aircraft VH-FDR named "John Flynn". |
One such exhibit is a De Havilland Drover aircraft. The Drover aircraft was designed and built in the late 1940's by De Havilland at Bankstown, NSW. Only 20 of this type were built with the first having its maiden flight in 1948. Whilst Qantas and TAA used these aircraft as passenger and cargo aircraft their most renowned role was with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, serving as an air ambulance well into the 1960's. The Drover aircraft on display is VH-FDR named "John Flynn". This aircraft was operated by T.A.A. out of Cloncurry in the 1950's on behalf of the Royal Flying Doctor Service carrying out both routine and life saving operations in Central Australia. This aircraft was named after Dr John Flynn who was the founder of the Inland Flying Doctor.
Another comprehensive exhibit outlines the aviation heroics of Donald Bennett. Until his death in 1986 he was patron of the Queensland Air Museum.
He was born in Toowoomba on the 14th September, 1910 and was the son of a sheep farmer. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1930 and the following year he was transferred to the Royal Air Force and remained there until 1935.
He was an outstanding aviation pioneer, pilot, navigator, wireless operator and engineer. In 1935 Bennett joined Imperial Airways where he achieved several much published flying exploits.
He rejoined the RAF in 1941. Bennett became commander of 10 Squadron in April 1942 and he took part in
| Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett
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the raid on the Tirpitz. He was shot down but he evaded capture and eventually arrived home via Sweden.
Promoted to the rank of wing commander he was appointed as commander of 77 Squadron in December 1941. In July 1942 Arthur Harris, head of Bomber Command, appointed Bennett as commander of the Pathfinder Force. Bennett eventually promoted to the rank of vice-marshal in 1943,was a great success in this post from 1942 to 1945. Don was the youngest officer promoted to Air Vice Marshal. His awards include Commander of the British Empire, CBE, and Distinguished Service Order, DSO.
On July 4th and 5th the public had access to an "open cockpit" inspection of exhibits in the museum along with a display by the Navy's Squirrel Helicopters.
People turned out in droves in spite of the very wet weather to wander back in into the aviation history of Australia.
The museum has a very comprehensive range of exhibits from World War 11. It was during this period that the development of aircraft occurred at an astonishing rate that ensured development of aircraft and the aviation industry as we know it today.
The aviation industry has been a prime driver in the development of Australia and the Australian way of life.
| Navy Squirrel Helicopter on display
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It has been decided by the Caloundra City Council and the Queensland Government that Caloundra Airport will be closed when current leases expire in 2014. It is intended that airport tenants will relocate to a replacement airport to be constructed on a remote location which is yet to be determined. This closure has been pushed by developers so that more commercial development can take place in close proximinity to the Caloundra business centre on the land presently occupied by the airport.
Included in this closure of the Caloundra Airport it has been suggested that the Queensland Air Museum also be closed to free up the 2 hectares of land occupied by them.
The Queensland Air Museum plays an important part in encouraging tourists to travel to the Sunshine Coast. So it is imperative that the Museum be located in a prominent position which is visible and accessible to tourists.
Management of the Q.A.M. wish to remain on its present site after the airport closes.
Whilst QAM has received unofficial indications that special provisions will be made for the Museum, there has been no official undertaking. What those provisions are have not been outlined to the Q.A.M. administration.
On the 27th September 2005 questions about this matter were referred to then Caloundra city Councillor, Mr. Dick Newman but he refused to reply to those questions. This has led to speculation that QAM might have to close.
With the amalgamation of the Caloundra City Council into the greater Sunshine Coast Regional Council this matter is not presently on their list of priority in respect to making a decision about the future of the Q.A.M.
It is hoped that common sense and decency would prevail and that QAM would be permitted to remain and flourish on its existing site.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 July 2008 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
