This article showcases the post-World War II era aircraft that attended the TAVAS Great War Flying Display 2018 airshow. On the weekend of 21st and 22nd of April 2019 The Australian Vintage Aviation Society (TAVAS) staged an airshow event, primarily to remember the day 100 years ago when the Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen was shot down and killed by allied troops. In part four of a six-part series of articles covering the airshow, I will showcase the supporting post-World War II aircraft that attended the show.
Series Articles
CAC CA-25 Winjeels VH-WIJ and VH-JSJ
The CAC CA-25 Winjeel (from the aboriginal word meaning “young eagle”) was designed from a 1948 RAAF requirement for for a basic trainer to replace the Tiger Moth. First flight for the side-by-side seating aircraft was in 1955, with initial delivery to RAAF of the 62 production units in 1957.
It was brought into service alongside the indigenous CAC CA-16 Wirraway trainer, which it also replaced. In use, the aircraft was found to be too stable in flight; a design change to the tailplane was required to destabilize the aircraft so that pilots could learn spins and recovery actions.
They continued as the RAAF basic flight training aircraft until replaced by another indigenous design, the PAC CT/4A Airtrainer. The Winjeel continued on in RAAF service though, performing the Forward Air Control (FAC) role with No.76SQN and 2OCU until 1995. A good number of ex-RAAF Winjeels are still flying in private hands around Australia. They have proven popular due to the three-seat configuration, aerobatic performance and relatively low cost to own an interesting military aircraft.
VH-NSJ was built and delivered to RAAF in 1955 as A85-404, serving with RAAF units 1AD, 1BFTS, 22SQN, 2AD and 34SQN. It was sold by RAAF in 1977, shipped to NZ for several years, before being purchased by current owner Stephen Bowtell and operating out of Aerotec Queensland Pty Ltd in Toowoomba, Queensland.
VH-WIJ was delivered to the RAAF in 1956 as A85-436. After service in the basic flight training role, it was later used in the Forward Air Control (FAC) role with No 2OCU and 76SQNs before being retired from RAAF service in 1970. It is currently operated by Aerotec Queensland Pty Ltd in Toowoomba, Queensland.
DHC-1 Chipmunks VH-BBK and VH-MMS
The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk first flew in 1946, and was designed to replace the de Havilland Tiger Moth as a basic flight trainer. Almost 1,300 were built in Canada, UK and Portugal and the type served with 14 air forces throughout the world. After disposal from the military, many saw civilian service with flying schools, as glider tugs, crop sprayers and as private transport. Many of the type are still flying throughout the world, testimony to a solid and relatively simple design.
VH-BBK was built in 1950 as Chipmunk T Mk.10 and served in RAF as WD287 in 1950. It also served from 1959 with the Malyasian Air Force as FM1022.
VH-MMS is a 1951 model, built as Chipmunk T Mk.10 was delivered to RAF as WG478.
Cessna O-1G Bird Dog VH-XVB "Little Puff"
The Cessna O-1 Bird Dog was designed for the liaison and observation aircraft, and was based on the popular Cessna 170. It was used in the Forward Air Control (FAC) role where with its excellent visibility, low speed and long loiter time it proved perfect for the role. A total of 469 Bird Dogs were lost in the Vietnam conflict, many from small arms fire due to their role in flying low, slow and over enemy positions. Over 3,400 of the type were built before production ended in 1959.
This Cessna O-1 was built in 1951 and served with USAF as 51-14661, seeing war service in Vietnam. It was imported from Vietnam to Australia with several others by Col Pay. A restoration was performed in the early 1990s, the paint scheme being reverted to that as used in the Vietnam War. Realistic-looking target-marking smoke rockets have been fitted on underwing racks. In the restoration the tail number was changed to represent USAF tail number 51-11976.
Beechcraft T-34A Mentor VH-XUS
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was the replacement for the North American T-6 Texan basic trainer and first flew in 1948. The design was based upon the Beechcraft Bonanza, with over 2,300 units produced betwen 1953-1959.
This T-34 Mentor was built 1952 and taken on strength with USAF as 52-7656. During USAF service it was used by Tinker and Wright Patterson AFB Aero Clubs. It is currently operated by Aerotrek Adventure Flights at Caboolture airfield.
PAC CT/4A Airtrainer VH-CTQ
The Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC) CT/4A Airtrainer was designed to meet an RAAF requirement for a replacement basic trainer for the CAC Winjeel. It was based on the Victa Aircruiser, an Australian design that was purchased by New Zealand company AESL (later to become PAC). The CT/4A first flew in 1972, with 75 units of this model being produced.
In RAAF service they were affectionately known as “plastic parrots”. RAAF decommissioned their fleet of CT/4A in 1990, with introductory pilot training being civilianized to BAe/Ansett Flying (later BAE Systems) in Tamworth, NSW. That contract ended in 2019 after 27 years, with BAE Systems placing their fleet of 36 CT/4s up for public sale.
Many examples of this aircraft are flying throughout Australia in civilian hands, for private pilots who want a lovely aerobatic-capable aircraft.
This beautifully-presented CT/4A registered as VH-CTQ rolled off the PAC production line in 1975, and saw RAAF service as A19-062. It is painted in the RAAF high-visibility yellow and green trainer scheme, an alternative to the orange and white scheme.
North American T-28B Trojan VH-RPX "Miss Stress"
The North American T-28 Trojan was the chosen replacement for the very successful North American T-6 Texan series of basic flight trainers. A total of 489 of the T-28B model were produced, primarily for the US Navy. This model did not have an arrestor hook, as the later T-28C would have fitted, so it could not be used for aircraft carrier landing training. It was fitted with a powerful 1,425 hp Wright 9-cylinder radial engine, and being a relatively large aircraft for a primary trainer must have held some real trepidation for rookie pilots. The type saw US Navy service from 1952 to 1984.
Trojan VH-RPX was sent for storage to Davis-Monthan AFB in 1983, before entering civilian ownership in 1984. It passed through several US-based owners before being moved to Australia in 2008. This lovely warbird (named as “Miss Stress”) is currently operated by Warplanes Pty Ltd of Caboolture, Queensland. They run adventure flights and perform charitable flyovers for commemorative ceremonies such as Anzac Day.
Other Information
Location
The TAVAS museum is located at Caboolture Aerodrome, around 50Km north of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For more information on their collection of World War 1 replica aircraft, visit the TAVAS museum website.
Image Galleries
If you’d like to view more of images on this topic, below are some links to my photography gallery website.
