For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.
However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.
Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world. While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.
So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.
Wednesday 6 January 2021
HARS - ALBION PARK
G'day thrillseekers, it seems we have entered a whole new year since I last made a blog entry.
While I suspect most of us are wrapped to put 2020 behind us, initial indications are not showing much hope that 2021 will be a huge improvement. At least when it comes to travel to those locations I like too frequent.
That being said, I wish all my readers, friends, and twisted haters, a great year ahead and hope we all come out of this one far better.
Now that all that guff is out of the way, we can move on to my first entry of the year.
From the start, I think it is best I come clean, and admit that I know near nothing about non-commercial aviation. To be honest, what I know of commercial aviation would not fill a single page 'Golden Book'.
However, that did not stop my better half fulfilling a long held desire to visit the 'Historical Aircraft Restoration Society' in Albion Park. This is an outstanding museum and, if you haven't already, do yourself the favour of going.
Now please bear with me as I fumble my way through the captions.
VH-LRR - 147566 - Operational Originally purchased by the 'French Marine Escadrille' in 1959. She came to HARS in 1989 after being found in Tahiti and made operational for the trip to it's new home.
Grumman S-2G Tracker 851 (Restoration To Operation)
Built in 1966 for the USA Navy and used in the Vietnam War. First came to Australia in 1977 to replace one of nine Trackers that had been destroyed in a fire here.
1990: Sold to QANTAS as an apprentice training aid.
2006: Acquired by HARS.
Auster J5G Autocar - Operational British built and first flown in 1949.
1955: Delivered to the USAF as a militarised version of the type.
It went through a number of different military owners in the US before being placed in storage during 1977.
1991: The craft was placed in the care of HARS for restoration and delivery to Australia. 1994: Took her first flight in nearly 18 years.
1996: Took a 39.5 hour, incident free, flight to Sydney.
She is believed to be one of only two operational examples in the world, the other being in Switzerland, and here incredible full story can be found HERE.
Hard working volunteer Dave Pallas.
De Havilland DHA-3 Drover - VH-DHM - Operational
Built in 1951.
1981: Purchased back by Hawker De Havilland for an apprentice restoration project.
1986: Flew again following restoration.
2000: Placed in the operational care of HARS.
LET L-200A Morava - VH-EMV - Operational
The type was first flown in 1957.
This example was first registered in Czechoslovakia, where they were designed in 1955, being imported here in 1960.
In Australia she had a few operators, including ANSETT-ANA, which is the livery it is seen wearing here.
She came to HARS in 2008.
Above: A video walk through VH-OJA.
Boeing 747-438 - VH-OJA - Static Display
I wont lie, the five photos above show the primary reason for my stopping in at the museum on this day. Like so many others, I have a real love of these old birds, and their 'then' pending demise had me quite busy during the year.
Sadly, that demise has since become reality.
ABOVE: Video of VH-OEJ as she prepares to enter the history books as the last QANTAS 747 to depart Sydney.
ABOVE: Another video, this time showing VH-OEE, the second last QANTAS 747, as she taxis and takes off. Bonus Cathay Pacific 747-8.
VH-TAA - Convair 440 - Operational
This plane has a very long history that I am not planning to go into here. However, for the whole fascinating story, check out HERE.
Most interesting is it's final owner 'Rovos Air', a subsidiary of 'Rovos Rail' in South Africa, who now own a number of former Australian locomotives.
A3-42 Mirage - Static Display
Delivered in 1966 and retired in 1987.
It would go to Wagga Wagga as an apprentice training aid, until acquired by HARS in 2015.
The aircraft is apparently operational, but plans are to restore it to a taxi able condition.
A very enjoyable visit with our knowledgeable guide Bill Lane (on left). HARS volunteer Dave Pallas is also quite famous in model choo choo circles.
Thanks guys for such a terrific visit.
I cannot recommend a visit to HARS strongly enough. Lovely people, professionally run, extremely impressive collection.
Their opening hours over the festive season are:
From Saturday 19th December, and concluding on Australia Day (26th January), HARS will be open from 9:30am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day.
Please note that the last tour will depart no later than 3:30pm. After these dates, check their website for details.
Their website also has a massive amount of information on the planes above, along with the many other pieces in the collection that I have not covered.
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