| Pilot's
Log |
26
Nov
|
Arrived
at Parafield Airport SA at approx 9.30am. Went to Light Aircraft
Services hangar where the Wirraway was housed. Inspected the
aircraft, met the (about to be) former owners Peter and Catharine
Smythe, their accountant Paul and the Wirraway's usual pilot
David Forsyth (instructor and owner of Forsyth Aviation).
Handed over bank cheque to Peter. Did some further preparation
to aircraft. Spoke with David regarding local procedures at
Parafield Airport and adjacent training area. Accepted lunch
invitation from Peter and Catharine. In afternoon final preparations
to aircraft, fitted GPS mounting with velcro, had aircraft
refuelled. Strapped in and started the engine at 4.00pm. Taxied
and took off at 4.15pm. Departed to the western training area.
Checked controllability, cycled undercarriage, stability of
engine temps and pressures, checked GPS operation etc. Returned
to Parafield and landed at 5.15pm. All fine with the aircraft.
Pushed WIR back into hangar. |
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26
Nov
1024
|
Peter
and Catharine Smythe with David Forsyth on the left. |
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26
Nov
1514
|
At
Parafield just before the test flight. |
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26
Nov
1549
|
"Pushed
out on the tarmac awaiting refuelling at Parafield. Could
be QLD with CBs and palm trees in background. Temp on the
ground is 33 deg."
Cheers Matt |
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26
Nov
1700
|
This
image speaks for itself. |
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26
Nov
1703
|
"Here
is an interesting effect of the propeller using my mobile
phone camera looking forward over the engine cowl in flight.
Am safely back on the ground now. The Wirraway is tucked away
in its hangar ready to start its journey to QLD tomorrow."
Cheers Matt |
|
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26
Nov
1705
|
This
image speaks for itself. |
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|
| Pilot's
Log |
27
Nov
|
Morning
dawned to low cloud and showers. Drove to Parafield arriving
at 9.15am. Showed Simone's family over the aircraft, took
photos, loaded bags etc waiting for weather to lift. Was good
by 11.15am. Strapped in, warmed the engine and departed Parafield
at 11.45am. Cloud increasing over the Adelaide Hills but then
improving for most of the sector to Mildura. Many showers
and low cloud in Mildura region but landed at Mildura Airport
at 1.10pm. Checked weather on airport internet kiosk. Did
not improve for rest of afternoon so at 4.30pm elected to
tie aircraft down in parking area outside Mildura Aero Club
and organised accommodation in town at Best Western Motel.
Taxi ride to motel and dinner in motel restaurant. |
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|
27
Nov
1142
|
"Morning
showers have cleared away so we are about to depart Parafield
for Mildura." Cheers Matt |
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|
27
Nov
1151
|
Over
the Adelaide Hills on the day of departure. |
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27
Nov
1155
|
Almost
past the Adelaide Hills with some low cloud on the way. |
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27
Nov
1205
|
Overflying
the town of Swan Beach on the mighty Murray River. |
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27
Nov
1442
|
"We
will see what the weather does over the next hour before considering
our next leg to Temora." Cheers Matt |
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27
Nov
1445
|
"In
front of the historic hangar 201 at Mildura which housed lots
of Wirraways, Boomerangs and Kittyhawks during WWII with No.2
OTU (Operational Training Unit) ." Cheers Matt
|
|
|
27
Nov
1605
|
"The
Wirraway and Simone and I will be staying put in Mildura tonight
because of a large band of low cloud and showers on our track
towards Temora or any other destination to the north east.
Will see how the weather is looking in the morning."
Cheers Matt |
|
|
| Pilot's
Log |
28
Nov
|
Woke
to low cloud and slightly windy conditions but cloud layer
thin with blue sky above. Checked weather on motel computer
which showed some showers to the east on our intended track
to Temora but these were moving to the north east near Mildura.
Elected to try for Temora. Departed Mildura at 9.00am. Tracked
through some thin lines of rain. Smooth flying with minimal
turbulence. When 15 nautical miles south of Griffith and 73
miles to run to Temora the weather ahead was decidedly bad
with low and wide cloud band and heavy showers. Made a left
turn and tracked the 15 miles into Griffith in fairly clear
skies. Landed at Griffith at 10.40am. Rang through to Temora
and was told that cloud base there was down to a couple of
hundred feet with many showers in the area. Met up with Bob
Fraunfelder, president of the Griffith Aero Club whom I had
met in 1985 when I competed in the Australian National Aerobatic
championships held at Griffith that year. Bob had also helped
me acquire some aircraft parts in the region (mostly Beaufort)
many years ago. He allowed me the use of the club computer
which confirmed bad weather ahead and ending any chances of
getting through to QLD (or even to Temora for that matter)
that day. Booked airline tickets with REX to get from Griffith
to Sydney, then QANTAS for the flight through to Brisbane
that evening. The Wirraway was refuelled and arrangements
made through the club to secure the Wirraway at Griffith airport
in a locked hangar. Several club members helped to push the
aircraft inside. Battery isolation switch was activated and
the aircraft closed up. Simone and I then caught our flights
through to Brisbane .... from the windows of the REX Saab
I took in the very thick cloud cover underneath us all the
way to Sydney and beyond! |
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No
Image
|
28
Nov
0749
|
Sorry
folks but the weather has defeated us. The aircraft is still
on the ground at Mildura. Matt is hoping to get as far as
Temora today where he will park the aeroplane in the good
care of the Temora Aviation Museum. As Matt and Simone have
to return to work on Monday they will be flying back to Brisbane
today on something less exotic than a Wirraway. A revised
schedule and routing for the delivery flight will be published
as soon as possible. (Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
|
|
28
Nov
0853
|
Getting
very soggy near Hay, NSW. |
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28
Nov
0938
|
A
few miles from Griffith Airport and time to land and continue
the journey later. |
|
|
28
Nov
1004
|
The
wet weather didn't dampen Simone's joy with flying in the
Wirraway. |
|
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28
Nov
1105
|
"Well
we have landed at Griffith as we couldn't get any further
east or north at this time due to low cloud and showers. There
is hangarage available here at Griffith so she might have
to wait at least a week before flying over QLD soil."
Cheers Matt & Simone |
|
|
28
Nov
1224
|
The
Wirraway being pushed into the hangar at Griffith. |
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28
Nov
1227
|
The
Wirraway shares its Griffith hangar with a CT-4A Airtrainer. |
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28
Nov
1333
|
"The
Wirraway is now safely tucked away in a locked hangar at Griffith
NSW and will have to wait for a return of clearer skies before
the journey to Caloundra can continue." Cheers Matt
& Simone |
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|
|
No
Image
|
30
Nov
|
There
are tentative plans for the delivery flight to resume on the
weekend of 11/12 December. This is subject to all the usual
variables, particularly the weather. (Issued by QAM President,
Cliff Robinson) |
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No
Image
|
08
Dec
|
The
schedule for Griffith to Caloundra has been published. See
above. |
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|
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11
Dec
1047
|
"We
are about to depart Griffith in blue skies." Cheers,
Matt
From Griffith, Matt is joined by fellow warbird restorer John
Gallagher as co-pilot. |
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11
Dec
1305
|
"Have
landed at Narromine for fuel. Onto Moree for next stop."
Cheers, Matt |
|
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11
Dec
1401
|
"Just
passing the Warrumbungle Range near Coonabarabran NSW. Weather
ahead still looks clear. Moree is 110 nautical miles away
ETA in 45 minutes." Cheers, Matt |
|
No
Image
|
11
Dec
1550
|
Matt
is parking for the night at Moree, hoping that the weather
moves far enough east tonight to allow them to get through
tomorrow. (Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
|
|
11
Dec
1501
|
VH-WIR
will have some very distinguished company during the overnight
at Moree. Hawker Fury VH-SFW is based at Moree. |
|
|
11
Dec
1928
|
VH-WIR
shares the limelight with Hawker Fury VH-SFW at the Moree
Aero Club Christmas party. |
 Daylight
Saving Time Above - Queensland Time Below
 |
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No
Image
|
12
Dec
1046
|
The
Wirraway is on the ground in Toowoomba. Departure for Caloundra
to be advised. (Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
|
No
Image
|
12
Dec
1115
|
The
Wirraway is still on the ground in Toowoomba waiting for an
improvement in the weather on the coast. Expect another update
in one hour (1215). Tentative arrival at Caloundra could be
as late as 4.00pm (1600) but this is subject to many variables.
(Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
|
|
12
Dec
1530
|
The
Wirraway is still on the ground in Toowoomba. The weather
has not improved sufficiently for the aircraft to proceed
further with safety. Matt will attempt to get through Monday
morning weather permitting. No estimate of arrival time is
possible at this stage. (Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
|
|
|
No
Image
|
13
Dec
1045
|
The
Wirraway has arrived safely in Caloundra. The aircraft is
not yet available for viewing as it is currently being prepared
for display. When these preparations are complete and the
aircraft is placed on display a public announcement will be
made. (Issued by QAM President, Cliff Robinson) |
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|
No
Image
|
18
Dec
|
The
Wirraway was formally handed over in a ceremony at Caloundra.
Subsequently the aircraft departed for Caboolture for aerial
photography. The Wirraway returned to Caloundra after one
hour in the air to be hangared pending movement across Pathfinder
Drive to QAM. |
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|
No
Image
|
22
Dec
|
The
Wirraway was lifted by crane over the airport fence and carried
across Pathfinder Drive and lowered inside the QAM compound.
The aircraft was subsequently placed on display in Hangar
2. |
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|
VH-WIR
at Toowoomba on the day of departure for Caloundra.
(Image: Lenn Bayliss) |
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VH-WIR
near Watts Bridge photographed from Trevor Mills' RV-8 VH-YGY.
(Image: Trevor Mills and Grant Wahrlich) |
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VH-WIR
near Watts Bridge photographed from Trevor Mills' RV-8 VH-YGY.
(Image: Trevor Mills and Grant Wahrlich) |
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VH-WIR
near Watts Bridge photographed from Trevor Mills' RV-8 VH-YGY.
(Image: Trevor Mills and Grant Wahrlich) |
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|
VH-WIR
on approach to Caloundra photographed from Trevor Mills' RV-8
VH-YGY.
(Image: Trevor Mills and Grant Wahrlich) |
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|
As
the Wirraway approaches Caloundra the photographic chase aircraft
prepares to scramble.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
VH-WIR
overflys the field before landing at Caloundra.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
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|
VH-WIR
overflys the field before landing at Caloundra.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
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VH-WIR
overflys the field before landing at Caloundra.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
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|
VH-WIR
taxys at Caloundra with the Glass House Mountains in the background.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
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VH-WIR
taxys to its parking position at Caloundra.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
|
|
Matt
Denning in the cockpit of VH-WIR at Caloundra.
(Image: Mick Raftery) |
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|
VH-WIR
taxys to its parking position with the Museum in the background.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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VH-WIR
shuts down at Caloundra at the end of her long journey.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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QAM
President Cliff Robinson welcomes Matt and John to Caloundra.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
QAM
President Cliff Robinson and Treasurer Cameron Elmes welcome
Matt and John with a well-earned cold drink.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
John
Gallagher (left) and Matt Denning (right) at Caloundra soon
after arrival.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
The
Wirraway's call-sign is Whiskey India Romeo but it
has been suggested that this should be changed to something
more befitting the dreadful weather that prevailed for most
of the journey.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
"Did
you hear about the oil spill at Lake Cargelligo?"
As conclusive proof, John Gallagher points to the oil spill
on his map.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
VH-WIR
basks in the sunshine on the Sunshine Coast.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
John
Gallagher inspects another CAC product at QAM.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
Matt
Denning taxys the Wirraway for the news media on 18 December.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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Matt
Denning hands over the log books to QAM President Cliff Robinson.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
Matt
and Simone Denning describe the delivery flight to the assembled
guests.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
QAM
President Cliff Robinson thanks representatives of the Caloundra
Combined Ex-Servicewomen's Association and the Caloundra RSL
Sub Branch for their donations towards the cost of the delivery
flight.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
QAM
President Cliff Robinson with Heather Christie of the Caloundra
Combined Ex-Servicewomen's Association and Simone and Matt
Denning.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
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|
For
once the Weather Isn't Rotten.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
QAM
media man Tony Iozzi directs activities around the Wirraway
on 18 December.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
Although
the Wirraway was the first aeroplane flown in to QAM at Caloundra,
there was an earlier air delivery in 1975.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
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|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
air-to-air photo shoot over Caboolture and Caloundra on 18
December 2010.
(Image: QAM) |
|
|
The
Wirraway clears the airport fence in typically inclement conditions
on 22 December. (Image: Rick Wilkins) |
|
|
The
Wirraway enters the QAM car park on 22 December.
(Image: Rick Wilkins) |
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|
The
Wirraway enters the QAM compound on 22 December.
(Image: Rick Wilkins) |
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|
The
Wirraway on display in Hangar 2 on 15 January 2011.
(Image: Ron Cuskelly) |
