Nhill group bid for historic aircraft
Aunique and humble type of Australian-made aircraft that helped evict Japanese forces from Papua New Guinea in the Second World War is the subject of Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre’s latest project.
The centre, dedicated to preserving Nhill’s rich aviation history with a particular emphasis on providing insight into a Second World War RAAF base, is raising $300,000 to buy a rare Wirraway general-purpose training aircraft.
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation manufactured Wirraways in Australia between 1939 and 1946. It was the country’s first mass-produced aircraft.
While generally inappropriate for dog-fights with enemy aircraft, Wirraways provided air support for ground attacks against Japanese forces in New Guinea and were important training aircraft for the duration of the war and beyond.
With Avro Ansons, the aircraft played a key role in training pilots at Nhill RAAF base during the conflict.
Wirraway appeal co-ordinator John Deckert said Wirraways were extremely rare, but one that had been rebuilt from scratch over more than 18 years had become available ‘for a bargain price’ at Tyabb.
“The owner of the plane has been to Nhill for various fly-ins, taken a liking to the heritage centre and would like his plane to feature there,” he said.
“There was only 750 of them built and the owner wants the aircraft to stay in Australia where it will be looked after and cherished.”
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre volunteer engineers and enthusiasts are almost finished restoring an Avro Anson, which Mr Deckert estimated was now probably worth more than $1-million.
“The Wirraway was built as a fighter but they were all but obsolete by the time the war started,” Mr Deckert said. “Their main use apart from training was as air support for ground operations. They did quite a lot of that in New Guinea and the islands.
“Their main use was as a trainer plane and they were on most of the bases in Australia.
“There are only four flying in Australia, including the one we’re keen to buy, and probably no more than 15 known in the world.
“It won’t be flying if we can get it to Nhill. Similar to the Avro Anson, while it might be capable of flying, it will only get to taxi.”
Mr Deckert said the centre had already raised more than $140,000, including $10,000 from a Geoff Handbury donation, and hoped to have the balance by the end of the year.
“We have a crowd-funding appeal going and have been contacting businesses for support,” he said.
Mr Deckert said although based at Nhill, the former Second World War RAAF base was of historical significance to the Wimmera and western Victoria.
“The closest others were in Ballarat, Mt Gambier and Mildura. It is of his- torical significance for the region, not just Nhill,” he said.
As part of long-term plans, Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre members also hope to have a Tiger Moth biplane as well as an Avro Anson and Wirraway at their Nhill aerodrome headquarters.
The centre will have a Military Vehicle Rendezvous at Nhill in June as part of Wirraway fundraising activities.
People seeking more information can call Mr Deckert on 0437 351 753.