Aircraft to bring wow factor to museum

A World War II-era plane will soon hang from the roof of the Trafalgar Holden Museum.

The museum has received a $30,000 grant to restore and display the Wackett trainer plane, the first Australian-designed aircraft to see major service in the Royal Australian Air Force.

The display also will tell the story of Sergeant Leonard Victor “Len” Waters, the only Aboriginal Australian fighter pilot during World War II.

Trafalgar Holden Museum president Neil Joiner said “we’re hoping to hang it from the roof ”.

“Everybody will be able to walk in underneath and it will add that real wow factor,” Mr Joiner said.

He said “we’re thrilled to bits” to secure the grant as part of the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program. The state government program is providing more than $1.4 million funding for 55 projects offering practical support for the veteran community as well as commemorating their contributions.

The plane, named after designer Lawrence

Wackett, was the first Australian-designed aircraft to see major service in the Royal Australian Air Force.

While the metal fuselage frames and fittings of the plane were built at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation factory, the wooden main planes were sub-contracted to General Motors-Holden at their factory in Fishermans Bend.

The plane didn’t actually fire in battle, instead it was designed to assist in training pilots and improve their flight skills before moving on to more complex aircraft.

“It’s a fascinating piece of history,” Mr Joiner said of the plane utilising a Holden engine. “Nobody knows what companies did along the way for the war effort.”

“(It) just sort of shows the length and breadth of Australian ingenuity, infrastructure and engineering.”

Currently being restored by Moorabbin Air Museum, they hope to unveil the aircraft in the next six months.

The museum is also proud to incorporate the story of Sergeant Waters into the display.

Having read his memoir, Mr Joiner said his story was fascinating.