HARS members Brian Kelley and Bill Andronicos couldnt resist the temptation, each taking part in an exciting adventure flight in the CAC Mustang.

The Mustang Flights team will be returning to Albion Park on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th March 2010, so if you’re interested in being part of history, come on down and talk to the Mustang Flights team about taking an adventure flight.  CALL 0415 577 724 to make a booking.

Thank you again Mustang Flights.  Images courtesy of: http://www.aviationadvertiser.com.au

Thank you to the RAAF for entrusting us with this magnificent flying machine, we look forward to seeing the RAAF and the FA/18 back at HARS soon.

HARS is deeply honoured that it has been chosen by the Museum of Victoria to be the custodian of this historical treasure.  On a nationwide basis, HARS is recognised by government, military and private individuals as an organisation that can care for these treasures in an appropriate environment.

The aircraft is steeped in history with an interesting, and at times, exciting wartime background that was followed by a civilian life that included a substantial period of service as a BHP corporate aircraft.

Research is currently being conducted into the history of this special aircraft with updates to be followed soon.

HARS would like to extend a special thank you to its Transport Manager, Mr Alan Lever, who organised the specialised transport and logistics for the recovery of this aircraft from Nowra.

Connie is now the only flying Super Constellation in the world, a credit to the many dedicated HARS members who contribute to her maintenance and upkeep. With Wings Over Illawarra now just one week away (28th February) HARS members are now hard at work, cleaning and polishing.

Congratulations to the HARS Engineering and Flight Crews on her return to flight – well done!

Gates open at 9:30am, Sunday 28th February 2010.  Admission is $15 per adult,$5 per child, $10 concession and $40 per family.  Parking is available inside the airport grounds at $5 per car.  Proceeds will support the Illawarra Schools for Autistic Children.

Experience Yesteryear   Step back in time and immerse yourself in the life of Australia’s aviation history. You will have the opportunity to view some of the most amazing historic aircraft and hear the incredible stories of their restoration.

Sit in the world famous ‘Connie’ Lockheed Super Constellation. The airliner of the 1950s that conquered the world.  Get up close and personal with two Neptune bombers.

Have your photo taken with ‘Felix’ who proudly represents the ‘Black Cat’ Catalina Squadron of the RAAF.   Venture aboard the flying troop carriers of World War 2, the C47 Dakota.

HARS invites you to come aboard ‘Connie’ and the C47 Dakota. Also view our extensive historic fleet aircraft and enjoy a fun filled, educational day for all.

Open to the public 9.30am to 3.30pm seven days a week except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Tour costs are:
$15 per adult
$12 for seniors
$5 per child
and $25 per family of 4

Ffor more information contact Glenn Owens on 0402 339 864.

For tour bookings it is essential to phone John Martin on 0422 278 502 or email j_smartin@optusnet.com.au.

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc (HARS) is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of Australian aviation history.

HARS – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc
Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park Rail NSW, 2527 Ph: 02 4257 4333
www.hars.org.au | info@hars.org.au

Christmas Holiday Opening & Closing Times

Thursday 24th December – Christmas Eve – CLOSED

Friday 25th December – Christmas Day – CLOSED

Saturday 26th December – Boxing Day – CLOSED

Sunday 27th December – CLOSED

Thursday 31st December – New Years Eve – CLOSED

Friday 1st January 2010 – New Years Day – CLOSED

Following an exhaustive one and a half year interstate restoration effort, the HARS C54 is now ready for its flight to its new home at Illawarra Regional Airport, one hour south of Sydney.

HARS members have invested over 5,000 volunteer man hours and their own personal resources, to travel to Archerfield to prepare this aircraft for its first flight since 2001. The restoration has spanned the globe, from the HARS main base in Albion Park (NSW) to the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, where the team sourced and recovered an essential replacement outer wing.

The overhaul of equipment and instrumentation was performed locally by both HARS members and Australian aviation businesses.

The C54 (DC4) flight crew will travel to Archerfield next Monday (21st December 2009) on board the HARS C47 (DC3).  Both aircraft are expected to arrive back to the HARS Albion Park (NSW) base at 15:10 local and in doing so will create a unique moment with both the DC4 and DC3 in the air together – something not seen in Australia since the 1950’s.

The recovery/restoration project has enjoyed great support and assistance by many commercial businesses, including the Archerfield Airport Corporation.  HARS and the restoration team wish to thank all our sponsors for their continued support and we look forward to having this aircraft as part of our historical flying museum.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FLIGHT TIMES

Visitors are welcome to attend both the departure and arrival, however, it is advised that due to weather and other unforeseen operational circumstances, the aircraft may not arrive at the scheduled time.

The return flight is subject to suitable weather conditions and operational safety concerns.

Please feel free to contact the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society receiption, should you wish to confirm the aircraft’s arrival on (02) 4257 4333.

Flight Itinerary

Departing Archerfield (Brisbane) 13:00 (Brisbane Local Time)

Arriving (Albion Park YWOL) 17:00 (Sydney Local Time)

Media Contacts

Brisbane Media – Mr Mike De La Hunty – Mobile: 0418 473 175

Sydney/Illawarra Media – Mr Benjamin Morgan – Mobile: 0415 577 724

HARS members Clive Gibbons, Don Binskin, Roy Finney, Ron McConville, Leon Smith, John Brownjohn, Henry Knight and Frank Purvis all worked hard to change the carby on engine No3, whilst also uploading more more fuel and chasing down the last of the electrical glitches.

Leon Jolly from SafeAir was also on hand to carry out the required prop AD’s and to replace the leaking prop seals on No’s 2 and 3. Leon set up his workshop in ATAE’s hangar and showed us how a prop overhaul is done.  Leon is a professional and soon had HARS member John Brownjohn and Mick O’Grady working well under his guidance.

Frank Bowden helped source the much needed lifting crane at minimal cost through the company that his son works for.   The crane company representative Peter Mc Carthy was excellent and took great interest in what we do.

With a prop feather pump, accelerator pump, distributor valve, vhf radio repair remaining, the HARS restoration team are just about ready to hand over to the flight crew for the return flight to Albion Park, NSW.

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plane!  We ended the day with showers which have descended into rain.  Likewise tomorrow with more rain expected on thursday.   All engines on our a/c are ready to come off, but #4 will probably be the last.

A special thanks to the Cordoba Aeropuerto maintenance/cropdusting facility who are being exemplary in their assistance to the HARS team.  Liaison with the Swiss goes from strength to strenghth.  Francesco arrives Friday and one of their sponsors Thursday.  We’re VERY happy with what we’ve achieved.

We are off to LON tomorrow starting with the train after brekky!

Great work guys!