travel Archives - Page 25 of 47 - Destination's Journey

25 May 20226 June 2022

Hunter Warbirds Aviation Museum

Hunter Warbirds Aviation Museum

Located in the Upper Hunter town of Scone, and opened in March 2022, Hunter Warbirds is Australia’s newest aviation museum. Designed to house aircraft and display them to visitors in the best possible way it’s a modern state of the art museum. By car Hunter Warbirds is 300km north of Sydney and 150km northwest of Newcastle. With a spacious onsite car park, parking is a breeze.

Many of the aircraft belonged to Col Pay, with the museum being a celebration of his love for aviation. The Pay family continued his interest along with his aviation business and desire for a museum at Scone.

A video running in a side room details Col’s passion for aviation and collecting warbirds.

Hunter Warbirds and Scone Memorial Airport Building

The Display Hall

The centrepiece of the museum, the display hall houses the collection with space to spare. Hopefully this means that the collection will grow over time. Displayed around the hall, posters illustrate the history of Aviation in Australia. All aircraft have information boards detailing their individual histories.

One of the outstanding things about the displays is that most are still airworthy. This is amazing because most museum aircraft no longer fly. Even the Bristol F2.B replica can fly. We were told that ten of the thirteen aircraft there could fly, with only the Mirage, MiG and Macchi being grounded.

Bristol F2B Fighter

This replica Bristol F.2B Fighter represents B1229 flown by the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) during World War One. Flown at one stage by Captain Ross Smith who scored 11 of his 12 enemy victories in this aircraft in the Middle East between September 1917 and October 1918. He served in No1 Squadron AFC and whilst in Middle East flew as Lawrence of Arabia’s pilot on several occasions in the Bristol F.2B.

Click here for more pictures of the Bristol F.2B.

Bristol F2B Fighter Hunter Warbirds — Bristol F2B Fighter

de Havilland Tiger Moth

First flying in 1931, the de Havilland Tiger Moth became the most widely used military and civilian primary trainer of all time.

Bought by Col Pay in 1959, this Tiger Moth previously served with the RAAF. It became his first crop duster. Following a restoration in 2008 it is now airworthy again.

Click here for more pictures of the Tiger Moth.

Boeing Stearman Model 75

Widely used throughout World War Two as a basic trainer, the Boeing Stearman Model 75 taught many Allied pilots how to fly. Painted in blue and yellow to depict a US Navy N2S-3 but originally built as a PT-17 it looks amazing.

Click here for more photos of the Stearman.

Boeing Stearman Hunter Warbirds — Boeing Stearman

CAC CA-3 Wirraway

Produced in Australia from 1939 to 1946, 755 Wirraways served in the RAAF. Although designed as training aircraft, they were also used for army co-operation and in the desperate early years of the Second World War as fighters.

This particular Wirraway was built as A20-81, but is painted as A20-176 which was used by No. 4 Squadron RAAF on army co-operation duties in New Guinea during 1942-43. Owned by Paul Bennet Airshows A20-176 is a regular at Australian air shows.

Click here for more Wirraway photos.

CAC Wirraway Hunter Warbirds — CAC Wirraway

CA-25 Winjeel

The CAC CA-25 Winjeel (meaning young eagle) was designed and built in Australia as a basic trainer for Royal Australian Air Force pilots. Operated from 1957 until 1975 as trainers, a small number continued in use as Forward Air Control aircraft until 1995.

Winjeel A85-426 continued in RAAF service until 1995 as a Forward Air Control aircraft at Williamtown. Purchased by Ross Pay in 2000 for Hunter Warbirds, it is marked in FAC camouflage.

Click here for more Winjeel photos.

North American T-6G Harvard

Built in 1941, this North American Harvard saw US service until the early 1960s. It was acquired by Col Pay in 1984 and is painted as a US Navy SNJ.

Click here for more Harvard photos.

North American T-6G Harvard Hunter Warbirds — North American T-6G Harvard

Aermacchi MB-326

Aermacchi MB-326 ex RAAF A7-047 was a training aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force from 1968 to 2000 In 1989, they were replaced by the Pilatus PC-9 as a basic trainer. and in 2000 the BAE Hawk replaced them as lead in fighter trainers.

A7-047 is painted in the scheme worn while serving at Williamtown Air Base near Newcastle.

Click here more Aermacchi MB-326 photos.

Aermacchi MB-326 A7-047 Hunter Warbirds — Aermacchi MB-326 A7-047

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX

Manufactured in 1943, this Supermarine Spitfire flew operationally with No. 331 Squadron (Norwegian) and No. 274 Squadron RAF over Northern Europe. Purchased by the South African Air Force in 1948, and later sold to US interests Pay’s Aerial Services acquired it in 2008. It has since been restored to flying condition.

Click here for more Spitfire photos.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603 Hunter Warbirds — Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603

CAC Mustang

The Mustang at Hunter Warbirds is a CAC CA-18 Mk 21 built in 1947. Operated by the Royal Australian Air Force with serial A68-107. The CA-18 was a licence-built version of the North American Mustang. Purchased by Col Pay in 1980 it has been based in Scone since then.

Click here for more P-51 Mustang.

CAC Mustang Hunter Warbirds — CAC Mustang

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk VH-KTY belongs to Vintage Fighter Restorations based at Scone NSW.

Originally operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1942 to 1945 Col Pay acquired it in 1994 in a derelict state. Fully restored to flying condition it is a favourite at Australian air shows.

Finished in the colour scheme of a 3 Squadron RAAF P-40E serial ET953 Sqn code CV-V, it has dark brown, stone and azure blue camouflage. Flown by Squadron Leader Robert Gibbes, the Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, North Africa it has some interesting nose art.

Click here for more photos of P-40s.

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk Hunter Warbirds — Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk

Dassault Mirage IIIO(F) A3-44

Delivered on 22nd September 1966 Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-44 was one of 116 RAAF Mirages. Based at Williamtown and used by 76 and 77 Squadrons Royal Australian Air Force A3-44 retired in 1987.

Click here for more Mirage III photos.

Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

Used as a spotter aircraft during the Vietnam war the Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog is a military version of the Cessna 170. This particular aircraft was flown by the South Vietnamese Air Force.

Click here for more Bird Dog photos.

Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog Hunter Warbirds — Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F

Produced in Poland by the WSK-Mielec factory the Lim-5P is a license-built version of the MiG-17F. Produced in the mid-1950s.

Imported into Australia in 1998 and repainted as Polish Air Force “402″ it is in excellent condition, complete with its cockpit fit out and 2 X ground attack UB-16-57 multiple rocket pods.

Previously located at Caboolture Qld, and generously donated by Jack McDonald to Hunter Fighter Collection Inc the MiG-17F is on static display.

Click here for more MiG-17 photos.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F Hunter Warbirds — Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F

What Did We Think of Hunter Warbirds?

We though this was an amazing museum, full of the living history of airworthy planes. The museum is big, clean and spacious with great amenities and great staff service. We feel its well worth the visit and we will go back as the collection grows.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

24 May 202224 May 2022

Alison Homestead Wyong Australia

Alison Homestead Wyong Australia

Set on one of the original land grants in the area, dating from 1825, the Alison Homestead is the home of the Wyong District Museum & Historical Society. Although the original homestead was the subject of an arson attack in 2011, the rebuilt building has many great items generously donated by the local community. The other buildings on the property were not damaged in the fire.

How to get There

Located near the old Wyong Milk Factory on Cape Road, Alison Homestead is easily accessible from the M1 Pacific Motorway. Driving from Sydney it’s just over an hour north of the city or around the same time south of Newcastle. Parking is plentiful at the back of the homestead.

Driving in check out the Ned Kelly letterbox and the phone box with a Superman inside.

Alison Homestead Wyong — Entrance to the homestead

Refreshments

A small café is also where you pay a small entry fee, so we had a coffee and scones and watched the sheep in the field out the front. Also near the café is a sapling of the Lone Pine from Gallipoli, in commemoration of Australian service personnel.

Lone Pine Memorial Alison Homestead Wyong — Lone Pine Memorial

Displays

In the Homestead and other buildings onsite, there are displays of memorabilia, photos, furniture, toys and other household items, equipment, machinery and tools all relating to the early settling of Wyong and surrounds. There is an old slab hut which was part of Yarramalong Public School with displays of furniture, equipment, books, maps and memorabilia relating to the history of early school days in the area.

As the museum is quite new, the displays are well laid out and easy to understand. Some local museums seem to have items cluttered together, making them difficult to see.

Vintage travelling suitcase Alison Homestead Wyong — Display Room

Buildings

The schoolhouse is setup as if a lesson is about to begin, taking you back to the early 1900s. Nearby, the slab hut shows how early settlers lived in the area. Some of these huts were still occupied in the 1920s.

School Room Alison Homestead Wyong — Old Slab Hut

Scale Models and Miniatures

Something we were not expecting to see was a collection of model ships and miniature buildings.

The ships range from Nelson’s HMS Victory to the World War One SMS Emden and HMAS Sydney. Emden and Sydney fought a duel in the war, with Sydney victorious. These are great models and worth checking out the room they are in because a great deal of effort has gone into them.

The miniature buildings show the homestead and buildings from other properties in the area. Again, a lot of effort and detail has gone into them.

SMS Emden German Light Cruiser — SMS Emden

HMAS Sydney Light Cruiser Alison Homestead Wyong — SMS Emden

Miniature Farm Alison Homestead Wyong — Miniature Farm

What Did We Think of Alison Homestead?

A great little museum with some unexpected displays. Really worth the visit and wander around.

19 May 202217 May 2022

Quirindi New South Wales

Artwork on the railway bridge over Jacob and Joseph Creek Quirindi

Quirindi New South Wales

Located in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Quirindi is a small rural town dependant on the surrounding agriculture. We stopped here on our way home from Gunnedah, 83 km to the north so that we could see some of the interesting attractions in the town.

Parking at the railway station on George Street we walked around the centre of the town, which has some nice old buildings and a beautiful clock tower/war memorial. Next to where we parked, an agricultural supplier has decorated their building in street art, making it look amazing.

Stock Brands of the Liverpool Plains

One of the more unusual attractions are the pavers along George Street. Detailing the stock brands of 30 original cattle runs on the Liverpool Plains are a unique and fascinating attraction.

Joseph and Jacob Creek Railway Bridge

Our final stop was the railway bridge over Joseph and Jacob Creek because of its painted supports. A small walking track leads down from the main street to the bridge, where we could walk up to the bridge because of the low water level. Decorated in Aboriginal and rural themes they are very well done making them worth the small detour to see.

What Did We Think?

Quirindi was a great little town with some unique attractions like the Livestock Brands and decorated bridge. Unfortunately we visited late in the day as other attractions such as the museum and Bob’s Shed were closed. Even so we had a good time and enjoyed visiting.