HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as the lead ship of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955. Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. The second collision occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations. HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on 30 June 1982, having spent 62,036 hours underway and having steamed 868,893 nautical miles. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.The pictorial history of HMAS Melbourne with rare photos. Now a scarce title and highly desirable title that is now long out of print. Has provenance history of all ships movements from 1955 till decommissioned.HMAS Melbourne 25 YearsOn the front page is a picture of HMAS Melbourne with the words at top "H.M.A.S. Melbourne. At bottom are the words in orange, '25 Years'. In white, are the words 'by Ross Gillett' then 'Forward by Rear Admiral G.G.O. Gatacre C.B.E. DSO. DSC & Bar, RAN'. On the rear page is a list of all the Captains that served on the HMAS Melbourne between 1955-1980.hmas melbourne, aircraft carrier, royal australian navy, australian navy, westland whirlwind, sea venom, fairy gannet, bristol sycamore, westland wessex, douglas skyhawk, grumman tracker, westland sea king, fleet air arm, hmas albatross, nowra

William Ellis NEWTON VC enlisted in the RAAF no 250748 on 5.2.1940 age 20 years 8 months. Serving with No 22Sqd RAAF flying Boston Bombers he arrived in New Guinea in May 1942. Along the way he was promoted to Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. On the 18.3 1943 during a low level attack on Japanese positions around Salamaua he hit his target but his plane was hit several times by flack and burst into flames but he landed it in the sea. Sgt B.G Eastwood No 13055 a crew member went down with the aircraft. Newton and Flt Sgt J Lyon No 401706 swam to shore but were captured by the Japanese. Newton was taken to Lae for interrogation and then returned to Salamaua and was executed by decapitation and his body thrown in bomb crater on 29.3.1943. His body was later recovered in late 1943 when Australian troops captured Salamaua. Lyons was executed at Lae by bayoneting in the back. The award to Newton of the Victoria Cross was for low level attacks in the Salamaua area which inflicted heavy losses on Japanese installations one of which his plane was hit by flak heavily and he successfully flew it back some 180 miles and landed. The award also included the attack for which he was executed. Newtons and war crimes records are some 800 plus pages with photos, statements etc. Refer also Cat No 3456.Black & white photo, head & shoulders portrait of F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. He is wearing a peaked cap, collar & tie with RAAF wings badge on L side of jacket. In a green / gold wooden frame with glass front. Fawn paper backing. Gold plaque in middle beneath photo.Engraved on plaque: “F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. 22 Squadron RAAF”photograph, raaf, vc, newton

Allan Frederick GOODALL DFC. Allan enlisted in the RAAF on 10.10.1941 No 409828 age 18 years. He was mustered as Aircrew on elisted and was designated as WO/AG ( Wireless operator Air Gunner) on 23.7.1942. he rose through the ranks from AC2, LAC, Sgt, F/Sgt, W/O, F/O to Flt/Lt on 1.3.1945. Embarked for England on 24.8.1942 and posted to RAF Station Bournemouth on 18 .11.1942, posted to MEC (Middle East Command) with 150 Sqd RAF flying Wellingtons from North Africa. On 21.12.1943 on a non operational flight from Africa to Italy his flight crashed into Mt Etna, they were coming out of a cloud when the Pilot saw Etna. Allan as least injured made sure his mates were okay and sheltered he walked down to a nearby village (Maletto) to get help. Allan spent from 21.12.1943 to 5.1.1944 in hospital with Abrasions. He was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) in 1944 for operations over Italy, at the time he was classed as Sqd Signals Leader. According to his records he flew 37 Operational sorties. He was discharged from the RAAF on 3.1.1946. The crew of the Plane were; Bruce Hayman (NZ) Pilot, Fractured leg. Allan Goodall Aust (WOP/AG) abrasions and injured wrist. Alan Warner (Aust) Navigator, Fractured Ankle. Y.F.Redknap (UK) injured shoulder. C.A. Carr (UK) Fractured Dorsal Spine. J.E. Ward (UK) Dislocated shoulder. Alfred Dugdale (UK) Deceased. Tony Moore (UK) Deceased. Both are buried at the Catania War Cemetery Sicily. Refer Cat No 1025P for his photo.543.1 Medal-Distinguished FLying Cross won by FO Alan F Goodall. Rear of medal is engraved "Italy FO Alan Goodall 1944" 543.2 Case-to suit DFC above. Case rear has a note "Alan's sister Jean, Mrs R.T Mitchell, 22 O'Dea Cres Kangaroo Flat 3555 471428." Written inside case in pen "F/O Alan Goodall Bendigo Won in Italy 1944 Presented by HRH Duke of Gloucester 13-11-1946"awards, dfc ww2, raaf

Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith is a famous Australian, well known in civil aviation history for his courageous endeavours in flight. He broken many flight records for long distance and time travelled and he was also a war hero in World War 1. He has been referred to as being “known to millions of Australians as “Smithy” … he was one of Australia’s true twentieth-century legends”. In honour of his place amongst the world’s famous pioneers his image is featured on Australia’s $20 note, Sydney airport is named after him, there is a memorial to Kingsford Smith, Taylor and Ulm at the Anderson Park, also in Sydney and his plane “Southern Cross” is on view at Brisbane Airport. Kingsford Smith wrote ‘The Old Bus’ (1932) and he and Ulm were co-authors of ‘Story of 'Southern Cross' Trans-Pacific Flight’ (1928). His also wrote a book about his own life ‘My Flying Life’ which was published after his death in 1937. and the story of his life was filmed in Australia in 1946. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SIR CHARLES EDWARD KINGSFORD SMITH (1897 – 1935) … Kingsford Smith was born 9th February 1897 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His parents were William Charles Smith and Catherine Mary, nee Kingsford. His mother’s maiden name of “Kingsford” was added to the family name when they spent time in Canada from around 1903 to 1907, after which they returned to Sydney, Australia. In 1915 Kingsford Smith enlisted in Australian Imperial Force. He served in 4th Signal Troop, 2nd Division Signal Company at Gallipoli Peninsular as a ‘sapper’ or combat engineer and later in Egypt and in France as a dispatch rider. In 1916 Kingsford Smith was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as a sergeant. He was discharged after training in England and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed fling officer and soon joined the 23rd Squadron in France. He brought down four machines in his first month there and also did invaluable work attacking enemy targets. He was wounded and shot down and later awarded the Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1918 and served as a Flying Instructor with the R.F.C. Kingsford Smith was not allowed to participate in the 1919 England to Australia air race because of assumed lack of navigational experience. He and his pilot friend Cyril Maddocks formed a business and flew joy-flights in both England and America. In America he did some stunt flying with a Flying Circus. Kingsford Smith returned to Australia in 1921 and found employment as a pilot. He soon realised the value of air transport in such a vast country. He formed a partnership with pilot Keith Anderson in 1924 and they purchased two Bristol Tourer biplanes. Their business broadened to include Charles Ulm and became the Interstate Flying services in Sydney. Together they performed important ‘demonstration’ flights including a flight around Australia in 10 days and 5 hours using very limited navigational equipment. Kingsford Smith immediately started to search for support to do a trans-Pacific flight. This support came from the New South Wales government, Sidney Myer and G. Allan Hancock, an American oil magnate. On 31st May 1928 Kingsford Smith, Charles Ulm and two American crewmen, Harry Lyan and Jim Warner, took off from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane via Hawaii and Suva. This historic flight took 83 hours and 38 minutes. Their Fokker plane had three engines and was named the “Southern Cross”. This amazing achievement resulted in huge financial subscriptions. Kingsford Smith was awarded the Air Force Cross and appointed as honorary squadron leader, Royal Australian Air Force. Kingsford Smith flew his Southern Cross plane from Point Cook in Victoria to Perth nonstop. Then in September – October 1928, with Charles Ulm and an Australian crew, he piloted the Southern Cross from Sidney to Christchurch New Zealand. This flight showed that was possible for regular passenger and mail services across the Tasman Sea. Kingsford Smith flew his plane to England to an order for four aircraft, planning to use them for an inter-capital air service in Australia. Sadly on 1st April 1929 he was forced to land, having lost radio contact with the ground and having run into bad weather over north – west Australia. Keith Anderson and Robert Hitchcock both perished before the search party reached them. Once official enquiries were completed the flight to England continued in June and was completed in record time of 12 days and 18 hours. In January 1930 Kingsford Smith piloted the “Southern Cloud”, one of the new Avro Ten planes, on the first flight of his airline, the Australian National Airways, from Sydney to Melbourne. The “Southern Cross” was overhauled in Holland by the Fokker Aircraft Co. and in June 1930 Kingsford Smith achieved an east-west crossing of the Atlantic from Ireland to Newfoundland in 31.5 hours. Kingsford Smith returned to England and took delivery of an Avro Avian biplane that he named the “Southern Cross Junior” and flew solo from England to Darwin, Australia. This record breaking flight took less than 10 days. He beat four other planes that had left England before him and he was 5.5 days faster than Hinkler. Sadly Kingsford Smith’s “Southern Cloud” was lost during a flight from Sydney to Melbourne in 1931 with no surviving crew or passengers; in 1958 the wreckage was discovered in the Snowy Mountains. Later that year Kingsford Smith flew his “Southern Cloud” from Australia to Timor, collecting mail from a damaged Imperial Airways plane in Timor. Other flights followed. Kingsford Smith was knighted in 1932 for his services in Aviation. He returned to selling joy flights then established the Kingsford Smith Air Service, a flying training school in Sydney. In 1933 Kingsford Smith flew the amazing record flight in “Miss Southern Cross” – a Percival Gull - from London to Wyndham in Western Australia in just over ten days. The Australian Commonwealth then gave Kingsford Smith a large grant and he was also appointed as aviation consultant to Vacuum Oil Co. Another flying record was made when Kingsford Smith and Sir P.G. Taylor flow “Lady Southern Cross” from Brisbane to San Francisco in order to sell her there; the west-east-trans-Pacific flight made aviation history. They returned to Australia to make an attempt at the trans-Tasman flight but their attempt failed due to engine failure; they managed to get back to Sydney safely, minus most of their cargo. Kingsford Smith had his unsold “Lady Southern Cross” shipped back to England, from where he and J. T. Pethybridge in the “Lady Southern Cross” attempted another record breaking flight from England The Old Bus Author: Charles Kingsford Smith Publisher: Distibuted by Herald Feature Service Date; 1932Label on spine cover with typed text RA 629.1309 KIN flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the old bus, charles kingsford smith

This hat belongs to the Ansett ANA hostess uniform era between 1954-1968.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Khaki hostess brimmed hat with gold coloured "booma-bird" badge on front. Black satin inside lining. Cross grain sweat band. Black label from maker with red embroidered "booma-bird" attached to sweatband . White hat size tag attached to sweatband.MADE EXPRESSLY FOR ANSETT-ANA by GEORGINA HATS ansett-ana, uniform, hat, khaki, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, booma-bird, georgina hats

Part of Ansett Airways hostess/stewardess uniform of 1940's era. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy hostess side cap with a cloth embroidered badge stitched on the left hand side. Badge 'AA' with map of Australia below and surrounded feathers. Lined. Double stitch Gusset on the crown. Stitching on brim which is folded onto crown.ansett airways, hostess, flight attendants, stewardess, uniform, navy, side cap

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess beret. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has a scalloped turned brim. Wool gabardine material outside. Black cotton interior lining. Damage to material at front of hat.hostess, stewardess, ansett, navy, side cap, flight attendant

This hat belongs to the 1964-1968 uniform era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Blue woollen hostess pillbox hat with white inside lining and blue sweat band and mesh front and rear inner. White label Nivek Headwear.Thin chin strapuniform, hat, khaki, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess side cap. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has an upturned brim with a peak each side. Wool gabardine material outside. Gray fabric interior lining.wool, navy blue, hostess, stewardess, flight attendant, uniform, headwear, 1950's, side cap

Part of Ansett Airways hostess/stewardess uniform 1958-1964Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy check (houndstooth) lined hostess cap. ansett airways, navy, hostess, flight attendants, stewardess, pillbox

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969 to 1972. Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969 to 1972.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta"Nivek Headware Reg. Melb" on label inside. Blue ink numeral 21 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat.hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, 1969-1972, beige, nivek headwear

Ansett Airlines of Australia 1972-1977Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Orange bowler hat, with black stripe on band and around crown, lined in cream material. This hat comes with the round Ansett Delta - golden A shape on black enamel - insignia attached in front. Made by NIVEK HEADWARE. Reg. Melb. Donor: EDDY hostess, flight attendant, uniform, orange, 1972-1977, bowler, nivek headwear, stewardess, ansett, delta

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Worn by former Ansett employee.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue cotton pull-on bucket hat with button in middle of crown. Hanging loop on brim. Navy blue cotton inside lining.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by M. Crawford, pilot with Ansett Airlines.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl flat-topped crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal plastic band. Leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black vinyl strap above visor is secured by black buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers. Black mounting. Brisbane Cap Co. Pty. Ltd. Hat belonged to M. Crawford, uniform, pilot, m. crawford, ansett airlines

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. No interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid peak/visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated by Shirley Boles, to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Part of hostess/stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969 to 1972.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969 to 1972.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty poly-cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta." by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb" on label inside. Red ink numeral 21 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat. Handwritten initial "SB" in red ink on manufacturer's label. Commercial name tag, labelled Shirley Boles hand sewn to Grosgrain ribbon.beige, hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, shirley boles, 1969-1972

This hat belongs to the uniform era 1972-1977.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Orange bowler hat, with black stripe on band and around crown, lined in cream material. This hat comes with the round Ansett Delta - golden A shape on black enamel - insignia attached in front. Thin elastic chin strapMaker label: by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb. Owner label: Shirley Bolesuniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear, orange, badge, delta, ansett airlines, shirley boles

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Frank McClelland.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Worn by former Ansett employee.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue cotton pull-on bucket hat with button in middle of crown. Hanging loop on brim. Navy blue cotton inside lining.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Orange cotton flat-topped crown. Orange cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green cotton under plastic. Perforated leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black cloth strap above visor is secured by orange buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers.Label inside reads "Emerco Melbourne 36 1218 Made in Australia".

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. black cotton treated crown. black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. Gold strap above peak on frontNo inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Brown cotton flat-topped crown. Brown cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green acrylic fabric. Leather sweat band. Rigid leather visor covered by brown plastic on top and green plastic on bottom. Brown plastic strap above visor is secured by brown button on left side. Button missing from right side. Missing insignia.No label for manufacturer, designer, or supplier.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Black wool treated crown. Black woollen exterior band supported by leather band. Acrylic interior lining. Has leather sweat band. Rigid black visor cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. No inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Orange cotton flat-topped crown. Orange cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green cotton under plastic. Perforated leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black cloth strap above visor is secured by 2 orange fabric buttons on either side.Label inside reads "Emerco Melbourne 36 1218 Made in Australia".

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. black cotton treated crown. black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor covered by black cotton fabric. Insignia features a red and black bird in flight, with a depiction in black as background, beneath a royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. Gold strap above peak on frontNo inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc

The assemblage was presented to the students of Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) by a NASA astronaut. The Australian Flag and NASA Astronauts crew patch were flown aboard the Orbiter Atlantis, STS-36, 28 February to 4 March 1990. Astronaut Pierre Thout's first flight was as a mission specialist on the crew of STS-36 which launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on February 28, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. This mission carried Department of Defense payloads and a number of secondary payloads. Following 72 orbits of the Earth in 106 hours, the STS-36 mission concluded with a lakebed landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 4, 1990, after travelling 1.87 million miles. bcae, nasa, space, pierre thuot, creighton, caspar, mullane, hilmers

Colour photo of 2 Squadron crew on the wings of the plane for the last flight and traditional hosing down.Colour has faded on both photograghs.2 squadron raaf

The Bell Sioux was used as one of the primary equipment of the 161 Reconnaissance flight. Every major Australian unit in Vietnam would have utilised their services. The helicopter on display did not serve in Vietnam.The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine light observation helicopter made by Bell Helicopters. It has a bubblt cockpit for two crew and the tail is open metal framework.This helicopter bears a full set of Australian Army insignia and carries the A.A. Serial No. A1-406.military equipment, helicopters, sioux