The Alexander Schleicher K4 was designed in the mid 1950s by Rudolf Kaiser as a club training glider and several hundred were built. The Australian Gliding Museum’s K4, VH-IKK, serial number 55, was built in 1957 and purchased by the RAF Air Training Corp. U.K. After some years it was sold to a New Zealand Gliding Club and in 1990 with over 4800 hours, number of launches unknown, it was purchased by the Brisbane Valley Soaring Club and in 1994 was transferred to the Far North Queensland Soaring Centre who operated it from the Mareeba airfield. On 9 January 2000 it was donated to Vintage Gliders Australia by Kevin Sedgman at a presentation ceremony with Alan Patching receiving the glider during the Rally at Lake Keepit. It has been flown regularly at vintage glider rallies and on several occasions at Museum open days. However, it has subsequently been grounded on account of potential structural defects. VH-IKK is one of two K4s in Australia, the other being VH-XJP which is believed to be in storage in Queensland in a damaged condition. When restored, this exhibit will be representative example of the AS-K4 glider-sailplane type.Tandem two seat high wing strutted glider consisting of wood with plywood and fabric wings, tailplane / elevators, fin / rudder, and tubular steel framed, fabric covered fuselage. Prior to restoration work, the glider was finished in a white, green and yellow paint scheme. “Vintage Gliders Australia” name in white lettering on fuselage sides and registration VH-IKK in black lettering on rudderaustralian gliding, glider, sailplane, alexander schleicher, k4, kaiser, raf air training corp, brisbane valley soaring club, far north queensland soaring centre, vintage gliders australia, sedgman, patching

The ES49 glider / sailplane was designed by Edmund Schneider in Germany before he migrated to Australia in the early 1950s. In Germany the ES49 was put into limited production by the Schleicher factory from 1951 to 1953 (8 produced). In Australia the ES49 is commonly referred to as the “Wallaby”; two were built by the Adelaide Soaring Club with assistance from Edmund Schneider Ltd and one independently from plans by Eric Hader and members of the Cooma Gliding Club. The Museum’s ES49 – serial number GFA-HB-36 - was built at Gawler from 1955 to 1958 and registered as VH-GLL on 15 January 1959. It was the second of the ES49s built by the Adelaide Soaring Club. Originally it had a rather distinctive appearance due to the use of a sleek P51 Mustang canopy to enclose the forward seating position of the cockpit. The glider, together with its sister VH-GDK, was used at the Gliding Federation of Australia National Gliding Schools at Gawler. In 1964 the glider was transferred to the Newcastle Gliding Club, Newcastle, in New South Wales and then in 1966 it went to the Albury and District Gliding Club, Albury, New South Wales. The Snowy Mountains Gliding Club, Khancoban, New South Wales acquired the glider in 1968 where it remained until 1974. In 1974 the glider transferred into private hands at Wodonga, Victoria, for two years and then to interests at Albury until 1985. At that stage the glider was acquired by a private owner at Bathurst, New South Wales, who undertook a restoration that included, amongst other work, the fitting of a more conventional cockpit canopy. The glider was at Warkworth, New South Wales in 1992 and became to be owned by Eric Oates who preserved it until he donated it to the Australian Gliding Museum. According to the logbook for VH-GLL held by the Museum, the glider was last flown in November 1990 and at that time had logged 2758 hours and 57 minutes from 15775 launches. The fuselage is currently under restoration at the Museum’s Dave Darbyshire workshop. The ES49 – VH-GLL – is an example of the state of wood and fabric dual place sailplane design in the late 1940s. The glider served the Adelaide Soaring Club and subsequent owners well as a training and general purpose sailplane over many years. It is a rare example of the type (one of 4 existing in the world). Tandem two seat high wing strut braced glider-sailplane finished in silver grey colour scheme.australian fliding, glider, sailplane, schneider, es 49, wallaby, oats, adelaide soaring club, hader, cooma gliding club, newcastle gliding club, albury & district gliding club, snowy mountains gliding club

The Hall Cherokee II glider is an American design for amateur construction from plans. The designer was Stan Hall (1915-2009), a professional engineer, who gained extensive experience in the United States aviation industry during World War 2 including the programs for military gliders. He continued to work as an engineer for aircraft manufacturers and as a consultant to the industry after the war. He was active in gliding and, in particular, the home built sailplane movement. The Cherokee II was one of about 10 glider designs that he produced: it came out in 1956. It is understood that over 100 Cherokee gliders have been built. In Australia the number is possibly 10 or 11. The Hall Cherokee VH-GVO was built by R.D Meares of Caringbah, New South Wales. The glider was registered as VH-GVO on 11 October 1973 and given serial number “GFA-HB-82” by the Gliding Federation of Australia. The Logbook for VH-GVO appears to be a complete record of the flying history; in aggregate 210 hours 40 minutes in the air from 331 flights. The first test hop occurred on 29 July 1972 at Camden, New South Wales. VH-GVO was last flown on 22 July 1986. Many of the flights recorded are of one or two hours duration. The glider was last inspected and certified as airworthy and in a reasonable condition at the Hunter Valley Gliding Club in July 1986. Since that time, until transferred to the Australian Gliding Museum, the glider was in storage. Structural restoration work has been completed on the fuselage and one wing. However, inspection of the other wing revealed extensive damage to the ribs and spars and consequently a decision was taken to make it a static exhibit. The exhibit is an example of home built construction of a type that has proved popular amongst amateur glider builders.The Hall Cherokee (formerly registered as VH-GVO) is a single seat wooden home built glider. The glider is constructed from wood, plywood, fabric and metal fittings, all commercial grade except for main wing fittings, pulleys, cables and bolts. The fuselage is simple with four main longerons and bulkheads with diagonal bracing. The wing has two identical solid spars which form a geodetic structure, hence the leading edge is non-structural. Registration VH-GVO – serial number GFA-HB-82 australian gliding, glider, sailplane, hall, cherokee, meares, hunter valley gliding club

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series provides an insight into the early days of Churchill Island as a Conservation site. Robert Ingpen is a renowned graphic designer and book illustrator who was born in Geelong in 1936. In 1968 he became the only Australian to be awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his International contribution to book illustrations. Robert Ingpen did a classic set of drawings of Churchill Island (circa 1976), before the farm restoration. They were originally sold to raise funds for the conservation of Churchill Island and can still be seen as prints or depicted on place mats and coasters. Black and White photograph of Robert IngpenCatalogue number written on reverse in pencil. Handwritten on reverse 'Artist Robert Ingpen' churchill island

Book. Harry Biggs Collection. Fourteenth Annual Summary of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 1969 - 1970. Paper with a card cover. The cover has a black & white photo of the interior of the 3 tier cell block, Old Melbourne Gaol before it's restoration. The back has a photo of the Grand Staircase of The Mansion, Barwon Park, Winchelsea. This is the Chairman's 14th Annual Report 1969 - 1970. Ruskin Press, 39 Levesun St. North Melbourne. It also contains a report of the Women's Committee.organisation, union, charity, harry biggs collection, the national trust of australia (victoria)

Suitcase issued to aircraft captains or crew by RAAF during World War II. The contents of M D Frecker's suitcase include World War II medals awarded to the owner, photographs, maps, pilots' handbooks, language dictionaries (Malay, Pidgin, Japanese), propaganda leaflets dropped by Japanese.Has historical and social significance, also research significance. Provenance known, owner piloted B-24 Liberator bombers and General Blamey's personal aircraft; item was donated by son. Great interpretive potential.Worn dark suitcase belonging to Mason Day Frekker, strong cardboard covered with 'leatherette', metal fasteners on front, with carry handle. Suitcase contains Flying Log Book RAAF, Wedding Photo, National Archives Record Search Mason Day Frecker, Distinguished Flying Medal Register WW2 x 3, Papers on Medals and Victorian Ground Crew Numbers, Files 1 - 2 - 3 - Photographs, Leaflets, Pilots' Notes, Maps - Germany (28 maps), Buttons and badges and other medals."RAAF/402653/Frecker/M.D." on top surface, "M.D.F." on front surface under handle.b24 liberator bomber, world war ii, raaf pilot, world war ii aerial photographs, a22.00

RAAF Manual navigation aircraft calculator(early computer)General issue to allied pilots and navigators for airspeed,altitude,air temperature and drift calculations.Black metal box with SS flap-top cover, moulding and straps for knee attachment.Engraving No. 19, Ident.No. G6B/145. I.C.A.N. Serial No. WG/1716*. Computer Navigational Mk.IIID

Part of the radio equipment in B-24 Liberator aircraft.This is a good example as it is unused and in its original box.Black crackle-finish radio control boxRadio control box/signal corps US Army/s.n. 84472/made by Western Electric New York.radio, control, box, bc-450-a, western, electric

Original 1943 manual. Issued to B-24 Liberator Flight Engineers.Issued to RAAF B-24 Liberator flight engineers.Loose-leaf manual in three-ring binder. Dark brown with gold lettering. 86 pages. Published 1943 by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. San Diego, California. Printed by Fry & Smith Ltd. San Diego, California.b24, liberator, flight engineer, manual, consolidated vultee

Issued to engine mechanics servicing the B-24 Liberator.Original WW2 era manual.Hardback bound manualInstruction manual. Power Plant. B-24 D Airplane. Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. Asn Diego, Californiapower plant, pratt & whitney, r1830, b-24, liberator.

Issued to RAAF ground crew in WWII.Original WWII manualLoose leaf manual in two-ring binder. Pale green with dark green spine.R.A.A.F. serial number 19218. Issue 4 - 1942raaf, manual, riggers, carpenters, engineering school

A history of RAAF 200 Flight at Leyburn Airfield.A little known story of secret operations.Softback book.Inscribed inside 'Mr C Chapman, 41 Bay Road, Oatley, 2223'leyburn, b24, liberator, raaf, 200 flight

Leather cap worn by Japanese aircrew during World War 2. Brown leather capworld war 2, japanese, leather helmet

Worn by Wilhelmius (Bill) Bakker during WWII.Mr Bakker was in the Dutch Air Force and was stationed at Darwin working with the RAAF. Dutch Air Force Officer's Capbakker collection, a23.00

Used on RAAF aircraft in WWIIUsed by RAAF for navigation training primarily in Tiger Moth and Spitfire aircraft.Navigation Compass Type P8. Number 80873.D Brass Plate - King's Crown over RAAF No. G6A/726aviation compass, a6

American Flag wrapped in triangular shape and contained within a red felt covered box with a certificate and covering letter Refer to certificate and covering lettera13

Letter from Paul V. Hester, General, USAF given with flag expressing gratitude for B-24 restoration project and tour of the hangar.a13.1

Used by airmen in WWIIBrown Box containing 4 green, 4 orange and 2 clear replacement lenses for Polaroid 1068 Goggles.Polaroid Aviation Goggles Kit No. 1068.a9

Worn in WWII as Dress Uniform on Formal Occasions.RAAF Dress Uniform worn on formal occasions by Flight Sergeant Charles Cull.

Crackle black single unit. Supplies Gunner with range and ballistic 'drop' information. (Three units held.)Serial No. 4740 (Sperry) S/No. 410380 (N>C>R> under Licence) S/No. 411901 (N>C>R>)

Was used with Norden Bombsights on aircraft during WWII.Tachometer for calibrating Norden Bombsight Rate Motor in a black box.B.S. Mk XV Disk Speed Indicator Jaegera3

Used by the Navigator in a B-24 Liberator bomberAir Ministry CompassAstronomical Compass used by the Navigator in B-24 Liberator aircraft. Complete in original wooden box.Compass marked - A.M. Astro compass MKII CA/1174 Box marked - Delicate instrument, to be handled with great care.astro compass mkii, a7

1945 Slide Rule US Army Air Force from Prof. Allan Bromley.Works by adding Angular moments together to find centre of gravity (COG) of a plane (adds bombs, ammunition and crew on board).Brown Leather Case with 'Slide Rule' inner.Load Adjuster, Property of US Government. 102630 on case. 81629. Airplane serial No. 44-4-1195, Model B-24Jbomb load adjuster, a16

Letters written to Hazel during WWII, including one about having a B-24 Liberator named after her.Wedding photograph of Capt. Frank Seales, USAF 380th Bomb Group and wife Hazel.Letters written to Hazel by her husband during WWII. In one Frank asks Hazel if she would like him to name his aircraft after her.a1

Private letters to Hazel from her husband in the war zone during WWIIa1.1

Course and Speed Calculator MKII - Air speed in MPH and Knots. Wind Speed and direction. In original wooden box. Used on aircraft.RAF Ref. No. 6B/125 - RCAF Ref. No. 6B/52 No. ST2473/40 Anson/Oxford Serial No. 3441S/40 Box Ref. No. GB/120a8

Used in Pacific War during WWIIBlack covered Electro Mechanical analogue computer with small indicator dials with two divisional connected boxes. Mounts on Minneapolis Honeywell 'stabilizer' unit.Minneapolis Type G1029 A3CAZ HZ 26 Volts DC CV. Serial No. C-24825 B3430

Loop Antenna for radio compass S.C.R. 269 and AN.ARN7 widely fitted to US Military Aircraft in WWII.Loop used on B-24 Liberatora4

Airman's Flying Goggles used in WWIa10