Showing 199 items
matching flight records
-
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - GOLDEN SQUARE P.S. LAUREL ST. 1189 COLLECTION: LIST OF TEACHER NAMES ( EDUCATION DEPT RECORDS )
Copies of staff lists kept by Education Department. 1893 - 1896 includes the name of Oscar G.C. Flight Years up to 1955 are copied. Indexing of names to follow.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s. -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Journal, Kewriosity : May 1985
The Armistice and our men come home - a personal memory of Kew by Bill Stent / Bill Stent p1. Community Notices [Auxiliaries; Clubs and societies; General; Politics; Religious notices; Support groups] / p2&16. Update: Notes from Council - Consultation and the decision making process / Cr Robin Saunders [Mayor of Kew] p3. Baby safety bassinet loan scheme / p4. Read this! [incinerators] / p4. Traffic management / p4. Did you know? [Kew Library - Local history, Genealogy] / p4. Kindergarten extended hours / p4. Kew jobs for women [Kew Councillors; Kew Council officers] / p5. The Churches of Kew invite you to celebrate Victoria's 150th anniversary at an Ecumenical Service / p6. Leaves and more leaves [incinerators] / p6. Join the Kew Citizens' Band Supporters Club / p6. Kew Citizens' Band in concert / p6. East Kew Shopping Centre: Good guide to easy shopping [Overview, Map, Advertisements] / p7-10. Youth Page [Youth Theatre Concept; New Youth Centre; The Parsonage - Holy Trinity Church] / p11. Football: Kew records two wins / p12. Library News / p12. Flight of fantasy [Kew/Deepdene Artists' Co-operative] / p12. What is the Kew Community Action Group? / p13. Would you like to help? [Kew Community House] / p13. Family Day Care in Kew / p13. Adult literacy in Kew / p13. Kew Community House [Open Day, Garden tools needed, City walks, Committee meetings, Kew kids 'n Kritters] / p14. Interchange needs you! [disability support] / p14. This Kewriosity is being delivered to you by - Kew Primary School / p15. May School Holiday Programs [Playcentre; Kew Traffic School; Mobile new games trailer] / p15.Kewriosity was a local newsletter combining Kew Council and community news. It was published between November 1983 and June 1994, replacing an earlier Kewriosity [broad] Sheet (1979-84). In producing Kewriosity, Council aimed to provide a range of interesting and informative articles covering its deliberations and decision making, together with items of general interest and importance to the Kew community and information not generally available through daily media outlets.non-fictionThe Armistice and our men come home - a personal memory of Kew by Bill Stent / Bill Stent p1. Community Notices [Auxiliaries; Clubs and societies; General; Politics; Religious notices; Support groups] / p2&16. Update: Notes from Council - Consultation and the decision making process / Cr Robin Saunders [Mayor of Kew] p3. Baby safety bassinet loan scheme / p4. Read this! [incinerators] / p4. Traffic management / p4. Did you know? [Kew Library - Local history, Genealogy] / p4. Kindergarten extended hours / p4. Kew jobs for women [Kew Councillors; Kew Council officers] / p5. The Churches of Kew invite you to celebrate Victoria's 150th anniversary at an Ecumenical Service / p6. Leaves and more leaves [incinerators] / p6. Join the Kew Citizens' Band Supporters Club / p6. Kew Citizens' Band in concert / p6. East Kew Shopping Centre: Good guide to easy shopping [Overview, Map, Advertisements] / p7-10. Youth Page [Youth Theatre Concept; New Youth Centre; The Parsonage - Holy Trinity Church] / p11. Football: Kew records two wins / p12. Library News / p12. Flight of fantasy [Kew/Deepdene Artists' Co-operative] / p12. What is the Kew Community Action Group? / p13. Would you like to help? [Kew Community House] / p13. Family Day Care in Kew / p13. Adult literacy in Kew / p13. Kew Community House [Open Day, Garden tools needed, City walks, Committee meetings, Kew kids 'n Kritters] / p14. Interchange needs you! [disability support] / p14. This Kewriosity is being delivered to you by - Kew Primary School / p15. May School Holiday Programs [Playcentre; Kew Traffic School; Mobile new games trailer] / p15. publications -- city of kew (vic.), kewriosity, council newsletters, community newsletters -
National Communication Museum
Photograph (item), The Telegraph, James Melrose with aeroplane My Hildegarde, 16 October 1934
This was the first press photograph transmitted by radio from England to Australia. On 16 October 1934, South Australian aviator, C J Melrose, was pictured beside his plane at the Mildenhall aerodrome, England, preparing for the start of the Centenary Air Race. Within hours of capture, the image was transmitted from London to Melbourne and then sent via picturegram to Sydney’s press, the greatest distance a photograph had been transmitted over radio. Wirephotos, as they are commonly called, are produced through electrical pulses which travel along telephone or telegraph wires, or radio waves. Like the transmission of Morse dots and dashes, the technology communicates the light and dark portions of an image, to be recorded on a negative or photographic paper at the receiver’s end. Previously, photographs of an event appeared several days after the fact; wirephoto technology enabled visual communication with relative speed. Our consumption and expectation of the immediacy of news and communication continued to grow, an expectation that forms the basis of time-based social media activities such as Snapchat or Facebook and Instagram stories.london to melbourne air race, wirephoto, picturegram, uiver, james melrose -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Preparations for Installation of Statues in Statuary Pavilion, Statues 2 Letters, 7/9/1887 letter 1 and 14/10/1887 letter 2
Researched and copied by John Garner from Ballarat Council Records (PROV). Preparations for Installation of Statues in Statuary Pavilion, base for "Flight from Pompeii".Trustees of the Pavilion and Statues writing to BCC Town Clerk, Geo Perry concerning the installation of Statues in Pavilion2 copiesNonejohn garner collection, garner, dr, satues, pavillion, flight from pompeii, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Coloured photo of marble statue, Flight From Pompeii, c 1990's
To provide an image of the central marble statue in the Gardens' Statuary Pavilion, '"Flight From Pompeii".Clear image of significant central item in the Statuary Pavilion and Sculptor recorded as Giovanni Maria Benzoni. 1809-1873.Photographed marble statue. Clearly delineated in copy of photograph Heading on Photograph: Giovanni Benzoni, Italian, 1809-1873. Flight From Pompeii, 1873Possibly photocopied on paper already used. Background lettering Art Institute, Chicagojohn garner collection, garner, dr, flight from pompeii, photo, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, benzoni, statuary pavilion, benefactor -
Melbourne Legacy
Badge, Melbourne Legacy Widow Badge, 1970s
An example of a Melbourne Legacy Widow's Badge from the 1970s. These were worn by widows to identify themselves at events. It is an earlier example of the badge than the lapel pin at 01701. Donated by the family of Jean Cohen, along with a second badge of slightly different dimensions. Jean was the widow of Flight Lieutenant Henry Cohen who served in WW2 and he passed away in 1970s. The badge of Legacy is the Torch and Wreath of Laurel. The Torch signifies the undying flame of service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country. The Wreath of Laurel is the symbol of our remembrance of them.A record of the badge given to widows when they join Legacy.Gold brooch of the Legacy torch with red enamel containing the words Melbourne Legacy Widow mounted on a 4mm wide gold bar with a brooch pin.Imprinted with 'Stokes' on reverse.widows, membership -
Melbourne Legacy
Badge, Melbourne Legacy Widow Badge, 1970s
An example of a Melbourne Legacy Widow's Badge from the 1970s. These were worn by widows to identify themselves at events. It is an earlier example of the badge than the lapel pin at 01701. Donated by the family of Jean Cohen, along with a second badge of slightly different dimensions. Jean was the widow of Flight Lieutenant Henry Cohen who served in WW2 and he passed away in 1970s. The badge of Legacy is the Torch and Wreath of Laurel. The Torch signifies the undying flame of service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for their country. The Wreath of Laurel is the symbol of our remembrance of them.A record of the badge given to widows when they join Legacy.Gold brooch of the Legacy torch with red enamel containing the words Melbourne Legacy Widow mounted on a 3mm wide, slightly tapered gold bar with a brooch pin.widows, membership -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, The Cairn- Jimmy Melrose's plane crash site, 1988
Edna Barrie at the cairn, photo received from Graeme Minns in 1988. The cairn marks the site of Jimmy Melrose's plane crash in Melton South. The accident which happened on July 5th 1936. In 1934 Melrose made headlines with a series of spectacular flights. In July of that year, he set around Australia record and in that year established a new solo Australia England record when he flew to England to compete in the MacRoberston race with a De Havilland Puss Moth VH- YQO. The only Australian and the only solo pilot to complete the course within the time limit. He was seventh in finishing order and third in the handicap section making news again during the race with a dramatic landing in Darwin with empty fuel tanks. Late in 1935 Melrose imported the Phoenix for his “Adelaide to Anywhere” Charter Service. The previous year the Heston Aircraft Company had taken over the interests of the well known Comper Aircraft Company, and the first production of the new firm was the Phoenix, a single-engined all wooden five seater machine of sesquiplane configuration. The forward half of the fuselage was a streamlined rectangular section and the rear portion was a monocogue shell; the whole was of plywood fabric covered. The wing was built up of spruce box spars and lattice ribs, ply covered from the leading edge to the front spar and the fabric covered over the remainder. The tail surfaces were of similar construction. The most notable feature of the design was the lower stub wing which ran right across the fuselage embodying two box spars, plywood covered it housed the main undercarriage wheels when retracted and provided a substantial anchorage for the Nu form wing struts. The Dowty undercarriage retracted inwards, operated manually by hydraulic packs, Dual control fitted, with side by side seating for the pilots and three passenger seats behind. Power was a 200 h.p. De Havilland Gipsy VI 6 cylinder inverted in-line air-cooled engine. Six Phoenix were built; five of them registered in Great Britain and one of those was later sold abroad the remaining four were impressed into the R.A.F. in 1940. Specifications were: 40 feet 4 inches length 30 ft 2 ins height, 9ft 7ins, wing area 270 sq ft, Tare weight 2,600lbs loaded weight 3,300lbs; cruising speed 360 m.p.h. landing 50mph ceiling 14,000 ft range 700 miles. Melrose’s machine the first production aircraft was built early in 1936 and test flown of the 24th March. Painted green it carries the words “South Australian Centenary 1936” in silver of the fuselage and the name “Billing on the engine cowling in honor of Melrose’s uncle Noel Pemberton Billing, pioneer designer and founder of the Supermarine Aviation Company. The delivery flight was planned as a goodwill mission to publicise the forthcoming South Australian Centenary celebrations. Melrose left Dympne on the 9th April 1936, and flying via Marseilles, Naples, Athens, Baghdad, Basra, Karachi, Jodphur, Calcutta, Akyab, Penang, Singapore, Lombok, Darwin, Newcastle Waters and Alice Springs reached Adelaide on the 25th of April. Continuing the goodwill flight to other States, he visited Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Grafton, Brisbane, Coff’s Harbour, Sydney again, Launceston, Hobart and Mount Gambier before returning to Adelaide on the 13th May. During June Jimmy made some charter flights and early in July was engaged by Mr. A.J. Campbell a director of several mining companies from Melbourne to Darwin to commence at Essendon on the4th July. However on that day low cloud and steady rain caused the postponement. There was little improvement and Melrose was advised to delay the departure again. However he wished to reach Oodnadatta that night, and when he observed the break in the clouds decided to leave. He planned to climb above the cloud and fly to Adelaide at 3,000 feet. The aircraft was airborne about 8.10 a.m. and was last seen from Essendon climbing above the clouds. At 8.45 people at Melton (30 miles West of Melbourne) heard an approaching aircraft. The engine noise increased abnormally and eye witnesses saw the machine fall out of control from the cloud base about 800 feet and then disintegrate, fragments were scattered for 1½ miles and both occupants were killed. Hand written carbon copy by Edna Barrie.Typed by Wendy Barrie March 2014 Last Flight of Jimmy Melrose by John Burke Parade Magazine July 1972 Page 2 –4 This article gives the take off time of 7.50 am from Essendon Airport Eyewitness account at the time Maisie Arthur’s description. Newspaper article. Edna Barrie at the site of the 'Cairn'local identities, local significant events -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Medal - Antique Aeroplane Association Wodonga Air Show Medallion, 1980
This medallion was produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's fourth annual air show which was held at Wodonga on June 14 and 15, 1980. It took place at Joe Drage's Air World Museum in Wodonga, Victoria. The event included a fly-in by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association which attracted 105 vintage planes from all parts of Australia. The show incorporated the Amy Johnson memorial rally to recognise the 50th anniversary of Amy Johnson's flight from England to Australia in 1930. Radio 2AY, the sponsor of the annual air show began broadcasting in 1930. This medallion and 2 other linked medallions were owned by Mr. Clive Cossor. He spent a lot of time at Drage's Historical Aircraft Museum and also helped transport gliders. He was also at the Albury racecourse as a teenager to assist in moving the Uiver when it was forced to land in a storm during the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race from London to Melbourne in October 1934.This medallion is significant as it records an important event recognising aviation in Australia and recognises Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.A medallion produced to commemorate the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's fourth annual air show held at Wodonga on June 14 and 15, 1980 On the front around the medallion: "ON THE AIR FOR 50 YEARS/ANTIQUE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION 1980" . In the centre "SPONSORS/ 3AY/ALBURY-WODONGA/50th/ANNIVERSARY AMY JOHNSON/FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA/41/WODONGA 1980" On reverse: a depiction of Amy Johnson with wings inscribed "JOHNNIE 1930"aviation history, antique aeroplane association of australia, joe drage airworld, airshow wodonga, amy johnson -
Woodend RSL
Flying Log Book, Observer’s Air Gunner’s and W/T Operator’s Flying Log Book
The Flying Log Book was used by A315699 Lindsay William Fankhauser from qualifying as a helicopter crewman on 9 Dec 66 until a new Flight Log Book was issued on 15 Feb 74. The Lindsay Fankhauser lived in Gisborne and was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association based at Woodend RSL. The Flying Log Book provides a complete record of Lindsay Fankhauser including flying hours, qualifications, annual reports, photographs of crew and aircraft from 1966 until 1974.Blue book held within a brown leather bookcover. Book cover closed with Velcro Strip. Blue book containing flight information, qualifications, posting locations, pasted in photographs. Brown cover with indentity label with name of owner enclosed in plastic cover. Blue book mounted in middle of brown cover with cover closed by overlapping.Blue book - FORM A.73 (June, 1938). Royal Australian Air Force. Observer’s Air Gunner’s and W/T Operator’s Flying Log Book. Name FANKHAUSER.L.W. (on a dymo label). Leather Cover - Aircrew wings for Aircrew members (wreath of wattle surmounted by crown, letter C inside wreath, single wing on right hand side) /LINDSAY FANKHAUSER/ RAAFfankhauser, raaf, flying log book, vietnam, a.73 -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Photo, Mission Matilda, 1993
Former Junior Legatee Brian Edwards set out in September 1993 to complete a flight around Australia in a tiger moth called 'Matilda' as a tribute to Legacy's 70th Anniversary. He was due to arrive at Essendon Airport on 4th October 1993 and a celebratory luncheon was held. The event was supported by Ansett Airlines and Optus Communications. These photos were taken for promotional purposes. See also photos at 00981, 00982, 00983. A record of a former Junior Legatee making a contribution to helping Legacy raise funds.Colour photo x 2 and black and white photo x 2 of a tiger moth and aviator and promotion in The Answer.Handwritten in blue pen Pg2 Cfundraising, answer -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Junior legatee outing, Yarra Valley Airfield 1989, 1989
Photograph of a group of Junior Legatees at the Yarra Valley airfield with light aircraft. The label says they have been taken up in the light aircraft for a joyride over Melbourne. Names and date unknown. Some of the photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1983 to 1991 and one photo from folio with paper labels with photos from 1990/91.A record of an event run for Junior Legatees by Melbourne Legacy.Colour photo x 8 of junior legatees at an airfield.Yellow paper label: 'Flying High : Junior Legatees taken for a bird's eye view of Melbourne. Family and friends gather' in black type. White paper label, handwritten in black pen: 'The Yarra Valley Group organised joy flights for Junior Legatees to experience seeing Melbourne from a bird's eye view. / Photographer L/ Mooney Y V Group / 1989 / Negatives held Legacy File'.junior legatee outing, junior legatee -
Melbourne Legacy
Film - Video tape, Mission Matilda - A Leap For Legacy. Duration: 11 min
The tape has not been played but from the label it is a recording of 'Mission Matilda - a leap for Legacy'. Mission Matilda was when former Junior Legatee Brian Edwards set out in September 1993 to complete a flight around Australia in a tiger moth called 'Matilda' as a tribute to Legacy's 70th Anniversary. He was due to arrive at Essendon Airport on 4th October 1993 and a celebratory luncheon was held. The event was supported by Ansett Airlines and Optus Communications. It is possibly a promotional video. It is 11 minutes duration. The date is not known.A record of a former Junior Legatee making a contribution to helping promote Legacy.A VHS video tape in white cardboard cover, the label says it is of Mission Matilda.Cassette, Insert this side into recorder do not touch the tape inside. Adhesive label, Mission Matilda - A Leap For Legacy Duration: 11 min.legacy promotion, 70th anniversary -
Melbourne Legacy
Article, Bulletin VALE Legatee John Sullivan, 1997
An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee John Sullivan, a long serving Legatee, on 2 August 197. The Bulletin published articles on Legatees when they passed away. Legatee John Sullivan was President in 1991, he had joined Legacy in 1983 proposed by his father-in-law Morrie Tonkin. He had served in WW2 as a Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF with Beaufort Squadrons. Also a death notice and note published in the Bulletin when his second wife Jane Sullivan (daughter of Legatee Morrie Tonkin) passed away in October 2002. The article was part of an folder about of past presidents that served on the LCC in preparation for the photo board that was produced. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of some Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of the life and service of Legatee John Sullivan. The information was published in the Bulletin and collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of a page from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee John Sullivan and notices on his wife's death.vale, past presidents, john-sullivan -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book - Record of development, generally WW2 to approx 1980, and usage and various Nations involvement, plus brief history of individual planes identified by their serial numbers, AVRO's MARITIME HEAVYWEIGHT THE SHACKLETON, AVRO's MARITIME HEAVYWEIGHT THE SHACKLETON, 1990
Record of development, generally WW2 to approx 1980, and usage and various Nations involvement, plus brief history of individual planes identified by their serial numbers, AVRO's MARITIME HEAVYWEIGHT THE SHACKLETONCover jacket filled by colour painting of in flight Shackleton passing over surfaced submarine, at seanon-fictionRecord of development, generally WW2 to approx 1980, and usage and various Nations involvement, plus brief history of individual planes identified by their serial numbers, AVRO's MARITIME HEAVYWEIGHT THE SHACKLETON -
Bialik College
Mixed media (Item) - 2013 K4E Jewish Studies and Hebrew Movies
Dvd created of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Movies Kinder 4E Bialik College; Elal pretend Flight to Israel; Granparents Memory Book; Shabbat Slide Show; Grandparents Kabbalat Shabbat; End of Year Jewish Studies Slide Show; with love from Elise Rotstayn, Miri Sheffer Waterson, Julia Levine, Chris Georgalas. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record. K4E 2013 Bialik College Elise & Miri Movies; Jewish Studies and Hebrew Movies Kinder 4E Bialik College; Elal pretend Flight to Israel; Granparents Memory Book; Shabbat Slide Show; Grandparents Kabbalat Shabbat; End of Year Jewish Studies Slide Show; with love from Elise Rotstayn, Miri Sheffer Waterson, Julia Levine, Chris Georgalas. jewish culture, jewish life, bialik college, kindergarten, 2010s, 2013 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Australia's second Air Mail. The aviation Career of Basil Watson 1893-1917, 2017
This booklet relates the life of Basil Watson. It tells in detail his early life, background, his home built aeroplane, his display flights and his tragic death and the story since. This year marks 100 years since one of Australia’s pioneering aviators, Basil Watson arrived in Warrnambool and delivered the first airmail to the town. Basil Watson was born in Bendigo in 1894. His interest in aviation which began at a young age, took him to England at the commencement of WW1 where he worked at Brookland in aviation workshops and as a test pilot. Despite crashing and suffering injuries he was not deterred. He returned to Australia and by 1916 Basil had built his own plane. He soon took to the air performing tricks and barnstorming to the delight of onlookers. His connection to Warrnambool lies with his delivery of the first airmail to the town, an event which was filled with much excitement. Basil Watson, pioneer aviator landed his 50hp home built aeroplane on the racecourse on Saturday January 27th 1917, after a flight from Point Cook. The trip of 166 miles took just under two hours, and set a record non-stop cross country flight for Australia. Watson was heartily welcomed by the Mayor, to whom he delivered three letters, the first aerial post to Warrnambool. One of the letters, from the Mayor of Melbourne Sir David Hennessy to the Mayor of Warrnambool is now in the W&DHS collection: I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we, over the Commonwealth, will be able to fly from one State to the other. With best wishes for the New Year. Yours truly, DV Hennessy. Basil Watson was unfortunately killed two months after his historic visit to Warrnambool. While participating in an air show at Point Cook, the plane he way flying that day crashed into the sea. This booklet tells the story of an interesting part of Warrnambool and Australia's aviation history. It has special significance as it enlightens two significant items in our local collection, namely the letter which he delivered and the seat from his aircraft.A small 29 page booklet with blue and white photograph of Basil Watson in his aeroplane. It contains a number of black and white and some colour photographs. Introduction from the author, "This small booklet recognises the short career of Basil Watson. He came to my attention when researching the French aviator Maurice Guillaux who carried the first official air mail in Australia, Melbourne to Sydney in two and a half days 16/18 July 1914..... Tom Lockley 1 June 2017. Handwritten inside front cover,"These items may be of interest to add to your material about Basil Watson. Its a pity that the 100 year anniversary of his flight was not more widely recognised but thank you for mounting some of his records. Tom Hockley."warrnambool, basil watson, first airmail flight, aviation career of basil watson -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - RAAF SERIES, 1942-1945, The Royal Australian Air Force by AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA, ACT, "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIRFORCE", 1942 - 1945
For this series - refer to Cat No's 9546.7, 9547.4, 9548.4, 9549.5. Items in the collection of "William John SULLIVAN" VX57829. Refer cat. No. 9523P for his service record.1. - 4. Hard cover book with dust covers. Hardcover - cardboard with green buckram. Dark blue print on front and spine. All pages, cut, plain, off white colour paper. Illustrated in black and white and colour photographs, paintings, maps, sketches and diagrams. 200 pages. Dust covers - paper. All end papers are illustrated. 1. "THESE EAGLES/ STORY OF THE RAAF AT WAR" 1942. Hard cover illustration - line drawings of an eagle in flight. Dust cover - dark blue and red print on front and spine. Pale blue background. Illustration - Eagle in flight and RAAF Roundel. 2. "RAAF LOG" 1943. Hard cover illustration, silhouette half portrait of an airman. Dust cover - white print on dark blue background front and spine. Illustration - blue, beige and white silhouette of an airman. 3. "RAAF SAGA" 1944 Hardcover illustration - silhouette of two aircraft. Dust cover - green and black colour print on front and spine. Illustration - air crew with two aircraft on the ground. 4. "VICTORY ROLL/ THE RAAF AT WAR" 1945. Dust cover white and black print on front and spine. Blue background. Illustration - silhouette three aircraft in flight. Back - photograph of Australian War Memorial, Canberra.book series, raaf, ww2, william john sullivan -
Australian Gliding Museum
Machine - ES56 Nymph Sailplane
ES 56 Nymph Following the successful introduction of the ES 52 Kookaburra two-seater in mid-1954, Edmund Schneider Ltd designed a higher performance single seat sailplane of similar construction and with similar handling qualities. It was designated the ES 56 and became known as the ES56 “Nymph”. The ES56 Nymph was a success in that it delivered the anticipated performance and was found to have satisfactory flying characteristics. However, only the prototype (“Nymph -I”) and three production examples (“Nymph-II”) were built. Schneiders made some changes to the design before building the production version. The wing chord at the tip on the prototype measured 650 mm. This was reduced to 500 mm for subsequent builds. The explanation is that provision was made in the original design for the possible lengthening of the tapered wing to 13 metres. However, apparently it was decided to retain the 11.900 metre span which allowed the tip chord to be reduced slightly. Other changes included the installation of scissor type air brakes in the wing instead of simple hinged flap spoilers and the addition of a landing wheel behind the skid on the fuselage. On one of the Nymph-II a dorsal was added on top of the fuselage forward of the vertical fin when repairs were made rectifying damage incurred as a result of an accident at Benalla on 31 March 1963. Even before these ES56 gliders were finished, Edmund Schneider Ltd decided to offer a less expensive single seat design to cater in particular for newly solo pilots, the ES57 Kingfisher. With the Kingfisher, Schneiders reverted to a traditional airfoil (Gott 549) for the wing instead of the laminar flow section that was chosen for the Nymph in the pursuit of performance. As such, the Kingfisher was more appropriately characterised as a single seat version of the Kookaburra in comparison to the Nymph. Schneiders continued for a time to offer the ES56 Nymph as a high-performance sailplane. However, its place in the market was soon overtaken by imported designs with superior performance, such as the Schleicher KA6, which Schneiders also imported and built under license. Nymph-I was test flown in December 1955 and entered by Harry Schneider into the gliding championships held at Waikerie from 5th to 16th of that month. Harry finished 12th in the individual placing out of a field of approximately 24. The capabilities of the Nymph were further demonstrated by Harry Schneider in January 1956 with a Gold C flight of 193 miles from Gawler in South Australia to Walpeup in Victoria. Nymph-I was acquired by the Port Pirie Gliding Club in South Australia. It has been saved and restored and is a regular feature at vintage glider rallies in Victoria and New South Wales. See Museum Newsletter No 35 Winter Edition 2017 pages 3 -6, for that story. The Nymph-II production models were delivered by Edmund Schneider Ltd in October 1956 to the Gliding Club of Victoria, the Victorian Motorless Flight Group and the Royal Australian Navy Gliding Association. The VMFG flew its Nymph in the First National Gliding Championships at Tocumwal, NSW, in December 1956 and all three were flown at the Second National Gliding Championships at Benalla in 29th December 1958 to 8th January 1959, delivering competitive performances based on handicap. Nymph-I Serial Number 17 Original owner – Port Pirie Gliding Club, S.A. Registered VH-GHG on 20 August 1957 Re-registered VH-GHA on 11 October 2016 Currently Raywood, Victoria Believed airworthy Nymph-II Serial Number 20 Original owner – R.A.N. Gliding Association Registered VH-GDX on 20 May 1957 Currently Locksley, Victoria. In storage Nymph-II Serial Number 21 Original owner – Gliding Club of Victoria Registered VH-GHU on 27 August 1957 Currently Bendick Murrell, N.S.W. In storage Nymph-II Serial Number 22 Original owner – Victorian Motorless Flight Group Registered VH-GFE on 5 March 1957 Currently Bacchus Marsh, Victoria Under restoration for display. The Museum’s exhibit is the ES56, serial number 22, registered as VH-GFE. The glider was flown by the VMFG in Victoria until approximately September 1968. GFA records show that it was transferred to Queensland in 1968, and it passed through several owners until the mid-1970s. Information received indicates that it was flown by the Leichardt Soaring Club at Mount Isa in the (late?) 1960s. The history from then is not presently known except to say that it has been kept in dry storage for many years. It is not known when the glider was last flown. What is Significant? The Schneider ES 56 Nymph single seat sailplane, serial number 22, designed and built in 1955-1956, by Edmund Schneider Ltd in Adelaide. It was delivered to its original owner, the Victorian Motorless Flight Group, in October 1956, and registered as VH-GFE on 5 March 1957. How it is Significant? The ES56 Nymph is of historical, aesthetic, scientific and research, and social significance to the Australian gliding community. Why it is Significant? The ES56 is of historical significance as it was designed and built by Edmund and Harry Schneider. The Schneiders immigrated to Australia after the end of the second world war bringing with them considerable expertise in relation to glider design and construction. Over the following decades they maintained a close association with the Gliding Federation of Australia and the gliding clubs and through their glider production made a major contribution to the sport. The ES56 is part of that story. The ES56 in its design and construction exhibits the glider construction technology of the time, which principally consisted of lightweight wooden framework skinned with ply and doped fabric. It exbibits design innovation, notably the use of a laminar flow wing profile in pursuit of better glide performance. Also, considerable attention was given to simplifying the structure in order to keeping cost and the weight low. The ES56 played a useful role at gliding clubs where it was operated, especially the late 1950s and early 1960s and is remembered well by pilots who flew her. The glider is in the course of restoration and provides an insight into the skills and workmanship that were involved in design, building and maintenance of these wooden aircraft. It is of aesthetic and scientific and research significance. Glider airframe of a traditional wood and fabric covered constructionNoneglider, sailplane, edmund schneider, harry schneider, es56, nymph, es57, kingfisher, victorian motorless flight group, gliding club of victoria, ran gliding association, port pirie gliding club, leichardt soaring club.