A Control Joy Stick presented to Pilot Officer Eric V. Read in 1937 after it was recovered from an aircraft he was flying had crashed in the Brisbane Ranges in December 1936. Eric Read was a 21 year old RAAF pilot who was on a flight over the Bacchus Marsh region to make meteorological observations. Read's plane came down in bad weather and crashed into a heavily wooded area of the Brisbane Ranges between Staughton Vale and Mount Wallace. An extensive air and ground search was conducted and after 32 hours Read was located, alive, but badly injured and unable to get out of the cockpit of the plane. He was first located from the air and then a rescue party was able to reach him through rough country and bring him to safety. Read recovered from his injuries and many years later gifted the control stick of the aircraft he had been flying as an item for the collection of the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society.This item is of local historical significance as an object related to a notable aircraft accident and subsequent rescue of the pilot. It is also significant for its rarity as a surviving piece of aviation equipment from this era.Control or Joy stick mounted on a wooden base.aircraft, aircraft accidents, eric v. read

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

This image is one from a series of portraits taken by Rob Elliott to record the character of the Border District through the faces if its identities. Born on 10 July 1931 in Walwa, Joseph Gordon (Joe) Drage operated a timber mill and earthmoving business, but his great passion was aviation. After obtaining his pilot’s licence at the age of 19, Mr. Drage set about buying vintage aircraft that he feared would be sold overseas. He bought his first aircraft, a Tiger Moth in 1965. In 1972 he established Drage Historical Aircraft Museum on about 60 ha of land in Wodonga, with 5 planes. Over time this grew to 21 planes which Joe maintained so that they were all in flying order. His museum was the location for several air shows which included fly-ins by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association. The land occupied by the Museum was compulsorily acquired by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation and Wangaratta council bought the aircraft collection for about $2 million. They opened Drage Airworld in 1984. The cost of maintaining the collection became too much for the council which closed it down in 2002. Joe Drage died on 9 August 2017.This portrait depicts a person who made a significant contribution to the Wodonga community.A portrait of Joe Drage sitting on the wheel of his Tigermoth. The photo has been mounted in a metal frame.joe drage airworld, aircraft museum wodonga, joe drage

A 62 page book outlining the loss of the Beaufort Bomber and the search to locate it. The book includes maps, illustrations and a bibliography. The cover features a map of the search area for the bomber.This book tracks the crash of the RAAF Beaufort, A9-228 which crashed in the mountains near Eskdale, Victoria and the search to locate the wreckage. On the night of 4 June 1945, just weeks before the end of World War 1, a Beaufort Bomber went missing whilst conducting a navigational exercise between Mount Gambier in South Australia and Sale in Victoria.The aircraft was meant to head east, but instead it headed north east due to a series of navigational errors. It flew over Albury, circled and then headed towards the Victorian Alps. It flew over the town of Eskdale in Northeast Victoria and crashed into the side of Mount Tawonga. All crew on board perished. Those lost were Flight Officer Don Flavel (pilot), Flight Officer Robert Clayton (navigator), Flight Officer Fred Wallis and Flight Sergeant L. J. Sims (radio operator). At the time of the crash, many members of the Eskdale community were in the public hall just beginning to watch a screening of the Bing Crosby movie, "Going My Way". This accounts for the title of the publication.beaufort bomber crash 1945, beaufort bomber eskdale, aircraft accidents victoria

This publication has a hard cover with a dust jacket. It consists of 191 pages, including 85 black and white and 12 coloured images.This book includes biographies of 16 different airmen with whom the compiler has come in contact. They have had their own uniques experiences in aviation. 12 of them served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). One of the aviators featured in this publication is Joe Drage, Born on 10 July 1931 in Walwa, Joseph Gordon (Joe) Drage operated a timber mill and earthmoving business, but his great passion was aviation. After obtaining his pilot’s licence at the age of 19, Mr. Drage set about buying vintage aircraft that he feared would be sold overseas. He bought his first aircraft, a Tiger Moth in 1965. In 1972 he established Drage Historical Aircraft Museum on about 60 ha of land in Wodonga, with 5 planes. Over time this grew to 21 planes which Joe maintained so that they were all in flying order. His museum was the location for several air shows which included fly-ins by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association. The land occupied by the Museum was compulsorily acquired by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation and Wangaratta council bought the aircraft collection for about $2 million. They opened Drage Airworld in 1984. The cost of maintaining the collection became too much for the council which closed it down in 2002. Joe Drage died on 9 August 2017.air pilots australia, aviation history, joe drage, joe drage airworld

Born on 10 July 1931 in Walwa, Joseph Gordon (Joe) Drage operated a timber mill and earthmoving business, but his great passion was aviation. After obtaining his pilot’s licence at the age of 19, Mr. Drage set about buying vintage aircraft that he feared would be sold overseas. He bought his first aircraft, a Tiger Moth in 1965. In 1972 he established Drage Historical Aircraft Museum on about 60 ha of land in Wodonga, with 5 planes. Over time this grew to 21 planes which Joe maintained so that they were all in flying order. His museum was the location for several air shows which included fly-ins by members of the Antique Aeroplane Association. The land occupied by the Museum was compulsorily acquired by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation and Wangaratta council bought the aircraft collection for about $2 million. They opened Drage Airworld in 1984. The cost of maintaining the collection became too much for the council which closed it down in 2002. Joe Drage died on 9 August 2017.This image is significant because it depicts a popular Wodonga business which brought many people to the region over more than a decade.A black and white photo of building used as aircraft museum in Wodongaaircraft museum wodonga, joe drage, joe drage airworld

KEVIN ‘BOOFA’ INNES By Lucy McCormick Kevin was a member of the celebrated Innes clan from Inglewood, in Central Victoria. “I think the first Innes’ came to Inglewood in 1851. My daughter used to say she can’t marry anyone from Inglewood, because she’s related to them all,” says Kevin. ‘Boofa’ is enjoying some well-earned relaxation on the couch after breaking a kneecap six or seven months ago in a track work incident. Not that it seems to be bothering him too much; he’s got plenty of time to keep up with the trots on television. “I do follow them,” Kevin says. “I don’t miss many, and I do have a bet. I like to sit in the chair and drive a race as much as anyone.” With an illustrious career both as a trainer and in the sulky, it’s a safe bet that Kevin Innes is a more than handy ‘grandstand driver’. His name is associated as a trainer/driver with many handy horses, including Lea Sands, Imatoff and Stormy Morn to name a few. Kevin is typically circumspect about his bigger triumphs, however that doesn’t seem to be what interests him the most. “I’ll tell you something,” he declares, doing just that, “I like winning with the horses that were no good. Some people never get a good horse. Imagine that. Luck is a very, very important thing. You have to have luck to buy a good horse at the sales, to get it going, keep it sound, find a race for it, find and owner and get a draw. And they still make a liar of you.” Funny, interesting or quirky stories seem to be of greater interest to Kevin, such as the time he had a strong chance in a standing start race – the favourite in the race being his only worry. “I told the owner it only had a 20-metre handicap – I couldn’t beat it off that,” he remembers. “So I was leading, waiting for the favourite to run past me. Toward the finish, I heard it coming, and it ran straight past all right – minus the driver. He’d fallen out of the cart and I won the race. Just lucky.” The Innes family have always been heavily involved in one sporting pursuit or another – Kevin himself being a champion bike rider of his time. “My Uncle Roy was a good bike rider, so he dared me to have a go. It turned out I was quite good at it as well.” So good, in fact that for many years Kevin was able to make a living from bike riding, riding the ‘board track’ for many years. “We trained hard. Bike riding was very big back then, we’d train and ride three or four times a week.” Kevin’s riding career spanned four Herald Sun Tours, a Warrnambool to Melbourne and a Sydney to Melbourne race, to name a few. “It definitely gets you in – it was long hours,” he muses. “But like anything, horse racing included, you only get back what you put in. We trained hard. I never drank, and I still don’t. I’ve seen that many athletes, great ones too, brought down by alcohol.” Lucky with injury too, Kevin can only remember a sore ankle – as well as the requisite scrapes and abrasions from tumbles on the wooden boards of the velodromes. He still enjoys watching all the big bike races when he can. “You can watch them race all over the world – France, Sweden, Germany. “To be honest I sit up and watch them with my son and we get just as much of a kick looking at the countryside than anything else. It’s so different to when I was racing.” Betting on the bike racing was big in Kevin’s day as well, and some of the bookies Kevin saw betting on the bike racing, he saw at the Showgrounds betting on the trots on a Friday or Saturday night. “Racing was different back then. There would be twelve thousand people at the showgrounds – they don’t have to come anymore, it’s just as easy to watch it on the TV.” Kevin remembers in those days that drivers had to ‘weigh in’ as well – everyone who drove needed to weigh ten stone (just under 65 kilograms). It’s something he remembers fondly. “I know not everyone will.” Kevin won’t be drawn on the subject of favourite drivers, either. “Look. Driving is different now. No disrespect to current drivers, but you had to think a lot more on a three furlong track than they do now on the bigger tracks. You had to drive with brains. And I really believe that good horses make good drivers. The horses are very good these days. Today’s drivers – your Gavin Langs, Chris Alfords – they’re thinkers, and brains will beat brawn every time. The girls are just as good now too. You only have to look at Kerryn Manning.” A garrulous and popular character, Kevin has trained horses for the likes of legendary Richmond player Jack Dyer, and also spent his fair share of time hosting sportsman’s nights, holding his own with the likes of Ron Barassi. On one such night, they had flown in a light aircraft to their destination. During their show, Kevin noticed their pilot, sitting in the front row, laughing appreciatively. There was one problem. He had a beer in his hand, and was consuming it with some enthusiasm. As the night wore on, the pilot became more and more inebriated, and Kevin became more and more disturbed, knowing that this was the same pilot who was to fly them home when they finished. Unbeknownst to Kevin, however, the flight had been cancelled and the pilot hadn’t told anyone, instead deciding to take full advantage of his client’s hospitality. For now, Kevin is happy living in Inglewood with partner Barbara. Son Grant and daughter Carla aren’t far away (both work at the Bendigo Harness track, and Carla has held both a trainer and driver’s licence). His granddaughter, Barclay Sands, was born on the same day of the demise of their star performer, Lea Sands, and may give the biggest hint yet just how important the world of harness racing is to Kevin ‘Boofa’ Innes. Blue with white yolkKevin Innes embroidered on left side chestkevin innes, k innes, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, bendigo, horses, race colours, trotting, pacing, harness racing

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. The article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Photos are at 01523 also see media release at 01521. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality, see items at 01250, 01520. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. An example of promotional material from the 1990s, including the speech and media release. Marketing material and photos were compiled and released to newspapers, also printed as brochures and sometimes as stickers and collection tin wrappers. Newspaper article for an aviation art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990 and an article about the death of the artist.legacy week, paintings, promotion, frank harding, planes, warplanes

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. A newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Guests included Bud Tingwell, who flew for the RAAF in World War 2 and other RAAF personnel. It appears to have included a heritage display from the Royal Australian Air Force Museum at the same time. The article is at 01522 also see media release at 01521, more photos of the paintings and guests are in 01524. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Colour photo x 6 of an art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990.legacy week, paintings, planes, warplanes, promotion

Launch of Legacy Week in 1990 included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. A newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Guests included Bud Tingwell, who flew for the RAAF in World War 2 and other RAAF personnel. It appears to have included a heritage display from the Royal Australian Air Force Museum at the same time. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. The article is at 01522 also see media release at 01521, more photos of the paintings and guests are in 01523. In 1990 the slogan was "Lest YOU forget" with an image of the statue of Simpson and his donkey rather than a personality. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is a celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Colour photo x 9 of an art exhibition for Legacy Week in 1990.legacy week, painting, promotion, planes, warplanes

Photograph of Legatee Bob Cowper and another man by displays of paintings of aircraft. It was the launch of Legacy Week in 1990 which included an exhibition of Aviation Art at Legacy House. Paintings were by Frank Harding of Renmark, South Australia. The photo was used for a newspaper article published on 23 August 1990, mentions that Frank Harding had painted over 50 paintings of aircraft flown by Australians and published a book of the images. It was called 'They flew for the King'. Each painting had been extensively researched to capture a specific moment in the World War 2 combat career of various pilots, flight officers or bomb-aimers. His aim was to honour the fine efforts of these great individuals. Unfortunately the artist died a few weeks after the exhibition and launch of his book. Photos are at 01523, the article at 01522, also see media release at 01521. Date is assumed to be 22 August 1990 from the reference number on the back 900822.An example of an art exhibition being held at Legacy House to promote Legacy during Legacy week in 1990.Black and white photo of Legatee Bob Cowper at the aviation exhibition. Stamped on back Copyright Herald and Weekly Times in green ink. Handwritten "900822 / 261" in blue ink, "Pic 7" in black ink.legacy promotion, legacy week, painting

introduction of beech t-1a jayhawk, briefings: ah-64d longbow apache, hercules c.mk1(k), cfb goose bay, raf no.56 squadron phantoms in cyprus on last armament practice camp, royal malaysian air force photo feature, focus aircraft: grumman a-6 intruder (62 pages), variant briefing: sikosky s-70/h-60 part 1 – army versions, interview: fast cas – alaskan style, f-16 and oa-10 pilots of 343rd wing, air power analysis: india

combat report: sarajevo air bridge, briefings: vc10 tankers, ilyushin il-78m ‘midas’, grumman x-29, chrysler c-27 spartan, mig-31’foxhound’ feature, vma-124 usmc skyhawk unit feature, fuerza aerea colombiana photo feature, interview: alaska hh-60g pave hawk pilot, focus aircraft: saab 37 viggen (50 pages), variant briefing: sikorsky s-70/h-60 part 2 – air force and navy versions, croatian air force photo feature, air power analysis: southern asia

kfor – nato helicopters in kosovo, briefings: slovak live-fire exercise, project wedgetail, usn sh-3h retirement, french navy in allied force, new sukhois at maks ’99 show, rockwell b-1b upgrade feature, afghanistan today feature, vc-8 ‘redtails’ last a-4 unit feature, vt-7 retires a-4 feature, focus aircraft: mcdonnell f-4 phantom (33 pages), usmc ah-1 cobra feature, epner french test pilots school feature, variant briefing: westland lynx part 2 – navy versions, canadian armed forces photo feature, air power analysis: united kingdom

combat report: close air support for un forces over bosnia, briefings: iai s-2up tracker upgrade, ilyushin il-102, latest ‘fulcrum’ variants – mig-29s/k/m, focus aircraft: dassault mirage f.1 (50 pages), variant briefing: saab draken, philippines air force photo feature, interview: vmft-401 usmc adversary squadron pilot, offutt afb 55th wing feature, air power analysis: turkey

briefings: avdef – the french ‘fr aviation’, usaf 82nd aerial targets squadron, air mobility rodeo ’98, air power analysis update: honduras, guatemala, guidimakha ’98 – franco-african exercise feature, green flag ’98 feature, cfb cold lake photo feature, focus aircraft: eurofighter typhoon (44 pages), cvw-14 aboard uss abraham lincoln photo feature, variant briefing: ilyushin il-76, raf exchange pilot with the adla photo feature, air power analysis: japan

Conrad Wood (Woody) graduated from the Victorian School of Forestry in 1957, and after postings with the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) at Swifts Creek and Sirex surveys, he gravitated into the Forest Protection Division in Head Office in the early 1960s. He championed the setting up of proper contractual arrangements for aviation and was involved in implementing the first ongoing, organised contracts for firebombing in eastern Victoria in the 1960s. An early recipient of a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, Woody travelled extensively throughout 1969 in North America and Europe studying aviation in forestry and firefighting. Afterwards he was very active amongst the Churchill alumni. Woody had a passion for innovation and new technology and was instrumental in introducing new aircraft types and new approaches for forest firefighting and forest management. Amongst many other things, he played a major role in organising the trial of a RAAF C130 equipped with MAFFS for firebombing in south-eastern Australia in 1982-84, even piloting the lead plane. His inimitable style was crucial in successfully bringing together the cultures of the myriad organisations involved. Con advocated for the introduction of helicopters. He developed aerial fertilising and seeding techniques for forest management. He even managed to get involved in cloud seeding experiments for forest fire suppression and for improving water yield. Along with aviation, Conrad was passionate about literature, football, politics, food, drink, motorbikes, gardening and Glen Iris, to name a few. He was a committed campaigner on social justice issues and for many years read for vision-impaired people on public radio. He died in 2014. This painting of Woody by notable Australian artist Joyce McGrath OAM (also a Churchill Fellow) was done in the 1980s. Joyce asked Conrad to sit for this portrait which she planned to enter the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. The portrait hung in Churchill House in Canberra, but when a new building was erected, it was returned to the artist/owner. The painting is now owned by Clare Harwood and is on permanent loan to the Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA) and is displayed at DEECA's Altona Museum.Painting of Conrad Wood by Australian artist Joyce McGrath OAMbushfire, bushfire aviation

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.

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Crew members of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company refuel their aircraft. The Unit was unique as it consisted of half RAN Pilots and half US Army pilots. The unit was stationed at Bear Cat, 3 Corps areaphotograph, 135th assault helicopter company, australian navy pilots, united states army pilots, bear cat, 3 corps, gibbons collection catalogue, vietnam, crew members

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of crew members from the 135th Assault Helicopter Company refuelling their aircraft, as they wait for a new tasking. The Unit was unique in that it was made up of half Australian Navy Pilots and half US Army pilots. The unit was stationed at Bear Cat, 3 Corps area, Vietnam.photograph, 135th assault helicopter company, australian navy pilots, united states army pilots, bear cat, 3 corps, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, crew members

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a rotary (helicopter) wing 'Possum' aircraft from 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, stationed at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. The pilot searches the jungle below, for signs of the elusive NVA/VietCong forces operating in the area.photograph, possum aircraft, 161 recon flt, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, 1st australian task force, viet cong

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a rotary (helicopter) wing pilot and his 'Possum' aircraft, swooping low over the jungle of Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, in search of a very elusive NVA/VietCong enemy. These unarmed aircraft were part of the eyes of the Australina Task Force.photograph, helicopter, possum aircraft, jungle, phuoc tuy province, south vietnam, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, viet cong, australian task force

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of 2Lt Terry Ellis a rotary wing (helicopter) pilot with 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, at 1st Austrralian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, South Vietnam. Striding with purpose out to his aircraft to commence a mission in Phuoc Tuy Province.photograph, 2lt terry ellis, 1st atf base, 161 recon flt, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war