Basil George Watson was an aviation pioneer born in Bendigo 12/10/1893. The family moved to Melbourne when he was a child. In 1914 he went to England to work as an engineer for the Sopwith Aviation Company. He also took flying lessons and received his licence in 1915. He now worked as a test pilot for Sopwith but when a crash rendered him unfit for military duty, he returned to Australia in late 1915. He designed and constructed his own biplane in the back yard of his Elsternwick home. At the end of 1916 he tested his plane by flying from Point Cook to Bendigo and then to Melbourne. This included an aviation display in Bendigo. He followed this by flying to Warnambool 25/1/1916. He then set up an experimental airmail flight from Melbourne to Mount Gambier. On 28th March 1917, Watson was demonstrating aerobatics for the entertainment of AIF servicemen at Point Cook, when his plane collapsed and fell into the ocean close to shore. Unfortunately, Watson was tangled in the plane's wires and died. On hearing of his death, the bells of St Pauls in Bendigo and the Bendigo fire bell tolled.A paper detailing the life of Bendigo pilot Basil Watson, one of the first Australian pilots. 4 pages.aviation, basil watson, sopwith

The Bendigo Aero Club laid out the Myers Flat aerodrome in 1929 to serve as an airport for Northern Victoria and the Riverina. In May 1929, 12 machines arrived to give an aerial display to local citizenry.Black and white photograph glued to brown cardboard. Photo of a single engine propeller plane in front of a shed. The sign on the shed reads: T.B.T. Aviation Co. Passenger flights from 10 shillings every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday. Markings on the plane: VH-UHG Eaglehawk. Two men are standing, and one is in the cockpit of the plane. Part of the Barker's family collection.At "Drome" Myers Flat. Left to right: O'Halloran, Cyril James (brother of Emmie Barker nee James), J.S. Barker.myers flat, aviation, tbt aviation

Retrieved from crashed (during W.W.2) Avro Anson aircraft at Propeller Bay near Lady Julia Percy Island in 13 metres of water. Found adjacent to the remains of the engine and propeller in June 1993 by Peter Ronald. It was possibly used to adjust control cables. The plane went down on the 15th February 1944 Flight Sgt. J.H. MacLellen, Flight Sgt D.l. Baulderstone, LAC N.T. Kruck, LAC B.C. Ladyman were killed. A memorial was erected at the 'Crags' on the 14th of February 2015 . " At 0800 Anson AW878 of 2AOS took off from Mount Gambier to carry out a radius of action navigation exercise to Lady Julia Percy Island (located off the Victorian coast, midway between Portland and Warrnambool) and back to Mount Gambier. By 1230 it was overdue, and that afternoon a search was instituted. No radio messages had been received from the Anson, although it had been seen during the exercise by another aircaraft. At 1430 part of the mainplane was sighted on Lady Julia Percy Island. Subsequently a fishing boat searched in the vicinity of the island and passed through small pieces of wreckage strewn over about 3 miles. A further search uncovered wreckage which identified the plane beyond doubt, including fuel tank bay cover with AW878 penciled on it, and a Mae West which had been signed out by one of the crew. The bodies of the four crew were never located." This information comes from a report at Mt Gambier Airport where the plane was stationed.Two small pieces of metal that bring the reality of war to our shoresArtefact from crashed aircraft at Lady Julia Percy islandlocal history, transport, aviation, aircraft, lady julia percy island, j.h. maclellen, d.l. baulderstone, n.t. kruck, b.c. ladyman

Handwritten Document

non-fictionThis book relates the history of Albury to what readers can see around them and also focuses on special areas. It was the first history of Albury to explain in detail about the indigenous occupants of the area. It also examines sport, military history, the role of German, Lebanese and other non-English people and the National Growth Centre project up to 1991. The book also seeks to present Albury to the wider world by looking at a range of topics including its role in Federation, its vital wartime role and aviation history. and key figures who have played a role in making Albury what it is today.albury heritage, albury history

Official RAAF Magazine issued fortnightly during WW2 between April 1943 to March 1946In publication since 1942, Wings delivers an informative and entertaining collation of Australia's proud aviation history, the latest aerospace research and technology, aviation industry and military news, encouragement for our junior leaders and engagement with the veteran community.Grey and white magazine with photograph of WREN on a boat at sea.Vol 4 No 5 Dec. 12, 1944 wings, raaf, magazine, ww2

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

Index, notes, Appendices, ill, p.134.In 'Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults' Ray Jones has written an authoritative account of the technical, operational and political aspects of Australian naval aviation from Admiral Creswell's 1913 plan for naval aviation until the last aircraft catapult was removed from an Australian cruiser in 1944.The Navy's role as catalyst in the formation of the Air Force is outlined for the first time and details of the sometimes acrimonius struggle between Navy and Air Force over naval aviation are provided. No serious work of RAN history can deal with the mid-war years without taking account of advice from London and the Admiralty's influence on RAN aviation planning is made clear. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Australian warships are described and the rationale of cruiser aircraft operations are illustrated by the number shot down or damaged performing their essential task in wartime. The vital role of aircraft operating from cruisers searching for raiders and taking part in fleet operations defending Australia in 1942 is stressed. Extensive archival research in Melbourne, Canberra and London, combined with hours of interviews with the men who flew aircraft from cruisers and carrier, has ensured a balanced and well-rounded narrative which is an essential addition to the library of any naval or aviation history enthusiast.airplanes - military - australia, world war 1939-1945 - naval operations - australia

From a box of photographs in Nancy U'REN's papers used during research for her thesis, The Early Growth and Development of Sandridge (1976) and/or her book with Noel TURNBULL, A History of Port Melbourne (1983). The Wackett Trainer was designed in Australia and manufactured at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation factory on Fisherman's Bend. This is a cropped version of image AC0154 in the Australian War Museum. Wackett Trainer A3-200. Last of a batch of 200 built, flown by Mr J.O. CARTER, civilian production test pilot. Photographed by John HARRISON, from a Wirraway A20-584 flown by Mr K.M. FREWIN. [The AWM identifies the location as Fisherman's Bend but the coastline, particularly in the original AWM version, is clearly not Fisherman's Bend].Black and white photograph from the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation showing the Wackett Trainer A3-200 airplane in flight. Last of a batch of 200 built, flown by Mr J.O. CARTER, civilian production test pilot. Photographed by John HARRISON, from a Wirraway A20-584 flown by Mr K.M. FREWIN.commonwealth aircraft corporation, wackett trainer, transport - aviation and aerodrome, nancy u'ren nee morris, j o carter

Information supplied stated these were used in Kittyhawks of No 80 Sqd RAAF during WW2.U.S Camera Gun Type N - 6 in black metal casing with knobs and lens, Fairchild Aviation Corp New York. Property of U.S Army Air Forces.military history, airforce, equipment, photography, cameras