The auto tow launching mechanism was designed by Ray Jamieson of Cobram in the north of Victoria. The prototype was built the for the Corowa Gliding Club where it was used for some years. After Ray’s brother, Bert Jamieson, had witnessed the machine in use at Corowa, at Bert’s request, Ray built second one (the Museum’s exhibit) for use at Bacchus Marsh airfield. Bert lived in Melbourne at the time and was a member of the Victorian Motorless Flight Group (VMFG) which used Bacchus Marsh airfield. This occurred in the 1970s. The method of operation was to have the auto tow mechanism mounted in the back of a utility motor vehicle. The launching cable was attached to the glider. With the Volkswagen engine of the mechanism running, the tow vehicle would then drive along the runway to commence the launch. The mechanism would automatically apply brake pressure to the cable drum as the vehicle proceeded freely letting out the cable and then smoothly towing the glider into the air. When the launching cable reached a certain angle, the pilot would release the cable from the glider at which point the winching mechanism would automatically retrieve the cable in preparation for the next launch. This allowed quicker restarts and the flexibility of easily changing runways to suit the wind conditions. It made gliding a simple and cost-effective operation. Ray Jamieson and his son often used the prototype which they named “George” at Corowa in this way. With the exception of several demonstration launches, the Museum’s example of this type of device was not used by the VMFG at Bacchus Marsh due to rulings by the Department of Civil Aviation encouraging the use of aero tow launching at their site. As far as is known this is the only device of its type in the world and is indicative of the ingenuity found amongst the Australian gliding fraternity.Single drum and motorized drive mechanism mounted on a mobile steel frame.australian gliding, glider, sailplane, auto towing, launching, jamieson, corowa gliding club, victorian motorless flight group, vmfg

The EP-1 "Spruce Goose" sailplane was designed and built by Ted Pascoe in 1955 as a smaller than average single seat sailplane that could be operated by two or three people. At times it was launched by auto-towing by Ted Pascoe and his wife without the aid of a third person at the wing tip. The glider exhibited good soaring capability and was used for some cross country flights. For instance, in 1956 Ted Pascoe succeeded in a 36 mile goal flight during which he attained a maximum height of 4500 feet. It was flown at the Mt Gambier Gliding Club from 1956 until about 1961. The Log Book shows that it was flown at Everard in 1961 and at Everard, Waikerie, Gawler and Keith in 1962. There is a gap in flying record for this aircraft from 1962 until 1967. From 1967 to 1972 it was flown regularly at various places in South Australia including Whitwarta, Stonefield, Renmark, and Gawler. For many years it was owned and flown by Mervyn Gill of the Balaklava Gliding Club.The EP-1 glider is an example of a successful Australian home built design from the 1950s. It was one of a small number of notable locally designed gliders of less than the usual 15 metre wing span from the 1950s and 1960s.Small, light weight, sailplane of wooden construction with fabric covering on wings (strutted), elevator and rudder. Instruments have been removed and control column is not in place. Serial Number GFA/HB/24 australian gliding, glider, sailplane, spruce goose, ep 1, ted pascoe, mt gambier gliding club, mervyn gill, balaklava gliding club

The Bocian is a versatile training sailplane that first flew in 1952. The type has been modified in several respects over the course of production by SZD (tailplane and rudder in particular). About 600 have been built; many for export to 27 countries (including Australia). The aerobatic capability and fine performance (best glide ratio of 26) has enabled the Bocian to be used to train competition pilots as well as those of lesser experience. Many world gliding records were set in the 1950s and 1960s in Bocian gliders. The Museum’s example is a type D test flown in Poland on 3 and 4 April 1963. It was imported into Australia in September 1963 by Austerserve Pty Ltd. The first owner was the Alice Springs Gliding Club and the glider had name “Cumulus” painted on the side of the fuselage (since removed). The glider had recorded 726 hours 46 minutes flying time from 2138 launches as at July 1967 when it was transferred to the Darwin Gliding Club. It appears that the glider was damaged in June 1968. The substantial repairs to the fuselage, both wings and tailplane and other minor repairs were completed on 13 October 1968. The glider continued flying with the Darwin Gliding Club until August 1969 at which time the service to that club amounted to 59 hours 7 minutes flying time from 348 flights. Between August 1969 and August 1976 no flights are recorded in the logbook. It is understood that on its last flight at Bachelor, south of Darwin in the Northern Territory (August 1969) it was severely damaged when it crashed after spinning while being auto-tow launched (although this is not expressly mentioned in the logbook). Reg Hancock purchased the damaged glider and rebuilt the port wing and restored it to airworthy condition (September 1976). It was then transferred to Colac, Victoria, and used by the Colac Gliding Group at the Yeo airfield until February 1981, adding another 153 hours from 403 flights to the glider’s record. After airworthy inspection in September 1982 the glider was used by the Geelong Gliding Club until 1983 (logbook details not held). The 20 year survey was then due and the glider fell out of service. In the course of the most recent restoration attempt it was discovered that the glue used in construction had deteriorated and that it was no longer feasible to bring it back to an airworthy condition. Subject to restoration, this exhibit may be representative of the 1950s - 1960s Bocian two seat sailplane typeThis exhibit is a large two seat glider /sailplane of wood and fabric construction. All components are present with the exception of instruments. However, at the time that the aircraft was transferred to the Museum it had been taken apart for major restoration work. As received it is stripped of the top coats of paint and a number of components (including, amongst others, tip fairings, nose cone and cockpit elements) that were removed for facilitating the repair process. The glider, serial number 803, was registered as VH-GNLaustralian gliding, glider, sailplane, bocian, cumulus, alice springs gliding club, darwin gliding club, colac gliding group, geelong gliding club, hancock

The 1982 Ford V6 engine, built at the Ford Essex Engine Plant at Windsor in Ontario Canada, was released by Ford for installation in a number of car and light truck models manufactured in Canada, United States, Mexico and Venezula. Production probably exceeded 7 million items. The Australian Gliding Museum’s exhibit was an engine converted for aircraft use that was bought for the Gliding Federation of Australia “Auto-Tug” program from Javelin Aircraft Company in Wichita in USA. “Auto-Tug” was an experimental program sponsored by the Gliding Federation of Australia to equip a glider – sailplane Piper Pawnee PA-25-150 tug with a water-cooled engine to alleviate the costs of running and maintaining the Lycoming engines fitted to Pawnee tugs in Australia. The program began in 1988 and was aimed at obtaining limited certification for converting dedicated glider – sailplane tow planes. The engine equipped with modified intake manifolds produced 198 hp for flight with the same propeller RPM for take-off as the original Lycoming 0-540 engine. However, fuel consumption was halved as the water cooling of the Ford engine enabled quicker descents with throttle closed following the release of the sailplane. Based on the results of GFA’s program, CASA concluded that engine was quite suitable for an aircraft installation and rated it more reliable than the equivalent Lycoming and Continental aircraft engine. The use of the 1982 Ford V6 engine type for Pawnee tug conversions was discontinued when the General Motors LS1 5.7 litre V8 became available. It is understood that a small number of conversions have been done using the LS1 engine. This brief history is based on information obtained from Mike Burns and David Sharples who were involved in the Auto-Tug program from 1988 to 1992. Technical information relating to the 1982 Ford V6 automotive engine is contained in a paper by D.L. Armstrong and G.F. Stirrat of the Engine Engineering Office at Ford. Indicative of technological experimentation in the sport of glidingFord auto engine mounted on mobile standaustralian gliding, glider, sailplane, auto-tug, pawnee, tug, auto, engine, motor, ford, gliding federation of australia, burns, sharples.

Set of 24 transparencies taken on 20/5/1971 on Kodak mounts. 1195.1 - Bendigo 19 arriving at Charing Cross en route to North Bendigo with Fountain Plaza and the City Family Hotel in the background. No. 19 has two roof ads for the SEC. -'Electricity better for cooking' and 'Everything's under control in my all electric kitchen' 1195.2 - as above, but standing at the Charing cross stop, with the Beehive Stores and other buildings along the east side of Pall Mall in the background. 1195.3 - No 21 ex Golden Square crossing View St. trackwork in front of No. 25 waiting to depart for Quarry Hill. No.21 has two roof ads (as for No.19 in 1195.1) and No.25 has one SEC roof ad and another. Ezywalkin sign in the background, and Fountain Plaza. 1195.4 - as for 1195.3, but after 21 has arrived and 25 left for Quarry Hill. Has Ezywalkin store and the Beehive store in the background. 1195.5 - No. 5 at the Eaglehawk terminus. Photo taken with a cannon in foreground looking along High St. Eaglehawk. Has shops on the west side of High St. in the background. 1195.6 - No. 5 at the Eaglehawk terminus, close up of the rear of the tram - note tow bar arrangement. Has destination of Quarry Hill. 1195.7-Nos.25 and 5 crossing at the Thorpe St. Loop, California Gully. No. 25 bound for Eaglehawk (has SEC Briquette and electric cooking roof ads) and 5 en route for Quarry Hill with a SEC and Cinzano roof ad. 1195.8 - as for 1195.7, but after trams have passed each other. Has Borough Auto Service building in the background. 1195.9 - No. 5 in Mt Korong Road, towards Bamard Street, photo taken after tram has passed photographer. 1195.10 - No. 30 at the Golden Square terminus with the Milk Bar on the right hand side of the photograph. 1195.11 - No. 30 inbound at Fire Station Loop, High St. Golden Square. Has old fire station in the background. Passengers are boarding the tramcar. 1195.12 - No. 30 in High St, bound for North Bendigo between Vine and Wattle Streets. 1195.13 - No. 5 bound for Eaglehawk waits at Iron Bark Gully Loop, at Hayes St. 1195.14 - No. 5 and No. 2 crossing at Iron Bark Gully Loop. 1195.15 - No. 5 bound for Eaglehawk leaving the Manchester Loop, Long gully. 1195.16 - No. 5 passing William Street, Long Gully en route to Eaglehawk. 1195.17 - No. 5 just before the California Gully Crossing Loop. 1195.18 - Nos. 5 and 26 crossing at California Gully crossing Loop. No. 5 heading to Eaglehawk, 26, Quarry Hill. 1195.19 - No. 5 in High St. Eaglehawk with Bob Moyle's Victoria Hotel and the TAB in the background. 1195.20 - No. 5 in High St. Eaglehawk approaching the terminus. Photo taken after the tram has passed the photographer. Has Foodland store and J. Best Fruit supply in the background, along with Eaglehawk Town Hall. 1195.21 - No. 5 at the Eaglehawk terminus, photo taken along seldom used track along High St. 1195.22 - as for 1195.22 - but at the very end of the track. 1195.23 - No. 5 en route for Quarry Hill climbs High St. Eaglehawk with the Victoria Hotel and Eaglehawk Town Hall in the background. 1195.24 - No. 5 and 25 crossing at Jobs Gully Loop. Note 25 has a black on white destination roll, while No. 5 has a white on black destination roll. Information written on in black ink and date stamped on purple ink. 1195.1 - "No. 19 arrives at Charing Cross Bendigo from Golden Square" 1195.2 - "No. 19 about to leave Charing Cross for North Bendigo" 1195.3 - "No. 25 awaiting departure for Quarry Hill, watches No. 21 arrive at Charring Cross from Golden Square" 1195.4 - "No. 21 on North Bendigo service and No. 25 on Quarry Hill run await departure at Charing Cross" 1195.5 - "No. 5 at Eaglehawk terminus" 1195.6 - "No. 5 at Eaglehawk terminus" 1195.7 - "Nos. 5 and 25 crossing at Thorpe St. Loop, California". 1195.8 - "Nos. 25 and 5 crossing Thorpe St. Loop, California Gully". 1195.9 - "No. 5 descending Mt Korong Rd. towards Bamard St." 1195.10 - "Birney car No. 30 at Golden Square terminus" 1195.11 - "Birney car No. 30 in High Street near Thistle Street (Fire Station Loop)" 1195.12 - "No. 30 in High St. between vine and Wattle Streets" 1195.13 - "No. 25 at Hayes Street Loop Iron Bark". 1195.14 - "Nos. 2 and 5 crossing at Hayes Street Loop Iron Bark" 1195.15 - "No. 5 at Manchester Loop opposite Havilah Road, Long Gully" 1195.16 - "No. 5 passing William Street, Long Gully". 1195.17 - "No. 5 at California Gully" 1195,18 - "Nos. 26 and 5 at Thorpe St. Loop, California Gully". 1195.19 - "No. 5 in High St. Eaglehawk". 1195.20 - "No. 5 approaching Eaglehawk terminus" 1195.21 - "No. 5 at Eaglehawk terminus" 1195.22 - "No. 5 at Eaglehawk terminus" 1195.23 - "No. 5 in High St. Eaglehawk" tramways, trams, bendigo, charing cross, eaglehawk, california gully, golden square, iron bark gully, jobs gully, tram 2, tram 5, tram 19, tram 21, tram 25, tram 26, tram 30

The Charlton Roadhouse was established in the 1960s (TBC)Colour photograph of the Charlton Roadhouse taken from the other side of the highway looking south east. The highway is visible in the lower part of the photo. The roadhouse is a single storey building with large windows at the front. There is a large roof extending over the petrol pumps. There is a large sign on the roof which reads RESTAURANT. A brown coloured car with a white roof, dark bonnet and towing a trailer is facing toward the photographer. A man is getting the driver's side. A lighter coloured car is facing away from the photographer and a man is beside this car. There is a white Toyota utility parked on the right hand side of the roadhouse in front of the ice storage. There is a small sign for ESSO on the roof edge and a freestanding sign for ESSO close to the entrance to the roadhouse. There is a sign on wheels near the road reading NOW OPEN and another that reads L.P. GAS AUTO GAScharlton roadhouse, business, industry, charlton