B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc Werribee, Victoria
The museum is a memorial to the air crew and ground crew who flew and serviced the B-24 Liberator bomber during World War 2 operations in the Pacific area.
A Liberator bomber is being restored and will form the centrepiece of a museum complex including a Memorial Wall and WW2 arefacts.
Links
Contact Information
Opening Hours
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm
Entry Fee
$5.00 adult, children under 16 free
Location
Corner Farm Rd & Princes Highway Werribee Victoria
View on Google MapsThe collection is a memorial to all personnel who served with B-24 Liberator heavy bombers during World War 2, particularly RAAF and USAAF personnel in the Pacific theatre. The collection reflects on the times and experiences of those who gave their time and health, or life, while defending the democratic beliefs of the allies and importantly, the security of Australia. Based upon the B-24 Liberator, the collection recognises specifically joint RAAF and USAAF operations commencing in Australia with the training in the late 1930s of RAAF pilots in conjunction with the Empire Air Training Scheme, through to the joint USAAF operations north of Borneo in 1945 countering Japanese advances into the region and culminating in the end of the war. In particular, the collection concentrates on the period 1943 to 1947. The collection includes the ongoing restoration of one of the RAAF?s last obtained B-24 Liberators (A72-176). This aircraft is significant as the only surviving example of its kind in the southern hemisphere. It is also an important part of Australia?s aviation history. In addition to the B-24 Liberator, the main focus of the collection, there is a range of equipment and artefacts relevant to the training and service of B-24 Liberator air and ground crews; the early stages of building a replica Airspeed Oxford training aircraft; flight simulators, models, books, photographs, uniforms, and memorabilia. The objective of the collection is to be a memorial as well as to give visitors the opportunity to view this aircraft and to understand the training pilots and crews underwent from basic training through to operations against the enemy.
Significance
Iconic aircraft and associated artefacts from an important period of Australia's modern history
138 items
138 items
American USAF Flag and Certificate
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
American Flag wrapped in triangular shape and contained within a red felt covered box with a certificate and covering letter
Inscriptions & Markings
Refer to certificate and covering letter
Gun Turret - Rear Gun Turret
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Perspex side and top covered metal round gun turret with 1 inch steel plate
Wheel Hub and Leg
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Metal wheel hub and leg minus tyre.
Historical information
These wheels were fitted to the B-24 Liberator
Book on B-24 Liberators - Leyburn's Liberators
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Softback book.
Historical information
A history of RAAF 200 Flight at Leyburn Airfield.
Significance
A little known story of secret operations.
Inscriptions & Markings
Inscribed inside 'Mr C Chapman, 41 Bay Road, Oatley, 2223'
A4 sheet of War Office Courses - War Office Courses
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
War Office Courses offered by University Correspondence College
Plaque presented to Bill Bakker
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Wooden Plaque presented to Bill Bakker
Significance
Included in the collection of Bill Bakker ex RNEIAAF
Inscriptions & Markings
Air Force Association, Victorian Division. Life Member, Mr. W.M. Bakker - 1976
Aircraft Recognition Model - Model Aircraft
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Large bakelite B17 Flying Fortress aircraft, coloured matt black, including hole for suspension and mobility.
Historical information
Created to supply training and recognition of friendly/enemy aircraft.
Significance
Expanded the skills of recognition for air crew, ground crew and defence activities.
Inscriptions & Markings
"Flying Fortress" Boeing B17E.E9-2324 DS^D DLTDC
Flying Log Book - Flight Log- Liberator Flights
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Plastic covered ring binder,A4 plastic sheet covered photocopied paper.
Historical information
R.M. Beattie qualified as a B24-Liberator pilot on9/05/1944 until he was KIA 2/07/1945.
Inscriptions & Markings
Flight Log Book- Liberator Flights, Flt. Lt. Roy McBeattie 404228 DFM
Oral History - Arthur Cambell Williams History
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
A4 perspex covered, bound typed copy
Historical information
Arthur Williams was in the RAAF from13/10/1940 until April 1946 and was a radar operator between February 1945 and April 1946.
Significance
The oral history of Arthur Williams is of historical significance because it provides a first hand account of the individual's experience during WW11 as a member of the RAAF who trained at Tocumwal.He saw active service in the Pacific conflict from Leyburn and Morotai as a radar operator on a B24 Liberator supporting Z Force.
Inscriptions & Markings
Black printed Arthur Cambell Williams History on grey paper with fancy black border
Log Book - Observer's, Air Gunner's and W/T Operators Flying Log Book
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Rectangular light blue linen covered hard bound book
Historical information
F/SGT. M.L.Jones 122186, qualified as Air Gunner on B24 Liberators November 1944
Inscriptions & Markings
Form A.73.(June1938) . Royal Australian Air Force Observer's Air Gunner's and W/T Operators Flying Log Book. Jones M.L.
Emergency Drinking Water
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Small (about .5 litre) can, containing drinking water. A spike, to punch a small hole in the can, is affixed to the lid. These cans were standard equipment in B-24 Liberator life rafts
Inscriptions & Markings
Water (Drinking)
S.C.R 522 VHF Radio
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Also know as T.R 5043 in RAF and RAAF usage. Very widely used Very High Frequency Transmitter/Receiver operating in the 100 to 150 MHz range. This equipment is very heavy for the low power output (8 to 9 watts) weighing in at 22 kg and another 16 kg for the associated Dynamotor power supply. Physical size 2bx
US World War II multi-coloured map on acetate rayon, printed on both sides, AAF Cloth Chart, Side 1 - No. C-47 South Borneo, Side 2 - No. C-48 West Java
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
A multi-coloured, contoured, double-sided map printed on acetate rayon
Historical information
Silk and rayon maps were produced by the United States (c. 7.5 million in total), Great Britain (some 1.75 million in total) and Australia during World War II. They were issued to Allied military personnel as part of 'escape and evasion' kits.
Significance
This map, printed on acetate rayon, is an original US 'escape and evasion' kit map from World War II.
Inscriptions & Markings
AAF Cloth Chart Side 1 - No. C-47 South Borneo Side 2 - No. C.48 West Java
Leaflets
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Leaflets dropped to the civil population of Japanese occupied territories by RAAF 24 Squadron B-24 Liberators
Historical information
Used in WWII
A4 Document - Distinguished Flying Medal Register WWII - The Distinguished Flying Medal Register WWII
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
The Distinguished Flying Medal Register WWII. Flight Lt Frecker, Mason Day. Campaign Stars 1939-45 Star. Aircrew Europe Star. Pacific Star. War Medals - Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45.
Historical information
Frecker carried out 7 sorties before joining the unit and 21 successful sorties with his squadron making a total of 179.4 hours operational flying. He was attacked and badly damaged by a night fighter on 12 April 1942, after attacking Essen. He brought his aircraft home and successfully crash-landed away from base without causing injury to his crew. Throughout his tour of operations he maintained a high degree of courage and skill.
Gun Turrett on B-24 Liberator (named 'Hazel')
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Oral History - A Navigator's War
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
A4 Paper printed transcript in plastic cover
Historical information
I. Edmiston was in the RAAF from March 1942 until December 1945 and was a navigator on a B-24 Liberator between Early 1943 and June 1945 with Coastal Command and 160 Squadron.
Significance
This oral history of Ian Edmiston is of historical significance because it provides a first hand account of the individual's experience during World War II as a member of the RAAF who trained at Cootamundra, Evans Head, Parkes, Prince Edward Island and the Bahamas Islands.He saw active service as navigator in a B-24 Liberator aircraft in the South East Asian Islands.
Inscriptions & Markings
A Navigator's War. By Ian Edmiston
Photocopies of Log Sheets
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Photocopies of Bill Bakker's Flying Log Sheets - June, September, October, September, September.
Significance
Included in the collection of Bill Bakker ex RNEIAAF
Astro Compass MKII
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Astronomical Compass used by the Navigator in B-24 Liberator aircraft. Complete in original wooden box.
Historical information
Used by the Navigator in a B-24 Liberator bomber
Significance
Air Ministry Compass
Inscriptions & Markings
Compass marked - A.M. Astro compass MKII CA/1174 Box marked - Delicate instrument, to be handled with great care.
USAF Pacific Air Force Letter - Letter of gratitude
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Letter from Paul V. Hester, General, USAF given with flag expressing gratitude for B-24 restoration project and tour of the hangar.
Link Trainer
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
The instrument Flying Trainer Type D4 MK1 (Link Trainer c1950) is an electrical, mechanical and vacuum operated motion simulator. It was used by the RAAF as ground equipment in teaching all phases of elementary and advanced instrument flying.
Log Book - Royal Australian Air Force Observer's, Air Gunner's and W/T Operator's Flying Log Book
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Rectangular blue linen bound hard cover book.
Historical information
Flying log book for E A Obst 5724 qualified as Flight Engineer 16 March 1945
Inscriptions & Markings
Obst E.A.
Manual - Instruction Manual. Power Plant. B-24 D Airplane
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Hardback bound manual
Historical information
Issued to engine mechanics servicing the B-24 Liberator.
Significance
Original WW2 era manual.
Inscriptions & Markings
Instruction manual. Power Plant. B-24 D Airplane. Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. Asn Diego, California
Aviation Compass - Aircraft Compass
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Navigation Compass Type P8.
Historical information
Used on RAAF aircraft in WWII
Significance
Used by RAAF for navigation training primarily in Tiger Moth and Spitfire aircraft.
Inscriptions & Markings
Number 80873.D Brass Plate - King's Crown over RAAF No. G6A/726
Photograph of Bill Bakker
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Colour photograph of William (Bill) Bakker in frame.
Significance
Included in the Collection of Bill Bakker ex RNEIAAF
Camera
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Camera used by Vern Roberts, RAAF 24 Squadron during 1943-1944.
Significance
Camera was used during 1943-1944 by Vern Roberts, RAAF 24 Squadron.
Inscriptions & Markings
Soho Myna Model SK12
Graviscope - Graviscope for Liberator
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
2 Circular plastic manual computing discs with black print on a white background with areas for calculating Centre of gravity, Armament, Bomb loadings,Fuel, oil,Crew, Miscel., Oxygen and Camera. Clear plastic protractor with string attached. Enclosed in a leather envelope.
Historical information
Standard crew issue for pilots and flight engineers.
Significance
The equipment supplied air crew with a computer to calculate individual aircraft's weight and balance.
Inscriptions & Markings
GRAVISCOPE FOR LIBERATOR. MODEL B24J, L AND M. MANUFACTURED BY MELB. >W&G< AUST. R.A.A.F IDENT NO G6B/2396
Memorial Poppy
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Red hand knitted woollen poppy, with black ringed green centre mounted on attaching pin. Copy of surrender certificate attached.
Historical information
Presented at the surrender at Morotai 9 September 1945.
Significance
Connection to the surrender at Morotai
Distinguished Flying Medal (Replica)
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Distinguished Flying Medal M.D. Frecker RAAF
Silver Plate
B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc, Werribee
Round Silver Plate presented to William Bakker, State President, Victoria Chapter, Australian Air Force Association.
Significance
Included in the collection of Bill Bakker ex RNEIAAF
Inscriptions & Markings
William Bakker, State President, Victoria Chapter, Australian Air Force Association from 49th Fighter Group San Francisco, Ca. July 1980. Presented by M/G Dr Hutchinson USAF Retired.