3 classics in action at HARS Tarmac Days
Three classic aircraft will be in focus for the delight of visitors to HARS Aviation Museum for this weekend’s January Tarmac Days, writes Ian Badham at HARS Aviation Museum
Three classic aircraft will be in focus for the delight of visitors to HARS Aviation Museum for this weekend’s January Tarmac Days.
The full-size replica of Smithy’s famous 1920’s tri-motor Southern Cross, a former RAAF submarine hunting Neptune and a Vietnam era Huey helicopter are the aircraft which volunteers from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) are working to have in action.
Built in South Australia during the 1980s, then fully restored at HARS, the Southern Cross is a flying replica of the Fokker FVIIB which Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and crew used to make the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco and Brisbane in 1928 – a feat considered impossible with technology of the day.
It is planned to fly on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10.
Lockheed Neptune 273 is planned to run its piston and jet engines during Saturday.
Also on Saturday former RAAF and Australian Army Iroquois helicopter is set to fly from its base at Nowra to HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport.
The crew plan to conduct pilot training before landing Huey 703 at HARS Aviation Museum around midday where it will be on show for visitors before departing around 3pm.
The full size Southern Cross replica is due to fly on Friday and Saturday at HARS Aviation Museum. At right: The brilliantly restored Iroquois UH-1H helicopter is set to fly on Saturday of the January Tarmac Day display. Photos: Howard Mitchell
In addition to the featured trio, some 60 aircraft of significance to Australia’s aviation heritage are on show with several open for walk-through inspection including the Super Constellation Conie, the Boeing 747-400 an a former Queen’s Fight Dakota.
Tarmac Days allow museum’s volunteers a monthly opportunity to showcase selections from their acclaimed collection which is on show daily to visitors. It’s their keeping many aircraft operational, and open for interactive inspection, which makes HARS Aviation Museum an Australian icon.
Undercover protection for visitors
The large hangars at HARS Aviation Museum offer visitor protection from sun and rain at Shellharbour Airport.
HARS Aviation Museum is open from 9.30 to 3.30 daily, except Christmas Day, for guided tours. It is located at Shellharbour Airport, just off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and a short walk from the railway station. Covid check-in protocols apply.
Visitors can make a meal of it when they drop into Café Connie where the menu offers a value selection of hot and cold foods plus excellent coffee. For the Saturday and Sunday of Tarmac Days, a barbeque option is available for visitors under the winds of the massive Boeing 747.
Details of check-in at www.hars.org.au
