Explore the evolution of Australia's maritime patrol aircraft spanning from the 1940s to recent times and dive into the fascinating world of "maritime surveillance" during October Tarmac Days at HARS Aviation Museum on 13-15 October.
Highlights include:
- The iconic "Black Cat" Catalina: Discover the tales of its crucial operations during World War 2 and its record-setting secret 30-hour passenger flights from Perth;T
- P-2 Neptune exploration: Witness three of its kind and delve deep into the adventures of the "Truculent Turtle" that flew non-stop from Perth to Columbus, Ohio in 1946;
- Grumman S-2 Tracker & Westland Wessex helicopter displays from the HARS Navy Heritage Flight;
- Exclusive P-3 Orion inspection: A unique chance to explore the inside of an aircraft still used by air forces worldwide, exclusively flown by HARS as a private museum!
And there’s more. Explore a range of aircraft from "Smithy's" Southern Cross replica to a Boeing 747, walk through “Connie” the still flying Super Constellation, sit in an F-111 bomber and refuel yourself at Cafe Connie.
Visitors to HARS Aviation Museum on Saturday and Sunday will have an opportunity to watch one, and possibly two, Neptunes conduct ground run and taxi exercises … a spectacular sight with both the piston and jet engines in operation.
In addition, the staff of our popular Café Connie will fire up the barbeque on Saturday and Sunday to give visitors an opportunity to bite into the best sausage sandwich and burgers … so come on down and bring your appetite with you.
In addition pilot training will be taking place with the de Havilland Caribou over the weekend, so visitors will have an opportunity to check out the amazing short field take-off and landing capability of this incredible Vietnam War era former RAAF transport as HARS Aviation Museum has two of what’s believed to be only three of the world’s flying Caribou.
While open every day for tours conducted by experienced guides, the monthly Tarmac Days at HARS Aviation Museum allow its volunteers to parade a section of the more than 60 heritage aircraft largely under cover at Shellharbour Airport.
HARS Aviation Museum is open from 9.30 to 3.30 daily for hands-on, interactive guided tours (last tour 2 pm), located at Shellharbour Airport, just off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and a short walk from the railway station.
Visitors can make a meal of it when they drop into Café Connie (9.30 am to 2 pm) where the menu offers a value selection of hot and cold foods plus excellent coffee.
Details of check-in at www.hars.org.au
Photos: Howard Mitchell.
