G'Day,
One of the main things I've been helping on recently is supporting the completion of the RAAF Museum's Bristol Military Biplane (Boxkite to most!) by Project 2014 for the Museum. The replica has taken a huge amount of work by various generous and remarkable people, led by the redoubtable Group Captain Ron Gretton AM, RAAF (Retired) and Wing Commander Geoff Matthews RAAF (Retired) project manager and designer respectively.
Exciting times lie (shortly) ahead; the replica was built to fly on the 1 March 2014 at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, Australia on the 100th anniversary of the first flight of an Australian military aircraft, at Point Cook. The RAAF also noticed this anniversary, so they're going to be the annual main RAAF Airshow at RAAF Point Cook - the Centenary of Military Aviation, or 'CMA14' on the 1 & 2 March 2014. It's going to be a big show for Australasia, with, promised, a full array of the current RAAF grey pointy things(TM) and a magnificent array of vintage machinery, much of it in action.
An RAAF Hornet overflies the Boxkite replica at Point Cook, December 2013.
For the first time since about 1917, there will be (replica) examples of all three of Australia's first military aircraft on show; the Boxkite, a Deperdussin and a B.E.2a. The originals equipped the military (Army) Central Flying School, or CFS.
The BE and Dep are static exact replicas built by remarkably dedicated chaps, while the Boxkite is a flyer, and, fingers crossed, weather dependent etc, etc, we hope it will be flown on the day. The BE will be 'all newly' completed, and having watched the progress on it, I think it's a stunner. The Dep has been on show for some time, and it is, too, magnificent - but I also admit a bias.
Anyway, that's the bones of the saga, there's more news and interesting items to share, but till they get posted, I'm more than happy to answer what questions I can - fire away!
Regards,