Commemoration of the Kookaburra departure from Richmond aerodrome

[Dick Smith]

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the departure of the Kookaburra aircraft to search for Kingsford Smith, on Sunday morning 7 April my little Westland Widgeon VH-UGI departed from Richmond with the great grandson of Bobby Hitchcock (the mechanic who was on board the Kookaburra).

Here is a link to the story on the ABC TV news, from time 28:09. https://iview.abc.net.au/show/abc-news-nsw

Most people know the Kookaburra story but you can look at the Kookaburra book here for free (http://Kookaburra 1980).

Thanks to the RAAF for cooperating with this historic flight and thanks to David Thiess, David Greig, and John Gallagher of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia for all the time and work they put in to get the Widgeon into the air again.

[Tankengine]

Thank you Dick for all your work over the years on the Kookaburra.
The original story and your finding the wreck are both great stories.

[aroa]

Top book. Great read , and loads of historical photographs.
!st published 1980 "Kookaburra - the most compelling story in Australia's aviation history"
IBSN 0 7018 1357 1

Well worth chasing up a copy.

[TBM-Legend]

Well done Dick and all who helped...

We need to celebrate our history instead of focusing 100% on "problems" in aviation...