Forlorn Spitfire sits wasting at Point Cook

[Centaurus]

Visited Point Cook a month ago to view a Spitfire which was subject of media coverage. The RAAF Museum denied all knowledge of its presence but driving around the aerodrome we found the Spitfire being displayed by private owner Mr Coran between the hangars near the coast. Owner had been told that there was no room for the Spitfire in the RAAF Museum.

One month later the Spitfire still sits in the open with tie down blocks to stop it being blown away. What a crying shame to see such a wonderful aircraft left to the mercy of the salt laden air and howling winds that sweep around the battered rust covered old hangars down by the sea. Yet in the RAAF Museum there is a Winjeel and a CT4 as static displays.

What saddens me is that surely the Spitfire is a much more attractive exhibit. Most people - even the youngsters - know about the Spitfire and Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain times.

Few people care less about seeing a CT4 - which is nothing more than a Victa Airtourer, and the Winjeel. You can see a Winjeel anytime - there are plenty flying around. Plenty of CT4's, too. So why have those types in a museum?

The Spitfire looks magnificent - but not for long. Too many of us oldies the Spitfire was a symbol for freedom. What a downright shame that the RAAF Museum seems to have no interest in the Spitfire's future.

[Bevan666]

From my understanding, the parts for that aircraft came from a number of sources. The main owner wants to sell it, but the people who donated the parts dont. I dont know the full details, and stories like this are always very involved.

Point Cook aero club have had hangar space for rent for $33 a week for ages. I am tempted to rent it and stick the spit in there just to preserve it.

The hangar space was reallocated and the spit rolled out into the open. A sad sad state of affairs.

Is it airworthy?

Bevan..

[ozbiggles]

centarus
yours is a digraceful message. You obviously don't Know the circumstances behind the spitfire so you lash out at a museum that has done more than you could ever hope to achieve in the name of retaining some aviation history. You are one of those people that loves too rant and rave, but is the last to do anything in reality about the situation!Maybe I'm wrong about you, I haven't checked....I've just lashed out at you...maybe I should have done some checking...see the similarity?

[Dogimed]

Can I have a lashing too! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Torres]

Who let the dog off his leash? :D

[DutchRoll]

No it's not airworthy, although the guy who was restoring it was attempting to do the work to an equivalent sort of standard. Unfortunately it would face enormous difficulties in being made airworthy because as far as I know there isn't any accompanying paperwork, traceability of parts, etc, etc.

Bevan666 is quite right. There is always something more to these projects than meets the eye (from personal experience) and they can get awfully complex.

As for the RAAF Museum, they have more than enough on their plate. They have almost finished a superb restoration of a Walrus, and will soon be attacking the restoration of the only surviving Mosquito in the world to have seen operational service during WW2 (and with the RAAF at that). As always, they do this undermanned, underresourced and underfunded. The RAAF flew Sptifires, so I'm sure they'd love to have a Spitfire on display, but I'd be interested to know if, how and under what terms the owner has approached them.

I know for a fact that the RAAF Museum has been taken for a big ride by vintage aircraft restorers, dealers and owners before (on more than one occasion).

[Travelling Toolbox]

Read a book along time ago which sums up sentiment on these beautiful machines and their powerplants:

"Sigh for a Merlin"

I hope whatever happens, this piece of aviation art doesn't get the short end of the stick. It would be a travisty. :(

[hmm...]

Looks good from the air but up close it leaves a lot to the imagination. (The paint job isn’t the greatest!)

It was parked in one of the hangers near the Point Cook Club.

I had the opportunity to see it up close and I honestly don't think it could ever fly again!

Shame really!

[Woomera]

Send it to Panama Jacks he'll know what to do with it.

His Sea Fury is not that far away from flying again.

Travelling Tool Bbox

Alex Henshaw is the author and pilot in "Sigh for a Merlin" an absolutely brilliant story about the men behond the production line.

He did an unbelievable number of sorties and hours as a production test pilot in a very short period of time.

I can recommend the book as a must read.:)

I'm sending this to Aircrew Notices as it doesn't belong quite here

[Centaurus]

Thanks for replies everyone. Certainly I have no criticism of the fine job done by volunteers at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook. In fact I was responsible for the discovery of one of the exhibits there. My point was not about local politics of which I could not care less - but only a tear or two about that poor Spitfire which as at a mere three days ago was still blocked down out in the open. I too would be happy to see it hangared asap lest the pigeons cover it with droppings as they have done to a red coloured Tiger Moth which has reposed in the aero club hangar for several years.

The Spitfire concerned was never intended to fly. It is a wonderful static exhibit. If its going to be stuck out in the cold for whatever political or financial reasons, well at least room should be found for it where visitors can see the bloody thing - preferably close to the RAAF Museum - maybe sheltered under the wing of the Bristol Freighter.

Can anyone tell me how to contact the owner of the Spitfire because no one at Point Cook seems to know.

[Highbypass]

Centaurus.

Ring the Point Cook Flying Club. The owner is apparently learning to fly there..................H.:cool:

[Bell Man]

Just off the topic a bit, how is the Point Cook Aero Club going these days ? I heard that the Royal Victorian Aero Club runs it now. Is Mel still there ? It's also good to hear that the hangar hasn't fallen down yet due to rust. Anyone know what ever happened to the RFDS Nomad that was once parked in the hangar, the one with the wooden props ? It was used in the TV production series back in the 80's. And what about that stupid whale pond, is that still there, that really destroyed the atmosphere of the place I recon. :p

[ugly]

Alec Henshaws's "Sigh for a Merlin" is one of my favourite books of all time. A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting him at a luncheon organised by the Spitfire Association - got him to sign the front page of my logbook ;)

This gentleman used to perform wing overs in Lancs, and when an engineer told him a Lanc couldn't perform a wing over half way through the maneuvre he turned it into a barrel roll:eek:

[Dogimed]

Is this the same Spit that is for sale at the moment?

[Coffee thanks!]

The Nomad referred to went to a small Victorian country museum - Ballarat?, Bendigo?, Benalla? One of them has a small collection.

The Spitfire, I have been told, is a "Bitsa" - a collection of bits from various Marks assembled. It was on display in the RAAF Museum for some years.

Almost anything can be made airworthy these days ... if you have enough money, a makers plate and can buy the expertise. This Spit must be a better start than some have had. Take a look at some of the relics advertised and featured in Classic Wings Downunder or Aeroplane (Monthly) and wish really hard. If I were a rich man ... deedle deedle deedle deedle deedle deedle deedle dum.

Regards,

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Went out to PCK on week-end, said machine has disappeared. Appears it has found a home, somewhere!

[VictorBravo]

The Spitfire is currently featured on page 76 of the November issue of Australian Aviation - noted as being up for sale.

[Buck Rogers]

What are you hanging $hit on Victa Airtourers for !!!!!!
I bet you hav'nt got the money to buy one...................

[Woomera]

Eeeeerm Buck steady on old chap.

Centaurus wasn't exactly hanging stuff on Victas' per se, and;

What does whether he does or does not have the money to buy one have to do with the discussion.?
That BTW is a rhetorical expression.


I don't have the money to buy a HS748 for example, but it doesn't disqualify me, or anyone else for that matter, from having some views about its shortcomings.

His concern was that an example of a beautiful aircraft, that becomes rarer by the day was being left to the elements to decay.

[ftrplt]

If the Spitfire in question is missing, then it must be the one I saw getting lifted over the fence at Essendon airport a few weeks back. I was told that it was trucked there from Point Cook and going to Essendon for some restoration or maintenance work.

[Buck Rogers]

I say old boy you might be be right......But !
My way of thinking is ...if you can afford to own a Spitfire well
I think you certainly afford to Hanger one .

mmmmm hands off the Victa gggggrrr

[Woomera]

Buck dear chap

You are quite correct re the ownership/hangarage bit, however my experience with most of these multiownership thingys is they invariably end in tears AND if there a bits on the aircraft that were "donated" by others it gets even worse.

I suspect were we to get the real story behind this you would find that whoever was supplying the hangarage was doing a real favour.

[NOSIGN]

Apparently the Spitfire is tooooo pricey for the museum, esp. for its patchwork from bits n pieces.

Great static though, and the owner is a good friendly chap.