Bellman Hangars
Joined: Jun 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,692
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From: Australia
re Camden hangars. I worked there in 1948 as a 16 year old helping to load newspapers and lay out kerosene flares for the early morning departures of the Sydney Morning Herald Flying Services Lockheed Hudson and DC3 freighters. I recall one of those hangars had a Vultee Vengeance and I think an ME 109 (Luftwaffe fighter) in storage in that hangar.
Haven't a clue what type of hangars were there. In the main Herald Flying Services hangar which had a smaller hangar built on to it, there was a dreadful accident (1950?) when the pilot of the DC3 taxied slowly into the main hangar then swung around on one wheel 180 degrees to park facing outwards towards the tarmac.
He stopped the DC3 and cut the engines. An elderly cleaner called Tony (Pinner or Pinter?) who was always rushing everywhere ran under the wing of the DC3 to place chocks under the main wheels. He must have misjudged his position and either stumbled or ran into the arc of a slowing down propeller. That was the ever so sad end of poor old Tony, a lovely old bloke so keen and enthusiastic for his age. He should have waited for the propellers of the DC3 to stop before inserting the big chocks.
But as I said he was always rushing around doing his various chores in the hangar.
Haven't a clue what type of hangars were there. In the main Herald Flying Services hangar which had a smaller hangar built on to it, there was a dreadful accident (1950?) when the pilot of the DC3 taxied slowly into the main hangar then swung around on one wheel 180 degrees to park facing outwards towards the tarmac.
He stopped the DC3 and cut the engines. An elderly cleaner called Tony (Pinner or Pinter?) who was always rushing everywhere ran under the wing of the DC3 to place chocks under the main wheels. He must have misjudged his position and either stumbled or ran into the arc of a slowing down propeller. That was the ever so sad end of poor old Tony, a lovely old bloke so keen and enthusiastic for his age. He should have waited for the propellers of the DC3 to stop before inserting the big chocks.
But as I said he was always rushing around doing his various chores in the hangar.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Several Bellman hangars at Moorabbin have recently been condemned due to structural issues with the door frames. Seems the south facing openings have rusted to the point that it's too dangerous to open them. MAC have stated that they won't be repaired due cost. In fact the latest airport master plan released last month talks of "consolidation" of hangars to open up new parking areas due to the "shrinking" of the airside component of the airport.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,803
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From: Perth - Western Australia
We even had one in Vung Tau - a used, surplus WW2 one from Parkes was dismantled and shipped to SVN in 1966, and put together by 5ACS.
I wonder if it's still there? I have no intention of ever returning, to find out.
Bellman Hangar - Vung Tau - 1966
I wonder if it's still there? I have no intention of ever returning, to find out.
Bellman Hangar - Vung Tau - 1966
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,960
Likes: 17
From: Australia
Folks,
Re. the demolished hangar at Camden, that was in the 1970s, in the '60s, that is where I rented space from DCA.
The aircraft collection was the Harold Thomas collection, he was tossed off the aerodrome because the bureaucrats of day did not think an aviation museum was a suitable use for a hangar on an airfield. This wonderful collection is still around, but not open to the
The Australian Aviation Museum Bellman at YSBK will soon be for sale, as the museum moves to Camden, this Bellman is in excellent zero rust condition.
Tootle pip!!
Re. the demolished hangar at Camden, that was in the 1970s, in the '60s, that is where I rented space from DCA.
The aircraft collection was the Harold Thomas collection, he was tossed off the aerodrome because the bureaucrats of day did not think an aviation museum was a suitable use for a hangar on an airfield. This wonderful collection is still around, but not open to the
The Australian Aviation Museum Bellman at YSBK will soon be for sale, as the museum moves to Camden, this Bellman is in excellent zero rust condition.
Tootle pip!!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Home
Definitely one in Narromine, wright flyer lived in it until recently, council rent it out
There was a second donated to council in parts, sat in grass for years, rumour says it was sold for scrap, Quite possibly untrue but it has gone
There was a second donated to council in parts, sat in grass for years, rumour says it was sold for scrap, Quite possibly untrue but it has gone
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 309
From: Australia
The Bellman hangar at Madang in PNG was destroyed by fire in 2011 or 2012 with a few Bandits in it. I think the Government Flying Unit's hangar in POM may also be a Bellman.
Pretty sure GAM's hangar 1 at Essendon is a Bellman.
Pretty sure GAM's hangar 1 at Essendon is a Bellman.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 8
From: Kennel dweller...mostly
Laurie Crowley and his sons erected a Bellman on their property, Victoria Park, which is South of Temora. They stretched it out to 270 feet in length. It was one of the, at least 13 Bellmans, that had previously stood on RAAF Uranquinty. These were auctioned off late in 1963 or early '64.
Although the Crowley family have now sold the property, it can be seen on Google Earth. Using the measuring tool, it is 16.07NM 183.6 degrees from the Temora Aero Club! A few years back, a tornado tore a large chunk out of the roof at the Northern end and twisted the heavy Bellman trusses. Light aircraft parked inside the Southern end were not disturbed!
Although the Crowley family have now sold the property, it can be seen on Google Earth. Using the measuring tool, it is 16.07NM 183.6 degrees from the Temora Aero Club! A few years back, a tornado tore a large chunk out of the roof at the Northern end and twisted the heavy Bellman trusses. Light aircraft parked inside the Southern end were not disturbed!
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 74
From: Brisbane, Australia
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There is two in Kalgoorlie.
Two in Alice Springs as I recall. One came from Townsite when the Connairways operation was on the North side of the range on the edge of town.. I understand this one came from Darwin prior to Townsite. I was told some of the holes in it were compliments of the Japanese. Then again I was but a callow youth at the time and believed much of what I was told.
SD
Two in Alice Springs as I recall. One came from Townsite when the Connairways operation was on the North side of the range on the edge of town.. I understand this one came from Darwin prior to Townsite. I was told some of the holes in it were compliments of the Japanese. Then again I was but a callow youth at the time and believed much of what I was told.
SD
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Adelaide
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 31
From: Richmond NSW
Bugga, RobShan! The secret's out now..
Perhaps someone (from that era) may relate the story about the time 75 Sqn flew 75 Mirage sorties in one day? The much smarter guys, next door at 3 Sqn flew 3 sorties then fired up the bbq..
Perhaps someone (from that era) may relate the story about the time 75 Sqn flew 75 Mirage sorties in one day? The much smarter guys, next door at 3 Sqn flew 3 sorties then fired up the bbq..
