19 March 2024

Other preserved (non-flying) aircraft in Western Australia

Any additions or corrections, please email aviationwa(at)gmail.com

For list and photos of aircraft at the RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum, Bull Creek, CLICK HERE

Registration or Serial Make & Model Manufacturer’s Construction Number Comments & Photo/History Links
VH-CFD American Champion 8GCBC Scout 436-2002 Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Fuselage only. Used for ground instruction.Written-off 5 March 2009 at Albany, when it tipped onto its nose due to excessive braking on landing. To be restored for ground instruction.
VH-KCC Auster J/5B Autocar 3251 Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame, Kalgoorlie – suspended from ceiling in the “Business Of Mining Gallery”. Named ‘Hope’.

VH-KCC Auster J/5B Autocar (MSN 3251) named ‘Hope’, at the Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall of Fame, Kalgoorlie – 22 October 2015.
Built as an Auster J5P – a model developed for Kuwait Aero Club, with higher-powered 145hp Gipsy Major 10 Mk 1 engine. Twenty J5Ps were built from 1955. VH-KCC was registered on 25.5.1956 to Kingsford Smith Aviation Services. On 26.6.1979, it was cancelled from register whilst being rebuilt. Registered again 6.7.1988 by Charles Hyland after conversion to J/5B model. It flew into Langley Park for a fly-in on 3 March 1990. On 9.8.2000, it was donated to Australian Miners & Prospectors Hall of Fame at Kalgoorlie, preserved hanging from ceiling, in the Business Of Mining Gallery. Cancelled from the register 26.6.2001.
Photo © Jonathan Williams

VH-FDJ Beech 95-C55 Baron TE-264 Bill’s Machinery, Gnangara Road, Landsdale – located at rear of property.Fuselage only – wings were used in rebuild of VH-WDE.
VH-SUV Beech 56TC Baron TG-53 Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Fuselage only. Used for ground instruction.

VH-SUV Beech 56TC Baron (MSN TG-53) owned by Polytechnic West, at Jandakot Airport – Sat 19 March 2016.
Formerly owned by Airesearch Mapping Pty Ltd of Sunnybank, Queensland, this aircraft was officially withdrawn from use in 2003 and acquired by Polytechnic West at Jandakot Airport for use as an instructional airframe.
Photo © David Eyre

VH-SQJ Beech 58 Baron TH-1561 Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Used for ground instruction.
N732HV Boeing 737-229 Advanced 21137/421
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Used for ground instruction.

“G-AUDK” / VH-UDC Air Charter Bristol F.2B Replica
(Bristol Tourer replica)
QA-32-1
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

Hanging from the ceiling in the Western Australia Museum at Geraldton, WA.Built in Queensland to appear in a 1985 Australian TV mini-series “A Thousand Skies“, the story of Charles Kingsford-Smith. Crashed near Geraldton on 1 June 1992, then rebuilt to static display standard.

Photo: CLICK HERE

Callair A9 Bill’s Machinery, Gnangara Road, Landsdale – located at rear of property.

Believed to be VH-MPB (MSN 1067), but not confirmed.

Can anyone provide registration?

https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1708842

VH-III Cessna 340 3400218
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Used for ground instruction.Although still registered, it is out of hours and will be used for pressurisation check training.

VH-AMP De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth DHA358 Cunderdin Municipal Museum, 100 Forrest Street, Cunderdin – suspended from the ceiling.Painted in RAAF colours. Was formerly painted to represent “VH-WLQ”.

History of this aircraft: CLICK HERE

“M-2005″ / VH-WLQ” / CN-1 De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth replica Cunderdin – mounted on poles at corner of Great Eastern Highway and Baxter Road, Cunderdin.

Built by Cunderdin Historical Society as a memorial to the Elementary Flying Training School, which operated at Cunderdin Aerodrome in the 1940s.

Photo

Map showing location

VH-HPH De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth DHA1375 Edwards Wines, Corner Caves & Ellensbrook Roads, Cowaramup, WA, 6284.”Matilda”

Flown from England to Australia between 2 March – 13 May 1990, by Dr Brian Edwards to raise money for Legacy. In 1995, the aircraft was substantially damaged in an accident and was withdrawn from use and cancelled from the register on 20 June 2005. Now displayed in a hangar at the Edwards family winery near Margaret River.

Photo

A79-603 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4124 Previously at RAAF Base Pearce, mounted on a pole outside the Officer’s Mess inside the base.Photo of A79-603: CLICK HERE

In 1984, the plywood cockpit structure was encased in a fibreglass covering to provide weatherproofing.
Prior to the RAAF’s 80th Anniversary celebrations in 2001, the Vampire was to be restored again. A scaffold was built, but when fibreglass was peeled away, the nose section broke away from the rear cockpit bulkhead.

The whole aircraft had to be removed from the pole and parts of A79-603 were reported to be used in the rebuild of another Vampire, A79-620, which was then to be displayed at the old historic gateway at RAAF Pearce, however it was still under restoration at RAAF Pearce Air Show on 19 & 20 May 2012.

JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

History of A79-603:
Served at RAAF Base Pearce WA with 1AFTS from 05/05/58.
Retired from flying service at what was now called 2 FTS on 30/06/69. Became Training Airframe TA-38.
In 03/74 it was mounted on a pole outside the Officers Mess (not outside the base).

A79-606 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4127 Under restoration by Lenard Cotgrove, Serpentine WA.Mr Cotgrove advised AAWA in May 2012:

“I have just purchased the De Havilland Vampire 606. It had been dumped in a field in Midland for over twenty years. The wings and tail booms are in good condition, but the wooden fuselage is almost all rotted away. The main parts missing are the front undercarriage doors and left handgun cover. The cockpit Perspex is in poor condition. Its new home is in Serpentine. I intend to restore it to static condition as an expensive garden ornament

Previously Training Airframe TA-34.

A79-620 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4142 Fuselage pod was at the RAAFA Museum Bull Creek undergoing restoration. The restored aircraft, also using some parts of Vampire A79-603, was togo on display at the old historic gateway at RAAF Pearce along with a restored Macchi. However it was not displayed as at October 2010.Previously Training Airframe TA-35. AIRTC Claremont WA in 1974. Was located in Belmont, Perth WA marked as A79-962 (not a real serial).
A79-638 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4160 Mounted on poles outside the front of the Beverley Aeronautical Museum and Information Centre, Beverley, WA.Photo: CLICK HERE
A79-660 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4182 Bill’s Machinery in Gnangara Road, Landsdale.Identity unconfirmed – believed to be A79-663 with wings of A79-660. CAN ANYONE PLEASE CONFIRM THIS?Was located at the Channel 7 Museum in Tuart Hill, Perth.
Later acquired by the failed West Australian Museum of Aviation, at Jandakot Airport.
A79-663 De Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.35 4185 Bill’s Machinery in Gnangara Road, Landsdale.Identity unconfirmed – believed to be A79-663 with wings of A79-660. CAN ANYONE PLEASE CONFIRM THIS?
VH-ANW Douglas DC-3C 13624 Preserved at Lake Preston Lime mine site, Finn Road, Myalup, WA.ex 42-93685, VH-ANW, VH-GAK

Flew 47,500 hrs before retirement to a childrens park in South Australia in 1971.
After some years it was refurbished and trucked to Midland for McDonalds Restaurant. Used for childrens’ parties from 1987 to 2000. It was painted in fictitious markings as VH-MMF “Fortescue” of MacRobertson Miller Airlines.
Later stored at former RAAF Caversham, WA and owned by the failed West Australian Museum of Aviation.
Whilst at Caversham it was painted in Trans-Australia Airlines colours and used as a film prop in the ABC TV movie “The Shark Net”.
Sold to Blair Howe of Myalup, WA for $10,000. Trucked from Caversham to Myalup on 23 August 2003 at a cost of another $15,000.

Aircraft history and photos: CLICK HERE

“VN-BME” (really
PK-GDC)
Douglas DC-3C 20041 Preserved as accommodation at The Lily, Stirling Ranges, Amelup, near Albany, Western Australia.

Ex 43-15575, DT-971, VHREY, PK-REY, “VN-BME”

Formerly used as the Broome Tourism Centre at Broome, painted as “VN-BME” in the old red/black MMA colours. Acquired by the failed WA Museum of Aviation and stored at Jandakot.
23 April 2003 – Sold to Peter Hanbury reportedly for conversion to a studio.
May 2003 – the aircraft was dismantled and trucked to the property of Peter Hanbury’s neighbour Jeff Green at Sixth Avenue, Armadale, WA. Later located in Peter Hanbury’s backyard at 45 Sixth Avenue, Armadale, WA – see PHOTO. PHOTO 2

On 1 & 2 September 2012, the aircraft was moved to Amelup (north of Albany) to be restored as an attraction outside the Lily Dutch Windmill restaurant/accommodation complex.

A7-027 Macchi MB-326H CA30-27
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

RAAF Pearce – Gate guard, near security gate. Painted in orange and white colours.First flight 15/08/68.
Delivered 22/08/68.
Served with CFS/Part of Roulettes Aerobatic Team 1981, 1982, 1988, 1989, and 76 Sqn.
Was later allocated to No.25 Sqn (City of Perth) for promotional purposes.
Stored in the open 2003-2005.
By 20 Nov 2005 was restored in 2 FTS orange/white colours.
Displayed in hangar at RAAF Pearce Air Show on 19 & 20 May 2012.

A7-041 Macchi MB-326H
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Brenden
© Brenden

RAAF PearcePainted in dark grey with yellow arrows on wings, vertical stabiliser and tailplane, and black skull on vertical stabiliser.

Noted on static display at RAAF Pearce Air Show on 19 & 20 May 2012.

A7-057 Macchi MB-326H CA30-57 Merredin Military Museum, adjacent the water tower on Great Eastern Highway, Merredin, WA.Reported by the museum in 2006 as being incomplete and needing many parts before it can go on static display.

First flight 13/08/69.
Delivered 30/06/69. Laverton Airshow 18/04/1971, CFS/Roulettes.
Served with CFS/Part of Roulettes Aerobatic Team 1970, 1981, 1986 and 76 Sqn.
Located at Northam when the remaining Macchi’s were offered for disposal in 2004.

“VH-REM” Mooney M.20H 1
JetPhotos.Net
Click to view large version! ©Lachlan Brendan
© Lachlan Brendan

Mounted on a pole at Jandakot Airport, opposite the Royal Flying Doctor Service facilities.”Sugar Bird Lady” – painted to represent the real VH-REM (which is still registered), as used by Robin E. Miller (hence the registration REM).

Reported to be an engineering experimental prototype Mooney M20H (c/n 1) which was donated by Mooney Aircraft to serve as a memorial to Robin Miller. The memorial was unveiled on 20 May 1978.

Travelling to remote aboriginal communities, Robin Miller would treat children with Polio vaccine in sugar lumps and became known as “The Sugar Bird Lady”. She flew the real VH-REM around WA from September 1968-July 1972. She died of cancer in December 1975.

VH-KLX Mooney M20B 1865 Located at 569 Armadale Road, Forrestdale, WA.No registration worn – painted with titles “Flash Eh!” and “Kev’s Dinkum Tours”.

Photo: CLICK HERE

VH-AVL Piper PA-23-250 Aztec B 27-2356 Located on rural property east of Northam at 176 Newcastle Road, on Northam-Toodyay Road.Previously located at Bill’s Machinery, Gnangara Road, Landsdale, but was removed sometime between May-December 2009.Fuselage only – mounted on trailer with large tyres, painted red, no titles or registration.

VH-AVL Piper PA-23-250 Aztec B (MSN 27-2356), located on rural property east of Northam, at 176 Newcastle Road, on Northam-Toodyay Road - March 2022. Previously located at Bill's Machinery, Gnangara Road, Landsdale, but was removed sometime between May-December 2009. Photo © Brenden Scott.
VH-AVL Piper PA-23-250 Aztec B (MSN 27-2356), located on rural property east of Northam, at 176 Newcastle Road, on Northam-Toodyay Road.
Previously located at Bill’s Machinery, Gnangara Road, Landsdale, but was removed sometime between May-December 2009.
Photo © Brenden Scott.
“VH-DAM” Robinson R-22 Polytechnic West, Jandakot Airport – Used for ground instruction.Not its real registration.

© 2022 David Eyre

8 thoughts on “Other preserved (non-flying) aircraft in Western Australia

  1. Does your museum have, or do you know of the whereabouts of, any information related to the 2001 memorial service for the Amana aircraft located at Beverley. The details & folders were stored at the now closed Beverley Museum but now seem to have disappeared.
    I am writing a book about the Amana crash. My father was one of the passengers.

    1. Hi Diana,
      AviationWA is a website, not a museum.
      I suggest contacting the Shire of Beverley to find out where the records are now located. Their website states:
      “All items that were within the collection were returned to donors, deaccessioned by other means or will be used within new displays.
      You can now visit the Cornerstone Building to interactively participate and view Beverley’s full aeronautical history. You can even “experience” a glider flight standing on your own two feet! The Cornerstone Building is located at 141 Vincent Street, Beverley.”
      See the website page here: https://www.beverley.wa.gov.au/community/community-recreation/museums.aspx

  2. Hello,
    My name is Peter Shipside. I am trying to trace the whereabouts of Auster V series J4 construction no. 2079 last registered VH-PJN and believed to belong to Norman McAllister, Augusta, WA. The last info I have is that it was on rebuild by Lyn Forster.
    When it first came to Australia it was registered VH-AAK.
    Can anyone help please!
    Cheers, Peter.

    1. Hi there, progress report on Vampire 606 restoration.
      I’m currently re skinning the fuselage pod.glueing stripes of 3mm Marine ply 75wide. It’s a little bit like a wine barrel, fatter in the middle, tapered smaller at the ends. Very time consuming. I’ve nearly finished the first layer on the starboard side, finished thickness will be 12 mm. The wings and tail booms have been restored, and painted white

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