Continue reading]]>

The Melun-Villaroche airfield (Google Maps screenshot)

A hangar fire at the Melun-Villaroche airfield near Paris destroyed two privately-owned de Havilland Vampires Saturday morning, according to local media and sources.

The fire reportedly started in one hangar, totally destroying the aircraft inside, before spreading to the neighbouring hangar and severely damaging another Vampire. Some sixty firefighters were engaged to contain and stop the fire, and nobody was hurt.

The second aircraft is “certainly unsalvageable” according to Didier Chable, president of the local Association des mécaniciens pilotes d’avions anciens (AMPAA).

Sources (in French, with pictures):

• Le Parisien
• Actu.fr

Continue reading]]>

Photo © Temora Aviation Museum

From the Temora Aviation Museum’s website:

In the biggest news in recent years, the Temora Aviation Museum’s President and Founder, Mr David Lowy AM, has announced, that the Museum would start a complex project to return the Museum’s English Electric Canberra and de Havilland Vampire to flying condition, neither of which have flown for a number of years.

He said, “A main component of our mission is to preserve our military aviation history, keep these aircraft flying and enable people to learn about the veterans who flew them. This will be a very resource-intensive project that will see these aircraft fly again progressively over the next three years.”

Photo © Temora Aviation Museum

In other news at the Museum, Mr David Lowy AM, also announced the appointment of the former Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Geoffrey Brown AO (Retired) to the Temora Aviation Museum Governing Committee.

Mr Lowy said, “I am very pleased that Air Marshal Brown has agreed to join me on the Committee. His appointment will ensure that the Temora Aviation Museum continues to honour the men and women who contributed to our military aviation history.”

Two other members of the Museum’s Governing Committee, Dr David Solomons and Mr Phillip Wolanski AM have announced their retirement from the Committee. Mr Lowy thanked both for their support, service and contribution to the development and leadership of the Museum.

Air Marshal Brown will join the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Mr Glenn Stevens AC and the current CEO of the Museum, Mr Murray Kear AFSM, on the Governing Committee. Mr Stevens will also become the Governing Committees Deputy President.

Mr Stevens thanked Dr Solomons and Mr Wolanski for their contribution and said, “I look forward to continuing their great work alongside Mr Lowy, Air Marshal Brown, and Mr Kear.”

The Temora Aviation Museum conducts regular Flying Aircraft Showcase days each month, with dates for October, November and December will be released very soon. The Museum is open 361 days a year and has just announced the dates of Warbirds Downunder Airshow to be held on 12 and 13 October 2018.

Continue reading]]>

A former Swiss AF de Havilland Vampire in flight. (Photo jmbaud74 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

A former Swiss AF DH.100 Vampire and an Alouette III helicopter will be auctioned by Artcurial on February 17, 2013 in Paris. The Vampire is expected to be sold between 70,000 and 90,000€ and will include a spare Goblin 35B engine, ejector seats, anti-G suit and various spare parts.

The Alouette III is expected to be sold for 30,000 to 40,000€. Other aviation-related items will also be sold: Concorde and fighter parts, photographs, models, etc.

Source: Piloter Mag