TSV Gate Guardians get some love!

[markis10]

Well done to the folks involved in restoring at least one Neptune to a better look:

Townsville RAAF gate sentinel restored - ABC North Qld - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The aircraft is one of two Neptunes that have been at the Townsville base since their retirement in 1976, both were in need of repair following cyclone Yasi and storm damage.
"They got to the stage that we had to do something or just remove them entirely and that is something we did not want to do" says 27 Squadron Leader Trevor Beams.
Repairs started in May, the more damaged of the two planes (A89-272) was used for spare parts to help restore the other - A89-280.

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201210/r1020379_11571383.jpg

 

[Fruitcake]

I spent quite a bit of time back in the day marching around in front of the Neptune that lived at the back of the RAAF Townsville parade ground during my Air Training Corps days. It looked well past its prime then (over a decade ago) so it's good to see the one at the front gate looking proud again.

I would have loved to see one fly - the combination of early-generation turbojets and large Wright radials must have made for an absolutely fearsome noise.

 

[samh004]

Nice looking aircraft.

Perhaps they need to send aircraft to LRE in the future if they want to preserve them.




 

[markis10]

I spent quite a bit of time back in the day marching around in front of the Neptune that lived at the back of the RAAF Townsville parade ground during my Air Training Corps days. It looked well past its prime then (over a decade ago) so it's good to see the one at the front gate looking proud again.

I would have loved to see one fly - the combination of early-generation turbojets and large Wright radials must have made for an absolutely fearsome noise.

You need to head to the gong, HARS have one File:HARS Neptune, Wollongong New South Wales.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Fruitcake]

You need to head to the gong, HARS have one File:HARS Neptune, Wollongong New South Wales.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks markis I didn't know they had a Neptune. And better yet in about a month they will be taxiing it around:
ANOTHER ENGINE RUN OPEN coughPIT DAY COMING UP (Click for more) « Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc

Mind you seeing a price of $250 to rumble around on the ground for a few minutes makes my "investment" in a 30 minute B-17 ride at Oshkosh a few months ago look extremely competitively priced!

 

[Fruitcake]

You need to head to the gong, HARS have one

I did indeed head to the 'gong for HARS engine run day on the weekend. An interesting day out - I didn't realise how broad their collection is these days.

The Neptune was out of action and didn't run as scheduled, but the DC-3, Catalina and DHA-3 Drover all put on a show.

 

[markis10]

I did indeed head to the 'gong for HARS engine run day on the weekend. An interesting day out - I didn't realise how broad their collection is these days.

The Neptune was out of action and didn't run as scheduled, but the DC-3, Catalina and DHA-3 Drover all put on a show.

I have a feeling the Drover used to live at LTV in the 80s, if so I have had a bit if time in it, beautiful old girl!