Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

Federal Council Annual Meeting 2011
Fleet Air Arm Museum Report

FAAM Operations and Activities
Quarter ending Dec 2010

HMAS Melbourne Association Reunion, attended by RADM Gilmore and RADM Swan (Rtd), and FAAM Open Day 15-17 Oct.
FAAM marketing exhibition at South Coast Travel Expo, Bateman's Bay 05-07 Nov.

Quarter ending Mar 2011
Mrs. Sandy Neilson and her two daughters visited Nowra which coincided with the tenth anniversary of the fatal aircraft crash involving her late husband, SQLDR Murray Neilson RNZAF.
Mr Keith Payne VC, OAM, and Mrs Florence Payne spent a week in Nowra in Feb as guests of the RSL. They flew in the RAN Historic Flight's 'Iroquois' helicopter.
The annual 'Wings over Illawarra' airshow was held at Albion Park Airport on 27 Feb
Biennial Australia International Airshow in Avalon, Victoria was held from 2- 6 March

Quarter ending Jun 2011
The overall annual visitors for FY 2010-11 was 21,667
The Manager joined the ACT Division for the ANZAC march at the AWM
New Zealand Defence Minister has announced that a former RAN A-4 (871) will be gifted
RNZAF will deliver the aircraft to Nowra where it will be reassembled and painted
Minister for Defence Materiel announced on 8th June the allocation of Sea King 'Shark 07'
Regular meetings for transition of the RAN Historic Flight to management by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS)
The project will proceed in two stages with HARS taking over control while construction of new hangarage takes place near the Museum
In May the annual NSW Caravan, Camping and Holiday Supershow at Rosehill Racecourse. Museum received almost a thousand enquiries over eight days
29 June Denis Mulvihill retired from the Australian Public Service after 25 years service Jim Hill was recognised for his contribution to the Fleet Air Arm by being presented with the Commodore Rob Partington Memorial Shield.

Quarter ending Sep 2011
13 July unveiled and dedicated a plaque to all Korean veterans
Westland Wessex 831 loaned to the National Vietnam Veterans' Museum on Phillip Island, Victoria
Documentary film-makers recorded personal oral histories of FAA veterans. Interviews will be spliced into an upcoming film
The quarterly meeting of the Australasian Society of WW1 Aero Historians was held on 20 Aug
The Fleet Air Arm Museum celebrated its fifth anniversary on 01 September
Installation of the new visitor theatrette was completed on 30 September.

Significant acquisitions during 2010-11

Items donated by veterans attending the HMAS Melbourne Reunion (ball cap, photographs, video and photographic CDs, Sydney III tread plate)
WW2 and Korean-era Ferranti reflector gun sights as fitted to Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft
Bristol-Siddeley 'Viper' engine ex-ADFA, as fitted to Jindivik target aircraft
An immaculately preserved and detailed photograph album compiled by the late LEUT Mike Stanley RN during his exchange service with 805 Sea Fury Squadron between 1948 and 1952
Original 'Spitfire' Pilots Notes manual
Items donated by former aircraft handlers/firemen comprising extinguishers, crash axes, safety knives and boots
A variety of photographic and slide collections from ex-FAA veterans
A bronze ashtray cast from metal from HMAS Sydney I
Hand-crafted scale models of RAN FAA 'Gannet' and 'Sea Venom' aircraft of exceptional quality
A collection of FAA rank and rate badges stemming from the 1950's and -60's
A flight deck safety helmet as used on HMAS Melbourne II
A pair of engine magnetos, and ignition harness and a handbook for the display Gipsy 'Major engine
A collection of FAA and naval themed reference books from the estate of the late WOAVN George Plant
1950s radio mech's metal toolbox complete with tools (hardly used)
A framed memento of the late CMDR James Firth MBE, RAN
A Fairey 'Gannet' arrester hook.

Conservation activities during 2010-11

Continuing conservation of highly significant artefacts throughout the period include -
Fairey 'Gannet" aircraft engine and propeller assemblies
Digitisation of the FAAM photographic collection
New installations include reinstallation of the Lawrence Hargrave Glider
Enhancement of the WW2 'walled' display cabinet
The WW1 aviator's flying coat and uniform of F/O Dudley Ransom, RFC has been conserved and installed on a mannequin in a new display cabinet
Honours boards, uniform items and navigation equipment from the RANCHC for display in the renovated Geelong and Cerberus Houses at HMAS Creswell
Flight deck fireman's 'Fearnought' suit and a naval air mechanics coveralls and personal protective equipment
The 'Lonsdale Cabinet' has been transferred to RANAS Wardroom to display silverware.

Forthcoming events

817 Squadron Decommissioning Ball in the Museum on Saturday 29th October
817 Squadron Reunion Weekend and Open Day between 11-13 November
Final Sea King flight and 817 Squadron memorial church service 15 December
817 Squadron decommissioning parade 16 December.

- Terence Hetherington, Manager, Fleet Air Arm Museum

To read other reports, see Federal Council Annual Meeting page.