Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Fleet Air Arm Museum
7 May 2007
Official opening of Museum and air day
A crowd estimated to be around 20,000 gathered at the naval air station HMAS Albatross on Sunday, May 6, to see the newly-dedicated Fleet Air Arm Museum and the associated air day.
The Museum's opening ceremony guests, including representatives from the Fleet Air Arm Association, heard a rededication address by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO CSC RAN.
He outlined the early days of the preservation of historical naval aircraft and the subsequent emergence of a Museum.
Later, he and the Rededication Lady, Mrs Judy Ralph, jointly unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Guests, and those attending the air show, were able to see the revamped Museum which has focussed on past naval aircraft under a display banner of 'Wings Over Water'.
The display marks the beginning of a new phase in the life of the Museum, which will have evolving exhibits to mark aspects of the Fleet Air Arm.
Soon after the opening of the doors, air show patrons crowded the display hall to see the re-presented and new exhibits.
They were also treated to a full flying program in superb weather, with aircraft ranging from the RAN's current helicopter fleet, the RAAF's Roulettes aerobatics team and a range of restored aircraft including a Dakota, Neptune bomber, Meteor fighter and Canberra bomber.
For the staff of the new Museum, the complement of HMAS Albatross and the air day participants, it was a very successful day.
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