Airfield visits

01 Jul 2013

In May members and partners of the Goolwa Probus Club visited a private airfield on Hindmarsh Island near the mouth of the River Murray, the Hindmarsh Island International Airport.

The owner, Barry Hills, has restored five Tiger Moth aircraft and at the time of the club’s visit he had two fully restored planes at his property.

Barry, a former flight engineer with the RAAF and later TAA and Qantas, spoke about his flying experiences before the members had a look at the planes.

The visit finished with Barry giving a short demonstration flight with several low passes over everyone.

Several club members brought their vintage and veteran cars along to add to the occasion. 

Earlier this year, one of the club’s oldest members, 93 year old Paul Buckingham, a former Tiger Moth pilot and WWII wing commander, paid a visit to the airfield with past president Dirk Nieuwenhoven who is also a local war historian.

Memories came flooding back when Paul saw the Tiger Moths and when invited to take a ride he didn’t hesitate to accept.

Once airborne Paul was handed the controls and for the first time in over 30 years he was once again flying a Tiger Moth.

Paul later said that he flew low over his home and waggled the wings on seeing his wife in the yard.

Paul later said that this was one of the special days of his life and he considered himself a very lucky man.