Up, up and away
18 May 2015
From fascinating aircraft and helicopter displays at the RAAF Aviation Heritage Centre to a wonderful historic tour of Ipswich, the Warwick Combined Probus Club had a great day out recently.
When we arrived at the gates of the RAAF Aviation Heritage Centre at Amberley, we were greeted by an officer, who guided us to a complex of hangars that house the collection of aircraft and equipment. This is maintained by a group of volunteers.
For two hours, we roamed free between the displays with volunteers on hand to provide information and answer questions.
The displays included a Sabre jet which still bore the scars of an encounter with a power line near Beaudesert, as well as a Canberra bomber, a Mirage fighter, and a Caribou freighter. The helicopter display featured a Huey which was in service during the Vietnam conflict.
Another hangar housed a Blierot, similar to the first plane to fly the English Channel, and displays of air force vehicles and equipment. The gunner’s compartment from a Lancaster bomber showed the cramped and uncomfortable quarters from which the war was fought. The gunner sat alone astride a hard bicycle seat for several hours during each sortie.
The F111c which was recently retired from service attracted great interest. It was displayed together with its ejector capsule and the parachute which automatically deployed when the pilot abandoned his aircraft.
After lunch, we were went on a tour of historic Ipswich led by a volunteer guide from the Ipswich Visitors Centre. Then, we were enjoyed history and legend of some of the finest homes in Ipswich and paid a brief visit to the St Mary’s Catholic Church.
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