New fully restored Avenger for Australia

By: mark_pilkington - 24th August 2005 at 12:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Setter,

it really isnt good to be starting such wild rumours here on this website, it is well known the RAAF is simply retiring the F-111 by 2010 early purely on economic grounds, and there will be a gap between its retirement and the introduction of the JSF!

There is certainly no truth to the rumour that an email found stuck to the boot of a certain recently promoted Air Chief Marshall as he recently departed the Russell Offices, stated:

[B]"The Air Board accepts the recommendation that all of the F-111's are traded to R------- McF--------- (an "military aircraft dealer" in Queensland known for importing military twin engined medium bombers) who is to provide the RAAF with a wet leasing deal of stop-gap Strike Bomber force consisting of former USN "swing-wing" aircraft until delivery of the JSF, based on the earlier successful arrangement which saw USAF Phantom F4's leased to fill the gap between Canberra's and F111's"[/B]

and I am sure OD is in no way involved in such deals!,

(but I did notice Ardvark joyflights and syndicate share deals on "G" models with low hours?? ring "Randy" being promoted in a un-named DownUnder warbird mag?????)

regards

Mark P :D

By: oscar duck - 24th August 2005 at 14:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

So how did you guys break the code>>>enigma???

By: agent86 - 24th August 2005 at 20:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Swiss cheese NZ Avenger

In 1993 I went with a buddy to visit his home town of Orewa, North Island(also the home of Sir Edmund Hillary,it said so on the sign).He took me to a local airshow that I think was at a field called Dairy flats?As I stumbled around the field I came upon an Avenger that appeared to be made of swiss cheese.I have never seen an airplane with so many holes.I have no idea of what was keeping it from collapsing into a pile.My guess at the time was it was terminal and would never be rebuilt.Am I correct?The healthy population Of Avengers seems to rule out resurrection. anyway. Tim

By: Dave Homewood - 25th August 2005 at 00:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Tim, that was Motat's Avenger. Like many of their aircraft used to be, long neglected due to funds. Prior to that it had languished in a playground for many years. However, it is currently being fully restored to static at Motat's Western Springs facility for eventual display in their upcoming extension to the aircraft museum. So, in the end it has a happy future, hopefully.

If you'd seen the Solent and Lancaster and others of their collection a few years ago and compare to now, you'll see they can work miracles on swiss cheese planes.

By: DaveM2 - 25th August 2005 at 01:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

I was thinking this is the privately owned one that was in the childrens playground, it is still stored outside at the owners ( can't recall his name) and is falling to peices. Seen the MOTAT one in store and it isn't that bad.

Dave

By: Dave Homewood - 25th August 2005 at 03:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Ah, ok. You may be right Dave. You refer to Ken Jacobs's one. I saw the Motat one at Dairy Flat in about 1990 and it seemed to be in a dreadful state too.

By: oz rb fan - 26th August 2005 at 16:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Hi all

I think the penny has just dropped - The F111 force is to be retired in 2010 - it's based in Queensland - There is suddenly an influx of Bombers to Queensland to relatively unknown owners. Come on Oscar you don't fool anybody - you are obviously forming a clandestine attack bomber squadron to replace the Ardvarks when they "go west " . The 5 TBMs and the A26 can even drop Torpedoes - Force multiplyer there, the F111s didn't have that capability did they hey !!

Damn smart and very fiendish Mr Duck!!

Regards
John P

ooh i can see it now honast ducks used bomber lot :D
paul

By: Dave Homewood - 28th August 2005 at 01:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

OK Kiwis

How many Avengers are there over there anyway - I always get confused by the numbers - a list if you please good sirs

Regards
john P

John, four ex RNZAF Avengers remain in NZ today

One at Motat being restored NZ2527
One at RNZAF Museum, Wigram NZ2504 (painted as NZ2521)
One at Gisborne's GAPS museum (on loan from RNZAF Museum) NZ2505
One owned by Ken Jacobs NZ2539

There is talk of at least two groups wanting to purchase Avengers for the Warbirds scene too but I don't know whether this will happen.

By: dhfan - 28th August 2005 at 04:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

A while ago Patty was trying to persuade Hairyplane to buy one but he wouldn't bite.

By: Macfire - 28th August 2005 at 11:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

John, four ex RNZAF Avengers remain in NZ today

NZ2504, NZ2505, NZ2527 & NZ2539

There is talk of at least two groups wanting to purchase Avengers for the Warbirds scene too but I don't know whether this will happen.

As far as I am aware, only one group - a certain organisation, that recently has had their toys taken away by Auntie Helen, has siezed on Oscar Duck's idea and are attempting to obtain clandestine funds to import some TBF/TBM's in Godzone.

Rumour also has it that the 4 existing examples will be impressed as INST Airframes. ;)

There is NO (traceable) paperwork that 1 x TBF = 1 x A-4 or 339C

By: mark_pilkington - 29th August 2005 at 04:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Setter and OD

its time for you Queenslanders to come clean on these imported Avengers!! and the secret purpose you have for them.

oscar duck
Rank 4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 326

So how did you guys break the code>>>enigma???

I found your cache of Avengers hidden in under a tunnel deep inside a mountain in Queensland in October 2004.

I lead a team to explore this hidden maze of tunnels and even encountered your henchmen working in a huge caven in the centre of the tunnel complex!!

If you guy's dont immediately come clean I post the rest of the photographic evidence I have here for the world to see!!

regards

Mark P

By: mark_pilkington - 30th August 2005 at 11:42 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

ok Setter and OD,

I gave the Sunshine State Air Force enough time to come clean, you left me no option but to disclose where these Avengers are hidden.

I attended a very large swimming hole in the Gold Coast and noticed this suspicious looking hill with an obviously fake volcano on the top, I immediately realised I was looking at the handywork of AVM Setter!!

I hired a small boat and my team and I entered the labyrinth of tunnels via a stream, and quickly found the cache of Avengers hidden in the tunnels,

Later as we entered the larger caven I was greeted by some of your employees (they looked like typical Queenslanders) who were obviously unpacking more aircraft.

We quickly left the tunnel system with these photos of our investigation and the details of the RAAF F-111/TBM trade that has been under planning for some timeh!!

Its time you came clean on your activities in this underground facility! (and let your staff get some sunshine for their complexion!)

as threatened earlier I will now follow this disclosure with photos to prove it!!!

regards

Mark Pilkington

By: mark_pilkington - 30th August 2005 at 12:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

The suspicious looking mountain (and the active volcano, a dead giveaway!) and the secret entrance to the cave and tunnel system where the aircraft were hidden!!

By: mark_pilkington - 30th August 2005 at 12:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

The hidden cache of TBM Avengers stored deep inside the tunnel system!!

By: mark_pilkington - 30th August 2005 at 12:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Even more Avenger parts!! hidden in the tunnels!