Australia?

[SteveS]

Originally Posted by mustang

Mustang again. I never heard it referred to as the Gypsy Racer and I can't say if it was ever raced. One bit of history though. I can recall that it was advertised for sale at Christmas 1939, just after the start of WW2. It was based at Parafield airport near Adelaide South Australia where Horrie Miller operated a charter business. The asking price was 150 pounds Australian, about 450 dollars at that time. It was never sold and Miller eventually flew it to Perth Western Australia where he eventually formed McRobertson-Miller Airways.

I operated an aviation business from the same airport until about 20 years ago and I recall a photo of the aircraft in flight was displayed in the ground floor of the tower building. It had been removed the last time I was in the building and I can't say at this time what happened to it.

Over the next few days I will contact the airport management and see if it can be found

I will get back to you.

Cheers
Mustang

Thanks Mustang,

I appreciate any info you come up with. The name "Bristol M1 Gypsy Racer" is what the plans were labeled so it might very well just be that the model plan needed a name by the designer.

Thanks,

Salute,
Steve

[Vin]

The Treloar Centre is in the northern suburbs of Canberra. It's where the War Memorial exhibits are restored. Last time I was there, a few years back now, there were at least 3 WW1 aircraft on show. It used to be open to the public on Sundays but I believe that this no longer occurs. It would be worthwhile making contact before you arrive in Aus to see if they'll let you in for a look.

[austin08]

Hello all,
And where on earth has Adelaide hidden its Vickers Vimy?
Daryl

['14-'18aviationcollector]

Hi guys,

The Treloar Centre is in Mitchell, which as you said Vin is in the Northern suburbs of Canberra. The exhibits are restored there, and there is a conservation facility as well as a significant storage area. All of the WW1 aeroplanes are displayed in the Over the Front exhibition, which you should see. There was recently an open day at Mitchell, and I think they only occur once or maybe twice every year. As Vin said you might be able to organise a visit to Treloar if you make arrangements before you come.

Hi Daryl,

The Vickers Vimy is stored at the airport. It is in a specially constructed building, which is climate controlled. It is completely covered with glass, and being fully enclosed it is dark in there but still you can get a reasonably good look at it. It flew here to Australia in the England to Australia air race in 1919, as the DH9 did, which is in the Over the Front exhibition.

Regards,

David.

[allannieuport]

Gentlemen
the vimy is in the long term carpark at Adelaide airport.Well protected from the elements. Rumors have it that the airport management would love to be rid of it. The further rumour is that the South Australian Aviation Museum at Port Adelaide (good people) were getting custody of it.Only rumours.

Canberra has the biggest collection and reasonably close to Sydney. Definately worth a look. And for your wife plenty of art galleries in both places.


Kind regards Allan

[austin08]

Hello all,
Thanks for the replies on the Vimy, there were reports about a year ago in the 'Adelaide Review' that the vimy had been moved to an undisclosed storage space and that yes the airport management did not want it- glad that this may not be true.
Daryl

[Clemshark]

Hi Steves.
I have been doing a fair bit of research on the Bristol M1c that you mention.
After Captain Harry Butlers death, Horrie Miller purchased it off Harry's widow and renovated it to take the inline engine.
He renamed it "Puck" after a good friend of his ( Puck Grosverner)
I was raced in the 1931 aerial derby in Adelaide ( Parafield) which it won as it did again in 1932. Although in 1932 it was disqualified for exceeding its estimeated speed by more than 5 mph.
Miller used it a lot through this period for stunting displays, etc and described it as the fastest plane around.
Miller kept it until 1956 when he donated it back to Harry Butlers home town of Minlaton ( also happens to be my original home town) where it is still on display.
It has been renovated several times over the years ( 1956-58, 1970's, 1989)
The last one brought it back to its original shapee and markings ( although the roundels and number 83 on the underside of the wings have been done much smaller than the originals)
I have many photos of this aircraft from its original shape right through each of the renovations.
I would be happy to supply you some but cannot work out the way to put them up here so maybe if you give me your email i will send them through.
Im also keen to chat to "Mustang" as he is close by me here in Adelaide and sounds like he knows a bit about this aircraft. Not many people have seen it fly so i would love to chat to you if you see this "Mustang"

Les Parsons