The Hawker Demon was an important aircraft to the RAAF in the inter war years. In 1934 a batch of 18 were ordered from the UK for use as general purpose/fighter aircraft. A further two batches of 36 and 10 were ordered giving a total of 64 aircraft. The Demon provided the RAAF with a relatively modern aircraft with which to rebuild following the reduction in capability which had occurred since WW1. The Demon also served as a trainer and Army co operation aircraft in 1, 2, 3, 12 and 22 Sqns plus No1 Communications flight. The Demon was even utilized in the secondary roles throughout WW11.
Only one complete, restored example of an RAAF Demon exists, A1-8 which crashed on 3 February 1937 in Tasmania and was recovered in 1986 by the RAAF. It was restored and handed over to the RAAF Museum in 1997 where it remains on display to this day.
One of the team who worked on the restoration of Hawker Demon A1-8 was the legendary Warbird pilot and restorer Jack McDonald. At the same time as restoring this aircraft, Jack had it in mind to restore a second Hawker Demon for himself, as a flying aircraft. To this end Jack obtained a suitable fuselage and other components as well as much documentation as could be found and set about the task. Work progressed well, but as is often the case other projects and work pressures meant that the aircraft was put aside and eventually went on display in an incomplete state at Caboolture for a number of years. The aircrafts fuselage structure, cockpit fairing and other components were complete and made for a great display in their own right.
Recently, however Jack has again turned his mind to the Hawker Demon and work has re commenced on the restoration of this classic 1930s Hawker biplane. Jack has now decided that the task of restoring this aircraft as a flying aircraft is impractical at this time and the work is centered on a static restoration. This work will not in any way interfere with the potential for the aircraft to fly in the future, however it is a practical way to display the aircraft at its best for now. Jack has enlisted the support of veteran restorer Ron Lee who is also working of the airworthy completion of Beaufort A9-141. In addition, a group of volunteers are also assisting in the process.
At present the project is coming together at Caboolture Qld in Jacks hangar alongside the Beaufort and several other historic aircraft. As stated earlier the fuselage is structurally complete so that is a real bonus however the wings will require a considerable work to rebuild. New wing main spars have been obtained, however ribs will have to be fabricated and a host of other parts small and large will be either sourced or manufactured. Fortunately a suitable Rolls Royce Kestrel engine is available and will be fitted.
This is a very exciting project and we will be following it closely as it progresses and we wish Jack McDonald and his crew all the best in this magnificent endeavour.
Caboolture is really buzzing with Warbird restoration projects at present!
© John Parker 2014
You have no idea of the recovery effort by the RAAF Reserve, an Army Reservist and the Air Training Corps Officers and Instructors who relocated the wreck in North Western Tasmania. one could a,lost write a book about the efforts and frustrations of the search.
It is great to see the restored item what a fantastic job has been done for entire project
I visited Caboolture in February 2002 and logged a Hawker Demon “A1-17” at that time. Was this the airframe that is currently being restored and is that identity accurate? Hope to be back for a visit in 2021 if we ever get out of this virus catastrophe !
Hi Tom
Yes that is the same airframe. Its identity has never been accurately determined. All that is known is that it has been restored using Australian Hawker Demon remains. We do hope you get to visit again.
Kind regards
John
My Auntue Kath and Uncle Harold Stevens found this wreck while flying over the Waratah area and told authorities what they had seen
Chrissy Hanson- Stewart
Melbourne
Hi Chrissy
Thanks for getting in touch and letting us know about the historic find.
Kind regards
John