Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration Winter 2020

It’s always a great to visit the picturesque Luskintyre in the Hunter Valley NSW and Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration as its an Aviation enthusiast’s joy to behold with numerous interesting and historic aircraft both resident and passing through for restoration and maintenance. One of the most talented and experienced Warbird Restoration workshops to be seen anywhere is the workshop of Matt Webber and his team at Luskintyre Aircraft Restoration (LAR), NSW. Warbirds Online often drops by to see the progress on the many aircraft transiting through the workshop as there is always something of interest to see. On our most recent visit there was the usual hive of activity taking place with new projects and work occurring everywhere.

Of particular note was a meeting with an old friend – the former Archerfield in Queensland based North American T-28D Trojan VH-TRO. The aircraft has recently changed hands after many years operating Warbird Adventure flights out of Archerfield and attending numerous Airshows and Fly-Ins across Australia. The new owners are NSW based and it is thought the aircraft will operate out of a NSW Hunter Valley base.

The mighty Trojan is undergoing a regime of maintenance and cosmetic work before it resumes its flying activities. One can’t but be impressed with the size and robust structure of these American Trainers. A very substantial aircraft indeed, but one with a very sprightly performance powered by a Wright R-1820-86 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,425 hp (1,063 kW). It is also believed that the current Dragon color scheme is to remain on the aircraft – a very attractive scheme it is too.

Other work in hand at the moment at LAR includes the return to flight of Ross Pay’s new two former RAAF Forward Air Control CA-25 Winjeels, A85-411 and A85-426. Winjeel A85-426 is currently undergoing a maintenance program to return her to the air being the most recently flying aircraft of the pair and is in excellent condition. It is anticipated that the work on this “Young Eagle” will return to the air and make its way to its new home at Scone in coming weeks. Winjeel  A85-411 will be worked on next to return her to the air and follow A85-426 to Scone, this Winjeel has been out of the air longer and although also in excellent condition will require a little more work to get her flying.

Another old favorite of Warbirds Online is CAC CA-3 Wirraway VH-WWY of Paul Bennet Aviation.  This beautiful Australian WWII aircraft was in the LAR workshop for routine maintenance work and as always looks fantastic and immaculate. This Wirraway is probably the most travelled and utilized aircraft of the type, appearing at countless displays and Airshows across the Australia.

Another aircraft of the Paul Bennet stable was also in attendance at LAR for some work being the attractive Vietnam era Cessna O-2 observation aircraft in its Forward Air Control (FAC) scheme. In the workshop area itself there were numerous DH Moths of various iterations and the beautiful Bristol F.2B Fighter restoration making steady progress to its first flight.

Luskintyre is truly a nostalgic and magical place for any enthusiast and its setting in the beautiful Hunter valley countryside adds to the mystique. Warbirds Online thanks Matt Webber and the team at LAR for allowing us to tour the workshop and we will continue to report on their Warbird Restoration work in the future.

© John Parker 2020