Mirage and Macchi Warbirds to Scone NSW

Warbirds Online has been working with The Hunter Fighter Collection Inc.  located at Scone NSW on a great initiative to acquire 2 major aircraft types to be displayed at the Scone Warbird Visitor Attraction, scheduled to open in December 2021.

Today we share news that the Scone Warbird Attraction is pending the arrival of 2 Ex RAAF Williamtown aircraft, a Dassault Mirage III O(F) Ex RAAF A3-44 from the defunct Museum at Bankstown Airport and an Aermacchi MB-326 (Macchi) Ex RAAF A7-047 gifted by the RAAF, previously located at RAAF Base Amberley. Both aircraft are being made available for display by The Hunter Fighter Collection Inc., a Not for Profit organization based in Scone who will provide curatorial oversight of the aircraft and contained in the new Scone Warbird Attraction.

To relocate these 2 aircraft to Scone is a huge logistical task which has been long in the planning, especially amid the COVID 19 crisis. It’s not easy to move an entire complete Mirage from Bankstown through NSW and we are very grateful for the cooperation we have received from the Upper Hunter Shire Council and various State Government agencies.

The transport carrier, Clein Transport Solutions will be transporting both aircraft in mid-February in a single operation over 4 days. Warbirds Online worked with a team of volunteers recently to dismantle the Macchi to prepare her for transportation from Queensland to Scone.  The Mirage will be transported in one piece as the removal of the wings can be problematic at the best of times. Once the Macchi has been delivered to Scone then the final part of the relocation will be to transport the Mirage from Bankstown to Scone.

Once both aircraft have arrived at Scone work will commence to refurbish them to Museum presentation standard for display within the new attraction, with the help of volunteers.

Aermacchi MB-326 (Macchi) Ex RAAF A7-047 is in excellent overall condition whilst the Marcel Dassault Mirage III O(F) Ex RAAF A3-44 will require considerable attention to have it ready for display. Both aircraft will be repainted in RAAF Colors representing their time at RAAF Williamtown to reinforce their Hunter Valley connections.

The Macchi was recently made available to  by RAAF Heritage.  We are deeply indebted to them for the receipt this beautiful aircraft.

We will soon be seeking additional volunteers to work on these and other Warbirds at Scone. Please stay tuned for more information should you wish to become part of the Volunteer Team.

© John Parker 2021