Fighter World Aviation Museum

Warbirds Online recently visited Fighter World Aviation Museum, adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW where a great collection of aircraft is on display. If you haven’t been before or it’s been some time since you last visited Fighter World, then it is well worth the trip. Located just 20 mins drive north of Newcastle, Fighter World is near the entrance to the RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle Airport.

My reason for visiting was to see the MiG 21, which I had witnessed flying many years ago in the hands of Phil “Frawls” Frawley, said to be the world’s oldest active Fighter pilot, flying FA 18s out of the Base. As we reported previously on the MiG21, this aircraft was retired to the Museum some years back due to costs involved in flying it. Sadly the aircraft is now outside, as the arrival of the F-111 meant lack of space inside the hangers – but it still looks great.

The Museum is spread over two hangers and the collection is impressive.  It features a single and 2 seat Mirage 111, CAC Sabre, Gloster Meteor, CAC CA-30 Macchi MB-326H, Fokker DR 1 replica, F111, CAC CA-22/CA-25 Winjeel, GAF Jindivik, de Havilland DH-100/DH-115 Vampire, 2 Spitfire replicas, a Bf109 replica and a Hawker FG74 fighter. There are also a comprehensive collection of ejection seats, cockpits (including a Beaufighter) and other displays.

The Museum is open 7 days a week and the staff are friendly and ready for a chat and there is a good Café with food and coffee.

There may be a small cloud on the horizon with the JSF Fighter runway extension that there is a possibility the Museum may have to be moved in order to facilitate noise abatement. I imagine this is a fairly straightforward process and all will be well in the end.

Fighter World is great Aviation Museum that is well run and with good aircraft displays.  It’s well worth a visit.

© John Parker 2015