HFC Warbird Restorations

Great news on the restoration work being done on the Hunter Fighter Collection (HFC) Warbirds. This month is the end of the COVID lockdown which has allowed HFC to get on with the aircraft restoration projects at Scone NSW.

Last week for the first time in 4 months all HFC volunteers were able to return to Scone to recommence work on the GAF/Marcel Dassault Mirage III O(F) Ex RAAF A3-44 and then  MB-326 (Macchi) Ex RAAF A7-047. A team of 12 volunteers were able to travel to Scone to start work and plan future work which was a great result given the lockdown they had just been through.

Fortunately, they were able to complete work on the Macchi with the exception of the repainting work prior to the lockdown and it is now stored awaiting surface preparation and then repainting prior to going on exhibition in the new Scone Warbirds Attraction Museum early next year. The repainting will take place later this year so it is not damaged prior to installation in the Hunter Warbirds Museum.

Marcel Dassault Mirage III O(F) Ex RAAF A3-44 has now had all the wing attachment bolts replaced and they are solid and stable. Last Wednesday, work was centered on preparing the Mirage for the refitting of the wing fairings which has been made difficult due to the heads having been drilled off many of them before the aircraft was acquired. During lockdown, they were able to develop a method of replacing all of the damaged fairing screws with new hardware and the day was spent preparing the fuselage and wings for installation of the fairings in the next few weeks.

Once all the fairings are back in place over the next few weeks the team will be:

• Restoring the cockpit by cleaning and repainting the surfaces
• Restoring the instrument panels and refitting them
• Restoring and refitting the ejection seat
• Fitting the replacement canopy
• Trial fitting the drop tanks and both sets of Matra Missiles
• Fitting the engine “Can” to the rear fuselage.

Once all of the work listed above has been completed as with the Macchi the aircraft will be prepared for repainting.

During the Volunteer team lunch break plans were discussed for the collection, dismantling and relocation to Scone of several more aircraft to be housed in the Hunter Warbirds Museum. Details of these aircraft are confidential at present, but will make for very exciting displays at the new Museum which is due to open early 2022. HFC volunteers will be central to all of this activity and we are very grateful for their efforts.

Towards the end of the day volunteers were able to assist in positioning the Vintage Fighter Restorations Supermarine Spitfire F Mk. IX MH603 for the next phase of engine runs as it moves to undertake its first flight. During the afternoon Alf Morgan of Vintage Fighter Restorations (VFR) was able to run the mighty Rolls Royce Merlin for extended periods at higher revs and load than previous runs. The HFC volunteers were treated to quite a show as the Spitfire ran through its paces.

HFC Volunteers will now return to regular weekly schedules working on the aircraft collection at Scone. HFC is always seeking more Volunteers with Aviation or Engineering skills, but we will equally welcome anybody who has enthusiasm and some mechanical ability.  Scone is located about 3 hours north west of Sydney NSW and about 2 hours west of Newcastle NSW. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel (carpooling is a possibility).

HFC Volunteers operate in a cooperative positive team environment and being a team player is an absolute must. The work is intensive, but also has its rewards.  HFC have created a skilled team of Warbird enthusiasts in a positive fun atmosphere. They offer Volunteers an opportunity to work on some unique historic aircraft.

Please express your interest in Volunteering with Hunter Fighter Collection Inc. by email to info.hfcscone@gmail.com.

© John Parker 2021