An Uplifting Adventure…

“Wow Dad! Look at all these buttons. You hop in the back and I’ll fly this thing” my young fella shouted, as he sat in the cockpit of one of the many aircraft on display at the aviation museum.

Recently, I ventured to the Northern NSW coastal town of Evans Head. My family and I walked alongside the river which led out to the spectacular sandy beachfront. After some fun in the sun, we enjoyed a picnic lunch nestled amongst one of the largest holiday parks in NSW.

A short time later, when the girls were busy enjoying some retail therapy, I thought it would be the perfect time to take my son to the local aerodrome. I had heard that the museum there hosted one of the few F-111 jets in Australia.

What originally started out as a simple excuse to ‘get out of shopping’, became an aweinspiring history lesson. The Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum operates out of a fully restored WW2 Bellman Hangar at the former RAAF station; and it features a variety of military and civilian aircraft collected from around Australia.

The showpiece of the Museum collection is definitely the F-111 C Fighter-Bomber, and it really is a sight to behold. Up close you can see all the details of its sleek appearance. I overheard one of the museum staff explaining to a gathered crowd about the ingenious design of the jet engines, and how air is deflected and directed into the chambers. The F111’s were in service with the RAAF an incredible 37 years, from 1973 to 2010, and were flown extensively over the South Evans Head Bombing Range. I learnt that the Bombing Range which began during the war is still operational today, and that it is mainly used by FA-18 Hornets and Super Hornets for gunnery practice. One of the other feature aircraft on display, was the ‘Canberra Bomber’. It also operated at this Bombing Range during the 1950 & 60s.

Peering through a side exit, I noticed a large RAAF plane… A short time later my son and I were standing inside its large belly listening to an informative record of its service in Vietnam, and in domestic emergency supply missions. The Caribou DHC-4 was designed to transport equipment, troops, and parachute airdrops via the rear hatch. The particular aircraft on display saw 45 years of operation which greatly exceeded its expected lifespan.

The museum is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, run by a team of very dedicated volunteers. It is evident that they are passionate about their aircraft and the connection that it has to the Evans Head community. One of the volunteers advised me of their recent acquisition, an AP-3C Orion. It was flown to the nearby airport of Lismore NSW, due to it being too large for their runway. It’s currently being dismantled and transported in smaller pieces to Evans Head, where it will be reassembled as their newest attraction.

A brief glance at my watch and I could not believe a couple of hours had passed by so quickly. I guess as the saying goes ‘time flies when you’re having fun’!

This was definitely a day to remember for a wide-eyed 5 year old and his Dad.

Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum 61 Memorial Drive Evans Head, New South Wales, 2473

(02) 6682 6756 www.EHMAHAA.org.au Although only open on weekends, Group Tours can be booked weekdays.

Schools and Retirees welcome.