H istory of W arbirds O ver S cone
‘Warbirds Over Scone’ was a successful series of Airshows held in 1998, 2001 and 2003 and originally organised by the late Colin Pay. A pioneer in the Australian warbird movement, it has been said that Col’s efforts played an irrefutable role in inspiring the country’s love and passion for the vintage military aircraft we see today.
Col established Pays Air Service in 1959 with a De Havilland Tiger Moth but it was his purchase of a dismantled P-51 Mustang (VHAUB), in 1978, that marked the beginning of the vintage fighter collection at Scone. Fully restored at his maintenance facility and repainted in its former RAAF markings, the P-51 became his pride and joy.
After that Col became a regular performer at air shows throughout NSW and, to this day, VH-AUB is still a prize possession in the Pay’s warbird fleet.
Col expanded his interest in warbird aircraft in 1982 with the purchase of a disassembled Spitfire Mk.VIII (VH-HET) from the estate of the late Sid Marshall. This aircraft required a complete rebuild but, after a detailed restoration program, in 1985 the aircraft took to the skies for it’s first flight since the war; it was the crowning achievement of Australia’s warbird scene.
In 2000, the aircraft was sold to David Lowy who then donated it to Temora Aviation Museum, in 2002, where it is kept in an airworthy condition. It is one of only two flying Spitfire’s in Australia and the star of the museum’s airshows also making an appearance at Scone’s ‘Flight Of The Hurricane’ in 2016.
Other wartime fighters and trainers became part of his collection including Australia’s first airworthy P-40 Kittyhawk (VH-KTY) which again emerged from his workshop as one of the best examples of its type anywhere in the world.
At the time of the P-40’s first flight, in 2006, Col’s collection boasted an example of each of the most significant fighter aircraft operated by the RAAF during the Second World War. Through Col’s efforts, Scone became a Mecca for aircraft enthusiasts and this was enhanced through the ‘Warbirds over Scone’ air show series that brought spectators from every state and overseas.
F light
of the
H urricane
Word of the flying displays drew a crowd of thousands and despite weather threatening to rain on the parade, the day was a huge success. The Hurricane flight was followed by flights of the aforementioned Spitfire VIII and P-51 Mustang, but it was the formation display by the Hurricane and the Spitfire that stole the show.
Col sadly passed away in December 2007, but is survived by his wife Dianne, son Ross and daughters Jillian and Helen. Ross is now the Managing Director of Pay’s Air Services and continues his father’s legacy with the recent restoration of Australia’s only Hawker Hurricane (VH-JFW), owned by John Brooks. Tears were brought to the eyes of grown men as two of WWII’s most iconic machines took to the air together, for what is likely to be the first time ever in Australia.
Test flown by Ross himself on the 2nd October 2016, it was the first time a Hurricane had flown in the country since 1944 and a huge achievement by the team at Scone. Only 6 weeks later on 12th November 2016, the ‘Flight Of the Hurricane’ took place to unveil it to the public.
Mark Pracy displayed his L-39 Albatros and there was even a visitor from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society; the enormous De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou.
Also flying was Pay’s North American T-6 Harvard and an impressive water drop demonstration by their amphibious Fireboss, used for fire fighting around NSW.