Warbird Information Exchange

Plans are underway for a number of celebrations in 2010 to commemorate the Centenaries of Australian aviation that will occur.

Planning is being undertaken for commemorative ceremonies, and community celebrations at Diggers Rest in March 2010 to honour Houdini's first controlled and sustained flights in Australia, while in July at Mia Mia celebrations will be held to honour the success of the Duigan Brothers (John & Reg) in designing, constructing and flying Australias' first indigenous aircraft.

The aircraft was built to pursue a 5000 pound Australian Government competition for a military aircraft offered in 1909, perhaps then Australias' first "warbird".

A Duigan Centenary of Flight website has been created and a flying replica of the Duigan 1910 Pusher Biplane is already under construction.


http://duigancentenaryofflight.org.au/

The site includes a 29 page story written and presented by John's Nephew in 1962, with editorial assistance by his father Reg, there are many rare photos from the families personal archives, and ongoing updates on the replica's progress will be provided on the site.

John Duigan an engineer trained in England had no experience with aircraft or flying, but undertook tethered glider experiments in Australia to understand the controls of flight, and built his own pusher biplane with little more than a photograph reference to the Wright Flyer, including specifying ,and later modifying a locally built engine, and incorporating tricycle undercarriage and aileron controls, the aircraft was built by John and Reg at their rural property using steel strapping from hay bales as the source of metal for most fittings.

John Duigan later ordered a modified Type D tractor biplane from Avro, and earned his pilots licence in England before returning to Australia to construct his own tractor biplane. He served with the AFC in France, and later retired to civilian life in Australia giving away flying after two serious crashes, his original aircraft is stored in the collection of the Museum of Victoria - one of Australias most significant airframes.



Donations can be made online via PAYPAL or by cheque and post, all donations over $2 are tax deductable in Australia, the project is being undertaken under the charitable management of the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin, and the Replica will join that collection when it completes its flying displays.

regards

Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

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The Duigan Centenary of Flight replica of the Duigan 1910 pusher is proceeding at a rapid rate, here it is in its first trial assembly, with Project Patron Dr Gwynne Duigan looking on.

Still missing its undercarriage, engine and wing outer bay panels, this is the first time the airframe has been assembled, following construction of the individual sections, to allow for cross bracing and inter-connection frames to be built and installed.

The aircraft is planned for completion in time for the Centenary celebrations at Mia Mia on 16 July 2010, and later flying appearances including Avalon in March 2011.

The Replica will then join the collection of the Australian National Aviation Museum.




Donations can be made via the website using paypal or via cheques, the Australian National Aviation Museum is hosting the fund raising through its tax deductability charitable status and the replica will join the collection when its flying displays are completed.

http://www.duigancentenaryofflight.org.au/



Regards

Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"