Warbird Information Exchange

From another forum some bad news for the aussie musuem warbird scene....

Australia rarest collection may close now as not only has father but now the son has died and it will change how the museum will work i suspect even open or remain.


"I read in todays newspaper that Alan Thomas of the Camden Air Museum passed away on the 25th of April 2007, age 60.
I'm sure all hyperscalers who knew Alan will be as saddened as I am to hear of his passing. Alan and his Father Harold were pioneers of aircraft presevation in Australia and between them saved some of our most important aviation assets. The world is a sadder place with their passing.
I was fortunate to meet both Alan and Harold when my Father did some preservation and maintenance on their Sea Venom WZ-904, They were both always ready to answer my insessant questions and let me sit in and play hanger pilot in some heavy metal I would never have dreamed of getting near.My Dad was very upset on hearing the news so I'm going to go sit with him for a while then we will both go to the funeral and raise a glass to two very good friends."

Ive been many times to Camden and met both of the men myself also

I wouldnt know who is going to run the museum now .. i pray it is kept running, as i know the son was hard working on the aircraft last i saw him.

This is very sad news.

-David

Yes this is very sad news. I tried to visit the museum a couple of months ago but it seemed to be closed at that time. I really hope that the family is able to reopen the collection as it is fairly unique.

Wardie

Was this the collection with the Vultee Vengeance?

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

This collection has as i remeber - rare -

Australia SOLE remaning current Lincolin bomber - cockpit
Sea Fury
Gannet
Meteor
Wirraway
Sole Australian Vengeance bomber
Beaufighter
Anson trainer
Mosquito bomber
Cockpit from Canberra, Beaufort,
Many small items dispalys, photos
Bell 47
Vampire?
WW2 amtracs


and more



This is unquie and to see this collection be broekn up would be horrific

I will admit a better layout, cleaning items and better display would bring ALOT more people in.

I havent got a clue whats gona happen but it is critical that this is saved, i wouldnt know who in the will of the son or mother if she is still alive

From a post on Hyperscale

"Further to my previous post regarding the passing of Alan Thomas I'm sure many people were concerned about the future of the museum.
The good news is the collection will Not be broken up.
Alans last wishes were for the museum to carry on so his neice has taken up the challenge.
A non profit trust has been set up for the continued operation of the museum and it will be business as usual in the very near future with a website coming as well.
So hapilly the Vengeance, Beaufighter and all the others will be safe an on show once again."

Time will tell

sk

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Simon King

Firstly I would like to extend my condolances to the Family & friends of Alan Thomas, he and his parents have played a major role in aviation preservation in Australia, not only through the preservation of the aircraft and engines in thier own collection but also the inspiration and induction they have given to other groups and individuals.

I hope the collection is retained and operated in one piece to honour their efforts and achievements.

There has been ongoing grapevine rumours of the formation of a Trust to oversee the ongoing operation ever since Alan's father passed away and apparantly Alan had made considerable efforts to put that in place?

Confirmation of that was provided in earlier posts on a local forum

http://www.warbirdz.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=642&highlight=camden

The Hyperscale forum that is the source of migrace's post that started this thread has a further reference to Alan's niece being involved, and I am sure the details of the Trust will come to hand.

Perhaps the Trust will consider the creation of a "Friends of" association for volunteers and supporters to join and I would encourage all enthusiasts to support the collection's ongoing operations.

regards


Mark Pilkington

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

I had the joy of knowing Harold and Allan for over 30 years, hard to find more knowledge that was freely shared with all. Through their dedication several aircraft that were very rare have been saved.

What is not commonly known, was that they both shared interest in USA military vehicles and locomotives.

I well remember one year when Harolds birthday was falling due, what could we get him. I decided that a locomotive bell was the way to go, and with the help of friends at EMD, the bell arrived whilst "father" was on a Russian cruise ship.

Allan made up a bracket and hung it in the middle of the main hanger, and hooked it up to an airline.

As Harold came into the hanger, Allan turned on the bell and it started to ring. We crept into the hanger to see his reaction, and he stood with his hanky out drying his eyes. When sprung he said "You sure know how to make an old man happy".

Moments and friends like that make life well worth living.

Regards

Col

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Vietnam Vet and proud of it.

.

Although worthy of its own thread, I thought it most appropriate to proove this threads subject line to be incorrect by advising to those interested that the Camden Aviation Museum's website is back up and operational and forecasting a re-opening in Mid 2008.

Congratulations to all concerned, and great to see this most significant collection remaining intact, in Australia, and most importantly in memory of the Thomas family efforts to preserve it.

http://www.camdenmuseumofaviation.com.au/index.asp

Regards

Mark Pilkington

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

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAA

definately worth a visit to anyone down in that neck of the woods....

That is GREAT news! I will have to make a visit to that museum when I'm down there in a years time.

Thanks for the update

Cheers,

David McIntosh