Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) members from the Parkes Aviation Museum – Mike De La Hunty, Dave Wilcockson and Erik Lensson have arrived home in Parkes from sunny Townsville.
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The Lockheed SP-2H Neptune A89-272 they’ve been helping the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) prepare tor transport in Queensland these last few weeks, wasn’t too far behind them.
The aircraft – split over three different loads – arrived in Parkes on Tuesday, August 22.
The A89-272 was loaded and ready to make its way to its new home at the Parkes Aviation Museum the morning of August 15.
“We began dismantling the aircraft in October. We waited until the cyclone season (November to May) was over to come back to do the rest of it,” Mike said earlier this month.
He said he made sure those along the route from Townsville to Parkes knew exactly where this ex-RAAF plane was headed, by tying white sheets to the wide load trucks with the words reading “Ex-RAAF Neptune to Parkes Aviation Museum”.
Unfortunately there was no public access to the part of the Parkes Airport where the Neptune was unloaded when it arrived this week.
In February last year, RAAF announced HARS at Parkes Airport as one of three successful recipients for a retired Air Force heritage aircraft that were being gifted to Australian historical organisations.
The three aircraft were on display at various RAAF Bases across Australia for decades but, following a competitive evaluation, they were chosen to be restored by the successful organisations and placed on public display within their museums.
Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Gavin Davies said in February 2016, the gifting of the aircraft strengthens the continuing collaboration between Air Force and the historical aviation community across Australia.
“Air Force is delighted to be able to gift these aircraft to public organisations that can help to preserve our aviation history and to help make our proud heritage available to all Australians,” Air Marshal Davies said at the time.
Lockheed SP-2H Neptune A89-272 served with 10 Squadron in the 1960s in a maritime patrol role, and was on display at the entrance to RAAF Base Townsville.
Neptune’s arrival date in Parkes wasn’t confirmed until this week, because it depended on RMS wide load permits being granted for its transport.
You can stay up-to-date with all the action happening at the Parkes Aviation Museum on their Facebook page.
