Temora Aviation Museum
Story and photos: The Bear
Temora is a bit out of the way. Nearly 100 km north of Wagga Wagga, 80 km west of Young and a long way from anywhere else it lies in the northern, wheat growing part of the Riverina and pretty much looks after itself and the surrounding farms. By all reports it is a friendly town, and its 4300 or so inhabitants welcome visitors.
I can sort of vouch for this. When we dropped by everyone was nice enough, but we couldn’t get a bed for the night because there was some kind of regional school band competition on. The streets were filled with short, feral brass sections seeking TimeZone franchises, the milk bars seethed with underage woodwinds slurping cola spiders and we felt distinctly out of place.
But that was okay, because we weren’t there to sleep or eat (we subsequently did both in Young). We were there to see the planes after a pleasant five-hour ride down from Sydney along the Hume Freeway and the Burley Griffin Way.
Temora airport was the site of the biggest and longest lasting RAAF Elementary Flying Training School during World War 2. It was called 10 EFTS and was established in May 1941. Training ended in May 1945 and a total of 2741 pilots were trained on Tiger Moths at Temora.
Today 10 EFTS is the Temora Aviation Museum. The Museum displays ex-military aircraft which have historical significance to Australia. Now there are many different kinds of museums, but as far as technology-related establishments are concerned Temora is the best kind – it is devoted to machines that actually work. Temora’s aircraft fly, and frequently. The museum claims the world’s finest collection of flying historic aircraft and is on the northern outskirts of town. The entrance building is the original 10 EFTS guardhouse, relocated from the airport main gate. It has been refurbished and now houses a display recounting the story of the Empire Air Training Scheme and 10 EFTS. The walls of the main building are still clad in the original corrugated iron, the windows are those fitted in 1941, and the floor is also the original material. The asbestos roof has been replaced and 60 years of internal modifications have been removed.
The museum holds a wonderful range of aircraft including the only flying Spitfire, Canberra and Australian-built Vampire in Australia as well as the only flying Gloster Meteor F.8 in the world. Don’t worry if those names mean nothing to you; they will once you’ve seen the aircraft at the museum.
The second building has been constructed in the style of the barracks buildings in which trainees and instructors lived. It houses a 38 seat theatre and a range of exhibits. Among other subjects, these cover the aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy, the Magic of Flight, and the development and operation of the Spitfire and Martin Baker Ejection Seats. All quite fascinating if you’re any kind of tech head, and let’s face it – most bike riders are. But the main attraction of Temora is that these aircraft also fly on special days throughout the year.
What happens at a Flying Day?
History comes alive as the aircraft collection takes to the skies accompanied by informed commentary, interviews and music. The majority of the Museum’s aircraft will be flown on a Flying Day, with the schedule being set on the day after consideration is given to the weather and aircraft serviceability.
Visitors can see aircraft take off from a close but safe distance and then watch them in the skies above the museum. Being this close the aircraft, you are able to experience unique sights, sounds and even smells. While the aircraft is in flight, the commentators on the ground provide informative and entertaining commentary relating to the aircraft being flown.
The day is broken by a lunch break for half an hour and finishes with the opportunity for visitors to get up close to the aircraft and pilots during the ramp talk at the end of the day. The Museum will often include visiting aircraft in its schedule to add to the day's events. Opening hours for Flying Days are from 10am to 4pm, with flying beginning at 11am.
The Museum has two picnic areas. There are picnic tables in a garden setting near the aviation-themed playground, as well as picnic tables on the concreted apron area underneath shade sails. The tables underneath the shade sails are near the canteen, called the Mess Hall, and the aircraft action.
There is also some grandstand seating, but the museum advises that it’s a good idea to bring along some fold-up chairs for extra seating. No problem – why else do we all have trailers? All right, just kidding.