HARS media release: 30 August 2022
Corrimal Rangers Sports Ground; Saturday, 17 September from 10.30am-3pm
An air and ground display at Corrimal, north of Wollongong, on Saturday 17 September will provide an impressive aviation focussed commemoration to mark 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Army cadets, Vietnam veterans and displays will support the show of Vietnam-era former RAAF and RAN aircraft from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).
A de Havilland Caribou transport aircraft, a C-47 Dakota and a former Navy marine surveillance Grumman Tracker will conduct a tribute flyover of the Corrimal Rangers sport ground at 11.30 am, subject to service availability and weather conditions.
Dakota A65-94 was the first Australian aircraft deployed to Vietnam, delivering cargo from RAAF Butterworth to refugees in May 1963.
One of some 16,000 built during World War 2, this Dakota has been owned by HARS since 2000 and has flown a total of almost 15,000 hours.
Caribou A4-234 was the last RAAF aircraft to leave Vietnam in 1972, bringing to an end seven and a half years of RAAF operation which the Americans dubbed Wallaby Airlines.
Along with A4-210 the Caribou operated by HARS are two of only three of their type in original condition in the world still flying – the other is in USA.
After the flyover the Caribou, Dakota and Tracker will return to Shellharbour Airport, at Albion Park Rail, where they will be on display for visitors to HARS Aviation Museum.
A highlight will be the landing of a Vietnam era Huey helicopter at the sports ground.
Former RAN Iroquois 898 is due to land at the sports ground at 10.30 am where it will be open for inspection until a scheduled departure at 3pm.
Displays, support and food stalls are being arranged by Corrimal RSL Club, Corrimal RSL Sub-Branch, the Illawarra Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, 26 Australian Army Cadet Unit and the City of Wollongong Australian Air Force Cadet Squadron.
Event co-ordinator Michael Hough said while the event was weather dependent, it would go ahead even if the weather turned poor but with only light rain.
This will be the Illawarra’s opportunity to recognise service provided by Australians during the Vietnam War.
Lt Col Hough (Ret’d) is President of Corrimal RSL Club, a former tank commander who served in Vietnam in 1968 and is a long-standing volunteer at HARS Aviation Museum.
“This is a very practical way of HARS, the Corrimal RSL Sub Branch and the Illawarra Branch of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association all assisting to commemorate the end of Australians’ involvement in the Vietnam war,” he said.
“Admission is free, and we invite all interested to come and watch the iconic Huey helicopter land and take off from the Corrimal Rangers Football ground off Wilga St Corrimal, and we thank the Rangers Football Club for its co-operation in making this important event happen.”
The year 2022 is recognised by the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney as marking 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Currently the Memorial is featuring a Vietnam 50th display.
More than 50 aircraft of significance to Australia, including those staging the flypast over Corrimal, are on show at HARS Aviation Museum.
Volunteer guides are on duty to show visitors over former defence, airline and other aircraft, including the world’s only flying Super Constellation “Connie”, the only Boeing 747-400 remaining in Australia and a recently donated distinctive tri-tail Scottish Twin Pioneer which is the only one of its type still flying.
Visitors can look at displays in the recently-opened Australian Aviation Hall of Fame which is now located at HARS Aviation Museum.
These exhibits feature memorabilia from Australia’s rich aviation history as well as information about Hall of Fame recipients such as flying pioneers Charles Kingsford Smith and Nancy Bird Walton.
Also on show is a replica of the Southern Cross which Smithy used to make the first air crossing of the Pacific Ocean, from America to Australia in 1928. The Southern Cross II is in the final stage of a 20-year restoration back to flying condition.
HARS Aviation Museum is open from 9.30 to 3.30 daily (the last guided tour starts at 2 pm), located at Shellharbour Airport just off the old Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail and a short walk from the railway station.
Visitors can make a meal of it when they drop into Café Connie where the menu offers a value selection of hot and cold foods plus barista coffee.
Details of check-in at www.hars.org.au
