PROPS & MAGS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - South Australian Aviation Museum
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THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AVIATION MUSEUM INC. NEWSLETTER
PROPS & MAGS
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE JANUARY 2021
Welcome to 2021, which hopefully will be the year we see COVID-19 controlled.
This year will mark the 100th Anniversary of Inside This Issue:
the formation of the RAAF. To mark this
Centenary, the Museum is assembling a President’s Message (Continued) ……..2
special display, consisting of ten Editorial & Diary Dates ....………………...3
information panels, one of which is shown
left, relating to major events in the history What’s Going on Around the Museum?
………………………………………………………....4
of the RAAF.
New Book Release - The Royal
To these banners will be added a display of Australian Air Force in South Australia
models representing aircraft used by the During WWII by Peter Ingman ………...9
RAAF in SA. We hope to have this display Rolls-Royce Aero Engine Names ...…10
ready for the public next month.
Book Review - Taking the Lead: Royal
Australian Air Force 1972-1996 .……..11
This month I would like to highlight two
important items of infrastructure that were Airforce Centenary 2021 Updates …..12
completed right at the end of 2020.
History Group Profile on Air Marshal
The first of these was the repair and Sir Richard Williams …...……………………12
replacement of our existing access
roadway. The new surface will, I am sure, Sir Richard Williams Park Statue .…....14
encourage visitors rather than deter them,
Royal Australian Mint - Heroes of the
as was likely when faced with the crumbling
Sky - Centenary Coins Release .……….15
bitumen that was there before.
Vale Doug Leak ..……………………………..16
We tried to get the new roadway built that Air Force 2021 Centenary Calendar for
was designed for the Port Dock Rail Project. South Australia …………………………..…..17
However, this project has been suspended,
pending a Transport Survey, and there are
no available funds.
The image on the left shows
the re-laid section curing
ahead of the re-opening of
the Lipson Street gates on
Boxing Day. The edges are to
be backfilled ASAP.
The second piece of
infrastructure completed was
the ‘Transit Walkway’ that
links Hangar 1 and Hangar 2
via the Workshop. This will
allow visitors to move from one hangar to another, without concern for the
weather and in safety.
While there is still some work to do to make this operational, the frame, roof and doors are
now ready.
S.A.A.M. PATRON
The image right shows
Mr Jim Whalley contractors fitting roof sheets
to the walkway framework.
COMMITTEE Newly created pedestrian
access doors can be seen in
the background, which will
President provide access between the
David Byrne two hangars.
Vice President The start of this year has seen
Mike Milln a steady stream of visitors.
This has kept the desk duty
members quite busy. As well
Treasurer
as welcoming appreciative visitors to the Museum, the extra revenue is very welcome.
Kym Meyers
Secretary
Jean Kopp
Collections Manager
Colin Lumsden
Collection Manager
(Aircraft)
Waynne Lee
The image above was taken in Hangar 1 on 5 January.
Workshop Manager
Graham Bell Finally, we have decided to hold our postponed Annual Dinner on Saturday the
27th of February. This will meet all current COVID-19 requirements and I look forward to
finally having our Xmas Celebrations (albeit a little late).
Tours/Events Manager
I sincerely trust COVID-19 does not interfere again.
John Jefferson
David Byrne
President.
Librarian
Nigel Daw
ENTRY FEE PRICE RISES
As you are aware, in early 2020 we introduced a price rise for entry to the
Museum, but then along came COVID-19!! As we closed off a number of the
aircraft because of cleaning and social distancing, we reverted back to our old
prices - but the time has now come to increase our entry charges in accordance
Newsletter Editor with the Pre-COVID-19 rate rise.
Gary Petts
From 1st February 2021, admission will increase to $12 Adults; $9 concession;
newsletter@saam.org.au $6 Children (5-15yrs); Children under 5yrs free and $30 for Families (2 Adults and
up to 3 Children). The POS machine will be altered just prior to this date, as will the
notices currently on the door and wall, hopefully making it a smooth transition for
everyone.
Page 2
COMING EVENTS:
Next Month’s General Members’ Meeting: Saturday,
20 February 2021 @ 1:00 PM. Free sausage sizzle at noon.
Next History Group Meeting:
Saturday, 20 February 2021 @ 11:00 AM.
Next Executive Committee Meeting:
Friday, 5 February 2021.
Annual SAAM Dinner:
Saturday, 27 February 2021.
Rescheduled Annual General Meeting:
Saturday, 20 March 2021.
The South Australian
Aviation Museum
Located at 66 Lipson Street,
EDITORIAL Port Adelaide, SA 5015.
This is the second edition of Props & Mags in the developing new format and we Opening Hours:
would like to hear from you about what you have seen so far? What types of articles
Open daily 10:30 am - 4:30 pm.
do you want to read? Is there anything you want to see more of or less of? Is there
(Except Christmas Day)
anything you don’t like about the new format? This is your newsletter, so your
comments, regardless of whether they be negative or positive, are all welcome. Admission Costs:
Please send them to newsletter@saam.org.au or if you prefer to remain (Effective 1 February 2021)
anonymous, I can put a suggestion box in the Library.
Adults $12, Concession $9.
While we have regular contributors, there is an abundance of knowledge and Children (5-15 years) $6.
Children (under 5 years) Free.
experience amongst SAAM members that is bound to be interesting to the museum
Family (2 adults & 3 children)
and extended community. If you want to share something, why not consider writing $30.
an article for possible inclusion in a coming Props & Mags? Help is always available
with research, finding images and editing.
Contact Us:
This month we are trialling a new approach to keep you updated on workshop
projects and what is going on around the museum. This section, beginning over the Mail: P.O. Box 150, Port Adelaide,
page, will be mainly in summary format. The changes are to remove the burden SA 5015.
from project team leaders to come up with a report for each edition,
particularly at times when the project may not have had anything new happening. Phone: (08) 8240 1230.
However, whenever a milestone is reached or there is something significant to
Enquiries: enquiries@saam.org.au
report, the project team leaders will be asked to provide a more detailed update.
Newsletter: newsletter@saam.org.au
The Air Force 2021 Centenary is a very important event in
Australian aviation history and will therefore feature heavily in Website: http://www.saam.org.au
Props & Mags throughout the year. Our museum is contributing to
various displays and exhibitions, telling the story of South Facebook: South Australian Aviation
Australia’s contribution to the Air Force over 100 years. We will be Museum.
providing regular updates through Group Captain, RAAF, Greg
Weller, who is also a SAAM History Group member. For those wanting to start
planning for events, a copy of the South Australian Calendar appears on the last page
of this edition. Some dates are yet to be confirmed and the calendar will be
updated.
Page 3
What’s Going on Around the Museum?
No longer will it be necessary to engage 4WD after entering the Lipson Street entry gate
For your comfort and sheer driving pleasure, the long-awaited transformation of the railway track hurdles to a smoother
concrete alternative was completed during December 2020 and is now in use. Suspension parts located during the excavation
work can be found in a Lost Property box under the front counter.
BEFORE AFTER
WWI Display Updated
John Hillier and John Roberts have completed the relocation and refurbishment of the WWI Display which can be found on the
Hangar 1 mezzanine. Viewing is highly recommended and well worth the stair climb.
Page 4
Singapore Airlines B747-312 9V-SKP Model Re-wired
A few years ago, Singapore Airlines SA State Manager, Hugh Chevrant-Breton, generously donated a model of Singapore
Airlines B747-312 9V-SKP to the museum. Singapore Airlines operated the 300 series 747s between 1983 and 2001. The
model was previously displayed under the F-27 in Hangar 1.
The port side of the model has been cut away, revealing
the incredibly detailed interior, right down to wine bottles
on the bar and magazines on some of the seats. The
interior was lit with fluorescent lights, which were causing
heat damage. SAAM member and electrician, Tony Harvey
(pictured left), assisted by Stuart Bruce, has been
re-wiring the model for LEDs.
As at 23 December 2020, Tony and Bruce had converted
all of the cabin lighting to LEDs and only had the
external beacons/navigation lights left to go. We hope to
soon have the model back on display.
As pointed out by Mike Milln, who posted the images and
information on SAAM’s Facebook, this may be the only
300 series undergoing maintenance anywhere in the
world right now. There were only five still flying - or at
least there were prior to COVID-19 - and they were in Belarus, Nigeria and Iran.
Below is an image showing some of the LED’s operating and the incredibly fine detail in the model.
Page 5
Weatherproof Connectivity Between Hangars 1 and 2
The covered walkway, to improve connectivity between Hangars 1 and 2, is getting closer to completion. Graham Oster made
the two doors shown below and he will be installing ramps to make passing through the doors wheelchair-friendly. The picture
below right shows Michael and Tony, from Rugged Construction, roofing the walkway structure on 16 December 2020.
Airspeed Oxford Cheetah X Prop Donated
Pictured below is SAAM Librarian, Nigel Daw, holding a prop from an Airspeed Oxford Cheetah X. The prop was donated to
SAAM by the Mitcham Air Force Association, through Secretary Kevin Gogler. Bottom right is an image of the 6 Service Flying
Training School Airspeed Oxford Cheetah X that came to grief at Mallala. Photo ADF Serials via Rod Farquhar.
Page 6
SAATAS Engine Test Rig Restoration
The SAATAS Engine Test Rig Restoration is almost complete. Pictured
right is the Team Leader, Marion Flak, shown holding a prop that will be
fitted for display.
Shown below is Jim Piscioneri assisting with a trial run of the Lycoming
S40 engine back on 1 November 2020.
All that is left to do now is to install the roof lining (above right), before moving the Test Rig to Hangar 1 for display. Further
images will be provided once the SAATAS Engine Test Rig arrives in Hangar 1.
Fairey Battle Restoration
Restoration of the Fairey Battle is not
something that is going to happen
quickly. This is not due to lack of
enthusiasm by the group of ‘Battlers’,
but due to the sheer magnitude of the
task they have set themselves.
If you look at the schematic on the
right, in particular the gun deck, it will
give you some idea of how much work
is actually involved.
To the left, you can see team members Jan Vermeer, John Zander and Bob
Rennie, working on the gun deck floor. You can also see the fuselage
framework. Over the page you can see images of the gun deck tipped on
its side. This is to make it easier to work on the floor. The second of the
two images, taken from what would be the outside of the gun deck floor,
should give you some idea of the huge quantities of rivets and pieces of
metal sheeting that will be needed before the restoration is complete.
If you are a member, have access to the workshop area and haven’t done
so already, on your next visit make the time to visit the Battlers and get an
appreciation of how much work is involved. Great work gentlemen!
Page 7
Aero 145 Restoration
The Aero 145 has left the workshop and
has taken up residence in Hangar 1. All
that remains to complete the restoration
is the installation of the wings.
This last step has been held up by a
problem of having two port ailerons,
instead of one of each. This has
necessitated converting the surplus port
aileron to a starboard one, which was
apparently easier said than done.
Chris Doudy, assisted by Laurie English
with some metal work fabrication, has
just about finished rebuilding the
aileron.
The images below show Chris Doudy and Laurie English fabricating a new leading edge (left) and Laurie doing some riveting on
the aileron (below right). All that is left to do then is the installation of the trailing edge, covering the aileron with fabric and
painting.
After the wings are on and the restoration is complete, Chris has promised to write an article for Props & Mags, consolidating
the full restoration process. For those of us who are newcomers to the museum, this is sure to be a very interesting read.
Page 8
New Book Release:
The Royal Australian Air Force in South Australia During WWII
Our History Group Chairman, Peter Ingman, has another
new book due for release in late January 2021. Titled The
Royal Australian Air Force in South Australia During WWII,
the book is an important contribution to the aviation
history of our state and particularly relevant to the
museum’s Battle and Anson restoration projects. A great
many people associated with the museum have assisted
Peter with his research, which has been ongoing for the
last few years and has seen several articles published in
this newsletter and on the museum website.
The book describes activity at the key airfields of Gawler,
Mallala, Mount Gambier, Parafield and Port Pirie. In
addition, there were important schools at Victor Harbor
and in central Adelaide, as well as many other
establishments dotted around the state. While there was
no permanent RAAF presence in South Australia at the
start of the war, within a couple of years, several facilities
were housing hundreds of aircraft and thousands of
personnel. The map below shows these locations. When
the war ended in August 1945, these establishments were
closed down just as quickly as they had sprung up, and for
that reason much of this history has been forgotten.
This is an important work that will have a formal launch,
later in 2021, during the RAAF 2021 Centenary activities.
However, members can get in early as copies will soon
be on sale via the museum shop for $29.95.
After Peter Ingman’s The Royal Australian Air Force in South
Australia During WWII is launched formally, it will be reviewed
in our new ‘Book Review’ column, which is planned to be a
regular feature.
This month we bring you Greg Weller’s
review of Taking the Lead: The Royal
Australian Air Force 1972 -1996, by Mark
Lax, Big Sky Publishing, 2020, RRP $34.99.
The book review can be found on Page
11 of this edition. A copy of the book is
available in the SAAM Library.
Page 9
Rolls-Royce Aero Engine Names?
We have all heard of Rolls-Royce ‘Merlin’ engines, but what does
that name conjure up in your imagination? ‘Merlin the Magician’
perhaps?
After the outbreak of WWI, luxury car manufacturer Rolls-Royce
was asked to produce the French Renault 200 hp aero engine
under licence. Henry Royce, who previously had refused a plea
by Charles Rolls to produce aero engines, now stated he would
produce a better engine. This was a 20.3 litre V12, designed for a
200 hp output. On its first run, six months later, it was reported
to have developed 250 hp and was eventually developed further
to achieve 360 hp. This engine powered the twin-engine Vickers
Vimy. At the time, Claude Johnson, who had become the
Commercial Director of Rolls-Royce on the formation of the
company in 1906, decreed that all Rolls-Royce aero engines
would be named after birds of prey. Accordingly, this first engine
was named the ‘Eagle’.
The ’Eagle’ was followed by the 14.7 litre ‘Falcon’, which
powered the Bristol fighter, said to be the best fighter aircraft in
the later stages of WWI. The ‘Hawk’, based on one six-cylinder
block from the ‘Falcon’, was used throughout the war on Royal
Navy Blimps. Post-war engines were the ‘Condor’ and ‘Kestrel’.
By the mid-1920s, Rolls-Royce was an established aero engine
and car manufacturer. In 1927, the Supermarine S.5 seaplane,
designed by R.J. Mitchell, had won the International Schneider
Trophy race. For the 1929 race, Mitchell required more power
than the original Napier Lion engine could produce. Henry Royce,
facing great opposition from the Board, who were convinced that the future of the company lay in cars, went ahead with the
design of the ‘Buzzard’, a 37 litre V12, scaled up from the ‘Kestrel’, which would form the basis of the ‘R’ racing engine.
Although some preliminary work on the ‘R’ was undertaken, this ceased when Vickers, the new owners of Supermarine,
refused to fund any further work. In 1928, a reconstituted Board at Supermarine decided to go ahead with the ‘Buzzard’. The
engine was on test within three months from initiation of the program and developed 825 hp. By the time of the 1929
Schneider race, the ‘R’ engine developed 1,900 hp. The S.6 Seaplane went on to win the race and later set a new world speed
record of 357 mph.
By 1925, it was recognised that a more powerful engine would be needed for the RAF’s 1930s combat aircraft and this was
raised with Rolls-Royce by Air Marshal Trenchard and the Air Ministry, but no follow-up action was taken. Lacking any sign of
interest from their customer, Rolls-Royce, believing the ‘Kestrel’ was too small for further development, decided to go ahead
with the P.V.12 (Private Venture 12 cylinder), a supercharged 27 litre V12, targeted for the 750 to 1,000 hp range. The P.V.12
was originally designed with steam cooling, a system that removed the need for drag-inducing radiators and flight testing of
this system was carried out on the ‘Goshawk’ engine (a development of the ‘Kestrel’), but this was abandoned due to the
inability to cope with the lower aircraft speeds in climb and the weight penalty.
Sir Henry Royce died on 22 April 1933 and did not see the first engine runs of two P.V.12 engines on 15 October 1933.
After an offer from the Air Ministry to finance further development, this engine was named the ‘Merlin’.
The subsequent ‘Griffon’ engine was named after the griffon vulture, and not the
mythological creature, with the body of a lion and head and wings of an eagle, which
could perhaps also be considered a formidable bird of prey?
So, to answer the original question, and following the established naming
tradition, the Rolls-Royce ‘Merlin’ engine was named after the bird of prey (far right)
and not the magician.
Condensed from The Four Geniuses of the Battle of Britain by David Coles and Peter
Sherrard.
Page 10Book Review
Welcome to our new Book Review Section. If you have read a good aviation book recently or you read
one in the future and you want to share your opinions about it, your contributions will be greatly
appreciated. Personally, being well into this excellent book on the right, which talks about the
creators of radar, the Merlin engine, the Spitfire and the Hurricane, I may attempt writing one myself!
This month we bring you a review of Taking the Lead: Royal Australian Air Force 1972-1996, reviewed
by Group Captain RAAF and SAAM History Group member, Greg Weller.
Taking the Lead: Royal Australian Air Force 1972-1996
By Mark Lax
Big Sky Publishing, 2020, RRP $34.99
Review by Greg Weller
In the lead up to the Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, the release of the seventh
volume in a series of official histories during 2020 is an important addition. Taking the Lead
effectively addresses the third 25 years of the RAAF, covering the period 1972 to 1996. It
augments The Third Brother: The Royal Australian Air Force 1921-1939 (by Dr Chris Clark),
the four World War 2 official histories (written by Hetherington, Gillison and Odgers), and
Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946-1971 (by Dr Al Stephens).
Divided into four parts (Organisation, Personnel, Equipment, and Operations), the book
provides a comprehensive analysis of the period, avoiding the traditional problem of only
covering specific aspects of an air force such as aircraft, units, operations, strategy,
structure and personnel.
The work appropriately shows how the RAAF became a respected professional force in the
Australian Defence Force and largely dispels the belief that the RAAF was just a peace-time
air force doing training. In fact, the RAAF was conducting operations across the globe. The
book’s structure also allows it to discuss the tumultuous period in terms of the ongoing
reviews, organisational changes, personnel cutbacks and force structure changes (e.g. loss of rotary aircraft) that dominated
the period.
Mark Lax is highly credentialed to write the seventh volume. He is a respected military aviation historian, having written
extensively on RAAF history. He has authored several Unit histories, including To See the Dawn (462SQN), Alamein to the Alps
(454SQN), and The Gestapo Hunters (464SQN). He completed a PhD on the impact of the F-111 on the RAAF and Australia
from which he authored From Controversy to Cutting Edge (an analysis of the F-111 in the RAAF). He has also been a prolific
writer in journals and a key contributor to air power writing at the RAAF’s Air Power Development Centre. More importantly,
Lax served throughout the period, initially as a navigator and then as a Commander and Staff Officer in Canberra, eventually
retiring as an Air Commodore.
On a slightly negative note, for an official history, the book’s overall appearance is somewhat disappointing, being not much
larger than A5 format with limited imagery of average resolution. The front cover of Roulette MB-326 Macchi aircraft in a five
ship formation is also unusual and one wonders if incorporating an image of an F/A-18 aircraft or RAAF aircraft on operations,
reflecting where the RAAF had come to by 1996, would have been more appropriate.
Taking the Lead is a fine work and a very important and worthy addition to the RAAF’s official history series. For those, wanting
to understand how the RAAF became what it is today, the book is required reading. The book is by far Mark Lax’s most
definitive work. While it is not for sale at SAAM we do have a copy of it in the library.
Page 11Air Force 2021 Centenary Updates
On 31 March 2021, the Air Force will be commemorating its 100th anniversary of serving
Australia. It is a significant occasion for an Air Force that is the second oldest Air Force in the
world – second only to the Royal Air Force that was formed in 1918. For 100 years, the Royal
Australian Air Force has been serving Australia, protecting its people and interests. From
modest beginnings between the wars, the Air Force grew to be the fourth largest Air Force
during World War II and has since grown into a potent, world‐class force which Australia relies
upon in both conflict and peace. The Centenary provides an opportunity for Australia to reflect
on the Air Force’s important and enduring contribution to our nation’s security and
acknowledge the support of the Australian people over the last 100 years.
The RAAF have an excellent website dedicated to the Centenary, which includes a timeline titled ‘Our Journey.’ This is packed
with information, images and videos, taking you on the journey, decade by decade. The summaries for each event are a
valuable starting point if you want to research anything in more detail. To go to the Air Force 2021 website, paste the
following link into your browser: https://airforce2021.airforce.gov.au/
The South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) is a key supporter of the Air Force Centenary in South Australia and we will be
contributing to various displays and exhibitions throughout 2021. It will be a special year and one where you can join in the
commemorations in a variety of ways. On Page 17 of this edition, you will find a copy of the Events Calendar, relevant to South
Australia, which will be updated as dates are finalised.
To keep you informed, there will be a monthly update section on Air Force 2021 in our newsletter, providing information about
coming events and events that have occurred during the previous month. Look for the above Air Force 2021 logo in coming
newsletters.
During this Centenary year, the monthly History Group profiles appearing in the newsletter will be about significant SA aviators
who served with the RAAF. We begin this month with the ‘Father of the RAAF’, Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams KBE, CBE, DSO.
History Group Significant Aviator Profile
Air Marshall Sir Richard Williams KBE, CB, DSO
Pilot, Chief of Air Staff – World Wars I and II
The son of a Moonta Miner becomes the most significant figure in the history of the RAAF
Richard Williams was born on 3 August 1890 in Moonta, the son of Richard Williams, a
miner, and his wife Emily Hodge. Richard grew up in Moonta, attending the Moonta
Public School and completing education up to university entry at age 14. Initially
employed in the Moonta Post Officer as a telegraph messenger, he joined the Union
Bank in Kadina in 1906 and then transferred to Adelaide from 1911.
He joined the South Australian Infantry Regiment in 1909 and was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1911 before joining the permanent forces in
1912. Posted to Victoria in 1913, he successfully applied for the first ever pilots
course run at Point Cook, graduating as Australia’s first trained military pilot on
12 November 1914. He then completed an advanced flying course in 1915.
Promoted to Captain in January 1916, Williams was appointed Flight Commander of
No. 1 Squadron (AFC) and left with the squadron in March 1916, arriving in Egypt in
April. The squadron initially operated as dispersed elements throughout Royal Flying
Corps units but in December 1916, came together as one discrete unit. He was
awarded the Distinguished Service Order in August 1917, for showing conspicuous
gallantry for attacking and dispersing an enemy force, flying at low level through
Figure 1 – (Above) Air Marshal
Sir Richard Williams in 1942. intense anti-aircraft fire, and for landing behind enemy lines to rescue downed fellow
pilot, LT Adrian Cole.
Page 12Promoted to Major in May 1917, he was given command
of No. 1 Squadron. In June 1918, he was promoted to
Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Commander of the
RAF’s 40th Wing, comprising No. 1 Squadron and three
other RAF Squadrons in Palestine. This was a significant
achievement for a young AFC pilot.
The Wing achieved great success in the Palestine
campaign, where reconnaissance, interdiction and close
air support provided was instrumental in the defeat of
the Turkish forces. Further recognition came with
Williams being Mentioned in Despatches twice and made
an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. By the end
of the war, he was the AFC’s foremost operational
commander.
It was between the wars, however, where Williams’
Figure 2 – First Point Cook pilot’s course, November 1914. Sir Richard
Williams is seated front row, third from the left. Images from AWM. impact really came to the fore. He was appointed
Director of Aviation Services in the Australian Air Corps, a
position from which he was instrumental in pushing for the creation of the Royal Australian Air Force as an independent service
in 1921.
Showing immense political acumen, Williams fought to not only preserve but to expand the fledgling RAAF over the next two
decades, serving initially as the First Air Board Member but then as the service’s initial Chief of Air Staff (CAS), at Wing
Commander rank. He would go on to serve in the position three times throughout the interwar years, rising to the rank of Air
Vice-Marshal in 1935 and finally gaining equivalent rank to the other service chiefs.
Figure 3 - (Left) C flight No. 1 Squadron, Captain Richard (Dickie)
Williams (later Air Marshal Sir Richard) the OC, is seen in the
centre. From left the other officers are; Frank Hubert McNamara
(the only AFC winner of the Victoria Cross (VC) in WWI),
LW Heathcote, SK Muir, EG Roberts and LJ Wackett, in front of a
Martinsyde aircraft. (Wing Commander EG Roberts Collection,
AWM).
During the interwar years, Williams completed courses at
the British Army Staff College and Royal Air Force Staff
College in 1923, followed by study in Canada and the USA
in 1924, as well as the Imperial War College in London in
1933.
Displaying considerable intellectual ability, in 1925 he
produced a major warfare study for the defence of
Australia that identified Japan as its greatest military threat and advocated the development of air power to protect Australi-
an’s northern approaches.
In 1926, he led a three-person major pioneering endurance flight, flying a de Havilland DH50A seaplane over 10,000 miles to
the Solomon Islands and back, visiting New Guinea and other islands to evaluate the area for air operations, demonstrate the
utility of aircraft and the new RAAF and achieve some personal recognition, noting the increasing interest in long range flights
at the time. It was the first international flight undertaken by a RAAF aircraft and led to him being appointed a Commander of
the British Empire (CBE) in January 1927.
Ironically, being the pre-eminent RAAF leader at the start of World War II, Williams spent most of World War II overseas, in
England and the United States, and largely kept away from the CAS position, from which he had shrewdly guided the
development of the RAAF between the wars. The decisions for this were largely political, where his more than twenty years of
playing all his political acumen had finally lost support at the highest level of the Australian government, despite him being
made the RAAF’s first Air Marshal in 1940.
Page 13Figure 4 - (Left) Then Group Captain Williams (right) with
Flight Lieutenant McIntyre (left) and an RAAF mechanic
(centre) on their Pacific Islands flight in 1926
Retiring from the RAAF in 1946, to make way for
younger senior officers from World War II, Williams
continued his public service by being appointed
Director-General of Civil Aviation; a position he served
in for almost ten years. He was knighted in 1954.
Passing away in 1980, Sir Richard Williams is
commonly regarded as the ‘Father of the RAAF’,
having been the single person most responsible for the
establishment and development of the RAAF between the two World Wars. He remains the RAAF's longest-serving head of
service, totaling thirteen years over three terms: October to December 1922, February 1925 to December 1932, and June 1934
to February 1939. He is without a doubt, the most significant figure in the history of the RAAF, but one whose immense
capacity as an operational commander during World War I is often overlooked.
Greg Weller
History Group Member
GPCAPT RAAF
Moonta’s Sir Richard Williams Park Sculpture
Noting 2021 is the Centenary of the RAAF and the importance of Sir Richard Williams, a Moonta boy, key groups from Moonta
have come together, forming a co-operative Committee approach to celebrate the Air Force Centenary. Groups represented
on the Sir Richard Williams RAAF Centenary Celebrations Committee (SRWRAAFCCC) are National Trust of South Australia,
Moonta Branch, Returned Services League (RSL), Moonta Sub Branch, Moonta and District Progress Association, Vietnam
Veterans’ Association Copper Coast Branch and Copper Coast Council. The committee is also joined by a former RAAF member
as well as a Group Captain from RAAF Edinburgh.
The Moonta Committee has joined the South Australia, Air Force Centenary 2021 Committee, which is coordinating a program
of events to commemorate the Air Force Centenary in South Australia during 2021.
A key element being pursued by the Moonta Committee is the unveiling of a bronze park sculpture of Sir Richard Williams, in
an open area in Moonta’s Queen Square. The sculpture will be seated on the left hand side of a granite bench, facing up the
street towards the Town Centre, with the other side of the bench available for the general public, especially children, to sit
with Sir Richard Williams for photographs, as if they are talking with Sir Richard and viewing the sky for aircraft with him.
Beside the bench will be a Bronze Plaque mounted on a Copper Mine
Rock (reflecting his Cornish mining heritage) and providing the history of
Sir Richard’s professional life. The sculptor is Tim Tomson who created
the sculpture at Minlaton of South Australian aviator Harry Butler.
The sculpture will be unveiled on 29 August as the keynote event of a
special day’s activities celebrating the Air Force Centenary and the life of
Sir Richard Williams, which RAAF Edinburgh and the South Australian
Aviation Museum will be supporting.
(Left) Model of proposed sculpture of
Sir Richard Williams.
Page 14Shown right is the granite rock, with the Sir Richard Williams plaque affixed, which is to be
emplaced beside the granite bench and sculpture of Sir Richard Williams.
This exciting venture is being funded by a variety of sources. While the State Government
is supporting the venture, the Sir Richard Williams RAAF Centenary Celebrations
Committee needs support from the public and private enterprise.
If you would like to support this initiative, please contact Robyn Knight:
Robyn Knight
Vice Chair, National Trust, Moonta
PO Box 23
Moonta SA 5558
Phone: 0409 007 054
Email: srwraafccc@adam.com.au
Facebook: Sir Richard Williams RAAF Celebrations
Royal Australian Mint:
Heroes of the Sky – Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
In 2021, the Royal Australian Mint is celebrating the Centenary of the
Royal Australian Air Force. The first coins to be minted in 2021, known
as the Mint’s annual ‘Mintmark Suite’, feature some of the key figures
from the Air Force’s history.
Starting at $30 is a four-coin uncirculated one-dollar coin set. The
packaging features Warrant Officer Len Waters, a Kamilaroi man who
was born in 1924 on a reserve in northern New South Wales. He was
the only known Indigenous fighter pilot in the Second World War.
Enlisting in August 1942 to become a flight mechanic, he was later
accepted for pilot training.
Joining 78 Squadron RAAF in the South-West Pacific Area, he saw
action against the enemy at Noemfoor, Morotai and Tarakan, in what is
now Indonesia. Flying Kittyhawk P-40N fighters in 1944-45, over a
period of nine months, he was involved in 41 strike missions against
fortified Japanese positions, and another 54 operational flights to
become a hero to his people.
Among the force’s female trailblazers is Wing Commander Robyn
Williams, who initially enlisted as an engineer cadet in 1979 before
undertaking pilot training as soon as women were eligible.
Wing Commander Williams went on to become a flying instructor and test
pilot. As a test pilot, she flew 20 different aircraft including the Russian
Mig-21; a supersonic jet fighter.
She spent five years test flying the C-130J Hercules in Atlanta, USA, ahead
of Australia’s acquisition of 12 aircraft. Wing Commander Williams
features on the packaging of a fine silver one-dollar proof coin, costing
$60.
The most expensive, at $360, is a gold $10 proof coin, featuring the highly
decorated Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams KBE, CB, DSO, the man
considered to be the father of the RAAF.
Page 15Born in 1890 at Moonta Mines on the Yorke Peninsula of SA, Williams was the
first military officer to qualify as a pilot in Australia and served during WWI
from 1914-1918. He was the first RAAF Air Marshal.
A short video by the current Air Marshal, Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, talking about
the Centenary and the coin release, can be found on the Royal Australia Mint
Facebook page. Copy and paste https://fb.watch/2Tp9-vRqiX/ into your
browser to view the video.
Coins can be purchased directly from the Royal Australian Mint or through coin
dealers. The link to the Royal Australian Mint is https://bit.ly/2K7uIbF
Vale Doug Leak
We thank the Air Force Association - SA Division for the advice of Doug Leak’s passing and for the photograph of Doug Leak,
taken at an Air Force Association / RAAF Edinburgh Ceremony at the Torrens Parade Ground’s Air Force Memorial in 2019.
We are greatly saddened to hear of the recent passing of
Douglas Raymond Leak, one of South Australia's few
remaining World War 2 Bomber Command veterans.
Doug Leak was born at Medindie, South Australia, on 17 June
1923. He enlisted in the RAAF in Adelaide on 12 September
1942, as an aircrew trainee. He completed basic training at
No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbor, South Australia,
before completing No. 1 Wireless and Air Gunners School at
Ballarat, Victoria, and then No. 3 Bombing and Air Gunnery
School, at Sale, Victoria.
Qualified as an air gunner, he was promoted to Sergeant and
posted to the United Kingdom where he completed heavy
bomber conversion training.
In March 1945, Doug Leak was posted to No 149 Squadron
(RAF) which was based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England,
and had transitioned to the Avro Lancaster in August 1944.
Over 120 Australians served with 149 SQN(RAF) during the
war, including PLTOFF Rawdon Middleton, who received a
Victoria Cross for his gallant actions with the Squadron in 1942.
With 149 SQN (RAF), Doug Leak saw action in the last months
of the war in the Combined Bomber Offensive, Operation
MANNA (the dropping of food to starving civilians in the
Netherlands) and the repatriation of allied POWs back to
England from the continent. In April 1945, he was promoted
to WOFF.
Doug Leak was a long time member of the Air Force
Association (SA) and a regular attendee at our ceremonies at Torrens Parade Ground. His attendance at these ceremonies in
the future, but particularly during the Air Force Centenary this year, will be sorely missed.
We offer our sincerest condolences to Doug’s family on the passing of this special World War 2 Bomber Command veteran who
was such a part of our Association.
Vale WOFF Douglas Raymond Leak.
Lest we forget.
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