Photo © Keith Anderson.
17 October 2015 – article copyright © David Eyre
To celebrate Western Australia’s aviation pioneer, Sir Norman Brearley, a vintage aircraft fly-in was held at Langley Park, in the city of Perth.
Norman Brearley’s airline, Western Australian Airways (WAA), began the first airline operations in Australia in 1921 (a year before Qantas), initially based at Langley Park.
With the construction of Elizabeth Quay and its proposed high-rise buildings, today’s fly-in could well be the last time Langley Park is used as an airstrip.
The event was organised by the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia as part of the Perth Heritage Days. Norman Brearley was the founder of the Aero Club of WA in 1929, later renamed the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia.
- Read our article on the aviation history of Langley Park.
- See our photos from the 2011 fly-in at Langley Park
The event was kept to a small number of aircraft, to minimise complexity and risk, with a total of 13 vintage aircraft participating:
- Boeing A75N1 Stearman (PT-17 Kaydet): VH-URC
- Boeing B75N1 (N2S-3) Stearman: VH-YDF/4269 / 591
- Boeing E75 (N2S-5) Stearman: VH
-YND / “42-755362 / 362” - Cessna 170: VH-LIN
- De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth: VH-CKF/A17-421
- De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth: VH-FAS/A17-37
- De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth: VH-NOV
- De Havilland DH-83 Fox Moth: VH-USJ
- De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk: VH-RHW/WB677
- Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Sport Trainer: VH-WQW
- North American AT-6D Texan: VH-WWA/106
- WACO Classic Aircraft YMF-5C: VH-MLX
- WACO Classic Aircraft YMF-5C: VH-YRB
The aircraft arrived between 1:10PM and 1:45PM, landing from east to west over Plain Street.
After landing, the aircraft taxied to the west end of Langley Park and parked along Terrace Road, between Victoria Avenue and Hill Street, which was the original length of the airstrip in the 1920s. Brearley had his first hangar built at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Terrace Road, and his later hangar for the air service was built near the corner of Hill Street and Terrace Road.
The public were allowed to walk around the aircraft and even sit in the cockpit.
They took off from east to west over Victoria Avenue, some of the in pairs, between 3:40PM and 4:26PM.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All photographs and videos displayed on this website are copyright protected and may not be used, sold, copied or reproduced without express written permission of the individual photographers. If you wish to obtain or use a photo, please email AviationWA@gmail.com.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1942, ex 41-16716 US Army Air Force, FAP0106 Paraguayan Air Force, N6069H.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Clyde Lannan.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1948
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Built in 1948
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Built in 1948
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1948
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1945. Allocated serial A17-757 with RAAF.
Registered 10.6.1955 to Royal Newcastle Aero Club as VH-RNQ. It was damaged on 27.2.1959, cancelled from the civil aircraft register on 27.12.1960 and sold for spares.
Restored 30.10.1991 as VH-NOV to Barry Markham.
Set a number of records in its class, when Barry flew it from Perth to London in April-June 1998, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1945. Allocated serial A17-757 with RAAF.
Registered 10.6.1955 to Royal Newcastle Aero Club as VH-RNQ. It was damaged on 27.2.1959, cancelled from the civil aircraft register on 27.12.1960 and sold for spares.
Restored 30.10.1991 as VH-NOV to Barry Markham.
Set a number of records in its class, when Barry flew it from Perth to London in April-June 1998, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1945. Allocated serial A17-757 with RAAF.
Registered 10.6.1955 to Royal Newcastle Aero Club as VH-RNQ. It was damaged on 27.2.1959, cancelled from the civil aircraft register on 27.12.1960 and sold for spares.
Restored 30.10.1991 as VH-NOV to Barry Markham.
Set a number of records in its class, when Barry flew it from Perth to London in April-June 1998, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
VH-URC: Built in 1941 as a PT-17 Kaydet. Ex 41-8275, N58403. Wears a WW2-style US Army Air Corps blue/yellow colour scheme.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
VH-URC: Built in 1941 as a PT-17 Kaydet. Ex 41-8275, N58403. Wears a WW2-style US Army Air Corps blue/yellow colour scheme.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
VH-URC: Built in 1941 as a PT-17 Kaydet. Ex 41-8275, N58403. Wears a WW2-style US Army Air Corps blue/yellow colour scheme.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Formally G-AECB, built in 1933 and exported to Australia in 1935 where it was operated by MacRobertson Miller Aviation as part of the Flying Doctor Service
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Formally G-AECB, built in 1933 and exported to Australia in 1935 where it was operated by MacRobertson Miller Aviation as part of the Flying Doctor Service
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Formally G-AECB, built in 1933 and exported to Australia in 1935 where it was operated by MacRobertson Miller Aviation as part of the Flying Doctor Service
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Formally G-AECB, built in 1933 and exported to Australia in 1935 where it was operated by MacRobertson Miller Aviation as part of the Flying Doctor Service
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Formally G-AECB, built in 1933 and exported to Australia in 1935 where it was operated by MacRobertson Miller Aviation as part of the Flying Doctor Service
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2001, ex N264SA. This biplane was originally designed by Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio in 1929. It has a straight lower wing, but a swept upper wing, to assist with recovery from flat spins, and is designed to take +9/-6 G. Although the company had deposits for 650 aircraft, it only built 264 before the Great Depression caused the company to close in 1936. However, the aircraft were very popular as an aerobatic aircraft and from the 1960s to today, a number of individuals or companies have either produced or sold plans for the aircraft.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2001, ex N264SA. This biplane was originally designed by Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio in 1929. It has a straight lower wing, but a swept upper wing, to assist with recovery from flat spins, and is designed to take +9/-6 G. Although the company had deposits for 650 aircraft, it only built 264 before the Great Depression caused the company to close in 1936. However, the aircraft were very popular as an aerobatic aircraft and from the 1960s to today, a number of individuals or companies have either produced or sold plans for the aircraft.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2001, ex N264SA. This biplane was originally designed by Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio in 1929. It has a straight lower wing, but a swept upper wing, to assist with recovery from flat spins, and is designed to take +9/-6 G. Although the company had deposits for 650 aircraft, it only built 264 before the Great Depression caused the company to close in 1936. However, the aircraft were very popular as an aerobatic aircraft and from the 1960s to today, a number of individuals or companies have either produced or sold plans for the aircraft.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1942, ex 41-16716 US Army Air Force, FAP0106 Paraguayan Air Force, N6069H.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Built in 1942, ex 41-16716 US Army Air Force, FAP0106 Paraguayan Air Force, N6069H.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1942, ex 41-16716 US Army Air Force, FAP0106 Paraguayan Air Force, N6069H.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1942, ex 41-16716 US Army Air Force, FAP0106 Paraguayan Air Force, N6069H.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1941, ex BuNo.4269, N3188, N59127, (VH-JDF not taken up).
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 1941, ex BuNo.4269, N3188, N59127, (VH-JDF not taken up).
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Built in 1941, ex BuNo.4269, N3188, N59127, (VH-JDF not taken up).
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Nick Stubbs-Ross.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Clyde Lannan.
Built in 2005, ex N105KS. The WACO YMF is a modified version of the 1930s vintage WACO YMF, built to meet current FAA standards.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
Wears US Navy markings with an incorrect serial painted on the side, based on the aircraft manufacturer’s construction number, not its true military serial number, which is 61240. It was built as a PT-13D with US Army Air Force serial 42-17199, but was transferred to the US Navy and designated as an N2S-5, with Bureau of Aeronautics serial number 61240. It is believed to have then gone to owner in Nicaragua before arriving in Australia.
Photo © Keith Anderson.
