30th December 2019 is not a day one would normally wants to remember, but it is one which I will never forget. Some time ago I had a very rare item donated by Hookways Airlines to our Museum. Hookways had purchased all of the Australian Navy's Grumman Tracker Sub-chasers when they were retired many years ago. As well as the planes there was the complete Link Trainer for the Grumman Trackers. It consisted of two 40 foot semi trailers. One had the fuselage of a Grumman Tracker and studio, the other the computer to operate it. Whilst we were preparing to establish it at the Museum it was stored at a mates place. Unfortunately the fires on the 30th. put paid to that dream and completely destroyed both trailers. Fortunately my mate and his wife survived the fire at Sarsfield Vic. as did all their animals. I am so, so glad that my mate Pete and his wife Jen were unhurt in what must have been a terrible experience. It is a bit disappointing that the trailers were destroyed but no one was hurt, so I will put the museums loss down to bad luck. Here are some photos taken today and some before of this unique and rare item which will now no longer be kept for prosperity.
First views.
Fuselage trailer
Computer trailer.
More to come.