After nine months of being closed due to COVID-19, the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross will officially reopen this Friday, December 18.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And to mark the occasion, entry on Friday will be free.
Despite the shutdown, according to museum manager Stu Harwood, staff have not been idle with some major works undertaken at the museum complex, just south west of Nowra.
"We have had a couple of aircraft removed and given to the Air Force Heritage [the prototype Winjeel (an Australian-designed and manufactured three-seat training aircraft. Entering service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1955 as a basic to advanced trainer used until 1975) and the Dragonfly Helicopter (Westland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter built by Westland Aircraft and was a licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-51. Entered service with the Royal Navy in 1950 in the air-sea rescue role. Two Dragonfly helicopters were loaned from the US Navy to the RAN for use onboard the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney during her deployment to the Korean War during October 5, 1951 - January 25, 1952], which means we have been able to rework some of the museum displays," he said.
"We have also replaced the air conditioning system and have just completed the replacement of lights in the exhibits area."
Read more:
That was a massive job which saw all the previous fluorescent lights replaced by overhead, cost-efficient LED high-bays.
A cherry picker with a 125 foot boom certainly made for some spectacular images as its massive arm stretched across the museum to allow for the lighting change.
"The museum will be a lot brighter for visitors, the exhibits will be better lit," he said.
"And best of all the new lights will draw on less than half the power of the fluros."
He said it was exciting to finally be reopened to the public.
"It's been a long nine months to be shut," he said.
"Getting approval to reopen to the public this Friday was fantastic and to mark the occasion, entry will be free.
"We're hoping a number of locals take advantage to come in and have a look."
As of Saturday it will be business as usual at the museum, which will be open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday) from 10am to 4pm.
Entry is $10 for adults, children under 16 free, with defence members free on presentation of a valid ID card.
"All our exhibitions will be operational and it will be business as usual," Mr Harwood said.
Another change is the installation of a coffee machine, with cakes and sandwiches also now available from the museum store.
"This is a great move," Mr Harwood said.
"The former Flightdeck Cafe, overlooking the HMAS Albatross airfield, has been closed for a period of time, so it is great to be able to provide our visitors with a small, morning or afternoon tea or a lunch."
There are plans for the Flightdeck area to undergo a facelift, along with a total refurbishment of the kitchen and to be reopened as a function centre.
"I really can't wait to see everything back up and running and visitors coming through our doors and enjoying everything the museum has to offer."
And as for a favourite display?
Stu says it is hard, as there are so many wonderful things to see and to learn about at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, but as a former aviator, he finds it hard to go past one of the aircraft he flew - "the Queen of the Sky" the Wessex helicopter.
"As an ex-helo pilot it is hard to go past the Wessex. I have fond memories of her," he said.
Mr Harwood spent 33 years in the navy, retiring in 2010 and then spent nine years developing the HATS [Helicopter Aircrew Training System], also at Albatross, which has since morphed into 723 Squadron, flying the EC-135 helicopters, the bight blue and yellow training aircraft, which are currently frequenting the local skies.