Miscellaneous Aviation Articles »

Temora Aviation Museum (Australia)

Throughout WWII more than 10,000 personnel were involved at No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School set up by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Temora, NSW in May 1941. No 10 EFTS was the largest and longest lived of the flying schools established under the Empire Air Training Scheme during World War Two.


Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII: This aircraft was the last Spitfire acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with the original Military serial number A58-758. It was built by Supermarine in England in 1944, test flown and then shipped to Australia. The Air Force took delivery of the aircraft in April 1945, and, with World War II drawing to a close, the aircraft was not required on active service and was instead placed into storage. The aircraft is based at Temora.  Image: © Anthony Portelli

Upwards of 2,400 pilots were trained at No 10 EFTS, and at its peak the unit contained a total of 97 de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Four satellite airfields were set up around the Temora district to cope with the demand to train RAAF pilots.

No 10 EFTS ceased operation on 28th February 1946 – making it the last WWII flying school to close. Since then, Temora has continued its aviation heritage, becoming the preferred airfield for a growing number of sport aviation activities including gliding, parachuting, aerobatics, ultra-light aircraft operations and model aircraft.

CA-16 Wirraway: The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) manufactured the Wirraway at Fisherman’s Bend in Victoria. The aircraft was an Australian development of the North American Aviation NA-16-1A and -2K aircraft. The aircraft is based at Temora.   Image: © Anthony Portelli

The non-profit Temora Aviation Museum, located on the airfield, inspires the community to acknowledge the role played by Australia’s historic ex-military aircraft, and encourages visitors to learn and be inspired through its collection of aircraft. Developed in the late 1990's by Sydney businessman David Lowy, the Museum was first opened to the public in June 2000, and by August 2001 additional space including exhibition buildings with display spaces, theatrette, admission entrance, gift shop, children’s playground, and picnic area. Other additions, inlcuing the 1980 sq m. display hangar have been made since.

RAAF CA-27 Sabre: Delivered from Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in November 1957, A94-983 was brought into service at No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Laverton before undergoing test flights at the Aircraft Research and Development Unit for three weeks. The aircraft is based at Temora.   Image: © Anthony Portelli

On 1st July 2019, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Temora Aviation Museum began a strategic alliance, with the RAAF taking over ownership of eleven of the Museum’s aircraft.

David Lowy, President and Founder of the Temora Aviation Museum said, “The alliance with the RAAF deepens and broadens ownership of the Museum’s aircraft beyond one individual which is important for the long-term future of these historically significant national assets.”

The aircraft remain on display for visitors to view at the Museum and are available for the public to visit 361 days a year.

Lockheed Hudson: The Hudson served the Allies faithfully during the war on most fronts and with little fanfare. The Air Forces of Britain, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, the Netherlands, China, Brazil and Australia all operated Hudsons. The aircraft is based at Temora.   Image: © Anthony Portelli


Aircraft showcase display days are regularly held at Temora, and details of these can be found on the Museum's website at: https://aviationmuseum.com.au

This is the trailer video for the Warbirds Downunder 2018 airshow held at Temora in 2018. See the link below for details on how to stream the full airshow video at Historical Machines TV

You can stream and watch the full Warbirds Downunder 2018 airshow video from this link on Historical Machines TV.


Share This Story :

More Stories and Video Clips:

  • Crazy Looking 100-Year Old 'Pusher' Aircraft From WW1 Still Flying

  • Listen To The Sound Of Twin Merlins As A WW2 Mosquito Roars By...

  • This WW1 German Ace Shot Down More Fighters Than The Red Baron

  • Rare Dragon Can Still Fly Even After 70 Years in New Zealand


There's More Exclusive Content On Historical Machines TV

HMTV is our advert-free streaming video channel which features an awesome array of video and long form documentary material which is not available elsewhere. Sign up for a free trial and enjoy the significant and varied range of material we have on offer...

HMTV Free Trial  

Please consider subscribing to HMTV, or buy us a drink to support our historical (story and film) preservation endeavours.

Comment Form is loading comments...