Melbourne day trips: Visit The Australian National Aviation Museum

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I first visited this museum back in 1974 when I was a kid with my father and brother, back then there were no buildings housing the aircraft, and as we approach the museum I remember seeing the Beaufighter dwarfing everything with its pugnacious stance, and brutish looks. Even as I approached it I was in awe of the size of its engines and propellers and wondered how someone could even fly it....well after all I was only an 11 year old boy! There was only one member of staff on duty (no one else was around) and he was busy working on his rather neglected Landrover, he said we could have the run of the exhibits, so long as we didn't hurt ourselves in the progress, no OH&S back then ....lol. I went straight to the Beaufighter with my dad and he showed me how to enter it and climb into the cockpit.....WOW!! later I wandered over to their Kittyhawk and even at age 11 I knew there was something odd about it and then it dawned on me, it was fitted with a set of Mustang wings! (this aircraft I believe is now under restoration to flying condition). fast forward to the 90s when I was living in Melbourne I decided to become a member after revisiting the museum and seeing the changes since my first visit in 1974. I was even invited one evening to see the unveiling of the newly restored CAC Ceres crop duster, with an engine start as the hanger doors opened, a truly unforgettable night.