Hunter Warbirds Aviation Museum
Located in the Upper Hunter town of Scone, and opened in March 2022, Hunter Warbirds is Australia’s newest aviation museum. Designed to house aircraft and display them to visitors in the best possible way it’s a modern state of the art museum. By car Hunter Warbirds is 300km north of Sydney and 150km northwest of Newcastle. With a spacious onsite car park, parking is a breeze.
Many of the aircraft belonged to Col Pay, with the museum being a celebration of his love for aviation. The Pay family continued his interest along with his aviation business and desire for a museum at Scone.
A video running in a side room details Col’s passion for aviation and collecting warbirds.
The Display Hall
The centrepiece of the museum, the display hall houses the collection with space to spare. Hopefully this means that the collection will grow over time. Displayed around the hall, posters illustrate the history of Aviation in Australia. All aircraft have information boards detailing their individual histories.
One of the outstanding things about the displays is that most are still airworthy. This is amazing because most museum aircraft no longer fly. Even the Bristol F2.B replica can fly. We were told that ten of the thirteen aircraft there could fly, with only the Mirage, MiG and Macchi being grounded.
Bristol F2B Fighter
This replica Bristol F.2B Fighter represents B1229 flown by the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) during World War One. Flown at one stage by Captain Ross Smith who scored 11 of his 12 enemy victories in this aircraft in the Middle East between September 1917 and October 1918. He served in No1 Squadron AFC and whilst in Middle East flew as Lawrence of Arabia’s pilot on several occasions in the Bristol F.2B.
Click here for more pictures of the Bristol F.2B.
de Havilland Tiger Moth
First flying in 1931, the de Havilland Tiger Moth became the most widely used military and civilian primary trainer of all time.
Bought by Col Pay in 1959, this Tiger Moth previously served with the RAAF. It became his first crop duster. Following a restoration in 2008 it is now airworthy again.
Click here for more pictures of the Tiger Moth.
Boeing Stearman Model 75
Widely used throughout World War Two as a basic trainer, the Boeing Stearman Model 75 taught many Allied pilots how to fly. Painted in blue and yellow to depict a US Navy N2S-3 but originally built as a PT-17 it looks amazing.
Click here for more photos of the Stearman.
CAC CA-3 Wirraway
Produced in Australia from 1939 to 1946, 755 Wirraways served in the RAAF. Although designed as training aircraft, they were also used for army co-operation and in the desperate early years of the Second World War as fighters.
This particular Wirraway was built as A20-81, but is painted as A20-176 which was used by No. 4 Squadron RAAF on army co-operation duties in New Guinea during 1942-43. Owned by Paul Bennet Airshows A20-176 is a regular at Australian air shows.
Click here for more Wirraway photos.
CA-25 Winjeel
The CAC CA-25 Winjeel (meaning young eagle) was designed and built in Australia as a basic trainer for Royal Australian Air Force pilots. Operated from 1957 until 1975 as trainers, a small number continued in use as Forward Air Control aircraft until 1995.
Winjeel A85-426 continued in RAAF service until 1995 as a Forward Air Control aircraft at Williamtown. Purchased by Ross Pay in 2000 for Hunter Warbirds, it is marked in FAC camouflage.
Click here for more Winjeel photos.
North American T-6G Harvard
Built in 1941, this North American Harvard saw US service until the early 1960s. It was acquired by Col Pay in 1984 and is painted as a US Navy SNJ.
Click here for more Harvard photos.
Aermacchi MB-326
Aermacchi MB-326 ex RAAF A7-047 was a training aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force from 1968 to 2000 In 1989, they were replaced by the Pilatus PC-9 as a basic trainer. and in 2000 the BAE Hawk replaced them as lead in fighter trainers.
A7-047 is painted in the scheme worn while serving at Williamtown Air Base near Newcastle.
Click here more Aermacchi MB-326 photos.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX
Manufactured in 1943, this Supermarine Spitfire flew operationally with No. 331 Squadron (Norwegian) and No. 274 Squadron RAF over Northern Europe. Purchased by the South African Air Force in 1948, and later sold to US interests Pay’s Aerial Services acquired it in 2008. It has since been restored to flying condition.
Click here for more Spitfire photos.
CAC Mustang
The Mustang at Hunter Warbirds is a CAC CA-18 Mk 21 built in 1947. Operated by the Royal Australian Air Force with serial A68-107. The CA-18 was a licence-built version of the North American Mustang. Purchased by Col Pay in 1980 it has been based in Scone since then.
Click here for more P-51 Mustang.
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk VH-KTY belongs to Vintage Fighter Restorations based at Scone NSW.
Originally operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1942 to 1945 Col Pay acquired it in 1994 in a derelict state. Fully restored to flying condition it is a favourite at Australian air shows.
Finished in the colour scheme of a 3 Squadron RAAF P-40E serial ET953 Sqn code CV-V, it has dark brown, stone and azure blue camouflage. Flown by Squadron Leader Robert Gibbes, the Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron, North Africa it has some interesting nose art.
Click here for more photos of P-40s.
Dassault Mirage IIIO(F) A3-44
Delivered on 22nd September 1966 Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-44 was one of 116 RAAF Mirages. Based at Williamtown and used by 76 and 77 Squadrons Royal Australian Air Force A3-44 retired in 1987.
Click here for more Mirage III photos.
Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog
Used as a spotter aircraft during the Vietnam war the Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog is a military version of the Cessna 170. This particular aircraft was flown by the South Vietnamese Air Force.
Click here for more Bird Dog photos.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F
Produced in Poland by the WSK-Mielec factory the Lim-5P is a license-built version of the MiG-17F. Produced in the mid-1950s.
Imported into Australia in 1998 and repainted as Polish Air Force “402″ it is in excellent condition, complete with its cockpit fit out and 2 X ground attack UB-16-57 multiple rocket pods.
Previously located at Caboolture Qld, and generously donated by Jack McDonald to Hunter Fighter Collection Inc the MiG-17F is on static display.
Click here for more MiG-17 photos.
What Did We Think of Hunter Warbirds?
We though this was an amazing museum, full of the living history of airworthy planes. The museum is big, clean and spacious with great amenities and great staff service. We feel its well worth the visit and we will go back as the collection grows.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
This looks like a great place to visit. I am impressed that so many aircraft are still airworthy. My grandfather served in the Australian Air Force in the 1940s but didn’t get to serve overseas because he was needed for essential services back home. Sadly, he died in a tractor accident not a plane when he was only 26.
Sorry to hear your grandfather died so young. Thanks for reading the blog. Hunter Warbirds is certainly worth checking out if you’re in the area.