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Hunter Warbirds Aviation Museum

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603

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.

Hunter Warbirds and Scone Memorial Airport Building
Hunter Warbirds and Scone Memorial Airport Building

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.

World War Two Era Posters
World War Two Era Posters
The Display Hall
The Display Hall
Displays
Displays

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.

Bristol F2B Fighter Hunter Warbirds
Bristol F2B Fighter
Bristol F2B Fighter Hunter Warbirds
Bristol F2B Fighter

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.

de Havilland Tiger Moth
de Havilland 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.

Boeing Stearman Hunter Warbirds
Boeing 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.

CAC Wirraway Hunter Warbirds
CAC Wirraway
CAC Wirraway Hunter Warbirds
CAC Wirraway

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.

CA-25 Winjeel A85-426
CA-25 Winjeel A85-426

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.

North American T-6G Harvard Hunter Warbirds
North American T-6G Harvard


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.

Aermacchi MB-326 A7-047 Hunter Warbirds
Aermacchi MB-326 A7-047

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.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603 Hunter Warbirds
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX MH-603

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.

CAC Mustang Hunter Warbirds
CAC Mustang
CAC Mustang
CAC 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.

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk Hunter Warbirds
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk

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.

Dassault Mirage IIIO(F) RAAF A3-44
Dassault Mirage IIIO(F) RAAF A3-44

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.

Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog Hunter Warbirds
Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog
Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog
Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

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.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F Hunter Warbirds
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F

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.

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Curtiss P-40N

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Having purchased tickets pre-covid, we were pleased to be finally going to the Warbirds Over Scone 2022. Unfortunately, the wet weather that has plagued the summer in Eastern Australia paid a visit. The Sunday we attended was particularly wet. Constant showers and low cloud cover resulted in no planes taking off, which was understandable. You do not put pilots at risk, just for an air show. Anyway, we did get to see the planes on the ground, even if not flying.

Some planes were able to fly the day before, so people who attended on Saturday saw the warbirds in the sky. The big drawcard this year were three Spitfires, four P-51 Mustangs and four P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. This was a record for an Australian air show, with crowds on Saturday seeing them in the sky all together.

Getting There

Driving the hour from Singleton to Scone was an easy drive, despite the wet weather. Parking at the airport was well organised, with a field opposite the entrance set up for cars.

Tickets

We purchased gold tickets online beforehand, but because of covid the air show was delayed almost two years. With no planes flying due to the weather, the advantage of gold class, which was grandstand seating to get a better view of the flying was not there. Because the planes were directly in front of us, we had a close-up view of them. Unfortunately, there was no undercover seating here, so we spent some time in the general admission area, where we could shelter from the rain.

The Air Show

Walking around the airfield we saw the planes that were on display, with several we had not seen before. This included several of the Spitfires and P-51s.

By midday, the organisers cancelled all flying for the day, but opened the flight line, so that spectators could get up close to the warbirds. We thought this was a great fall-back option and jumped at the opportunity. Being able to get up close to the warbirds and talk to the owners and pilots was a real bonus.

We also spoke to the owner of one of the kubelwagens (a German car from World War Two). It turned out to be a survivor from the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front. He was great to talk to and very knowledgeable about its history and historic armour vehicles in general.

So, despite the weather and no flying, we saw some great planes, armoured vehicles and spoke to some interesting people. Not the day we had planned, but still fun.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Scone New South Wales Hunter Valley

Mare and Foal Sculpture Scone NSW Australia

Scone

Scone is 280km north of Sydney in the Upper Hunter Valley.  Famous for its horse breeding and agriculture, Scone has many historic buildings, making it s beautiful town to visit.

Scone Visitor Information and Elizabeth Park

Located on Kelly Street, the Visitor Information Centre and Elizabeth Park are a great place to start your visit to town. The park is shady, making it a nice place to relax after your drive. There is a statue of a mare and foal, representing the importance of the horse breeding industry to the area.

A bronze bust of Captain John Hunter, the former Governor of New South Wales sits in the park. The Hunter Valley was named after him in honour of his achievements in exploration around Australia. 

Across Susan Street is the Visitor information Centre, where you can find out about any interesting events or places to see that are not generally known about or have just become available.

Mare and Foal Sculpture Scone NSW Australia
Mare and Foal Sculpture
Scone Visitor Information Centre Scone NSW Australia
Scone Visitor Information Centre
Captain John Hunter Scone NSW Australia
Captain John Hunter

Kelly Street

Running through the centre of town, Kelly Street contains many old and important buildings. You will also find cafes, restaurants and pubs along this street, so if you are looking for something to eat, wander around here.

Scone Court House Scone NSW Australia
Scone Court House
Campbells Chambers Scone NSW Australia
Campbells Chambers
Barwick House Scone NSW Australia
Barwick House
Royal Hotel Scone NSW Australia
Royal Hotel
Campbell's Corner Scone NSW Australia
Campbell’s Corner

Kingdon Street

There are some great old buildings on Kingdon Street, including the first Catholic Church (now an arts centre) and the original court house (now a theatre).

Old Court House Scone NSW Australia
Old Court House

Washpools Water Hole

Washpools Water Hole is 20 km north of Scone in the Towarri National Park.  There are two area that you can stop in, the camp ground and picnic area. The picnic area is next to the wash pools and unless you plan an overnight stay is the best place to go.  It has picnic areas and shaded seats to eat at, so is well set up.

The wash pools are a nice series of water holes in the local creek and are picturesque, being set amongst trees and bushes and reflecting the blue sky. We spend an hour wandering around them taking photos and admiring the bush setting.

While we were there a pair of kookaburras sat in a tree watching us, probably hoping we would drop some food for them.

Washpools Water Hole Towarri National Park Scone NSW Australia
Washpools Water Hole
Kookaburras at Washpools Water Hole Scone NSW Australia
Kookaburras at Washpools Water Hole
Washpools Water Hole Towarri National Park Scone NSW Australia
Washpools Water Hole

Farming

Farming is important to the Scone district and you will see evidence of it as you drive around. The most obvious industry as seen from the New England Highway is horse breeding. You will pass many horse studs as you drive into and out of town.  On the side roads you will some across other agriculture, ranging from cropping to cattle and sheep.  In some fields you will see some old abandoned farm equipment, which makes for an interesting photo.

Old Farm Equipment Scone NSW Australia
Old Farm Equipment
Drought Stricken Tree Scone NSW Australia
Drought Stricken Tree

Burning Mountain

Burning Mountain is 25 km north of Scone. The walk begins in the Burning Mountain Rest Area, where you will find toilets and plenty of parking. For the full story of our Burning Mountain walk, please follow the link.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.