Airservices helps the Southern Cross II get back into the air

[Kurt A]

Here's a feel good story.

Congratulations Hars, and to Geoff Timms (Timmsy - one of our own) and kudos to Airservices for their $30k grant.

http://youtu.be/praWe8MLCUY


Airservices has contributed $30 000 to assist the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) complete its restoration of the Southern Cross II – a flying replica of the aircraft made famous by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm to complete the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by air in 1928.

[Grahame Hutchison]

This is great news, so credit to Air Services Australia for their generous $30,000 donation - I can't wait to see the replica completed. I remember visiting the
Southern Cross Memorial at Eagle Farm airport in Brisbane as a seven year old, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flying achievements have always been an
inspiration.

I shot this image of a Southern Cross replica on the 6th January 1987 at Essendon Airport. Other information suggests that the HARS replica was built around
1987, and then toured the country to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Being in such poor condition at the time, this may be another replica
and any information would be greatly appreciated.
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=VH-USU NFTN-19870106-001.jpg

The HARS replica VH-USU at the Avalon Air Show in 1992
http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=VH-USU NFTN-19921023-001.jpg

[Noel White]

The South Australia replica was used for the opening of the third runway at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport on 4th November, 1994. I pretty sure that this is the aircraft that lost a wheel (as mentioned in the video) is the one that HARS is now repairing.

[Greg Hyde]

I think there were two replicas built for the TV series "A Thousand Skies".

One was flying and the other static.

I remember seeing one in Oakey, at the Army museum some years ago.

[Greg Hyde]

More than anybody needs to know

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a205303.pdf

http://hars.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/spring_20061.pdf