Victa Airtourer first flight Anniversary

[Robert Zweck]

Tomorrow is the 50th Anniversary of the first flight of the wooden prototype Airtourer VH-FMM, currently housed at the Nowra Museum.

The flight took place at Moorabbin Airport in Victoria.

Several of the faithful will gather at Keyneton Aerodrome, north west of Melbourne tomorrow to mark the occasion.

The Airtourer type occupies a special place in my flying career, I did all my RPPL in one and in a few days I have the 38th Anniversary of my first solo in VH-APV in Darwin.

May the Airtourer remain airborne for many years to come.

[Mick F]

For those unaware, the Airtourer then went on to be produced in New Zealand after a couple of hundred were produced in Australia.

In later years, the Airtourer underwent a few changes and became the NZAI CT-4 Airtrainer, which the RAAF used for many years as initial trainers, and I believe they are still used even today by BAe Flight Training in Tamworth who do the initial flight grading and training for the RAAF.

Sad to see an aircraft which was designed in Australia, get sold back to us because we couldn't support the industry!

Mick