About The Society

Origin Of The Society & Charter

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society was formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of Australian Aviation History. It was in this capacity that our members virtually traversed the Australian continent from Tasmania to Kalumburu in North Western Australia and from cape Llewellin to Cape York in search of aviation artefacts. These expeditions resulted in providing considerable assistance to many restorations including many outside of the Society itself. Of significant importance was the recovery in the early eighties of two Beaufighter airframes from North Western Australia. One, a Mk1 Beaufighter Aircraft was exchanged after it had been restored by the Society for the Lockheed Super Constellation. This aircraft now resides in the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. The other airframe is central to the Mk21 Beaufighter currently under restoration by the Society.

A constitution was drawn up and H.A.R.S. became an Incorporated Association in 1988. In 1991 the Australian Taxation Office granted our request for donations to be allowable as a tax deduction.

The Society underwent a restructure in late 1991. The principal objective was to have a more business orientated organisation capable of managing large projects that required significant logistical support. It was also important at this time to develop a focus on what we wanted to achieve. Our Mission Statement strongly expresses our emphasis and direction.

"To recover and where possible restore to flying condition, aircraft or types of aircraft that have played a significant part in Australian Aviation History both in the Civil and Military arenas".

In order to achieve our objectives the Society encouraged the recruitment of specialist people from within the aviation industry who were interested in the preservation of historical aircraft. The result is that we now have within our membership over 70 licensed aircraft engineers out of a total of 305 people. Their licences cover virtually all of the skill sets recognised by the industry. It has been said that behind Qantas the Society has the largest aviation skill resource in Australia.

Since 1991, we have achieved significant milestones in our endeavours to preserve our Aviation History. Our record to-date in aircraft restorations alone is there for all to see. It is an impressive record when one considers that it has been achieved solely by volunteers of the Society and without help from any government institution. It has been financed to-date partly by corporate sponsorship and in promotions to the general public. Society members themselves have also contributed a considerable amount of finance.

The International Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators awarded the 1997 Grand Master's Australian Award to the Society in recognition of the outstanding restoration of the Super Constellation. This was presented in London in December, 1998 to our President, Mr. Robert De La Hunty who accepted the award on behalf of the Society from Prince Abdullah (now Crown Prince Abdullah) of Jordan.

Achievements Of The Society

We have listed below some of the projects we have undertaken. The fact that some of the aircraft listed are in 'now airworthy' condition does not mean the end of the project, rather, it continues with the emphasis on continual maintenance.

Our emphasis has always been to endeavour to restore to flying condition. Even with the Beaufighter now residing in the US Air Force Museum, it was restored to flying standard in all respects. Each and every original part that could possibly be used was re-worked. It meant that the Museum received a genuine restoration and not just a replica.

Active Projects

• Lockheed L1049 Super Constellation (now airworthy)
• De Havilland Vampire T-35 A79-637 (under restoration)
• De Havilland Vampire T-35 A79-665 (to taxi condition)
• Cessna 310 (recently overhauled - airworthy)
• Lockheed Neptune (273) (airworthy)
• Lockheed Neptune (566) (final stages of restoration)**
• Bristol Beaufighter (under restoration)
• Cessna Bird Dog (airworthy)
• Cessna 172 (under restoration)
• Cessna 180 (airworthy)
• 2, Bell AH-1P Huey Cobra Gun Ships (under restoration)
• Douglas C47 Dakota A65-94 (airworthy)
• Douglas C47 Dakota A65-95 (airworthy)
• 2, CAC Winjeels (airworthy)
• Cessna T-41 (under restoration)
• Catalina PBY Flying Boat (airworthy)

In addition to the aircraft projects we have now restored a number of historic Aviation Ground Support Equipment some of that include:

• 2, Deutz Ground Power Units (circa 1950's)
• Hough Aircraft Towing Tractor (circa 1960's)
• Douglas Aircraft Towing Tractor (circa 1950's)
• 2, Constellation Air Stairs (circa 1950's)
• Bedford Air Stairs (circa 1960's)
• Electric Fork Lift (circa 1960's)
• Bedford 5 Ton Truck (circa 1960's)

Pending projects awaiting funding:

• Convair 340-67 Airliner (in storage in Tucson, Arizona)
• North American P47 Thunderbolt (under restoration in Sydney)
• Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Of significant recognition was the suggestion by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that the Society apply for Licensed Approval Workshop status.

** The Lockheed Neptune (566) was recovered from Tahiti in 1989 by members of the Society after it had been abandoned for over six years, bogged in a marsh and badly vandalised. The aircraft was restored to flying condition and flown to Australia.

The Future For The Society

We are most grateful to Qantas Airways for permitting the Society to operate from one of its storage facilities in Kent Road, Mascot for over 10 years. We are also indebted to Bankstown Airport Limited for having supported the Society by providing an open facility at their airport. From November 2002, our operations have now been relocated to The Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park Rail. In recent years, our significant growth in aircraft acquisitions has required the Society to seek a more permanent facility capable of expansion to house our aircraft. The Illawarra Regional Airport is an ideal location. It will allow the Society to establish a world class Flying Museum. The significant benefits to the Illawarra with the establishment of this facility will be both as an employer from the local community and as a significant tourism attraction to the region. We have already noticed an increase in our airframe maintenance program, particularly for the Super Constellation and Neptune aircraft. This maintenance will continue to increase until such times as we have them safely housed under cover. With the arrival of the PBY Catalina and Convair 340 Aircraft, our minimum hangarage requirement will approximate 11,000 sq/metres.

One aspect of this Society, which is very underrated and despite our limited facilities, provide a most valuable interest for those who have either reached retirement or have been made redundant. Our membership statistics reveal that we have as active members the following age groups;

In addition, we have some 340 Aussie Connie Supporters who maintain a continual interest in the affairs of the Society.

Aviation Museums, through their volunteer programmes tend to provide a forum of interest for those who have retired. As an example, The United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio have over 500 registered volunteers who regularly work on specific restoration projects. The Dayton population is just under one million people. Again, The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, has just over 400 volunteers out of a population of eight hundred thousand. At Duxford near Cambridge, England the same ratio of volunteers to population exists.

Australia has been in the forefront of Aviation from the very beginning. Australians have pioneered the longest routes in the world. Six of the seven oceans and seas were first conquered by Australian Airmen. Yet as a nation, we have virtually ignored the preserving of any aircraft, particularly civil and general aviation from the forties to the eighties. There are virtually no civil jet or turbo powered examples left. Post war civil aircraft such as the Fokker F27's, F28's, Vickers Viscounts, Douglas DC4's, DC6 & 6b's, Boeing B727's and Convairs are only memories yet these were the carriers that brought the people of our Nation closer together. This, we intend to address.

Executive Committee

President : R.J. De La Hunty OAM

Bob De La Hunty comes from a corporate background and is on the board of numerous companies including The Aerospace Foundation of Australia Limited, The Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia Limited. As President he presides over the overall operation of the Society. He ensures that the Society is continually focussed in accordance with its mission statement.
Bob is also responsible for the sub-committees that control the day to day activities of the Society. These Committees directly supervise the active projects and the maintenance of all our aircraft. He is also directly involved in the selection of new projects that are referred to the Society and he presides over the Aircraft Acquisition Program Committee.
Bob, in conjunction with other Executive Committee Members, involves himself in the promotion of the Society at all levels. He is also the Society's Chief Pilot and the endorsing pilot for both the Super Constellation and the Neptune aircraft.
He is an Executive Committee Member of the Temora Aviation Museum.
In the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours Lists, Bob received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition for his services to Aviation and Australian Aviation Heritage specifically mentioning the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.

Vice-President : J.W. Brooker

John Brooker's background is from senior management in a large American multi-national corporation, predominantly in marketing. He is responsible for the marketing of the Society. In addition, he is also General Manager of Historic Aircraft Projects Pty. Limited, a company which has been specifically established to generate revenue for the Society. In this capacity, john has already developed a restoration department that has been contracted to restore vintage aircraft such as the North American P47 Thunderbolt for a South African consortium. In addition Historic Aircraft Projects has been contracted to restore the Australian War Memorial's WWII Beaufort Bomber.
John is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Aviation Museum - Bankstown. In this capacity John is the Society's coordinating officer with the Museum.

Honorary Secretary : R.A. Greinert

Robert is one of only three founding members still associated with the Society. He has a BComm in Marketing and has previously held the offices of Vice-President and Secretary. Robert's involvement in aircraft goes back over twenty five years. He is currently involved in the Restoration program which is identified as a developing revenue stream within the Society.

Honorary Treasurer : M.C. Massey

Maureen Massey is in senior management at Boeing Corporation, formerly Hawker De Havilland, Bankstown. She is widely versed in computer applications both financial and engineering. In addition her expertise in aviation technical publications, documentation and library management are essential assets to the Society as we now own, operate and manage some seventeen aircraft. This number will only increase in future years.

CASA Authorised Maintenance Controller : M.N. Hallows

Malcolm Hallows background is Qantas Engineering, senior management. Among his management appointments at Qantas, Malcolm held the position of Maintenance Planning Controller responsible for planning major maintenance activity for the Qantas fleet together with the RAAF C-130 and B707 aircraft. He also holds signature approvals for C-130 engines & airframe together with B707 airframe and Skyhawk AG4 engines & airframe. In addition, Malcolm has previous experience working on DC3, DC4, L749 Constellation, L1049 Super Constellation, B707 and L188 both engines and airframes.
Malcolm is the CASA Authorised Maintenance Controller for the Society. He directly manages all operations relating to engineering maintenance over the HARS fleet of Aircraft.

Engine Overhaul Workshop : K.G. Taylor

Kevin Taylor has a long record in Qantas Engineering, engine overhauls. He was also responsible for their workshop project planning. Kevin was seconded early in 2000 back to Qantas to assist in the accelerated overhaul program on the Allison T56 Engines (The power plant for the C-130 Hercules aircraft). He is the Society's Engine Shop Manager, which currently produces overhauled engine cylinders for Super Constellation's R3350 engines. The workshop has already been expanded to the overhaul of the Power recovery Turbines used on the R3350s. Identified ultimately as a revenue stream, we envisage that this division will extend to the complete overhaul of vintage reciprocal and turbine aircraft engines.

Committee Member : J. Hayes

Jim grew up on a dairy farm at Myrtle Creek on the NSW North Coast. After leaving school he joined the PMG (later Telecom, curently Telstra) and trained as a technician. After seven years with the PMG he moved back to Sydney from Canberra and joined the Plessey Telecommunications Company. He spent thirteen years with them, then left and bought his first business. This was a courier service with clients all over Sydney. It was sold after a few years and Jim returned to Plessey until being head hunted in 1979 by BHP to work as a communication electrician at the new Cordeaux Colliery. Because Cordeaux was a new mine, there was very little demarcation and although employed as an electrician, Jim learned a lot about mechanics and hydraulics as well as industrial electronics and OH&S. he worked on a vast array of equipment from ten megawatt incoming power supplies to intrinsically safe supplies used in gaseous environments. After twenty years underground, Jim left in 1996 to power up a part-time business he had managed and run solely for about twenty years. The business involved installation and maintenance of electronic alarm systems and television aerials and had a client base of over four hundred. He sold the business in May 2004 and now enjoys more time to devote to doing things that he wants to do, including astronomy and amateur radio. Jim joined HARS in 2003 when the society transferred to the Illawarra Regional Airport, although he had intended to join earlier while HARS was still centred at Bankstown. Since joining Jim has gravitated towards repairing and maintaining the ground support equipment. Jim can see the need for training and recording the results in safety, machine operation and aircraft marshalling. He sees a huge future for HARS, which he believes will not stop with the third hangar. He looks forward to continuing to be part of this great venture.

Chairman - Eminent Persons Group : I.L. Debenham

Ian Debenham has been asked to convene The Eminent Persons Group. This body will consist of successful people who are respected within the Australian community, either as businessmen or in service to the community. The Executive Committee of the Society will have regular meetings with the Group in order to seek their advice and expertise on matters relating to its management and future direction. Ian is the Curator of the Transport Section, of the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and holds a significant position as the Society's principal coordinator with other aviation museums both within Australia and overseas.

HARS Journal Editor : G.R. Squire

Gary Squire is the editor of the Society's Journal, The Phoenix. Gary only recently relinquished the office of Honorary Secretary to concentrate on his new business appointment as Project Manager South, Coles Supermarkets. Gary has also previously held the position of Honorary Treasurer. He is an integral member of our sponsorship and marketing team.

The Grand Master's Australian Medal 1997