Visitors to HARS Aviation Museum this weekend can watch work begin on refitting the wings and wheels of the former Qantas and John Travolta Boeing 707, alongside flying displays from the Caribou, Huey and L39.
Work to put the wings and wheels back on the former Qantas and John Travolta Boeing 707-138 will be on show at HARS Aviation Museum's October Tarmac Days, running from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October.
Painting of the aircraft's wings and fuselage is almost complete, and a three-member team has arrived from the US to begin reassembly after taking it apart for its voyage to Australia by ship earlier this year.
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society President Bob De La Hunty said the reassembly would be a landmark for the organisation.
"Our experienced team working on the 707 have been fantastic and the fact that all is now ready, demonstrates what HARS can do!" he said. "Make no mistake, this is a monumental engineering challenge, and one that will stand as an Australian aviation achievement even greater than had we been able to fly to Australia as originally anticipated."
The flying program includes the L39 Albatros jet trainer, while on Saturday the former RAN Huey 898 and former RAAF de Havilland Caribou are scheduled to fly. The Vampire restoration team also plans to taxi its former RAAF trainer.
On the tarmac, the DC-4, Convair 440, Tracker, Canberra and the newly arrived former Qantas Fokker 100 will be open for inspection.
In Hangar 3, visitors can go aboard the Super Constellation "Connie" and watch engineers working on an engine change. Work is also under way on the museum's Catalina and Queen's Flight Dakota, and visitors may get a look at the Southern Cross replica Fokker Trimotor.
De La Hunty said HARS volunteers had spent 47 years preserving Australia's aviation heritage.
"When we took on saving Neptune aircraft then a Super Constellation people were in disbelief that we could do it, but now we still take on what many see as impossible," he said.
The museum, at Shellharbour Airport in Albion Park Rail, is open for guided tours daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm, with the last tour starting at 2pm. Tarmac Days focus on flying and taxiing selected aircraft from the collection. On Saturday and Sunday, a barbecue will be served under the wing of the former Qantas Boeing 747-400.
Visitor details are available at hars.org.au.