• Temora's Mk XVI Spitfire is one of 11 warbirds donated to the Royal Australian Air Force. (Steve Hitchen)
    Temora's Mk XVI Spitfire is one of 11 warbirds donated to the Royal Australian Air Force. (Steve Hitchen)
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Temora Aviation Museum (TAM) has transferred ownership of some of its most valuable warbirds to the Royal Australian Air Force, TAM announced yesterday.

Eleven historically-significant aircraft have been donated to the RAAF as the air force prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2021.

The aircraft, which TAM will still maintain and house under a five-year contract with the RAAF are:

  • English Electric Canberra
  • De havilland Vampire
  • Gloster Meteor
  • both Spitfires
  • Lockheed Hudson
  • CAC Wirraway
  • CAC Boomerang
  • Cessna A-37B Dragonfly,
  • De havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth
  • Ryan STMS2

The CAC Avon Sabre operated by TAM was already owned by the RAAF.

According to Australian Flying's sister magazine, Flightpath, the Vampire and Canberra will both be returned to airworthy status before being transferred to the RAAF.

Flightpath has also reported a brief statement from the RAAF, which says "as we approach our centenary in 2021, this agreement will ensure that these historic aircraft can continue to be preserved, remembered and displayed."

The Temora Aviation Museum was founded in 1999 by Sydney businessman David Lowy. Lowy donated the original aircraft and TAM has since added more to become the most significant collection of airworthy warbirds in Australia.

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