Classic Jet Fighter Museum - Parafield Airport

If you have the need for speed, then you should touch down at the Classic Jets Fighter Museum at Parafield Airport. It's crammed with an impressive display of jet aircraft used by the Royal Australian Airforce and the Navy from the 50s right through to 1980. And while it seems every available square metre is spiked for, that's never stopped Bob Jarrett scouring the globe in search of another unique addition to this hangar of aviation heritage. He and his wife Margaret have regularly ventured into the jungles of Papua New Guinea which tragically proved to be the final resting place for many young pilots and their aircraft. "Well about three years ago we went to Papua New Guinea found this particular aircraft alongside an airfield and sitting on forty four gallon drums in an excellent state of preservation. It's almost an impossible aircraft to get hold of." The American P38 Lockheed Lightning saw plenty of action in the Pacific during World War Two. This Lightning was forced to make a belly landing in September 1943 breaking off both propellers. Now she's a labor of love for volunteers at the Parafield Museum. "We were very fortunate to get this because it's the only 38 Lightning outside of America, so it's an extremely rare war bird." "And how long have you had it now?" "Ah we only received it thirteen weeks ago, we've been on it for that time for about one hundred and eighty man hours a week." The P 38 Lightning was a popular aircraft for two very obvious reasons. As a twin-engined fighter she offered pilots the chance to make it home safely should one engine be knocked out over the Pacific. It'll be a while yet before this tangled piece of aviation memorabilia is in similar shape to the rest of what you can see at Hangar 52, but given the work ethic of Bob and his mates, the P 38 will one day take pride of place alongside this Mirage.

"This is the Mirage A 3-16. We completed this around about 6 months. This is another aircraft which completed its landing with its wheels up. It was supposed to be scrapped but wasn't and fortunately given time we were able to get it out and restore it." "So how long has that taken to restore?" "That took just one year to restore and one year to paint and fit out. The Gloster Meteor was built originally for the RAF in 1952. It was later transferred to the RAAF in the Korean War. The Gloster Meteor was one of the first jet fighters to be used in World War Two. It started it's life as one of the first British jets it flew in the European conflict. It was used over Britain when it would flight under the wings of doodle bugs and break up the airflow over the doodle bugs wing so that it would turn over and fall to the ground." "Pretty courageous stuff?" "Oh yes, yes they were courageous times I think." The Classic Jets Fighter Museum is in Hangar 52 off Anderson Dve at Parafield Airport. It'll be open daily during the school holidays and is usually open every day except Monday and Tuesday.

For more information you can email info@postcards.sa.com.au

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