Aviation, both military and civil, is deeply intertwined with the Australian continent. Given the vast distances and the remoteness of many cities, it could hardly be otherwise. Perth, for instance, with its population of over 2 million, is the world’s most isolated major city, a fact that certainly has its pros and cons. One of the downsides is that this Western Australian metropolis is a several-hour flight from the nearest major city, Adelaide. Consequently, air transport plays a pivotal role in connecting it to the rest of the world. However, the local aviation museum is dedicated to much more than just that.
HOW TO GET THERE: The museum is located in the Perth suburb of Bull Creek. It is easily accessible by train directly from the city centre. The journey takes about twenty-five minutes and covers several stops. From the destination, Bull Creek Station, it’s about a 15-minute walk. Of course, you can also arrive by car. The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, visit: aviationmuseumwa.org.au/.
HISTORY AT EVERY TURN
As is the mission of any museum, its primary role is to preserve history for future generations while making it accessible to the present one.
The Aviation Heritage Museum in Perth, the only one of its kind in Western Australia, follows this path precisely.
As soon as you enter and purchase your tickets, you’ll be struck by the first showstopper of the collection: none other than the famous Catalina flying boat. This aircraft gained fame during the Second World War, serving an irreplaceable role as a rescue, patrol, and bomber aircraft. Its military service is primarily associated with the U.S. Navy, but also with the air forces of Canada, Britain, and, of course, Australia. The particular aircraft on display has a history with all the aforementioned air arms. The Catalina type first took flight on March 28, 1935, and the exhibit here bears the serial number 4051.
Resting on its right wing is another legend. This time, however, it’s not a fixed-wing aircraft but the famous Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter, better known as the Huey. The machine on display, registration A2-296, entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1973. It served actively with various units until 2007 and joined the Perth museum’s collection in 2012. Visitors can get a really close look at it, and even peek inside.
HONOURING AND SUPPORTING HEROES: The museum is part of the non-profit Royal Australian Air Force Association (RAAFA). Its primary mission is to care for and support war veterans. The Bull Creek estate includes facilities like a residential complex and community centres. An integral part of its work involves promoting and commemorating the contributions of veterans and organising various social events to enhance their lives.
A TWIN-JET SURPRISE TUCKED AWAY
Once you’ve admired the Catalina, examined the legendary Huey, and explored the history of Australian aviation from its beginnings—passing interesting aircraft engines, propellers, and many other fascinating artefacts—you’ll find yourself in a comparatively smaller hangar housing just two exhibits. But while there are only two, they are all the more impressive and legendary: the famous Tornado GR4 and F/A-18 Hornet.
The Tornado joined the museum’s collection just a few years ago and is said to be the only aircraft of its type on display in a museum outside the United Kingdom. Before the end of its service with the Royal Air Force (RAF), it took part in the campaign in Syria as part of the fight against the Islamic State.
Keeping the renowned multi-role European aircraft company is the aforementioned and no less legendary American fighter, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. It is best known for its service on aircraft carriers (as a replacement for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat), but it has played, and in modernised versions continues to play, a role in many countries operating from land bases. The Hornet displayed in Perth only arrived at the museum in 2023, one of 71 original-version aircraft retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in December 2021 after more than 40 years of service.
ROBIN MILLER: A PIONEERING WOMAN IN AVIATION: Part of the museum dedicated to Australian aviation history also honours Robin Miller, a Perth native and daughter of Horrie Miller, whom you can read about later. She was both a pilot and a nurse, brilliantly combining her professions for a remarkable cause. She took out a large loan to buy a Cessna 182 Skylane, which she used to fly to remote parts of Australia to vaccinate children. In her role as a pilot, she also competed in air races.
Tragically, one of the most significant pilots in Australian history passed away from cancer at the young age of 35. Despite her short life, she left an indelible mark on history.
THE STAR ATTRACTION(S) A FEW METRES AWAY
After you’ve enjoyed all the exhibits in the first two halls, you can visit the third, just a few metres away. It is mainly dedicated to the Second World War era, and right at the entrance, you’ll see the main attraction of the hall. Or perhaps of the entire museum?
You will stand literally face-to-face with the legendary heavy four-engine British bomber, the Avro Lancaster Mark VII. The ‘Lanc’ or ‘Lankie’ was the most successful night bomber of the entire conflict. It made its first flight in 1941 and entered service a year later. It served in the air forces of Great Britain, Australia, and Canada, where it ended its active career. Thanks to its capabilities, the Royal Air Force command often used it for special missions. It played a key role, for example, in the 1943 Allied raids on the Ruhr dams and in air attacks using the giant Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs. Incidentally, you can also view the bomber from an observation walkway accessible via a short flight of stairs. The effort is well worth it, as the head-on view allows you to appreciate the Lancaster’s details and also provides a bird’s-eye perspective of all the exhibits in the third hall.
The other aircraft in this hall also command a great deal of attention. Alongside the Lancaster stand the equally famous Douglas DC-3 transport, the Canberra bomber, and the renowned Spitfire, in one of its final variants.
MMA: NOT THE KIND YOU THINK: The development of civil aviation in Western Australia is inextricably linked with MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA). It operated from 1927 to 1993 and was founded by Horrie Miller and millionaire Sir Macpherson Robertson. In 1968, the brand became part of Ansett Transport Industries and grew to become Australia’s third-largest airline. Over the years, however, it gradually lost its identity before being fully absorbed by Ansett Australia in the early 1990s.
The airline’s history is full of fascinating moments. One of the most bizarre, yet also most dangerous, incidents occurred in September 1983. Shortly after take-off from Perth, the forward door of a Fokker F-28-1000 suddenly opened by itself. Although a series of errors were to blame, a fatal accident was avoided, and the aircraft landed safely about two hours later.
The aforementioned Dakota is represented in the museum by its military version, the C-47B Skytrain. This was the last aircraft of its type acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1945. The aircraft then served in many countries across the Asia-Pacific region. It arrived at the museum in the early 1980s. The RAAF used its Dakotas for transport, systems calibration, and VIP travel. Incredibly, the RAAF continued to use these aircraft for various purposes until 1999, with the last one being retired in March of that year.
The Canberra jet bomber, full name English Electric Canberra, is of British origin, where it was produced from 1951. While 900 units were built in the United Kingdom, another 49 were manufactured right here in Australia. A testament to the aircraft’s high quality is the late retirement date of its final units; they remained in service with the Indian Air Force until May 2007.
The Canberra is a medium jet bomber developed in the 1940s as a successor to the WWII de Havilland Mosquito. Its performance, particularly its speed and service ceiling, set it apart, even enabling it to evade contemporary fighter aircraft. It was a high-quality and popular aircraft that soon became an integral part of the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It was also produced under licence in Australia and the United States.
And why is the aircraft named after Australia’s capital city? Australia was the first overseas nation to show serious interest, so the head of English Electric named it in the city’s honour. The bomber on display in Perth is a Mk. 20 version with the serial number A84-230. It was built in Australia in 1955 and served with the RAAF in numerous countries across the Asia-Pacific region during its career.
Of course, no aviation museum would be complete without the Supermarine Spitfire, the legendary WWII fighter whose graceful curves are familiar to almost everyone. Here it is represented by the Mark 22 version, one of the last in the famous aircraft’s development line, based on the Mark 21 series. Besides Great Britain, the Spitfire Mark 22 served in the Egyptian and Syrian air forces. The displayed aircraft (registration PK481) entered service with the RAF in September 1945 and served for the following eight years.
And what else? If you have time (and plenty of water, especially if you visit in summer as I did), there’s much more to see. Each section is dedicated to a specific era—you can find historical artefacts from the Second World War (representing several of the warring nations), from the very dawn of aviation, and from the recent past. There are also numerous instruments for civil air traffic control, a range of powerplants, and other aviation technology. And even a Link Trainer, the famous flight simulator.
The Link Trainer (examples of which can be found in several locations across Australia, and you can also see one at the Military Aviation Museum in Prague-Kbely), also known as the ‘Blue Box’ or ‘Pilot Trainer’, was one of the first flight simulators, produced in the United States from the 1930s to the 1950s. It was created by Ed Link, a New York businessman with a deep passion for flying. The trainer helped novice pilots master instrument flying, and during its operational life, it was used by more than half a million aviators. Interestingly, these included German, Japanese, and Soviet pilots, as the simulator was sold to many countries around the world before the war.
If you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, the museum offers special tours of specific aircraft for an additional fee. You can, for instance, visit the interior of the aforementioned Lancaster or Dakota, or both at a discounted price. The cherry on top is the combination of a physical visit with a virtual reality experience. In the case of the Lancaster, it takes you on a night bombing mission over Europe. For half an hour, you’ll travel back in time to become a crew member of the famous RAF bomber. You’ll fly from a base in Great Britain straight into the heart of the occupied continent and face the anti-aircraft defences of Nazi Germany.
The museum is certainly worth a visit. It’s easily accessible by car and public transport, and the admission fee is very reasonable. On your way out, I definitely recommend stopping by the small shop, which offers all sorts of aviation artefacts, toys, models, and more.
A TOP TOURIST DESTINATION: The Aviation Heritage Museum in Perth is a truly popular spot. Proof of this can be seen in its recognition at the ‘2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards’, one of the region’s most prestigious tourism competitions. Last year, the museum reached the finals, affirming its successful approach not only to educating the younger generation but also to raising awareness, commemorating the heroism of military pilots, and preserving the history of Western Australian aviation.
