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The Aircraft
The Central Australian Aviation Museum is the home of several retired aircraft, in various stages of restoration.
Beech 18
The Beech 18 was built in 1946 for the USAAF and remained in
storage until it was sold to a private operator. In 1996 I was purchased by
Trans Island Airways N.Z. During its ferry flight, it was involved in a
take-off accident at Eagle Farm, QLD, and required extensive repairs.
It was purchased by Connellan Airways in 1960 and operated
until airframe hours grounded it in 1967. It was then cannibalised for spare
parts. The aircraft later found its way to the Warbirds Museum, Mildura, VIC,
where it sat out in the open for 13 years.
It was purchased by CAAM in 1983 and trucked back to the
museum and repainted. It is now displayed as it was when it last served in
Alice Springs.
Wackett Trainer
The Wackett Trainer disappeared for three years after its
pilot, James Knight, became lost on January 14th 1962, during a
flight from Melbourne to Perth. It was
eventually discovered in 1965, but Knight’s body was never found.
The aircraft was recovered in 1974 by locals Bill Kinsman
and friends, restored to its present condition, and donated to the Central
Australian Aviation Museum by Bill and Bev Kinsman.
Percival Proctor
