Virtual tour of the Memorial

Aircraft Hall

The Memorial's Aircraft Hall opened to the public on 17 August 2000. A number of classic aircraft are on permanent display, including a Mosquito, Kittyhawk, Mustang, Zero, Wirraway, Sea Fury, MiG-15, Avro Anson, and Japanese Oscar. Also displayed are a Japanese Type 88 anti-aircraft gun and an Australian designed and built LW/AW mobile radar unit. While many of these have been part of the Memorial's extensive collection and kept in storage for many years this is the first time most of them have gone on full-time public display.

Air power in the Pacific, 1941–53

The exhibition Air power in the Pacific, 1941–53 tells the story of Australians at war in the Pacific during 1941 to 1953. Visitors are guided through specially designated pathways to learn about the practical side of air power – how aircraft work and are put together – and stories of how it affected everyday life during the Second World War and the Korean War.

360° Panorama featuring
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighter bomber, MiG-15bis fighter aircraft forward fuselage,
and P-51D Mustang fighter aircraft.
REL/10299, REL/20295.001, REL/08388
Low resolution (189 Kb, Java)
High resolution (1.15 Mb, QuickTime™ VR)

The Director of Memorial, Steve Gower, says:

"I am confident Aircraft Hall is the most outstanding display of its kind in Australia. Apart from the magnificent collection of restored aircraft presented in a variety of different ways, it also tells inspiring stories of those who actually flew, serviced, and made the aircraft. Like the Second World War galleries opened last year, Aircraft Hall makes use of dramatic lighting, eye-catching videos, and provides layers of information through interactives."

360° Panorama featuring a P-40E-1-CU Kittyhawk fighter aircraft.
REL/20242
Low resolution (197 Kb, Java)
High resolution (1.28 Mb, QuickTime™ VR)

The remains of a crashed Oscar.
REL/12326

One of the most exciting aspects of Aircraft Hall is the theatrical lighting used to focus attention on individual aircraft. Each object is highlighted to bring out its unique features, while the interior of the Hall is left in darkness. This draws attention to displays and exhibitions, rather than the Hall itself. To enhance the effect, each object is elevated or suspended at a different height and perspective to show dramatically different views. The P-40 "Polly" Kittyhawk, for example, is displayed at ground level and incorporated into a jungle landing strip scene. The only surviving complete Australian-built Mosquito, with its formidable red and black propeller spinners, looms overhead, supported on a mezzanine level. Visitors can also climb the mezzanine to take to closer look at this famous aircraft and view it and others from another angle.

P-40E-1-CU Kittyhawk fighter aircraft.
REL/20242

Different sides of objects tell different stories of aircraft at war. One side of the LW/AW radar – the sole surviving example in Australia – tells the story of the radar's development in Australia and how in 1945 Australia had one of the largest radar networks in the world extending as far as Borneo. But another side of the radar offers an insight into the technological details of how the equipment worked. A third side tells moving personal stories of the crews that manned and operated radars. These personal stories form the basis of the new gallery, focussing on all Australians who contributed to and participated in war.

Mustang
P-51D Mustang fighter aircraft.
REL/08388

Aircraft Hall traces a time of profound technological change in aircraft design, from the piston engine to jet fighters used in the Korean War. Drawing on the best of engineering materials, electronics, and skilled workers, the design of aircraft dramatically changed during the course of only a decade.

The Hall is not just about aircraft displays. It also incorporates a diversity of collection material, such as works of art, photographs, film, soundscapes, audio, and multi-media to tell the story of air power in the Pacific. A highlight is a wall-to-wall movie screen projection of rare film footage that includes coverage of US allies. There is also has a wall devoted entirely to the display of the Memorial's rich art collection.

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