While the closure of Caboolture Warplane Museum is sad indeed, the good news is that the story does not end there.
Caboolture Warplane Museum has been a tribute to the people and machines of Australia’s military and civil aviation heritage. Displays honoured aviation pioneers, including Queensland’s first Aboriginal fighter pilot, Leonard Waters, and women in aviation. There were also immersive experiences, such as sitting in the pilot’s seat of a Huey helicopter, and adventure flights in some of the iconic warplanes.
President of the Caboolture Warplane Museum Inc, Ross Parker, himself a former RAAF pilot, then a commercial pilot for many years, said the museum was the brainchild of a group of pilots who were in the warbird restoration business, and who remain determined to keep the legacy alive.
“The museum was never able to secure government support, so has had to be self-sufficient the whole time,” Ross said. “Unfortunately, that is no longer possible as the premises have changed hands and rent has increased drastically.
“Caboolture Warplane Museum Inc will continue as an entity. Our aim is to reopen in the future, even bigger and better, when permanent premises become available.
“In that regard, our main exhibits are being loaned to other aviation museums and can be recalled when needed. Our displays will help relatively new museums, such as Maryborough Military Aviation Museum and Charleville Airfield Museum, have a kickstart.
“Our job is to preserve these machines and memorabilia. We consider ourselves custodians, rather than owners, here to pass history on to the next generation.”
Flying On: Warbirds Still Taking to the Skies
As the home of the museum is emptied and some of the legacy is being shared, there is still an opportunity for people to experience the thrill of flying in ex-military aircraft.
Warplanes Pty Ltd, an adventure flight business associated with the Caboolture Warplane Museum (making it unique in that the public could fly in the exhibits), continues to operate. This ensures people can still experience flight in either an Australian RAAF WWII Wirraway or a North American T-28B Trojan.
For more information or to book a flight in one of these vintage military aircraft, visit warplanes.com.au
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Podcast Review: Wanging On Pocast
- Professional Surfing Returns for Biggest Gold Coast Open Yet
- Organic Gardening in February
- Tilapia in South East Queensland – A Great Target for Kids
- Unearthed Secrets
- Moreton Bay Expo Returns
- Grants to Help Moreton Bay Communities Thrive
- Caboolture Community Choir Calls for New Director
- Get In Line: Boostcootin’ Bash Is Back
- Blockbuster Fun Builds At Drive-In Movie Night
- Mexican Wedding Cakes
- The History of Mewett’s Boarding House on King Street
- Reliving the Stories of Beachmere
- Caboolture Fires Up for Lunar New Year
- Coming to Grips with Valentine’s Day
