The Queensland Air Museum (QAM) has acquired Wirraway A20-652 for its collection as a result of a generous benefactor.
Almost three years ago the chairman of the John Villiers Trust contacted the Caloundra-based museum. Wishing to make a permanent memorial to the Queensland philanthropist, the trust proposed to fund the purchase of a Wirraway.
John Villiers’ link to the Wirraway began in 1939 when he and others were driving a large flock of sheep from Oondooroo to Winton in remote outback Queensland. Just as they had the sheep ready to pen, six Wirraways flew low overhead, scattering their flock. That night John was stunned to discover that WWII had broken out two weeks earlier, and he enlisted immediately.
Wirraway A20-652 was to have been flown from Adelaide to Caloundra by museum member Matthew Denning on 28 November last year, but bad weather postponed the flight until December 13. The flight departed from Parafield , stopping to refuel at Mildura, Griffiths, Narromine, Moree and Toowoomba. Fuel and costs for the flight amounted to nearly $7000.
“Security of tenure was one of the conditions of the John Villiers Trust,” QAM President Cliff Robinson said. “When the State Government announced Caloundra Airport would not be moved, it made the whole thing possible.
“The Wirraway is a very significant part of Australia’s aviation heritage, and we are delighted to have it, and to honour the memory of Mr. Villiers in this way. We are particularly grateful to the John Villiers Trust. Without its assistance the Queensland Air
Museum – a volunteer-based, unfunded organisation with no paid staff – could not
purchase such aircraft.”
John’s father, Thomas Villiers-Tuthill was an RAF pilot in WWI, his brother George a Battle of Britain pilot in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, who, on his last mission in his Fairey Swordfish, was hit over Rotterdam on 31 August 1940, killing all three crew. George had been due to be promoted to Lt. Commander.
His other brother Richard, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Sussex Regiment, was sent to Germany in the army of occupation. He was killed on 19 September 1947, the day before his 20th birthday, whilst rounding up Germans who had ‘gone underground’. John worked his passage to Australia from the UK in 1934 and served in the Army and RAAF in WWII and on discharge became a pastoralist.
A20-652 became known as ‘the eBay Wirraway’ in 2007, after its controversial acquisition following a court ruling in favour of its purchaser, John Smythe, off the internet auction site.
“We are especially grateful to the Caloundra RSL Sub-branch and the Caloundra Combined Ex-Servicewomen’s Association for their generous donation. Their financial support honours the memory not only of John Villiers – a veteran of WWII – but of Aussie flyers in all conflicts,” Robinson added.
The cost of purchasing the Wirraway was not disclosed, but Robinson said it is a six-figure sum. On arrival the aircraft will become a permanent exhibit in the Queensland Air Museum and will not fly, but may do engine runs. It is the first aircraft acquired by the museum to have been flown in.
QAM’s Wirraway A20-652 making its last flight after being ferried from South Australia to Caloundra. VH-WIR was flown by Matt Denning and it is seen here in company with the Caboolture Warplanes Museum’s A20-695, (VH-MFW). (QAM)
