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BOB VIGAR AND THE ALICE FUN FLYERS HAVE BEEN PIVOTAL IN SECURING A PLACE FOR
AEROMODELLING IN THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN AVIATION MUSEUM IN ALICE SPRINGS. IN
HIS ARTICLE BELOW, BOB SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE AEROMODELLING AND SPEAKS ABOUT
THE NEW MUSEUM PROJECT.
My Wings
Bob Vigar – Secretary
Aeromodelling was in my family
before I was born. My dad was a
keen modeller and a member of
the Royal Australian Air Force. My
brothers and I saw our first aircraft
on Kangaroo Island. It was a Tiger
Moth. I can still hear the very
distinct sound of the plane flying
over head. Birds and flight have
always fascinated me. I’ve dreamt
many times that I could fly!
Aeromodelling is a hobby and
now a sport. My hope is that many
people, particularly younger ones,
get this out-of-doors experience
and the thrill of the flight of a home
constructed model.
Aeromodelling improves hand
and eye coordination, helps you
understand physics, and the
importance of team work, learn
to cope with success and failure,
create 3D objects, learn to work
with plans and use hand tools.
It’s a wonderful form of self
expression that may gradually
lead you to a successful career as
a pilot, aircraft designer, aircraft
maintenance technician, or an
aerospace engineer.
I am delighted at the promotion
of aeromodelling by the model
Aeronautical Association of
Australia (MAAA).
Alice Springs is the best place to fly
with the 364 day perfect weather.
The wonderful blue sky is always a
treat and you can fly all facets of
aeromodelling: aircraft, copters
and rockets.
The Central Australian Aviation
Museum in Alice Springs has over
10,000 visitors a year. It realises
the importance of aeromodellers
in the past and their pioneering
work. Names like Eddie Connellan,
Hinkler, Hawker, Hargraves and
many more make up a rich history.
The museum recognises the
importance of aeromodelling and
has made space available for an
aeromodelling display. This display
has drawn input from all over
Australia namely from the MAAA,
local clubs, and model aircraft
wholesalers that linked in with my
gift and hobby shop, Under The
Gum Tree.
The display features the history
of aeromodelling in Australia
with photos, equipment, models,
stories and interactive items. It
is also supported with a recently
completed 12% scratch built scale
model of the Southern Cross, 25%
ARF scale model of a Spitfire and
also an MAAA flag.
Come and visit the Central
Australian Aviation Museum
located at 6 Memorial Avenue
in Alice Springs. For information
Have a flying holiday in Alice
Springs!