Corby Starlets at Tocumwal

[Bill]

Last weekend I flew from Bathurst to Tocumwal to join a group of Corby Starlet owners, the event being to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the first flight of the Corby. Thirteen Corby’s were present, two locally based, the rest flying in from as far as Yamba and Port Lincoln.

The resident airpark owners were very welcoming and made hangar space available, so that all the visitors Corby’s were under cover at night. Most visitors arrived Friday and were able to join local aero club members to reacquaint and chat over evening drinks.

Saturday’s program was informal and relaxed. Some Starlet aerobatics and formation flying. Some visited the aviation museum (featuring Tocumwal’s incredible history as a WW2 B24 Liberator maintenance base). Late in the afternoon the museum’s Winjeel provided a twenty-minute aerobatic display. A well attended dinner at the golf club completed the day.

Most departed Sunday morning, with an airpark fly past as a gesture of appreciation to our hosts.

[facthunter]

Did anyone take a count of the Number that were Jabiru Powered? . THAT motor seems a good Match for the Plane and the Planes speed looks after the engine cooling.  Were there any gliders around? . Nev

[Bill]

My guess, 7 - 8 were VW (including mine), the others Jabiru powered. I didn't see gliders Sat & left before they would have started Sunday.

[Blueadventures]

Nice gathering.

[FlyBoy1960]

great to see a little bit of activity and groups getting together. It has really been too quiet, for too long, and with fuel (diesel) passing $3 per litre today with unleaded not far behind it won't be long until the annual gatherings are the only flight we can afford to do in the year.

[skippydiesel]

Did I miss this event being posted / promoted on this Forum before it took place?

 

As FlyBoy1960 commented "great to see a little bit of activity and groups getting together. It has really been too quiet, for too long, ....." If we don't know about it, how can we participate?

 

😈

[440032]

6xVW, 7xJabiru 2200.

6xRAAus, 7xVH.

Approx 60 in Australia, approx 20 VH.

It was a gathering, not a public advertised event.

Edited September 23 by 440032

[skippydiesel]

7 hours ago, 440032 said:

6xVW, 7xJabiru 2200.

6xRAAus, 7xVH.

Approx 60 in Australia, approx 20 VH.

It was a gathering, not a public advertised event.

Gathering?  I take it private?

 

Why are you now promoting the "gathering" on a public forum, after the fact?

 

😈

 

 

[facthunter]

He's just answering questions asked and Corbys are an interesting plane. All wood and aerobatic. This section is the home of aviation for ALL aircraft Pilots. It's at the top of the Page. Tocumwal is a very Historic Place also.   Thanks for posting, Bill. Nev.

[Blueadventures]

Nice to read about your nice catchup with Corby mates, I've only seen one close up years ago (Yenn's at Rodds Bay.)

 

Don't take any notice of any pessimistic and cynical remarks from any of our jaded posters. 

 

It's nice to hear real life and aviation happenings, rather than regurgitated debates.

 

Cheers.

 

[skippydiesel]

"Don't take any notice of any pessimistic and cynical remarks from any of our jaded posters. "

 

Our interest / sport is shrinking. Numbers are plummeting, the average age is increasing. Gender representation polarising. 

 

Fly-Ins/ Competitions/ Brunches /Casual get -to- gether's, (all welcome) were once common weekend events, now few & far between.

 

While it's always great to read / talk about aircraft , its disappointing when one group, opt for exclusivity, rather than inclusion.

 

All private pilots should be encouraging / promoting and including, taking every opportunity to welcome all, in a spirit of unity.

 

😈

[facthunter]

Just words that you "mouth" that you don't live by yourself. You are about the Biggest critic of things  other than what YOU claim are what people should like and want to fly.. A group of people of a special interest have the right to Hold an exclusive event IF THEY WISH TO.. It's not any of your business. I remember well your shameful 'Pile on' the Spirit. You are behaving like a control freak.  Nev

[facthunter]

Special   Interest groups can Liase and sort things out  relating  to their Particular Types of  Aircraft. It has a very real safety aspect for them.  Nev

[danny_galaga]

Fantastic. Such a lovely looking aircraft ❤️

[440032]

The aircraft flew into a public airport but the gathering was at a private airpark property, hosted by an airpark resident, graciously assisted by a few other airpark residents.

None had the desire or capacity to deal with a public invitation/attendance event which would have also probably required council involvement/approval. Simple as that.

[skippydiesel]

3 hours ago, 440032 said:

The aircraft flew into a public airport but the gathering was at a private airpark property, hosted by an airpark resident, graciously assisted by a few other airpark residents.

None had the desire or capacity to deal with a public invitation/attendance event which would have also probably required council involvement/approval. Simple as that.

 

My first  & second points have  already been made;

• Private affairs have no business being mentioned in a public Forum.
• When ever possible make your fly-in, an all welcome occasion (not the avoidance of the word event, which seems to have connotation's for you/possibly others).
• Your having yourself on if you think that the Council could care less/needs to be involved, in a casual fly-in, of say an additional 6-12 aircraft, to a designated public airfield.
• No one want to impose on a private individuate/gathering - this would not have stopped the above + 6-12 aircraft from having an excuse to fly into Tocumwal.

Its a good thing that other "special interest" groups are not so elitist, that they don't welcome  diffrent aircraft.

 

I had a great time/made welcome at the Antique Aircraft/Ford Customline, Leeton Fly-In a few weeks ago as one of  about 6 "modern" aircraft that joined in. Even have an invite to the next at;

Antique Aeroplane 2026 Spring Fly-in & AGM, Wentworth, NSW

If you want to go privet/exclusive - good on yah! Just don't then write about it on a public forum, if you don't want feedback from the likes of me.

 

😈

 

 

[facthunter]

You don't "get it" Skip. because you don't LISTEN.   The "eletist" assertion is a below the Belt comment often used as a justification  by the" IF We can't ALL  go,  nobody should, brigade. Also, Everything has to be done YOUR way OR you're on and on about it. You are not the Oracle. You are, like all others, able to state YOUR opinion but have no right  to  insist on compliance to the strange world of rules you live by, by all and sundry. Your so called feed back is just abuse in most cases. Why do you keep on bringing up the "Public Forum" thing?  Nev

[BurnieM]

I have no problems with invitation only flyins being mentioned in public forums and I welcome after event reports including photos.

 

[JMLIS]

Great to hear the information about a lovely aeroplane, private events are quite welcome in my world.

[skippydiesel]

Fascinatimg!

• You want to promote your make & model BUT don't want to invite "outsiders - there's logic for you
• Presumably you would like to promate recreational/private flying BUT you don't want any "outsiders" being part of your little world, so best not "risk it" - more questionable logice.
• You know all there is to know about your aircraft, so no point in risking any non conforming information /questions - good thinking?
• You do want to crow, post event, about your exclusive little tribal meeting, - to what practical end????

There is nothing wrong with a private aircraft event, any more than a family gathering. Just wonder why it's thought to be appropriate to post the family snapshots on a public forum. 

Silly me we live in the age of "Facebook" where everyone things its "cool" to tell the World all about your private comings & goings (sick!)

 

😈

[Thruster88]

28 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Fascinatimg!

 

Silly me we live in the age of "Facebook" where everyone things its "cool" to tell the World all about your private comings & goings (sick!)

 

😈

I recall you have posted occasionally in TELL US ABOUT YOUR LAST FLIGHT, presumably these are private flights. I enjoy reading about others private flight, gatherings, aircraft building, maintenance, accidents and anything else to do with aviation. Sharing is good.

[facthunter]

Family snapshots? You are off your brain using such an analogy. Skip. Those things are Little AEROPLANES and  the owners and 0ften the Builders, who actually Flew them to an organised gathering they chose to arrange and should have been able to post Pics of it without fearing the put down and Pile on you are Responsible for on this matter.. Variety is the spice of life. It would be a lesser world if  we all wanted the same. Would it be OK to have a FORD "T" rally or  would that be eletist. ? 

 Any Private aircraft activity at all  should be encouraged, HERE.

 

[Kiwi]

Anyone know what happened to this Corby CJ-1 Starlet?

 

Originally VH-WDJ Serial number V10

(Third Starlet built) but it was put on the RAAus register years ago. 

[facthunter]

Be an early one wouldn't it. Nev

[facthunter]

Norm Edmunds built one at Kyneton which everyone in SAA got to see the Progress on. It had a Jab 2200 Motor. Theo Van Alkemaide  had a VW powered One at Lethbridge, which I helped him work on as we were pretty good Mates. He was Notable for Being Minus a right Lower leg and his Left Arm. Nonetheless he Managed to fly the Corby OK, and also flew Gliders. He kept his sock up on the right leg  with drawing Pins. I think he MADE about 84 years .  I remember him getting his OBE. which he said Meant Over Bloody Eighty. RIP Theo.  Yenn,  who was on this form also had and flew a Corby. Nev