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Thread: A nostalgic trip back in time - Vicker Vimy

  1. #1

    Default A nostalgic trip back in time - Vicker Vimy

    Now that South Australia has COVID pretty much under control we are starting to come out of lock-down and public spaces are opening up again. This meant that I could finally make a trip into the Adelaide Public Library to see the 'Heroes of the Skies' exhibition.

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    The exhibition was a fascinating collection of memorabilia from the life of Ross & Keith Smith and, of course, their epic flight from England to Australia.

    But for me, the hero piece was the large scale (1/12) model of the Vimy itself:

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    The model is usually housed behind glass in a display area on the side of the hangar where the full sized aircraft is displayed at the Adelaide Airport.

    Now, my trip back in time: The last time I stood this close to the model was when my father (Max Starick) was putting the finishing touches to this gigantic model which he and a fellow aeromodeller, Bob Howie, had been commissioned to build for the fund raising committee back in 1956. I was born in 1948 - I'll leave you do do the maths!!

    I can still remember him hand carving the two four bladed propellers - he was a real craftsman and a meticulous builder, so much so that after he died my brother and I fielded many requests from modellers Who wanted to buy the radio controlled aircraft that were still in his hobby room!

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    The base of the model is an aerial view of the suburb that was once the open fields where the Smith brothers touched down all of those years ago.
    Last edited by Biggles downunder; 06-26-2020 at 00:46.

  2. #2

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    That must be a great feeling of pride to be up close and personal with such a large scale model that your dad had a hand in building, particularly when it's of a historic machine that's on display for all to see his handiwork. What a corker !

    "He is wise who watches"

  3. #3

  4. #4

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    Wow! Thanks for sharing the pictures, and your personal back story of this superb looking model. Glad you were finally able to get out to enjoy the exhibit, and revisit the model.

  5. #5

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    Fantastic display, and story to go with it. Thanks for sharing.

  6. #6

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    Great story and pics.
    Thanks for sharing.

    I had a polythene Vickers Vimy when I was 9 or 10, but it disappeared when my parents moved 40 years ago.

  7. #7

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    Wow, must be great having a close connection to a piece of history like this. Thanks for sharing.

  8. #8

    Thumbs up

    Great story & memories there Wayne no wonder you are proud!

  9. #9

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    That looks a very good exhibition and you must be so proud that your father was involved in building that model.

  10. #10

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    Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory. Must have been an amazing experience for you to see the model again so up close. A very proud moment indeed

  11. #11

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    Thanks for sharing!

    Great to see a family legacy still on Public display.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  12. #12

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    Nice post. Did your father ever make a model of his ship in WWII, HMAS Adelaide?

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by Baxter View Post
    Nice post. Did your father ever make a model of his ship in WWII, HMAS Adelaide?
    No he never did. His passion for things with wings ruled supreme!

  14. #14

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    Great model and great story!

    In 1994 a Vimy flew from England to Australia along the same path of the famed 1919 flight. The trailer of the commemorative movie stops on a model... your model?

    https://www.films.com/id/26284

    When the plane stopped at the Roma Urbe airfield, my friend Gregory had a chanche to fly on her. His comments on her maneuvrability, or lack of it, helped me shape the maneuvre decks of Wings of War/Glory bombers.

  15. #15

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    Thanks for sharing pictures of the exhibition. As others have already said, it was wonderful to hear your personal connection to the 1/72 model.

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Windy Jack View Post
    Thanks for sharing pictures of the exhibition. As others have already said, it was wonderful to hear your personal connection to the 1/72 model.
    Aaa, it was 1/12 scale but he did also build a 1/72 scale model that he then photographed against a suitable background for the cover of a book written about the flight.

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    Last edited by Biggles downunder; 06-28-2020 at 02:28.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Angiolillo View Post
    Great model and great story!

    In 1994 a Vimy flew from England to Australia along the same path of the famed 1919 flight. The trailer of the commemorative movie stops on a model... your model?

    https://www.films.com/id/26284

    When the plane stopped at the Roma Urbe airfield, my friend Gregory had a chanche to fly on her. His comments on her maneuvrability, or lack of it, helped me shape the maneuvre decks of Wings of War/Glory bombers.
    Hi Andrea, I remember seeing that documentary a long time ago but don’t recall that scene. I’ll have to track it down and watch closely!



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