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Airservices helps fly ‘Smithy’s plane’ again
AIRSERVICES announced at the recent Wings Over Illawarra Airshow it would contribute a further $10 000 to assist the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) complete its restoration of the Southern Cross II replica aircraft.
The Southern Cross was — probably Australia’s most famous aircraft and which now rests in a special viewing hangar at Brisbane Airport – was heroically flown in 1928 by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm to make the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by air, touching down in Brisbane from San Francisco. 
The restoration to full flight status of the Southern Cross II Fokker F.VIIb/3m tri-motor replica is being carried out at the society’s aviation museum at Albion Park Airport, Wollongong.
Airservices manager for East Coast Services Sydney, Roger Chambers, said the donation would help promote the significant contribution made by the Southern Cross and its crew to Australia’s aviation history.
“Airservices is a proud sponsor of the Southern Cross II restoration project and we can’t wait to see this significant aircraft return to the air and visit airports around the country in the near future,” Mr Chambers said.
“While we continue to support general aviation and maintain Australia’s aviation heritage, this donation is important to Airservices as it ensures that future generations can admire the feats of Australia’s pioneer aviators.”
The Wings Over Illawarra Airshow attracted more than 20 000 spectators and the Southern Cross II replica made up part of this year’s Airservices display stand and is one of the many HARS aircraft on display at the airshow.
“We are again grateful for the significant contribution from Airservices towards our restoration of the Southern Cross II,” HARS restoration manager, Geoff Timms said.
“Once the Southern Cross II returns to the skies, the aircraft will embark on a national tour to educate the nation on Smithy’s achievements.”
As part of its commitment to preserving aviation heritage, Airservices also sponsors the Civil Aviation Historical Society and The Airways Museum located at Essendon Airport.
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