One of the first aircraft we saw in the HARS collection was this Neptune.
P2V-7 Neptune at HARS by
RobGeraghty, on Flickr
Although the Neptune was operated by the ADF, this aircraft is actually from the French armed forces. One of the features of the Neptune which I learned about on the tour of HARS was the 70 million candlepower searchlight in the starboard tip-tank. You can see it in the distance on the left side of the photo. I also found out that the Grumman Tracker has a similar light.
---------- Post added 22-03-20 at 11:49 AM ----------
Originally posted by SSGGeezer Up until several years ago there were copies flying so a pilot could spend some big dollars and get a type rating in a Connie. Maybe not a super constellation though. I would love to get a ride in one!
Although Connie is capable of carrying passengers, none are flown, sadly. I'll post a couple more photos of Connie. I think there are some aircraft elsewhere in the world which are close to flying condition but not currently operable.
---------- Post added 22-03-20 at 11:59 AM ----------
HARS Neptune A87-293 by
RobGeraghty, on Flickr
This is the main flying Neptune in the HARS collection, and was formerly operated by the ADF. You can see the front of one of the two jet engines which were used for extra thrust when it was required. The jet engines couldn't be operated continuously because they used the same high lead content fuel as the main engines, which could damage the turbine.
The brown dust on the top of the aircraft is ash from the recent bushfires.
---------- Post added 22-03-20 at 12:09 PM ----------
Remove before flight by
RobGeraghty, on Flickr
Don't forget to take the chicken off the pitot tube before flight! This Canberra trainer A84-502 is a static display at HARS and sadly not in flying condition. The round windows on the canopy somehow remind me of Snoopy wearing goggles!
---------- Post added 22-03-20 at 12:33 PM ----------
Super Constellation interior by
RobGeraghty, on Flickr
Clearly there's a lot of work going on inside the Super Constellation, but this gives you an idea of the interior. The seats were actually donated to HARS from Qantas and came from a Boeing 767.