WIX Archives
Re: and whaleworld in Austalia (I think)
Posted by Andy Wright on Sat Aug 24, 2002 01:31:34 AM
In reply top Re: and whaleworld in Austalia (I think) posted by Mich on Fri Aug 23, 2002 09:36:30 PM
Hi guys
Unfortunately, since the death of John Bell over 5 years ago, there hasn't really been any major push/organisation towards completing the Cat, Vengeance or ex-RAAF OS2U Kingfisher (!). Whaleworld, in Albany, Western Australia for those interested, is quite a well run place and, I believe, the aircraft were the pride and joy of Mr Bell. I contacted them back in the second half of 99 to volunteer to help work on them. I did get a reply by phone several times including details about living on site and being reimbursed for the periods of time that I would be there. It was at this time that I learnt that there was no real "team" regularly working on the aircraft. This didn't put me off, but after saying I was keen and would go down (living in Bunbury at the time, about a 4 hour drive) regularly, I never heard back from them.
Since then I've met and become good friends with the owners of Aerobuild in York and have worked on Tiger Moths, Stearman, Dove and Winjeel....and having a ball working with one of the leading restorers in the country. Haven't followed up on Whaleworld cos I'm busy enough helping out elsewhere!
If anyone in Western Australia has restoration knowledge and qualifications (I am unskilled labour!), perhaps we could put a team together to help Whaleworld?
Cheers
Andy