What started off as a hobby for twelve combat veterans has now grown into 1500-member strong club and an exciting museum, stocked with classic planes dating from the early 20th century to the Korean War. A fascinating memorabilia hall kicks off the tour and is filled with artefacts such as early calvary style uniforms, actual Japanese battle flags, real flight plans and medals. Then you’re free to roam through three hangars, one housing a restoration workshop, manned by many retired veterans and aerospace engineers, and the other two housing vintage aircraft from WWII and more modern planes from the Vietnam and Korean War. The VAC’s flagship, the Tico Belle , a 1942 C-47A that dropped paratroopers at the D-Day landings, sits combat ready next to a restored Top Gun Grumman Wildcat that took over 30,000 man-hours to restore.
In March, the museum hosts family-friendly Air Show when combat veterans togged up in their old military outfits put on a three-hour aerial display and offer the next generation of ace airmen a chance to fly in a unique piece of history.
Alternatively drop by between 8am and 11am on the second Saturday of the month and enjoy a slap-up breakfast ($8 per person) with veterans and pilots at trestle tables set out beneath vintage wings.
