As a teacher (then in Western Australia) I managed to blag my way onto several History/Politics trips to Canberra. We'd visit the Australia Parliaments (old and new) and met the PM, but the highlight for me was the AWM. Very much like the IWM it contains incredible artefacts that represent the history of the Australian forces. A number of the Aircraft (Bf109G, Spitfire, Me262) are in there original wartime paint. Others have been painstakingly restored. Displays are creative, but lighting very subdued. Tripods are not allowed so one has to be "creative" propping up ones camera. I used a bunch of keys, coins, and the timer to get the long exposures needed. Well worth a visit.
Starting with a slightly blurry shot of the most poignant aviation related artefact, the control stick from Manfred von Richtofen's Fokker Dr1, the stick that he was holding when brought down behind Australian lines. He was still alive when the first troops reached him.
AWM Richtofen's control column. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM SE5a and Albatros. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Albatros D.Va. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Pfaltz D.XII. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Avro 504K A3-4. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM SE5a. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Airco DH9A. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
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Re: Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
Perhaps the AWM's most famous aircraft exhibit G for George flew to Australia via Canada having completed 90 operations for 460 Squadron RAAF. It toured Australia as part of the 3rd Victory Loan tour and was assembled in the AWM in 1955.
AWM Lancaster I W4783 G for George. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Bf-109 G-6. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Bf-109 detail. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Spitfire. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Me-262 A-2a. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Me-262 detail. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Kittyhawk A29-133. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mitsubishi A6M2. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Wirraway A20-103 by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mustang A68-648. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mosquito PR. 41 A52-319. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Sea Fury FB 11 VX730. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Iroquois A2-1019 by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Lancaster I W4783 G for George. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Bf-109 G-6. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Bf-109 detail. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Spitfire. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Me-262 A-2a. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Me-262 detail. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Kittyhawk A29-133. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mitsubishi A6M2. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Wirraway A20-103 by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mustang A68-648. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Mosquito PR. 41 A52-319. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Sea Fury FB 11 VX730. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM Iroquois A2-1019 by Mark Smith, on Flickr
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Re: Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
Finally a few shots of the Commemorative Courtyard, the Hall of Memory and the Pool of Reflection, with the Eternal Flame.
Australian War Memorial by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM closing ceremony by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM The Unknown Australian Soldier. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
102000 namesof Australian troops killed in the line of duty line the panels of the Roll of Honour.
AWM Roll of Honour. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
Australian War Memorial by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM closing ceremony by Mark Smith, on Flickr
AWM The Unknown Australian Soldier. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
102000 namesof Australian troops killed in the line of duty line the panels of the Roll of Honour.
AWM Roll of Honour. by Mark Smith, on Flickr
- aviationanoraks
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Re: Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
Thank you for sharing these, I didn’t realise there were so many aircraft at the Memorial.
The outdoor photos are very sobering.
The outdoor photos are very sobering.
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Re: Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
Very nice. I was there last month and thought it was excellent - we only popped in for a look but stayed most of the afternoon. There are some really good Peter Jackson audio visual shows now, which may have been added since your visit. Most definitely worth a visit.
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Re: Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009
The Peter Jackson film accompanying the Great War aircraft was pretty new when we first went. It's beautifully shot, and heartbreaking.