Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 2009

[Vickers Warwick]

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

[Vickers Warwick]

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

[Vickers Warwick]

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

[aviationanoraks]

Thank you for sharing these, I didn’t realise there were so many aircraft at the Memorial.
The outdoor photos are very sobering.

[stickshaker]

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.

[Vickers Warwick]

The Peter Jackson film accompanying the Great War aircraft was pretty new when we first went. It's beautifully shot, and heartbreaking.