“I Actually Found It Quite Interesting!”

Good Friday was definitely the day that we wanted to keep out of the way of the wedding preparations, whilst the last minute family arrangements went on. We had little plan of what we wanted to do, other than realising that the city would be mainly “closed” because of Easter. The forecast was OK and whilst we had been in the Tourist Information Centre the previous day I had idly picked up a brochure for Australia’s “primary” Aviation Museum. It was at Moorabbin airport only 10 minutes from where we were staying and with a slight hesitancy I suggested that we could drive past on our way to the coast to see what it looked like, and so the plan was made.

From the outside it looked like a graveyard for airframe hulks, not a good indicator in my experience for what might be concealed. We parked adjacent to the other car in the car park and I said I didn’t think it would be worth the entrance fee. However, insistence was forthcoming that I should investigate, as postcards could be written whilst I indulged. Two middle-aged, gentlemen aviation enthusiasts greeted me, in the reception, and a “concession” rate was quickly allowed, so low that I purchased 2 tickets because of the invite for my wife to use the lounge facilities whilst I perused. An interesting conversation ensued about the model of the DH 88 Comet hanging in the lounge (G-ACSS for the cognoscenti) that had won the 1934 England to Australia air race. It had a tail wheel not a tailskid, which identified it as a model of the replica, not the original, but at least the two guys knew of it as belonging to the Shuttleworth collection – small world.

The museum itself was a delightful example of aviation enthusiasm, but had the one piece that had originally caught my attention, a mostly intact Bristol Beaufighter. There were lots of snippets of Australian aviation history, and full value for money was obtained for both of us. I explained the differences between some of the aero engines on display and pointed out interesting features on a few of the aircraft, expecting a barely stifled yawn, but later the following day, when recounting to the locals what we had done whilst not under supervision, you could have knocked me down with a feather when the words: “I actually found it quite interesting” were uttered. RAF Museum, Science Museum, and Imperial War Museum here we come!

We went on for a beach picnic, came across the national sandcastle sculpture competition, and cruised gently home seeking Friday’s fish and chip shop, which turned out to be a mere 200 yards from the apartment. Everything was freshly cooked as we waited and as usual included chips to feed an army. I may eventually learn to leave food, but only when I grow up! Strangely, we didn’t have to collapse into bed that evening.