It is so easy to miss some very import places to visit. Shellharbour is one of those places.
Shellharbour Village is the old seaside settlement with descendants of the original migrants still living in the area. We met one lady at the Visitors Information Centre, and the family has the history of ariving here on sailing ships, coming ashore, marrying (almost instantly) and raising their families. Tough times built a rough and tumble society including home stills providing whisky (??) to the original inhabitants.
So, besides the history of the village, there are three more important historical sites, the wreck of a ship, a light rail museum and of interest to David and myself, HARS.
This museum restores all sorts of aircraft, mostly military, both for display and flying to various airshows on the East Coast.
The most famous aircraft is Connie - the only remaining flying Super Constellation. How things have changed in our life times. It would taken a years salary for the average worker to purchase a one way ticket to London. Now we see international flight more like a bus service. Connie is a real crowd drawing aircraft. This was the first really
Beach Shellharbour Southsuccessful commercial airliner that could travel relatively big distances while carrying passengers in comfort.
There are two restored Caribou military aircraft. These aircraft could land and take off from most any clear paddock, climb incredibly fast, and carry troops, land rovers, or stretchers as required as well as dropping loads from the rear ramp.
Aussies and Kiwis are both familiar with flying boats, both during WW2 and in commercial service subsequently. Slow, yes, but a huge capacity to stay aloft for extended periods of time, more than 24 hours in some configurations.
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