Caboolture Warplane Museum – Review

Team TSW went on a road trip over the weekend and visited the two museum north of Brisbane – Caboolture Warplane Museum and the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra. This review specifically covers the Caboolture Warplane Museum however, the Queensland Air Museum review is coming soon!

Caboolture Warplane Museum is located approximately 40 minutes outside of Brisbane on the fringe of the Caboolture airport. The museum’s collection is fairly small given it resides in a single hangar however, the main displays held within the hangar include WWII era aircraft such as the P-51D Mustang and the CAC Wirraway. An impressive fact about these aircraft is that they are maintained in a flying condition and can be hired for joy flights.  Check out their website if you are interested in going for a flight!

P-51D Mustang CAC Wirraway

For the mechanically inclined, the museum also features a large section of old prop and jet engines covering the war years up to the present day. On the mezzanine above, there is a German V1 rocket.

F-111 cockpit module interior

In the back of the hangar is an original F-111 cockpit module with the canopy open so visitors can admire the instruments and bomb scope. The highlight for TSW however was the Australian Army Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter which is open and allows visitors to climb inside the helicopter (although the cockpit is restricted). The museum staff were highly knowledgeable about the aircraft on display and we were treated to several interesting stories about the Army’s past and future in rotary wing aviation.

Huey cockpit Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey)

As an added bonus, outside of the hangar is a Douglas DC-3 which has been earmarked for restoration by a small company named Complete Aircraft Care. According to the museum staff this aircraft will be flyable within three years (this is quite an achievement given the aircraft’s current status).

DC-3 awaiting restoration

Entry to the museum is $10 for adults which is good value for money considering you can climb inside the legendary Huey. If you are in the area and have a passion for aviation, the Caboolture Warplane Museum is definitely worth a look in. See their contact details below:

http://www.caboolturewarplanemuseum.com/

TSW Ratings

Collection – 3/5

Presentation – 3.5/5

Value – 4.5/5