SAAM has accumulated a large number of historically significant collections (see below). Our goal has always been to collect, catalogue and preserve items representing the aviation and space histories in South Australia. A small number of these items are on display at any one time, with the remainder being stored for reference, restoration projects and displays. SAAM is fully accredited with Museums Australia and conforms to its cataloguing and storage guidelines. SAAM also donates or trades items with other museums to assist them with their restoration projects.
If you have any aviation or space related items to donate, please
contact us. Please understand that SAAM will usually, but not always take donations, depending on our collection policy.
Aircraft
SAAM has 27 aircraft on public display plus three in restoration and three in storage for future restoration projects. The aircraft pictured here is our McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (RAAF A21-32 ARDU).
Click here to go to our Aircraft page.
Aircraft Parts
SAAM has a large collection of Aircraft Parts, some more than 100 years old. Many historically significant parts are on view in our themed displays and many more are in storage for preservation and for future displays. The part pictured here is a genuine WW2 Mitsubishi Zero gun sight (on display in our WW2 in the Pacific display).
Andy Thomas Collection
Andy studied at Adelaide University and worked at Lockheed in Atlanta, before joining NASA. He completed 4 missions in space and was Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office in Houston before retiring. Andy holds a number of honours and awards including Officer of the Order of Australia (OA). Our Andy Thomas collection is on display in hangar 1.
ARDU Collection
Our ARDU collection consists primarily of six of aircraft that have done service in the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). All six are on display in our hangars.
Click here to go to our ARDU page.
Badger Family Collection
The key exhibit of the Badger Family Collection is the Mark Vc Supermarine Spitfire EE853 A58-146 (UP-O). The collection also displays a large number of aviation artifacts and memorabilia.The Badger Family collection is on display in hangar 1.
Badges, Medals and Insignia
SAAM has a significant collection of Badges, Medals and Insignia. A small number are on display, where relevant to the display. The wings and ribbons pictured are from one of our uniforms (RAF group captain).
Communications Equipment
SAAM has a large collection of vintage communications equipment. A small number of items are on view in our themed displays and many more are in storage for preservation and for future displays.
Click here to go to our Communications Equipment page.
DVDs and VHS Tapes
More than 700 aviation related DVDs and VHS tapes in the collection.
Engines
SAAM has a large collection of aircraft engines, the oldest being our Gnome Monosoupape
Rotary c.1914, (pictured), which is still a 'runner'. We also have the first aircraft engine built in Australia, the Witber engine (1915). Both the Gnome and Witber engines are on display in hangar 1. Other engines are either on display or in storage.
Click here to go to our Engines page (which also has videos of some our engines running).
Log Books
Aviator Log Books and photocopies of other log books. Includes Log Books from Roy Gropler, Edward Gurr, R. Hawkes, A. Wedge (WW1).
Missiles and Rockets
We have a Blue Steel, Ikara, Matra R-530 and Seawolf on display. We also have a number of Woomera Test Rockets in our 'Rockets in the Desert' display as well as Woomera Range tracking instruments.
Click here to go to the Missiles page.
Click here to go to our Rockets in the Desert (Space) page.
Models
SAAM has more than 120 models on display, most of which are technically correct in livery and squadron markings. Our goal is to build up a collection of high quality models of all types flown by the RAAF (in 1:48 scale).
Click here to go to our models page.
Photos & Artworks
SAAM has a large collection of original photos and artwork going back more than 100 years. A small number of items are on view in our themed displays and many more are in storage for preservation and for future displays. SAAM also has a digital collection with more than 100,000 scanned or native digital photographs.
Click here to go to our Photos & Artworks page.
Pilot Equipment
SAAM has a historically significant collection of Pilot Equipment, including items from the Smith Bros. flight in 1919 and items belonging to Jimmy Melrose. Some are on view in our themed displays and many more are in storage for preservation and for future displays.
Click here to go to our Pilot Equipment page.
Propellors
SAAM has one of the largest collections of wooden propellors in Australia. Most are on display in Hangar 1. The propellor pictured here is from the Smith Bros. Vickers Vimy (after the fire). We also have a zeppelin airship propellor.
Click here to go to our Propellors page.
Royal Aero Club of S.A.
SAAM has a small collection of Royal Aero Club of S.A. memorabilia on display in Hangar 1. We have also just taken delivery of a ex. RACSA Victa Airtourer which is undergoing restoration. Eventually, this aircraft will form the centrepiece of a new RACSA display.
Technical Library
Technical handbooks: approximately 1,000 on subjects such as air frames, engines, operations manuals, etc.
Uniforms
SAAM has a historically significant collection of Uniforms, both military and commercial. Some are on view in our themed displays and many more are in storage for preservation and for future displays.
Click here to go to our Uniforms page.
