South Australian Aviation Museum
Andy Thomas
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.
BadgerSpitfire
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.
ASA
Commercial Displays
SAAM has several commercial aviation displays, Guinea Airways, Ansett, models of commercial aircraft to name a few. We also have the forward fuselage section of BAe 146 (VH-NJL) formerly operated by Cobham Aviation Services. The BAe is open for visitors to inspect. Click here for our Commercial Aviation page (Early SA Aviation History)

radio operator
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.
gnome
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).
JonJohanson
Jon Johanson
Jon Johanson constructed a Van's RV-4 kit plane and then flew it around the world 3 times, setting several world records. He was the first person to fly a fixed wing aircraft over the south pole. The display features the aircraft and most of the awards he was presented with. Click here to find out more about the aircraft.
rocket
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 our Rockets in the Desert page.
mirage
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.
vimy propellor
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.
24 squadron
RAAF 24 Squadron
24 Squadron was formed in 1940 and saw action as a bomber sqadron in the Pacific in WW2. It was disbanded in 1946 and re-formed in 1951. From 1951 until 2010, it was a reserve squadron at Edinburgh (Adelaide). In 2010, it combined with Combat Support Unit as part of No.96 Wing, Combat Support Group.
Aero Club
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.
whitber engine
Wittber Engine
This is the first aircraft engine built in Australia. It was built by Carl (Bill) Wittber in 1915. It is a 6 cylinder engine based on the 3 cylinder Azani design. After the engine was completed, the government banned any further civilian attempts at flying. This so disheartened Wittber that he burnt the timber frame and covering of his aircraft and sold the engine. In his retirement, however, he did seek out the remaining parts of his engine, and reconstructed it.
Other Displays

Models
WW1
WW2 Europe
WW2 in the Pacific
Smith Bros. 1919 Flight
Australian Women Pilot's Association
HMAS Melbourne Model


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