Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Canada | Museum

Queensland Air Museum had its beginnings in 1973 when a group of aviation enthusiasts who comprised the Queensland Branch of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia decided to "put their money where their mouths were" and do something about preserving Australia's aviation heritage by purchasing a Canberra bomber. The fact that the fledgling Museum had no suitable site to display such an aircraft was not allowed to stand in the way of their enthusiasm! As a result of the considerable media publicity which followed, the Canberra was moved to the new "Pioneer Valley Park" horse-drawn vehicle Museum at Kuraby where it was placed on display at the invitation of the Hunter family. The Canberra was officially unveiled on 2nd June 1974 thus inaugurating the Queensland Air Museum. Almost exactly one year later, the collection doubled in size with the arrival of Meteor WD647. The Museum's second aircraft acquisition was in complete contrast to the first in that it was an outright gift from the British Government, whereas the Canberra had to be purchased from the Australian Government. The Meteor was destined never to join the Canberra at Kuraby, for sadly "Pioneer Valley Park" closed, and QAM found itself thrust into a nomadic existence which was to last for another 10 years! It is a lasting tribute to the members involved that the Museum survived the tribulations that followed.