A new display at Hinkler Hall of Aviation explores Bundaberg-born aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler’s daring days as a test pilot in the United Kingdom.
Bert: Out of the Archives III – Test Pilot Days at Hamble is the third exhibition in the popular series that examines aspects of Bert Hinkler’s life and achievements through previously unexhibited items from the Hinkler Hall of Aviation Memorabilia Trust Collection.
This exhibition of photographs, newspaper articles and sketches has been specially curated to delve deeper into the years 1921 to 1926 when Bert served as a Chief Test Pilot for English aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co (Avro Company).
Bundaberg Regional Council Tourism, Airport and Information Technology Services portfolio spokesperson Councillor Steve Cooper said the exhibition offered fascinating insights into Bert’s role in the development of modern aviation.
“Bert Hinkler is a figure that looms large in Bundaberg’s history for his world-record-setting feats, but it wasn’t daring alone that led to Bert’s success,” Cr Cooper said.
“He was an outstanding mathematician and inventor, with an in-depth understanding of how planes worked and could be improved.
“This exhibition draws on the Hinkler Hall of Aviation’s extensive collection of archival material to shine a light on this important part of Bert’s career that informed his later long-range flying attempts.”
Bert: Out of the Archives III – Test Pilot Days at Hamble is on display in the Lex Rowland Gallery at Hinkler Hall of Aviation and is free to visit.
Cr Cooper said visitors and locals alike would find plenty to interest them in the exhibition.
“Whether you’ve been to Hinkler Hall of Aviation a dozen times, or this is your first visit, I encourage everyone to spend some time in the Out of the Archives exhibition,” he said.
“There is such a wealth of material in the archives that it can’t all be displayed, and many of the fragile and vulnerable records can only be displayed for short periods.
“Exhibitions like this give us an opportunity to see many never before seen historic records that are usually kept safely housed in our archives.”
Bert: Out of the Archives III – Test Pilot Days at Hamble is on display from Friday 7 February to Saturday 3 May, open 9 am to 3 pm each day.
Entry to the exhibition is free, however entry fees apply for the Hinkler Hall of Aviation main exhibition hall.
Hinkler Hall of Aviation is in Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, 6 Mount Perry Road, Bundaberg North.
