A Centennial of Flight 2003

'Salute to the Duigan Brothers'

December 17, 2003

Page 1 of 2 | Page 2 of 2 - Last Updated December 24, 2003

"Blue Sky Dreaming"

When clicked, screen shots reveal a printable A4 (8x10inch) sized image

Prof. John Bird explains the purpose of the blue ribbon attached to each person's name tag

The blue ribbons are a symbol of "Blue Sky Dreaming" - the quest to explore the unknown. John then encourages the assembly to tie their ribbons to low lying branches of closeby trees as a symbol of this special day

Photo : PC1030757 ©Julie Bird

Sir Thomas Webb ties the first blue ribbon to the tree near the "First Flight" monument as a symbol of "Blue Sky Dreaming"

Photo : P1030776 ©Russ Naughton

John Dennis Duigan ties his blue ribbon to the tree near the "First Flight" monument as a symbol of "Blue Sky Dreaming"

Photo : PC177809 ©Julie Bird

Children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School tie their ribbons to the trees nearby

Photo : PC177765 ©Julie Bird

One of the Duigan/Robertson/Peck family children ties her ribbon

Photo : PC177784 ©Julie Bird

Ribbons representing "Blue Sky Dreaming"

Photo : P1030784 ©Russ Naughton

Sir Thomas Webb and family

Photo : P1030777 ©Russ Naughton

Sir Thomas Webb talks with children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School

Photo : PC177777 ©Julie Bird

Guests talk with guest aeromodeller Colin Parker about his replica of Reg Duigan's model aeroplane of 1909

The "First Flight" monument is seen in the background

Read more about this early Australian model aeroplane

Photo : P1030785 ©Russ Naughton

Kenneth Wilson from GMAC, the Greensborough Model Aicraft Club examines Colin Parker's replica of Reg Duigan's model aeroplane of 1909

Photo : PC177792 ©Julie Bird

Colin Parker must have had a good response to his model making skills

Photo : PC177797 ©Julie Bird

Aeromodeller Bob Hickman chats with one of the children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School

Photo : PC177803 ©Julie Bird

Guests talk with Aerosonde's Dennis Hipperson about this state of the art 21st century aircraft.

Read more about Aerosonde

Photo : P1030788 ©Russ Naughton

Finally, families, guests and children and teachers from Redesdale-Mia Mia School gather together at the local Mia Mia sports ground for afternoon tea and some great model aeroplane flying

John Dennis Duigan addresses family and friends

Photo : PC177844 ©Julie Bird

An attentive audience as John Dennis Duigan addresses family and friends

Photo : PC177851 ©Julie Bird

Sir Thomas Webb listens as John Dennis Duigan addresses family and friends

Photo : PC177848 ©Julie Bird

Ann Galway and Ellis Knight listen as John Dennis Duigan addresses family and friends

Photo : PC177854 ©Julie Bird

The flying begins with the children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School gathering on the oval of the Mia Mia recreation ground to fly the gliders given to them by Dick Hargrave

Children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School gather to fly the gliders given to them by Dick Hargrave

Photo : PC177815 ©Julie Bird

Children from Redesdale-Mia Mia School gather on the "Flight Line" to fly the gliders given to them by Dick Hargrave

Photo : PC177821 ©Julie Bird

The Principal of Redesdale-Mia Mia School watches over his 'brood'

Photo : PC177820 ©Julie Bird

One of the test pilots from Redesdale-Mia Mia School on the "Flight Line"

Photo : PC177825 ©Julie Bird

By now the spectators are lining up for the highlight of the day the modellers from the Australian Electric Flight Association (AEFA)

But first - some vintage flying by Gary Sunderland and his replica of Reg Duigan's model aeroplane of 1909

Gary Sunderland's replica of Reg Duigan's model aeroplane of 1909

Then straight into the future with Colin Kahn's high speed delta wing

Finally THE big event of the day - the flight of the 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910.

Made by Neil Hardiman with the assistance of Bob Hickman, this is, to our knowlege, the first flying model of this most famous of all Australian aircraft

Neil Hardiman (left), Bob Hickman ready the 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910

Ready to take off - Neil Hardiman's 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910

Take Off - Neil Hardiman's 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910

Banking - Neil Hardiman's 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910

Success !! - Neil Hardiman and Bob Hickman and their 1/6th scale replica of John and Reginald Duigan's Pusher Biplane of 1910

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