‘Flying by the seat of their pants’ is not something airline passengers wish for or expect from pilots on approach to or departure from King Island, but it is an appropriate turn of phrase for a new exhibition in the King Island Airport terminal.
The touring exhibition, which focuses on pioneering aviation in Bass Strait from 1919-39, was created as a collaborative project between the Flinders Island Furneaux Museum and the Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society (TAHS), based in Launceston. The TAHS’ objective is to recognise, document, and promote aviation history of Tasmania, including King Island.
The King Island Historical Society was keen to be involved with this unique touring exhibition.
“The touring exhibition started about a year ago on Flinders Island and went on to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston before making its full 180 to King Island,” KIHS president Luke Agati said.
“The King Island Historical Society is proud to be part of this unique exhibition and to have been made an Honorary Member of the Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society.”
TAHS president Andrew Johnson said the exhibition had come together well in the airport terminal space.
“We are very excited about the potential exposure the displays will have over the summer period,” he said.
“Being able to display the exhibition Flying by the Seat of their Pants on King Island was important, allowing us to share these pioneer aviation stories with the community of one of the two major islands in Bass Strait.”
A timber and aluminium frame that resembles an early aircraft fuselage – created using eight timber panels and subpanels – and a 9m banner mounted on the terminal wall, follows the Bass Strait 1919-39 aviation evolution timeline. The exhibition has artifacts strategically placed around the fuselage telling the stories, many previously unknown, that directly contributed to the development of Australian aviation.
“The early aircraft and their courageous pilots introduced in the exhibition not only contributed to Tasmania’s aviation history but also played a part in Australia’s aviation story,” Mr Johnson said.
Airport Reporting Officer Jaiden Rainbow added that King Island residents and visitors will love the exhibit, with interest high while it was being installed.
“Even when the installation was being built, people stopped and were fascinated with the structure and the stories,” Mr Rainbow said.
Mr Johnson while King Island was to be the final leg of the exhibition’s tour of Bass Strait, but it may kick on.
“Possibilities of continuing to Melbourne and maybe interstate are now being explored. Expanding the reach of these significant Tasmanian aviation stories would be an exciting prospect for the Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society,” he said.
The mainland will have to wait though, as the exhibition will remain on King Island until April, 2024.
For more information about the Flying by the Seat of their Pants exhibition go to bassstraitflight.au or for more information the TAHS and future exhibitions visit http://www.tahs.org.au