At HARS, we have people from all walks of life. What sets us apart are the many retired and active Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Professional Pilots and Cabin Crew who either have or still work for Qantas. We are dedicated to Australian aviation history, and our collection of flying, under restoration and static display aircraft is testament to that. "Not bad for a bunch of old people".

Describe what people can expect.

The best description is "TARDIS". I have lost count of the people I have shown around who are literally amazed at what they see. I guess our advertising needs to be more spectacular.

Is HARS a standard museum?

Absolutely NOT!!! When you visit, a tour guide will escort you and show you all that is here. At HARS, you will be walking through operational hangars, able to get up close and personal with our aeroplanes and even explore some of them.

Catalina at Australia Day Festival - Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

On 26th January the HARS PBY6A Catalina performed three touch and go landings on Newcastle Harbour north of Sydney NSW during their Australia Day maritime festival. The touchdowns were made just north of Horseshoe Beach and lift offs before Dyke Point. A huge crowd witnessed appreciated and applauded the demonstration by the big seaplane and many photos were taken and videos of the landings made. The photo attached is courtesy of Phil Whiteman of the Hunter School of Photography via Malcolm Burns