The RAAF Museum's Walrus amphibian looks better than ever.

Off public display for more than two months while the aircraft was painted, regular visitors to the Museum have been anxiously awaiting its return to the Restoration Hangar floor. Well, it's back, and now, says one enthusiastic visitor, 'It certainly is yellow'.

This is the light at the end of the tunnel for the aircraft restoration, which will be completed this year.

It will signify the end of a seven-year project and another step towards the CAFAC directive that one major restoration project would occur at any one time.

The plan was to consolidate and rationalise the efforts directed towards restorations and, according to Museum Director David Gardner, assist in better using resources and bringing focus to these activities.

Many would be familiar with the Catalina restoration taking shape at Amberley. As with most aircraft restoration work, there is often manufacturing of parts and other work that occurs before there is any visual progress. After much behind-the-scenes work, the Catalina appears to have come ahead in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months.

Now staff are preparing the centre section and hull for relocation to Point Cook where the mainplanes are being restored. The Catalina's condition will then be assessed and fit into the existing restoration program.

In the meantime, restoration of the Mosquito aircraft, the only surviving example that has seen active combat service, is about to recommence. Acquired by exchange in 1986, it has been a long time coming, and it will still be some time before the beginnings of the project move onto the hangar floor.

'We learnt a lesson with the Hawker Demon restoration,' Dave said. 'Numerous shortcuts were taken to overcome the limitations of time and as a result, the wings will have to be rebuilt.' He said the Mosquito would be a test case for the Museum.

'Currently, staff and volunteers are looking at photos, documentation and drawings as well as boxed items, creating an inventory and getting organised,' Dave explained. 'Planning is the first and most important element. We also need to ensure that the project is consistently resourced and managed and to create as much interest in the project as possible.'

Dave said a lack of direction has meant the RAAF Museum may well have 'missed the boat' when it came to acquiring particular aircraft. In addition, it is unusual to acquire an aircraft that can go immediately on display. These reasons make it essential that restoration work is carried out in order to strengthen the collection.

The results of public interest are often quite remarkable, effecting in donations or exchanges of parts, drawings and pictures from around the globe, an essential element considering the Museum aims to restore as closely as possible to airworthy standard and always to original specifications.

Physical assistance and expertise can also be somewhat 'thin on the ground' at times. The Associations are often the first groups to lend their enthusiasm, experience and knowledge to the restorations.

However, it is also important to attract younger people to the projects.

'We need to coordinate the efforts of the associations, together with the volunteers and teach one another.'

As much as possible, the restoration must be open to public viewing. This is one reason why most projects, even minor ones, are rarely conducted outside the Unit.

'In this way, even before the aircraft goes on static display, we can begin to explain its significance, in particular, the stories of the people that designed, built, flew and maintained it,' Dave said. 'This is why we open the restoration facility to the public, because we know that it is one reason why people keep coming back; pure visual progress.'

Story by Teena Cardillo