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Features
Great
passion for Mustang
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Jeff
Trappett and his beloved Mustang
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AFTER leading
the Air Force Roulettes, flying F-111s and landing Qantas 747s, former
Squadron Leader Jeff Trappett’s part in the flypast to commemorate
the unveiling of the new Air Force Memorial in Canberra represented a
change of pace.
Trappett’s scenic sojourn over the War Memorial and Anzac Parade
to mark the memorial dedication was just one of many public appearances
he and his beloved historic World War 2 Mustang A68-118 make at venues
around Australia every year.
He tries to take the Mustang out once a month to flying displays, airshows
and other events, many of which are associated with the RAAF Museum at
Point Cook.
He attended RAAF Base Edinburgh’s recent open day and, earlier this
year, flew to Longreach for the opening of the Qantas Founders Outback
Museum.
He feels at home in the cockpit, as he should given his experience flying
a range of makes and models during his Air Force days and beyond, logging
an impressive 17,000 hours on various civilian and military aircraft.
Trappett graduated from the Air Force Pilots’ Course in 1968, initially
flying Douglas C47s (D-C3s) and, in Vietnam, DeHavilland Caribous.
He left the Air Force briefly to join Trans-Australian Airlines (TAA),
but re-joined in 1975, eventually flying wingman and solo for the Roulettes.
In 1979, he changed roles completely, venturing to RAAF Base Amberley
to pilot F-111 strike aircraft.
In 1981 he was promoted to Squadron Leader and, some years later, led
the Roulettes Aerobatic Team.
He retired from the Air Force in 1989 and, when he’s not behind the
controls of “118”, he flies Qantas Boeing 747s.
Trappett’s Mustang is one of 200 manufactured by the Commonwealth
Aircraft Corporation at Fishermen’s Bend in 1948.
Mustangs rose to prominence in WW2, with their long-range capabilities
making them the first fighter that could escort bombers from England to
Germany and back.
Trappett purchased the aircraft in 1978 and, with the help of several
dedicated Air Force maintenance personnel, lovingly restored it over a
number of years.
The aircraft forms part of his Latrobe Flying Museum at Traralgon in Victoria,
where he keeps a number of other aircraft he owns and operates, including
a Winjeel ex-Air Force trainer and a Douglas Dakota C-47B.
Trappett admits to spending “massive amounts” of time and money
on his passion for historical aircraft, but it’s a labour of love.
“You’ve got to be a slightly obsessed sort of person to do what
I do,” he joked.
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