By
WGCDR Jan Elvin
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George
Berryman with part of his collection of 120 model aircraft
that he has donated to the RAAF Base Edinburgh museum.
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Photo
by LACW Kim Eager
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A
FORMER member of No. 11 Repair and Service Unit (11RSU) has donated
his collection of 120 meticulously assembled model aircraft to
RAAF Base Edinburgh’s burgeoning museum collection.
George Berryman, 80, of South Australia, spent more than 15 years
putting together his magnificent collection of flying machines.
He decided to donate it “to a good home” after he and his wife,
Joy, moved into smaller premises.
Mr Berryman joined the Air Force on November 11, 1942, and “rose
to the rank of LAC”. He did recruit training at Shepparton, Victoria,
completed his initial trade training course in Adelaide, then
remustered and did a Coppersmith’s Course at the Institute of
Technology in Melbourne.
11RSU was despatched to New Guinea to work on Vultee Vengeance
operated by Nos 21, 23 and 24 Squadrons. The aircraft proved ineffective
so 11RSU was re-tooled for the Kittyhawk.
“I was the smallest in the unit. One day I was working inside
a Kittyhawk that was perched on 44 gallon drums. A big gust of
wind blew up and knocked the aircraft off the drums. I just tumbled
around inside,” Mr Berryman recalled.
Aircraft were his passion until the ultimatum came from Joy, who
said it was either her or the Air Force. Mr Berryman discharged
on March 1, 1946, and the couple married the next day.
