Whirlwind paint job for Macchi

By PTE John Wellfare

The macchi jet during its restoration at RAAF Base Pearce.

From left, SGT Tom Bradley, CPL Ian Burgoyne, LAC Vince Pedulla and LAC Scott Miles restored an old Macchi’s paintwork in two weeks so it could be put on static display at RAAF Base Pearce.

Photo by PTE John Wellfare

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* A Macchi jet’s original paintwork was restored so it could be put on static display at RAAF Base Pearce.

RESERVE surface finishers from No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron have performed a whirlwind rejuvenation of a Macchi jet for static display at RAAF Base Pearce, restoring the aircraft’s paintwork in just over two weeks.

Sergeant Tom Bradley, Corporal Ian Burgoyne, Leading Aircraftman Vince Pedulla and Leading Aircraftman Scott Miles were given the arduous task of stripping back and repainting aircraft A9-027.

CPL Burgoyne said the task had been condensed into a short timeframe, but no corners were cut in ensuring that the aircraft would withstand the harsh WA climate while on display.

“Normally you’d be looking at a two-week paint strip alone, then a further three weeks for preparation and starting paintwork,” he said.

“We had 16 days to complete the task, so we had to pull out all stops with the repaint.”

CPL Burgoyne said they had been able to condense the job into such a short timeframe because the display aircraft didn’t need to be totally stripped and resurfaced like an operational aircraft would.

The team took time off from their civilian employment to carry out the task and worked long hours and throughout weekends to complete it on time.

The Macchi has been painted in No. 2 Flying Training School’s original orange and white training colours and will occupy a corner of the Pearce parade ground alongside a Vampire jet, also due to be restored this year by volunteers from the RAAF Association and SGT Bradley’s team.

CO of the RAAF Base Pearce combat support unit, Wing Commander Stephen Bonney, said the base was looking forward to being able to display some of its flying training history and to showcase the skills of 25SQN’s active reservists.

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