Located at Parafield Airfield, the Classic Jet Fighter Museum includes a collection of WWII Pacific
aircraft recovered from Papua New Guinea in the late 1999's that
are currently under restoration or display. Several restored
jets including the Meteor that served in the Korea, and an F-86 Sabre.
A Mirage fighter is under restoration. A display
relates to Finschhafen Airfield. After lengthy negotiations, the museum claims it was given permission to excavate several fighters buried
at the airfield after 1945. The adjoining Hangar 107 is the restoration facility.
On March 29, 2016 indicated the museum will be closing and was offering the aircraft, parts and memorabilia for sale to the general public. Most of the parts and collection were sold off between 2016 to 2018, with the exception of the F4U Corsair 02270 that remains at the museum.
Aircraft Collection
F4U-1 Corsair 02270
Salvaged 2009 from Vanuatu and under restoration to the present day.
P-39D Airacobra
Restored in the markings of RAAF Airacobra A53-12 code T-GR.
Ki-61 Tony Manufacture Number 292
In storage at the museum
RAAF Mirage
Displayed at the museum
RAAF Sabre
Displayed at the museum
RAN Sea Venom
Displayed at the museum
Former Aircraft
P-38H Lightning Serial
Number 42-66841
Restored from 1997 - 2004 to static display, displayed at the museum, sold 2014
P-40N "The
Carolina Belle" 42-104947
formerly displayed at the museum, traded to Precision Aerospace
References
Classic Jets Fighter Museum. Interview
with Robert Jarrett (4.2megs, MP3) Robert Jarrett describes the history, recovery, export and
restoration of P-38H Lightning 42-66534
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Interim Report mentions "Classic Jets Museum"
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Final Report mentions of Jarret" [sic] and "Classic Jets Museum"
Key Publishing Forum - P-38 in Transit
"Classic Wings – Vol. 21, No. 2 "Lightning To Fly – Parafield, South Australia based Classic Jets Fighter Museum (CJFM) have announced that P-38H Lightning, 42-66841, has been shipped to the UK where it will undergo a complete rebuild to airworthy condition. CJFM said it recognizes that this is the best possible outcome for the long term preservation of this rare early model Lightning.
Part of the 475th Fighter Group, P-38 ‘153’ is credited with a probable Oscar kill over Rabaul and was force-landed on 20th September 1943 [sic]. Stripped of useable components the fighter was subsequently abandoned, being retrieved by American interests in 1992 to the wartime airfield of Nadzab, but once again abandoned due to export difficulties. Successfully exported to Australia in 1999 by Bob Jarrett, it was then restored to static display standard over a period of seven years. Thanks to Bob Jarrett/CJFM."
Barnstormers.com "AVIATION MUSEUM CLOSING • RARE AIRCRAFT FOR SALE • Warbirds & parts. F4U-1 Corsair project with provenance, fully restored P39 Airacobra-non airworthy, P40 Warhawk project with provenance, Mirage jet-non airworthy, Sea Venom jet-non airworthy. Numerous WW2 and 1960's jet aircraft components, memorabilia, engines, ejection seats, WW2 fighter instrument panels complete & a completely fitted out Mirage cockpit section. Japanese WW2 memorabilia. Email for illustrated catalogue. • Contact Robert J. Jarrett - CLASSIC JETS FIGHTER MUSEUM, Owner - located Parafield Airport, SA Australia • Telephone: 61882585176 • Fax: 61882585176 • Posted March 29, 2016"
Thanks to
Robert
Jarrett for additional information
