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Guest: Judy Pay
Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly
Recorded: 18th of November 2015
Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes 41 seconds
In this episode Dave Homewood and James Kightly interview legendary Australian warbird owner and pilot Judy Pay for Wings Over Australia, at her home airfield of Tyabb, on the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne, Victoria.
Judy talks about her earliest days in aviation, learning to fly at Tyabb, and her introduction to owning and flying warbirds. She talks enthusiastically about the various aircraft types in her collection, and various adventures she has had in aviation over the years. Judy’s maintenance facility on the airfield, The Old Aeroplane Company, not only keeps her collection in top condition but also carries out maintenance and restorations for other owners of warbird and classic aeroplanes.
On site during Wings Over Australia’s visit were Judy’s P-40F (VH-HWK) and CAC Mustang (VH-JUC) that were both being prepared for the trip north to the Temora Airshow later that week. Also in the hangars of the Old Aeroplane Company were Judy’s first aircraft, the Tiger Moth (VH-BVB), her ex-RNZAF Harvard NZ1051 (now VH-NZH) looking spectacular in US Navy livery, and another Harvard and a Vampire, among various other types on site.
This is a rare interview with one of Australia’s best known and loved warbird owners, airshow performers and aviators.
Quick Links
• The Old Aeroplane Company Facebook Page
Judy Pay
Dave interviewing Judy
Judy with her beautiful ex-RNZAF North American Harvard
The gorgeous Harvard
Two Harvards and a Tiger Moth
Judy’s first aeroplane, de Havilland Tiger Moth VH-BVB
One of Judy’s de Havilland Vampires
The Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk getting an engine run
The Rolls Royce Merlin engine of the rare P-40F, only two examples of this model Kittyhawk exist in the world, the other flying with The Fighter Collection in England.
Judy talking about her P-40F
The Old Aeroplane Company’s maintenance hangar
Judy’s CAC Mustang getting minor maintenance before the Temora airshow
A replica of the Bell X1
A North American T-28 Trojan in the workshop
An airfield Jeep
Some photos by Rob Fox of Judy’s fighters in the air
Judy Pay’s ultra rare Merlin powered P-40F. Recovered as a wreck from the island of Espirito Santo, Vanuatu in 1989 the fighter went through a lengthy and authentic restoration at Judy’s Old Aeroplane Company. The Warhawk is seen here over Tyabb on its second test flight in the capable hands of Steve Death. Photo – Rob Fox Source via James Kightly
Judy Pay’s Australian built CAC CA-18 MK 21, Mustang, A68- 105. VH-JUC is finished as the No. 3 Squadron RAAF P-51D flown by SQLDR Murray ‘Gasher’ Nash, DSO, DFC and Bar, in the Italian campaign of WWII. (flown here by Guy Bourke) – Photo Rob Fox Source via James Kightly
I love the aircraft here but in WW11 my pride stood with the Mocquito as a fighter and bomber and I know 1117 fuslages were built in the GM plant I worked in in Canada. I was born in England in 1939 and feel this aircraft was never shown it’s rightful place in history.