Bankstown Airport general manager Howard Knox is keen to put an avionic touch on Bankstown’s Bicentenary, with a plan to establish a museum on the airport itself, using the original Kingsford Smith hangar.

He said the museum could be established on the corner of Milperra Road and Henry Lawson Drive, along with a family restaurant, service station, and fast food shops.  The existing children’s playground would be retained.

The idea behind the museum is to attract tourists, as well as school chilren, and in addition, bring  back and display some of the historic planes which were originally built at Bankstown.

“It would be a major asset for Bankstown.  Schools could visit the museum for half a day and then, for example, spend the afternoon at Blue Gum Farm,” Mr Knox told the Torch.

In September 1990, when extensions to the Ansett Terminal at Kingsford Smith Airport took place, the original Kingsford Smith hangar was to be demolished.

Mr Knox arranged to transport he original frame to Bankstown, where it has been preserved, awaiting reconstruction.

“It would be the central point of hte museum, large enough to house a small theatre, running aviation footage, as well as office administration and amenities.  Outside historically significant aeroplanes could be displayed.”

Mr Knox told the Torch he is hoping to form a committee with representatives from the aviation industry, local companies, the Airport Chamber of Commerce, the Bankstown Committee and the RAAF to work towards establishing the museum for 1995.