Today I set out to organise a little cruise for all of the Z members still keen on going on a Z cruise after the annual Great Ocean Road cruise was cancelled because of the bad weather conditions we have had the last few days which could have increased the risk for a member to have an accident on the wet and slippery GOR roads we would have driving on today. So my plan was to take a small group of Zs up to a few of the historical buildings in my local area including places like the Werribee Mansion and then drive up to Point Cook RAAF military base for the group to check out an aviation Museum. Finally we would make our way to Williamstown where we would end up at another historical building called a Bell Tower which ships use to use to navigate into the Melbourne habour back in the 1900's.

 

When I arrived at Todd Rd service station there were quite a few Z's already parked in the car park of KFC. After parking my Z I was immediately greeted by Cam and the other Z members joining the cruise. It was so good to be amongest Z owners again and I was hopefully the group would enjoy the cruise I had set out for us today. Because there was no rush to head off we all spent a few hours chatting amongest each other while we waited to see how many more member would turn out to join in the cruise. By the time we were ready to leave we had a group of 11 Z's and 1 Madza MX-5, which I was very pleased with before we headed off, I gathered all of the owners for a quick cruise route summery and safety briefing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we left a couple of vintage Indian motorcycles were also parked at the shell service station. Thought some of you vintage bike members might enjoy these shots.

 

 

 

Our first stop would be Werribee Mansion which is a large historical estate located in Weeribee South. I figured the old mansion would be perfect for some Z photography for all the Z members to enjoy. Unfortunately unknown to me a massive public event was on when we arrived at the entrance to the estate and a long queue of cars filled the road and the entrance into the estate. I took a risk and proceeded to take the group into the estate, Unfortunately we were all directed into the events temporary car park which was into a large grassy field which was still damp and muddy from the wet weather Melbourne has been experiencing for the last few days. I felt terrible, all of these beautiful clean Z's will be now covered in grass and mud and it was all my fault. It didn't get any better as the public event made it impossible for us to get anywhere near the mansion and so it was quickly decided as a group to ditch the mansion and head to the next stop on the cruise. The Shadow Fax Winery.

 

 

 

 

 

The Shadowfax Winery was only a minute down the road from the mansion and it was a last minute addition to the cruise which my dad suggested would be a good spot to have lunch and test some exotic wines. Unfortunately because I hadn't booked anything with the winery, they were unable to accommodate us for lunch but we decided to have a little break in the wineries outdoor sitting area and chat for a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After leaving Shadowfax, I took the group through some twisty rural roads and then cruised along the coast line before headed towards point cook where we had all decided to have lunch first before going to the RAAF museum. As I didn't know point cook very well, I turned into the first MacDonld's I saw and next thing I know all of these Z's had evaded the car park:).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When everyone was full from lunch, we headed to the point cook RAAF base. Once we passed the bases front gates it was a short drive to the Museum and because we are special we all parked in the museums staff parking and there were just enough spots to fit everyone one in. The sun was out and everyone was really excited to see the museum but luckily for us when we arrived at the museum, a special flight display was being presented on the main tarmac next to the museum and everyone quickly dashed over to watch the display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plane performed a series of basic aerial maneuvers before landing and returning the aircraft back to the tarmac and park right in front of the public audience watching the display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the flight display now finished we all headed into one of the 4 museum hangers where a restoration of a world War II De Havilland DH-98 Mosquito 2 seater bomber was being displayed throughout the hanger.

 

 

 

 

 

After leaving the restoration hanger, Martini_Z had just arrived in the museum's car park, making him the 12th Z attending today's cruise. I decided to take a few random shots of some of the display aircraft and of course of a couple of the sexy Z's all parked together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Museum exhibit was definitely the highlight of the day for me but I also think everyone in the group also felt the same way. The museum showcased a complete record of Australia's aviation history and all of the displays in the museum showed visitors the various generations of technology that has been developed for the aviation industry over the last 100 years. Also on displays were various kinds of personnel uniform's and wartime photos with information plaques to help visitors learn about the tools and equipment the RAAF personnel used to operate aircraft throughout Australia's aviation history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a particular favorite among most of the members on today's cruise. This display showed a cutaway aircraft engine which when activate would operate the spinning of the internals of the engine and you can see the huge pistons moving back and forth to show visitor's how the engine works. From member this engine puts out 800 KW of torque.

 

 

As the group walked further into the museum, we came into the more modern designed aircraft era, where a Mirage fighter jet and was on display and then next to that was an amazing display of aircraft mounted machine guns with the most impressive being the massive harrier Jet jet gatling gun, which according to the info plaque, could fire 6,000 rounds a minute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a huge surface to air missile

 

 

Got gauges

 

 

We exited the main museum hanger and made our way to the first aircraft display hanger which showcases various kinds of prop planes and a few different kinds of helicopters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And lastly the final hanger showcase the modern day super sonic fighter jets used by the Australian Airforce over the years. The F1-11 was the most impressive aircraft on my list and they also had the various bombs and missiles carried by the F1-11 on display as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After leaving the final hanger we spotted this old and decommission surface to air missile defence turret. Wouldn't want this thing chasing you.

 

 

By now everyone had their fill of the museum and I thought it was time we get some scenic shots of each members Z's infront of the C-130 Hercules on display near the car park.

 

This is my attempt at photography for today and I hope everyone likes the end result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To finish off we did a group shot of everyone infront of the Hercules. The guys took great care to try and arrange the Z's by colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were planning to continue to Williamstown but we all decided to finish today's cruise on a high and so we all said goodbye and part ways. I thoroughly enjoyed today's cruise and has inspired me to do another cruise like this again next year and hopefully make an annual cruise of it. Thank you guys for being so forgiving to me and It was my pleasure to take you out for a day cruising in our Z's.

Thanks for sharing Adam. Looked like a great day out. I go to quite a few air shows in the UK and have a keen interest in aviation, so enjoyed seeing these. Your car is looking awesome too and the TT rear wheels make it look even better. Reckon somr spacers on the front would look good. Really like the CRP TT with the Volk wheels and 99 front end too.

thanks funky, I too think my Z is awesome and I cant wait to post up my build thread for everyone to see her transformation from stock 89 model to 2000spec replica. I too love aviation and this was a very interesting experience for me.

Great pics Adam and thanks for sharing with us.

Looked like a great day out, thanks for sharing :)

Adam, many thanks for sharing your photos. The RAAF Point Cook museum looks wonderful, and I will make a point of visiting it

when we come out to Australia on holiday. My late father served in the RAAF before transferring to the RAF before the start of

WW2. He flew in Bomber Command. Amongst his photos was this one. I'm not sure of the type of aircraft, but he was either

flying it or in the next one in formation. The photo is annotated "Point Cook 1930".

 

Great photographs and lots of lovely Zeds, what more can you ask for - :bow:

Adam, many thanks for sharing your photos. The RAAF Point Cook museum looks wonderful, and I will make a point of visiting it

when we come out to Australia on holiday. My late father served in the RAAF before transferring to the RAF before the start of

WW2. He flew in Bomber Command. Amongst his photos was this one. I'm not sure of the type of aircraft, but he was either

flying it or in the next one in formation. The photo is annotated "Point Cook 1930".

 

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Awesome photo. Should show the museum that photo if u do visit. The museum was great cuz its free entry for all visitors and i hope to do this cruise again mid next year and make it an annual thing.