Arthur Robertson and his wife Eileen created this Vickers Vimy model in the late 1980s, and for many years it ‘flew’ atop the West Torrens Railway Signal Telegraph & Aviation Museum on Marion Rd in Brooklyn Park, Adelaide. Throughout the Epic Flight Centenary, it had pride of place hanging from the historic rafters in the Torrens Parade Ground Drill Hall, home of the History Trust of South Australia.
Arthur used his skills in drawing and pressed metal work to create original scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings, souvenir booklets and other ephemera relating to the epic flight. This is a tiny fraction of the vast collection.
Images donated by: Wendy Robertson.
Arthur’s daughter Wendy has always shared her father’s passion for art, aviation history and the Vickers Vimy crew. She painted this image of the Vickers Vimy on glass in 1987.
Image donated by: Wendy Robertson
Vimy models artfully handcrafted by Arthur.
Images donated by: Wendy Robertson.
Arthur was incredibly creative in how he shared his artworks, including the use of placemats celebrating the epic flight.
Image donated by: Wendy Robertson.
In Arthur’s own words, this fabric is: “A genuine untouched and authentic sample of original 1918 manufactured aircraft linen fabric, removed from the Smith Brothers World War I Vickers Vimy bomber ‘G-EAOU’ during the restoration programme completed at Adelaide Airport in 1982 by the Contractors, Enjay Aircraft Services, Salisbury, South Australia. Generous sections of fuselage material presented to Arthur and Eileen Robertson by courtesy Mr Norm Pointing, owner of Enjay Services, on Friday 16th April 1982 at ‘Vimy’ Memorial Building, West Beach.” Another sample of Vimy fabric is contained in the bottom corner of Arthur’s framed artwork below.
Vickers Vimy fridge magnet and souvenir spoon collected from Adelaide Airport.
Image donated by: Wendy Robertson.
Etched goblet commemorating the re-enactment of the Vickers Vimy landing at Northfield as part of South Australia’s 150th Jubilee in 1986.
Image donated by: Wendy Robertson
Years before computers and PowerPoint, Arthur created one-metre images on plywood to illustrate his speeches to schools, museums and community groups.
Images donated by: Wendy Robertson
