This little ultralight was flown nearly 1,000 NM in one week by a Belgian couple on holiday in Australia. It's seen here just before starting the last leg home to Lethbridge after attending the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally in Broken Hill.

When Victa closed down their Airtourer production line, it was bought by NZ-based Aero Engines Services Ltd. Several AESL Airtourers came to Australia, including this 1970 Airtourer 150. Seen here at Langwell for breakfast on the way home from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally.

This aircraft is the former VH-HEP, built by Ron Robertson of Mildura in the 1980s. It was transferred to the RAAus Register on 16 May 2001. Its current owner flew it the 360 miles from Nelson (near Mount Gambier) to Broken Hill for the AAAA Auster Rally, then home again. Two hours safe endurance at about 50 kt meant a lot of stops along the way, including a night with its builder.

Arriving for breakfast at Langwell on the way home from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally. This attractive homebuilt T-18 was first registered on 30 April 1986. Unfortunately the owner busted a spat and gear-leg fairing on the rough Langwell strip.

This Tri-Pacer was built in March 1956 and registered new as N4500A. It was completely rebuilt in 1989, but cancelled on 23 March 1990 and exported to Australia where it became VH-NLA on 4 September. It spent some time in the Melbourne area before moving to Alice Springs in 2001. In 2003 it moved back to Kyneton where it currently resides in the hands of my mate Gleeso. Seen here at Langwell for breakfast on the way home from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally.

Stopping at Langwell on the way home from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally at Broken Hill was Graeme Smith's newly-restored Auster J.5F Aiglet Trainer VH-BYF(2). The aircraft made its first flight following a decade-long restoration to immaculate condition only a week before the event. It has an interesting pedigree, being a composite of the fuselage of the former VH-BYE and the wings of VH-SAE, which was originally registered VH-BYF(1) in 1953!

This aircraft was imported new into South Africa in 1947 and registered ZS-ULS, later ZS-BRE. Sold in Namibia (South West Africa then) in 1949. Last flight in about 1969. Exported to Australia and registered VH-IDH(2) on 14 September 2001. Its first post-restoration flight took place in April 2009. It was flown 600 miles in 8 3/4 hours from its base at Wedderburn, near Sydney, to the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally at Broken Hill. Seen here landing at Langwell on the way home.

Even the redoubtable Auster gets stuck in sand! Awaiting a push out after breakfast. Built to wartime RAF order as Auster Mk 5, TW433, with a Lycoming O-290: first flight 12 Sept 45. Used by Auster for trials post-war 1947-48. SOR Apr 53 & sold the following year to Australia where it became the one and only Mk 5D Ajax, fitted with an in-line Gipsy Major & other civil mods. SOR 1971 - later rebuilt with an O-320 and returned to Register Feb 1983. Damaged by fire in Dec 2004 but rebuilt and looking good!

Classis portrait of this lovely 1973-model Skywagon on the way home from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally at Broken Hill. It was registered in Australia on 25 February 2008 and was formerly N77DV.

One of two farm aircraft at Langwell, south of Broken Hill, this 1967 C172 was initially registered N2611L. It was probably just a "trade plate" as the aircraft was re-registered in Australia on 25 August that year. Currently in storage, engineless, on the farm.

Woody lends a steadying hand after a bunch of us pushed her out of a sand-trap! Built to wartime RAF order as Auster Mk 5, TW433, with a Lycoming O-290: first flight 12 Sept 45. Used by Auster for trials post-war 1947-48. SOR Apr 53 & sold the following year to Australia where it became the one and only Mk 5D Ajax, fitted with an in-line Gipsy Major & other civil mods. SOR 1971 - later rebuilt with an O-320 and returned to Register Feb 1983. Damaged by fire in Dec 2004 but rebuilt and looking good!