A NEW display at the Royal Australian Air Force Association of WA’s (RAAFA) Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek could see a bounce in visitor numbers.
The bouncing bomb display is an authentic replica of a device used during World War II, built to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the raid on the Ruhr dams.
The bomb has been designed with the help of two WA companies – Wenco Pty Ltd, which provided the casing, and Kounis Metal Industries Pty Ltd – which followed intricate engineering details to ensure the device is a truly authentic copy.
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READ NOWBouncing bombs were designed to bounce across water to avoid obstacles and then detonate underwater, similar to a depth charge.
Museum manager John Park said the idea for the display was put forward by volunteer Richard Rust, who set about contacting local companies to get the project off the ground.
A generous donation from the family of the late Les Gordon, who was a past RAAFA state president and avid museum volunteer, made the display a reality.
“We are genuinely excited to have the replica bomb finished and now on display under our Lancaster bomber,” he said.
“It’s the only replica dambuster bomb in Australia and we are certain that visitors to the museum are going to be extremely interested in its history.”
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