Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, often referred to by its acronym, HARS, is an Australian based aircraft restoration group. The group has two museums at Shellharbour Airport in New South Wales, Australia, and Parkes, New South Wales, Australia.[1] HARS was formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of Australian Aviation History. Its mission is "To recover and where possible restore to flying condition, aircraft or types of aircraft that have played a significant part in Australian Aviation History both in the Civil and Military arenas".[2]

Boeing 747-438, City of Canberra, landing at the Shellharbour Airport for delivery to HARS.

Lockheed Super Constellation nicknamed Connie

The group possesses a collection which includes several large and significant aircraft Such as a Boeing 707 and a 747-400. Many of its aircraft are kept at an airworthy standard, including a Lockheed Super Constellation which is the last remaining flying example in the world.[3] Other examples are kept at a taxiable standard where restoration of airframes to an airworthy standard is not feasible.[4] The group operates a Navy Heritage Flight, which operates a range of ex Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm aircraft in support of the Navy.[4]

The group's Boeing 707 was formerly owned by actor John Travolta, who donated the aircraft to the group in 2017.[5] The arrival of the 747 required significant preparation to allow the aircraft to land at small regional airport without damaging the runway.[6]

The group restores aircraft for museums across the world such as the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. It often restores aircraft in groups to improve economies of scale. In the past it has restored sets of three P-47 Thunderbolts, P-38 Lightnings, and Bristol Beaufighters.[7]