40 Years in the Making, the Boomerang Returns

Remarkable warbirds and vintage aircraft head west as the four-week countdown begins to Wings on the Warrego.

An Australian-built WWII fighter painstakingly restored over four decades will take centre stage in Charleville this September, as eight aircraft and their pilots head west for Wings on the Warrego, 12–13 September 2026.

Leading the line-up is CAC Boomerang A46-54, VH-MHB, one of Australia's most significant surviving warbirds and an example of the only Australian-designed and built fighter aircraft to enter production during World War II.

After last flying in 1945 and later being destined for scrap, the Boomerang has been brought back to life through an extraordinary restoration led by Queensland warbird restorer Greg Batts.

Now the Boomerang is heading west with Greg Batts joining the aircraft in Charleville for Wings on the Warrego.

And there could hardly be a more fitting destination.

Charleville played a pioneering role in Australian commercial aviation, with Qantas commencing its first regular scheduled service carrying mail and passengers between Charleville and Cloncurry in 1922. Two decades later, Charleville Aerodrome became an important base for United States forces during World War II.

This September, those historic skies will come alive again.

Murweh Shire Mayor Cr Shaun Radnedge said the event would bring together an extraordinary collection of aircraft, pilots and aviation stories in a town that had helped shape Australian aviation.

"Charleville hasn't simply watched Australia's aviation story from the sidelines, our town has been part of it for more than a century," Cr Radnedge said.

"From the first scheduled Qantas services departing Charleville in 1922 to the vital role our aerodrome played during World War II, aviation is part of the fabric of this community.

"Four weeks from now we'll be welcoming aircraft, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and families from across Queensland and Australia. To see these remarkable aircraft in the skies above Charleville will be something very special." — Cr Shaun Radnedge, Mayor, Shire of Murweh

Bringing the Boomerang to Charleville has been made possible through the support of Viva Energy Australia, which has partnered with Wings on the Warrego for the historic appearance.

Viva Energy Australia's General Manager Aviation, Nick Adams, said the company was proud to help bring such a significant piece of Australian aviation history to Outback Queensland.

"The Boomerang represents an extraordinary chapter in Australian aviation, from the ingenuity behind its original Australian design and manufacture to the skill, determination and decades of work that have brought VH-MHB back to the skies.

"Viva Energy Australia is proud to partner with Wings on the Warrego to bring the Boomerang to Charleville and give people the opportunity to see this remarkable aircraft up close and meet the people who have helped preserve its story for future generations." — Nick Adams, General Manager Aviation, Viva Energy Australia

Working with aviation partners Brisbane Biplanes, Warbird Experience, War Planes and local provider South West Air, will bring aircraft to Charleville including:

CAC Boomerang VH-MHB
Boeing Stearman VH-SNM
Cessna 195 VH-ONF
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk VH-AK4
North American SNJ-4 Texan
North American T-28D Trojans
Mk26 Spitfire

And it won't just be the aircraft making the journey west.

Pilots from all three aviation partners will also attend, giving visitors the chance to meet the people who fly, restore, and maintain these remarkable machines.

Visitors can get close to the aircraft on the tarmac, watch an aerial flyover and take to the skies themselves with joy flights across the weekend.

Murweh Shire Tourism, Marketing & Events Manager Robyn Richen said the opportunity to experience aviation up close was central to the event.

"There's something completely different about standing on the tarmac beside one of these aircraft and meeting the pilot who flies it," Ms Richen said.

"But Wings on the Warrego isn't only looking backwards. From warbirds and Charleville's aviation heritage, the program moves into drones, STEM, flight simulation, and aviation careers.

"A young person might arrive wanting to see a warbird and leave thinking about becoming a pilot, engineer or working in aviation technology." — Robyn Richen, Tourism, Marketing & Events Manager, Shire of Murweh

Aviation Past Meets the Future

The weekend begins on Friday 11 September with Welcome to Wings – The Pre-Flight at Hotel Corones, where visitors can start their Wings weekend at one of Charleville's most iconic landmarks, including the opportunity to join an exclusive history and stories tour.

On Saturday 12 September, Charleville Airport becomes the centre of the action with warbird and aircraft displays, an aerial flyover, joy flights, Aviation Careers Expo, Royal Flying Doctor Service Flight Simulator, Classic Car Display, family entertainment, and food.

The day will also mark the unveiling of the Qantas Heritage Trail Monument and Bilby Art Trail, connecting two more chapters of Charleville's story.

On Sunday 13 September, aviation's future takes flight with the Code Camp Drone Flying Workshop, while the official National Bilby Day celebrations will take place at the Charleville Bilby Experience/Visitor Information Centre from 10am–2pm, with free entry for all.

Tickets for the main Saturday event are $12, with children under five free.

Cr Radnedge said the four-week countdown was now officially on.

"Whether you can identify every aircraft by the sound of its engine or simply want to give the family an unforgettable outback weekend, we're inviting people to come to Charleville," he said.

"Eight aircraft are heading west, some remarkable aviation people are coming with them, and we can't wait to welcome everyone to Wings on the Warrego." — Cr Shaun Radnedge, Mayor, Shire of Murweh

Program & Tickets

www.wingsonthewarrego.com

Wings on the Warrego is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

Interview Opportunities

Cr Shaun Radnedge
Mayor, Shire of Murweh
M: 0419 363 030

Robyn Richen
Tourism, Marketing & Events Manager, Shire of Murweh
M: 0411 944 050

Media Support

Daryl Kirkup
Media and Communications Officer, Shire of Murweh
M: 0427 589 662
E: Daryl_Kirkup@murweh.qld.gov.au

Krista Hauritz
Media & Marketing
M: 0421 148 098
E: krista@kristahauritz.com.au

Download Images | Download Video

Charleville's Aviation History

Charleville's connection with Australian aviation stretches back more than a century.

In 1922, Qantas began its first regular scheduled service between Charleville and Cloncurry, carrying mail, freight and passengers and helping connect remote Queensland communities by air.

During World War II, Charleville Aerodrome became a strategic base for United States forces, with some 3,500 U.S. Army Air Force personnel stationed in the outback town between 1942 and 1946. The airfield was significantly expanded, with remnants of its wartime role still visible today, including Hangar 104 and the small concrete security store associated with the top-secret Norden bombsight.

This remarkable chapter is brought to life at the WWII Secret Base, an immersive, self-guided interactive experience revealing Charleville's secret wartime role and the story of the Norden bombsight.

Today, Charleville Airport continues to support passenger and general aviation services and vital medical flights, continuing an aviation legacy more than 100 years in the making.

← Back to Media Releases