Syd Beck started collecting military junk from the old wartime base in Townsville as a childhood hobby. Now he has one of the largest private collections in the country, including a rare P-39 Airacobra fighter recovered after crashing on Cape York in May 1942. There are also tanks, vehicles, regalia, ammunition and weapons. Some of his cherished items, including a DC-3, were used as props during the filming of The Thin Red Line. (07 4092 3979, nbeck@ledanet.com.au )
Reference: http://www.australiantraveller.com/experiences/the-battle-for-australia-rumours-rogues-relics Downloaded 31 May 2012
Located on the Kennedy Highway, just south of Mareeba in the tablelands inland from Cairns, the Beck Museum is owned and run by Sid Beck and his family. The public viewing area consists of a large display room full of militaria, smaller items and scale models, and a large WWII timber-framed hangar (an exhibit in itself!) which houses most of the full-size items.
The aircraft Sid has on display include: Ikara missile, SP-2H Neptune A89-277, DH-82 Tiger Moth VH-BXF, CAC Wackett, GAF Canberra A84-210, V-1 flying bomb replica, Bristol Sycamore XN450, Sea Venoms, Bell Airocobra “Erminie”, C-47 A65-73, DH Vampire, a Wildcat replica from a movie and Beech 23 Sundowner.
There are quite a few vehicles on display as well, including an operating Vietnam-Veteran Centurion MBT. Other vehicles include various soft-skinned trucks, an Alvis Saracen, various pieces of artillery and also several aero engines. There is also a Matilda tank guarding the gate.
Reference: http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/beck_museum.html Downloaded 31 May 2012
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