ALMOST 100 years ago at Diggers Rest, world famous stunt performer Harry Houdini completed Australia's first powered controlled flight.
With the centenary approaching and festivities to mark the anniversary set to soar, a Melton resident has constructed a scaled-down replica of the plane that Houdini took to the skies in - a Voisin II biplane.
Ian Satur, president of the Melton Model Aircraft Association, has dedicated 700 hours of work over 10 months to building the one-third scale model in time for the celebrations, which he said would be "huge".
The replica has a wingspan of about three metres and, while it is capable of flight, it will be staying on the ground.
"It can fly with the correct motor, but that is not the intention; it will be used for display purposes only."
The Melton resident described Houdini's flight on March 18, 1910, at Plumptons Field , as a significant moment in world aviation and an even more significant event in Australia's flying history.
"It happened during the infancy of manned, powered flight," he said. Support for Mr Satur's venture has come from the Digger's Rest Lions Club, which paid for the materials.
Making model aircraft is both a passion and a hobby for the retired teacher, 69, who laboured without pay on the replica.
"In all, the project cost less than $500 to complete," he said.
Mr Satur has spent more than 50 years making model aircraft and thanked everyone for their support in making this one.
"Especially my wife, Janice; we spent quite a bit of time apart while I was [making it]," he said. Other council-planned events for the anniversary include a commemorative ceremony on March 18 and a fly-in at Melton airfield on March 20.
Details: www.melton.vic.gov.au/houdini
RECREATING HISTORY
Ian Satur talks about building the Houdini plane replica.
"I started my research mainly using the internet and old magazines. I managed to obtain one page of three-view drawings and some useful articles from the internet, including pictures of the aereoplane, some with Harry Houdini in view.
"First was a trip to the local hardware store. Then began the arduous task of measuring, marking, cutting and shaping the materials required for the basic fuselage shell.
"Having settled for a nearly four-metre long fuselage and a three-metre wingspan, everything that had to be done became increasingly difficult, just because of the sheer size of the model.
"In many cases, materials to be used were only decided upon after spending hours in the hardware store looking at all the possibilities. The model is made of hardwood dowels, balsa wood, plywood, wire, steel rods, cloth and more. It is as close to the actual aeroplane that Harry Houdini flew as I could get."
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