Minlaton, Yorke Peninsula may be known as “the Barley Capital of the World”, but its real claim to fame is the beautifully restored red plane that stands at the town’s entrance. The ‘Red Devil’, Bristol Monoplane built in 1918 and flown in World War I, is believed to be the only genuine one of its kind left in the world.
Harry Butler was a local Minlaton boy who grew up with a fascination for flight, including that of his mother’s chooks. Using his own resources he travelled to England to join the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. Captain Harry Butler became a fighter pilot and in time, become a gifted aviation instructor and heroic pilot.
Captain Harry Butler flew the first special mail delivery across the sea from Adelaide to Minlaton in 1919.
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Today, Captain Harry Butler’s ‘Red Devil’ Bristol Monoplane is on show in a display hanger on the edge of town in Minlaton and attracts visitors from far and wide.
The local National Trust Museum in Minlaton is also well worth a visit and has a room and displays dedicated to the decorated World War One pilot. Discover his story and learn how this local boy, fascinated by the flight of his Mum’s chooks, grew into a hero.
For more information see southaustralia.com
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