RAAF veteran Zach Briggs is preserving history by transforming unserviceable military aeroplanes into one-of-a-kind artworks. With help from Prince’s Trust Australia.
Briggs has found a unique way to preserve history by repurposing abandoned military and civilian aircraft into custom furniture after previously serving 12 years in the RAAF as an Aviation Technician.
As he prepared for transition into civilian life, Briggs completed an industrial design degree at university and, while driving past the RAAF Amberley base museum, he saw an old aeroplane being cut up for scrap. Feeling disheartened at the thought of it going to waste, he approached museum staff.
“You could turn this stuff into things you can use. You could have a conference table in your office made out of an aeroplane wing, you don’t have to throw it out,” he told them.
The museum staff gave him the wing of an ex-RAAF MB.326H Macchi and asked him to make the table.
Over the next 12 months, Briggs built the conference table and made bottle openers and key rings with the offcuts. Word spread quickly and he began receiving emails asking him to make more. People requested custom made furniture and shared personal stories with him about their military history. Touched by their stories, Briggs realised his designs meant more to people than he thought – it was a way for people to connect with their own military experiences and those who had served before them.
“That’s when I realised, it also creates emotional connection with people. People see value in something that speaks to and connects with them,” he said. “So, I started thinking maybe there’s some level of importance to what I’m doing.”
Briggs discovered many unserviceable military and civilian aeroplanes being used as scrap metal. He realised he could combine his creativity and skills in aviation and engineering to preserve history, contribute to environmental sustainability and create a meaningful future for himself when he transitioned to civilian life.
“I felt it was a tragedy watching these old aeroplanes go to the scrap yard. I had an opportunity here to not only do something I love, but to do something that is sustainable, and preserve history in a unique way,” he added. “It makes me happy, so I thought it would be great idea to try and make a business out of it.”
Feeling inspired, he began sketching more designs but was unsure how to run his own business. While attending a transition seminar in preparation for his discharge, he discovered Prince’s Trust Australia (princes-trust.org.au), a not-for-profit charity that helps veterans and their families become entrepreneurs. Shortlyafter discharge, Briggs completed their Enterprise Program, equipping him with the skills, confidence and network he needed to explore his ideas and launch his own business.
“It was easily the best thing I did in my transition,” he said. “It definitely gave me the confidence to get my foot over the line and give it a go, because the hardest thing was that big step.”
It is now two years since Briggs launched his own business, Relic Design &Craft Co. (https://www.relicdesignco.com/). He collects parts from neglected civilian aeroplanes and purchases military aircraft parts from museums, which in turn helps them gather funds to keep operating. He strictly uses only unserviceable parts and, if he is offered a serviceable part, he offers it to museums.
“I think creativity is driven by emotions. There’s definitely an emotional connection with everything I work on. My background in aviation, my passion for art and design, everything I see and experience, is reflected in everything I create,” Briggs said.
Each piece comes with the type of aeroplane, its military history and which part of the aeroplane it has been made from.
Examples of his designs include a desk lamp from an emergency oxygen bottle from a Caribou, office chairs using seats from an Air New Zealand 737 – and a coffee table from the seat mounting frame; and a coffee table and bookshelf from the flaps of a PC-9.
His current project involves constructing a conference table using the wingtips and elevator of a DC-3. He is also planning pop-up shops and exhibitions to showcase his designs and is keen to share his passion for creating pieces that are meaningful, sustainable, and bring to light the history of the aircraft from which it was made.
Prince’s Trust Australia’s Enterprise program is an entrepreneurial training program designed to give ex-serving and transitioning ADF members and their partners the support to explore self-employment.
Launched in 2015 and has since supported 500participants, more than 50 activities and the establishment of more than 100businesses that remain in operation today.
Prince’s Trust Australia is part of The Prince’s Trust Group, a global network of charities founded by His Majesty The King.
Enterprise is guided by an Advisory Council, chaired by His Excellency General, David Hurley (Ret’d) and attended by MAJGEN Natasha Fox, Defence Head of People Capability. To register for Prince’s Trust Australia Enterprise program: https://bit.ly/Enterprise2021EOI
Check out Zach’s business: https://www.relicdesignco.com/
This article features in the 100 Year RAAF edition of Australian Defence Magazine
