FLOATPLANE AUSTER V. S/Ldr. L. S. Ash, R.A.F.O. (white overalls) has sent us this photograph of the first Taylorcraft Auster (a Mark V: TJ207) to be fitted with twin floats taken from a D.H.82 Queen Bee. S/Ldr. Ash carried out the test flying while at Saunders-Roe, Beaumaris, Anglesey, during the winter 1944-45. In this seaplane form the Auster V had a maximum speed of 105 m.p.h. on 130-h.p. Lycoming O-290-3/1. Later, two more Mk. Vs and two Mk. lVs were similarly "booted".

NAVY FASHION. In July "Photo Review" was published a photograph of a recent de Havilland Queen Bee conversion to Tiger Moth standard. That this is no new event is proved by the accompanying photograph of an ex-radio control gunnery target Royal Navy Queen Bee (P4709) which was converted to Tiger Moth dual-control standard at the R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard, Fay id, Canal Zone, in the summer of 1945. Painted bright royal blue with yellow serials it was used for communications and training by its "owner", Lt. (A) Peter W. Brooks, R.N.V.R., until February 1946.

THE ENNA JETTICK. Another transatlantic hopeful was the Bellanca Model K of 1932 which may be considered as the prototype for the P-200 Airbus. The Bellanca K (c/n. 117; NR4864) was originally named "Roma" in connection with a proposed New York-Rome flight. For the New York-Oslo attempt of 23rd August 1932 the Model K was renamed "Enna Jettick". Leaving Floyd Bennett Airport, New York, at 5.43 a.m. "Enna Jettick" (piloted by Thor Solberg and Carl Petersen) reached Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, at 7 p.m. The proposed landing for fuel before the transatlantic hop was frastrated by fog and the crew were forced to ditch, without injury (but with loss of the Model K), in Darby's Harbor, 75 miles S. W. of Harbor Grace. Power, 500-h.p. P. & W. Hornet; cruise 115 m.p.h.; a.u.w. 12,000 lb.; span 64 ft. 6 in.; length 39 ft. 1 in.

A CURIOUS TALE. The Scottish Aviation Prestwick Pioneer Mk. 1 of 1947 was designed to meet Specification A.4/45. As such the SAL-1 achieved the distinction of being Britain's first post-war STOL aircraft. The Mk. 1 had an inline 240-h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Queen 34, and a fin and rudder with rounded-off tip. To improve handling qualities in the low-speed range, the tail was the subject of considerable experimentation. This photograph shows the radial 560-h.p. Leonides-powered Pioneer Mk. 2 with an interim-shape fin and rudder.

BLERIOT MONO. Believed to be the transatlantic flight monoplane specially built for his son by Bleriot before the former was killed, the Bleriot 195 of the 1920s was a mail/freight, cantilever monoplane with an a.u.w. of 18,000 lb. Powered by four (tandem) 250-h.p. Hispano-Suiza 8A engines, the Bleriot 195 had a max. speed of 130 m.p.h. Span 70 ft. 10 in.; length 44 ft. 10 in. A seaplane version was planned.