A reconstruction of the start of the race. Seen here at Laverton are the taxying replica of D.H.88 Comet G-ACSS, “DC-2" PH-AJU, the static replica Comet “G-ACSP" and a Stinson Reliant doubling as Lockheed Vega G-ABGK. Nearest the camera are another Reliant and Airworld's Cessna 195 VH-AVZ.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Cessna 190 / 195 Businessliner - СШАUSA - 1947De Havilland Comet / D.H.88 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935Stinson Reliant - СШАUSA - 1933

“DC-2” PH-AJU, actually Australian Airlines’ restored DC-3 VH-ANR, at RAAF Laverton.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

The start at Mildenhall, actually RAAF Laverton. From left to right. Comet replica “G-ACSP", Bruce Dwyer's Stearman (representing Fairey Fox G-ACXO), “DC-2" PH-AJU, Comet replica “G-ACSS" and Miles Falcon “G-ACTM".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.88 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935Miles M.3 Falcon / M.6 Hawcon - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Stearman PT-13 / PT-17 Kaydet / Model 73 (Boeing-Stearman) - СШАUSA - 1934

The non-flying replica Comet G-ACSS with the “KLM DC-2" in the background, at RAAF Laverton. Flown in the 1934 race by Charles W. A. Scott and Tom Campbell Black, and sponsored by A. O. Edwards, the Comet left Mildenhall at 0634hr on October 20, 1934, and arrived at Melbourne 70hr 54min later, winning the speed prize.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.88 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Col Keith Hatfield's Miles Falcon VH-AAT was used to portray Falcon G-ACTM flown by H. L. Brook with fare-paying Miss E. Lay as passenger. The fourth and last aircraft to leave Mildenhall, G-ACTM took a month to reach Melbourne, arriving there on November 2, 1934.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles M.3 Falcon / M.6 Hawcon - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Terry Brain's Avro Anson VH-BAF at Laverton masquerading as Col Roscoe Turner's Boeing 247D NR257Y. Copiloted by Clyde Pangborn, Turner's aircraft was the second to leave Mildenhall and was the third to arrive at Melbourne.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Anson / Type 652 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

Airworld D.H.89 Dragon Rapide VH-BGP representing ZK-ACO, flown by J. D. Hewett and C. E. Kay. Named Tainui, ZK-ACO was the ninth aircraft to reach Melbourne.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Dragon Rapide / Dominie / D.H.89 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

This Stearman was painted to represent the Fairey Fox G-ACXO and is seen here flying over Victorias Grampian Mountains, representing Italy in the film. Flown by Ray Parer and Geoff Harms worth, and sponsored by the New Guinea Centenary Flight Syndicate. G-ACXO arrived at Melbourne on February 13, 1935, 116 days after leaving Mildenhall.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Stearman PT-13 / PT-17 Kaydet / Model 73 (Boeing-Stearman) - СШАUSA - 1934

Stinson Reliant VH-ISR in minimal disguise, merely with the VH painted out and G substituted - hence the odd-looking registration, which seems to need an extra letter. This Reliant was not masquerading as any particular MacRobertson Race participant, but, like Cessna 195 VH-AVZ, was just acting as a period "extra”. In real life VH-ISR arrived in Australia in December 1989 for private owner Rob Black; CAA paperwork prevented it flying until the following April.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Stinson Reliant - СШАUSA - 1933

This Stinson Reliant was used to represent the Lockheed Vega DL-1A G-ABGK, named Puck and flown in the race by Jimmy Woods and Don Bennett, representing Australia. The Vega got as far as Aleppo, where it crashed on landing following an undercarriage collapse.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Stinson Reliant - СШАUSA - 1933

The static Comet against a spectacular backdrop in Mount Arapiles State Park, Victoria; the scene represents G-ACSP’s forced landing in India.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.88 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

A beautifully atmospheric photograph of the static replica of Comet G-ACSP Black Magic at Essendon Airport, representing the scene at Karachi.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Comet / D.H.88 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Keith Hatfield’s Leopard Moth doubled as Puss Moth VH-UQO, flown in the race by young Charles Melrose. Named My Hildegarde, after his mother, who sponsored Melrose’s flight, the Puss Moth was placed third in the Handicap Section having been the last aircraft flagged off from Mildenhall.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Leopard Moth / D.H.85 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1933