We have a photo prompted by the reference last time to Fokker PK-AFG. The photo was taken at Canberra, Australia, probably in May 1931 after the first experimental mail flight from Batavia. Once again PK-AFG seems to be featured - can anyone give any more detail about this flight?
The photograph of the Fokker F.VIIb produced a rapid and detailed reaction from Harm Hazewinkel and from Joop Gerritsma. It shows not PK-AFG but PK-AFC (c/n 5071) named "Abel Tasman" of KNILM which made the first postal flight from the Netherlands East Indies to Australia. The aircraft left Batavia on 12.5.30, reaching Canberra on the 20th and,starting the return leg the next day, it arrived back in Batavia after fewer stops on 25.5.30. The flight was a private venture backed by official and private support, the Fokker being leased from KNILM. Despite its success and profitability the exercise was not repeated due to the route protection policies of the Australian government. Not until 3.7.38 did KNILM fly officially into Sydney from Batavia.
The crew members in the photograph are identified as Capt M.P.Pattist of the Aviation Division of the Royal Netherlands Indies Army (far left), J.J.Moll of KNILM (in flying suit) and mechanic S.Elleman (far right). The civilians, however, remain unidentified.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fokker F.VII / C-2 / F.XIV - НидерландыNetherlands - 1924

The photograph, submitted by Eino Ritaranta, shows Lockheed 414 Hudson G-AGAR at Malmi airport, Helsinki, in the summer of 1940. We know that this was c/n 1761 ex N7364, C of A issued 3.5.40 nominally to Aeronautical Research & Sales Corpn Ltd and used for photo reconnaissance, operating in the Caspian and Black Sea areas 3.40 to 4.40, in Greece 6.40 and later in Libya. Presumably it was involved in similar activities when this photo was taken, anyone who can fill in further details about this Hudson should let us know.
Concerning the Hudson G-AGAR, John Battersby recalls that the Aeronautical Research and Sales Corpn was very much the cover for Sidney Cotton's wartime photo-reconnaissance work, and suggests that the Hudson may have eventually joined the Desert Air Force. Perhaps after all this is one for the military experts?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed Hudson A-28 / A-29 - СШАUSA - 1938