From member Yong Kiat in Singapore comes this photo of a Douglas C-47/DC-3 which was apparently being used in the late 1970s as an instructional airframe by Singapore Polytechnic. As it carries no marks and does not appear to be mentioned in the DC-3 Monograph (we have checked only the local civil registrations, without success) perhaps someone can suggest its identity and eventual fate?

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

Following the publication of a photo and a number of queries in the last issue we have now acquired this picture of the same aircraft in a more upright pose from Clarence Fu via Lennart Andersson. Now clearly visible is the strange flag-like emblem on the fin and rudder. The person in front with the unusual headgear is Nieh Wei-lian, who was engaged as a private flying instructor around 1933 by the owner of the Comper Swift Wu Yu-chuan, a wealthy Peking Chinese. This is clearly the 'Yu-Chuan Wu' referred to by the Americans as using the Swift in 2.35. Since the first photo was said to be of General Yung's Swift it would appear that the two are indeed the same aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Comper Swift / CLA.7 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

We have a number of interesting photographs from Peter Green's collection for future use but this one, originating via J D Oughton, may be of a less familiar type. The subject is a Manko MT-1 Hayabusa with Manchurian registration M-309. This design was intended to replace the Fokker Super Universals operated by Manchurian Airways with an indigenous aircraft at a time when the state was under Japanese control. In effect it was the first Japanese-designed passenger transport with retractable undercarriage and flaps, though the undercarriage gave too many problems and so became fixed. The MT-1 carried six passengers and the pilot and was powered by a 460-570 hp Nakajima Kotobuki 2-kai-1 nine-cyl air-cooled radial. It first flew in 4.37 and 35 were built by Manshu Koku KK. The tricolour roundels on the wing are of interest since most Manchurian aircraft of the period seem to have worn Japanese insignia. There is also a flag on the fin. Does anyone know more about Manchurian markings and/or registrations?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mansyu (Manshu) MT-1 Hayabusa - ЯпонияJapan - 1937