Douglas C-47A-80-DL OO-AWL in pre-1951 colours

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

From M.W.Prime's collection comes this shot of VQ-FAH undergoing a major check, presumably on return to NZNAC 10.67 and before reverting to ZK-APK since the Fiji regn is partly removed and the airline titles masked for spraying out.

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

Replacing VQ-FAH on lease in October 1967 was ZK-AZA which became VQ-FBF and is seen here wearing the final version of livery with Fiji titles and the sunfish on the tail. On some aircraft (chiefly Herons?) the dots above the 'i's were outlined rather than solid.

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

A pair of Navions - but with a difference. Illustrating the change-over in production from North American to Ryan which took place in 1947, we have the earlier model OO-ABY C of R no.776 parked at Brussels

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American Navion / L-17 (Ryan) - СШАUSA - 1946

A pair of Navions - but with a difference. Illustrating the change-over in production from North American to Ryan which took place in 1947, we have a Ryan version without tip tanks OO-EXK C of R no.761 probably taken at Ghent

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American Navion / L-17 (Ryan) - СШАUSA - 1946

Externally almost indistinguishable from a PA-18, this modified Cub D-ECET (c/n 17628) was fitted with Super Cub cowlings when photographed during a visit to Kirchenheller on 27.9.72.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Super Cub PA-18 / L-8 / L-21 - СШАUSA - 1949

H5240, an Imperial Gift Avro 504K in three-seater configuration during its service with the New Zealand Flying School, Kohimarama. The registration G-NZAB was allotted but not taken up, however the aircraft did carry the code letter 'N' of NZFS below the serial on the rudder.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Avro 504 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1913

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Cessna O-2/336/337 Skymaster - СШАUSA - 1961

Tiger Moth G-ACDJ lives on at present and may see the light of day more actively in 1981. It is shown here at Ipswich during 1959 wearing Surrey Flying Club titles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Tiger Moth / D.H.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

Dragonfly G-AEWZ of Silver City Airways at an event at Kidlington, probably in the late fifties. It too was scrapped in 1961, following a take-off accident at Elmdon on 3.3.61.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Dragonfly / D.H.90 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

Looking a little worse for wear, Vega Gull G-AEYC was seen at Baginton on 9.7.60 wearing the name "Gertie II" and carrying an Australian flag on the fin. Only a month later it suffered fire damage starting up at Gatwick and after an abortive attempt to rebuild it at Barton it was scrapped in May 1961.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Vega Gull / K.1 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

In Archive No.4 the BA Eagle II G-AFAX was featured and this is now VH-ACN with the Chewing Gum Field Air Museum at Tallebudgerra, Queensland where Dave photographed it in September 1980.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: British Klemm BK-1 Eagle - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Another BA Eagle II rare enough for inclusion here but too early for attention in the Archive listing. VH-UTI is c/n 109 and was originally exported to the Hannan Bros and registered in April 1935. Photographed also at Kingaroy on 5.10.80.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: British Klemm BK-1 Eagle - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

The all-red Whitney Straight G-AEWA also at Baginton on 9.7.60 for the King's Cup meeting. By the greatest of coincidences the Straight was also written off on 3.3.61 in a forced landing at Neufchatel, France. Parts were later used to rebuild Falcon G-AEEG.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Whitney Straight / M.11 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

One of two surviving Whitney Straights in Britain, G-AEUJ served with Hawker Aircraft during the War. This colour original shot at Baginton c.1960 shows it to have been blue/white with dayglo trim!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Whitney Straight / M.11 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Erco 415CD Ercoupe

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: ERCO 415 Ercoupe - СШАUSA - 1937

Piper L-4J Cub OO-GEL,whose identity is still a source of some confusion, at Liege in Royal Motor Union colours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

One of the ex-Norwegian Cubs with an incorrectly quoted identity, D-EBYR (12911) outside the Roder Prazision premises at Egelsbach on 16.6.59.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

After a lengthy civil career in USA and Germany, D-EJIQ became OH-PCZ and is seen here at Jyvaskyla, Finland on 22.6.74 before being officially registered 4.75.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

LX-ABO was allocated D-EFBP 7.73 but ntu although displayed statically as such

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

Formerly D-EBER, OY-DHC was a Sywell '76 visitor.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

A rare photo of Cub Special Floatplane VQ-FAI which only stayed in Fiji for about one year.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cub J-3/J-4 / L-4 Grasshopper / PA-11 - СШАUSA - 1937

Caudron "No.2" at Sockburn 1917/8. This photo, source unknown, appeared in AHSNZ Journal of 5.67.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Caudron G.3 - ФранцияFrance - 1913

Aeronca 100, G-AEXD at Luton in pre-modern Terminal days

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aeronca C - СШАUSA - 1929

Aeronca 100, the all-red G-AEVS at Denham in the sixties.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aeronca C - СШАUSA - 1929

Another aircraft with a long active career is Aeronca Chief OO-RDC with only two owners in 30 years!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aeronca Model 11 Chief / Super Chief - СШАUSA - 1945

Blackburn B-2 G-ACBH continues to linger, still showing traces of its Impressment as ATC airframe 2895M at Dixon's car scrapyard at Ramsden Heath near Billericay. This photo taken on 26.1.64 is however labelled 'Downham' which would seem to be a different location to the present one.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn B-2 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

One of the earliest Cessna singles to be registered in Belgium was this 170A OO-GAY seen here in the famous round hangar at Grimbergen.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Cessna 120 / 140 / 170 - СШАUSA - 1945

The well-known Comper Swift G-ABUS "Black Magic" which was frequently raced during the 1950s by David Ogilvy and others. It is shown here at Rhoose on 4.6.60 at the Air League Challenge Trophy meeting following the London-Cardiff Race at which time it was owned by A.J.Linnell.

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

One aircraft which managed to avoid impressment, Fox Moth G-ACEJ survived in the hands of Giro Aviation to give thousands of post-war joy rides from Southport's Birkdale Sands beach airfield. In this photo from the Editor's files it is to be seen with Norman Giroux at the controls about to start another circuit during the summer of 1960.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Fox Moth / D.H.83 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The other half of Giro Aviation's famous Fox Moth duo, G-ACCB was not repaired after its watery landing of 25.9.56 and was in a sorry state at Hesketh Park on 22.7.64.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Fox Moth / D.H.83 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The sole remaining British-registered Spartan Arrow G-ABWP in blue and silver colours at Denham 21.9.62.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Spartan Arrow - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

Recent correspondence from Bob Ogden on the subject of Drones reminded the Editor of this example. Why was it painted in this manner? Whose Drone was it and what was the registration?
The Drone G-ADSB flown by Bernard Collins in British Hospitals Air Pageants.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Kronfeld Drone - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

Piper Family Cruiser OO-JAK at Antwerp. After an accident it was handed over to the Brussels Aviation Museum.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cruiser J-5 / L-14 / PA-12 / PA-14 - СШАUSA - 1939

PA-12 Super Cruiser OO-YAN, probably during its days with Publi Sky at Antwerp in the late fifties/early sixties.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cruiser J-5 / L-14 / PA-12 / PA-14 - СШАUSA - 1939

Page 74 of Archive No.3 included BA Swallow VT-AIG. This is now VH-AAB and visited the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at Kingaroy, Queensland, on 5.10.80.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: British Klemm L.25 Swallow - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1933

Wing and tail surfaces of CF-ADH were silver but the actual fuselage colour is not known. Drawing by Cliff Minney.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Gipsy Moth / Moth X - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1928

Gipsy Moth VH-UQV enjoys the sunlight at Camden, NSW on 12.12.59. it began its career in Canada and almost ended it at Strathallan - for full details see c/n 783.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Gipsy Moth / Moth X - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1928

Moth ZK-AAL formerly flew as "NZAW".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Gipsy Moth / Moth X - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1928

Gipsy Moth ZK-AAE (G-NZED ntu) in Auckland Aero Club colours but also inscribed 'Gift Machine' (?)

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Gipsy Moth / Moth X - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1928

A visual problem to begin with - and earlier than the extracts below! The photograph must have been taken on or shortly after 23.2.20, but where and of what?
The aircraft involved was of course G-EANV a Handley Page O/400 converted to O/7 in October 1919 and operated by the manufacturers initially on London-Brussels mail flights. It became the first equipment of the newly-formed Handley Page South African Transport Company but there are two versions to describe its passage, one that it was flown out by Major McIntyre, the other perhaps more realistic that it was shipped to Cape Town 11.19 on RMS Durban Castle and assembled at the Company's airfield at Wynberg. It first flew from Wynberg on 7.2.20 and one week later was named "Pioneer" on the airfield's official opening.
The first passenger and aerial mail service from Cape Town to Johannesburg was planned for February 15th 1920, meanwhile the aircraft had been used for local flights and as an airborne advertisement for Commando Brandy, hence the huge lettering which is clearly visible in the photographs. The flight began according to plan but a faulty compass and a fuel leakage resulted in a safe forced landing at an isolated location 50 miles from Sutherland. Fuel supplies were eventually obtained and Pioneer continued to Beaufort West on the 19th, four days behind schedule. At 1.30 pm the flight was resumed with Major H.C."Duke" Meintjies in command, co-pilot Capt.C.J."Boet" Venter, engineer Askew and six passengers including the Company Secretary Capt. Duncan and Mrs.Meintjies. Eight minutes later at 300 feet the starboard rudder post came adrift and the aircraft went into a dive. The pilot managed to execute a crash landing with little height to spare, the location being Acacia Siding (or Lemoenfontein Siding ?) although the date is often quoted as 23.2.20, possibly this is the date on which news reached England.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Handley Page O/7 / O/10 / O/11 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1919