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AVIATIOH HISTORICAL GROUP OF .

MONTHLY NOTES NO, 5. SEPTEMBER, 1959

PermiBsion has been granted to the R.A.A.P. to use two park~ sites in Newcastle as ''heliports*'. Both sites are near the Newcastle Hospital and would be used for emergency cases only. At R.A.A.F, Williamtown there is a SIKORSKY S-5I, A8O-374. B.T.

Qantas Empire Airways first BOEING 707 service from Sydney to left Sydney on 5*9 siid. arrived at London Airport on 6,9* 30,000 Australian orchids were part of the cargo unloaded at San Francisco. Because of the International Date Line, it is possible to leave Australia and arrive at San Francisco one hour later (on the Pacific Route). On October 27, the "Kangaroo Route" service will be inaugurated, thus making Qantas the first airline to operate a round-the-world jet service (as distinct frcsn the prop-jet and jet service operated by BOAC). Originally the BOEING JOJa were to have been introduced on the "Kangaroo Route" on October 15> but bad weather delayed ere’,? training at Avalon this month.

A new grass airfield was officially opened at Dingo, Central Queensland, on 12,9* The Dingo Progress Association built the airfield primarily for use by the Central Queensland Aerial (CESSNA 182B VH-Rje). Dxoring the wet season the area is almost completely isolated by flood waters fresn the Dawson and Comet Rivers. After a ribbon tied between two of the local residents aircraft (AUSTER J1/B VH-BYO and VE-AlVl) was cut by Mr. N. E. Hewitt, MLA, five of the eleven aircraft present were used for joy-riding. Aircraft present were BRISTOL SYCAMORE VH-INO, 5 AU3TEHS, 3 UE HAVILLAND TIGER MOTHS, 1 CESSNA 182(?), I CESSNA 182B VH-RJC and 1 PIPER TRIPACEH VH-WAT. The SYCAMORE gave a crop spraying demonstration. D.E.J.

Noxious weeds are causing grave concern to land holders in Central Queensland, Ansett-ANA believe that the BRISTOL SYCAMORE VH-INO will help control the growth of these weeds (Brigalow, Noogoora and Bathurst Burr) and for this reason have opened an office in Rockhampton to direct operations of the SYC^ORB. VH-INO arrived at Rockhampton on 9*9• D.E.J.

Butler Air Transport are to btay a CONVAIR CATALINA from the USA and it is to be registered as VH-HRI. The aircraft will be used on the Mackay - Hayman Island Service (in Queensland) that has been advertised as the "Golden Islander Amphibian Service" in Sydney newspapers. P.R.

Pan American World Airways last scheduled flight into Melbourne on 27.9 was with the DOUGLAS DC-7C N742PA "Clipper Intrepid".

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I-- ' ., As mentioned on page 1 (May Monthly Notes) Papuan Air Transport have purchased a PIAGGIO P.166, c/n 357> aircraft for their Papua - New Guinea routes. This aircraft, registered YH-Pi^, arrived in Melbourne on 14«9 were it was officially handed over to the airline in the presence of Italian business agents and officials. VH-PAP is the first Italian built aircraft to be placed on the Australian Civil Aircraft Hegister. After the handing-over ceremony the aircraft gave demonstration flights. On 17*9 di was demonstrated at Canberra before air force officers and members of Psirliament. 21.9 the PIAGGIO P.166 had arrived at Kingsford Smith Airport where further flights were given. On the trip to Melbourne demonstrations were given at Darwin, Alice Springs and Broken Hill. YH-PAP was registered on 22.8.59 aad on 28.5.59 YH-PAU was reserved for the company’s second PIAGGIO P.I66.

On 11.9 the first DE HAYILLAND COMET 4, Q-APDN, landed at Essendon, Melbourne. Previous to this the only other COMSTB to use Essendon were the COMET 3 G-ANLO and several H.A.F. COMET 2s (including XK669 and XK670). This flight was the first of a series of crew training and proving flights before the COMET 4 service on the ’’Kangaroo Route" begins on November 14« Visits were also made on 14*9 and 21.9. A demonstration flight over New South Wales on 21.9 passed over Yasa, Canberra, Wollongong and Sydney. A most noticable featiire of the COMET is the lack of smoke and noise on take-off.

POKKEH FRIENDSHIPS are becoming increasingly coramon in Australian skies. Most common are those of TAA, examples of which have been seen in Tasmania (Hobart), Adelaide and Queensland. In some cases

■i- - they have substituted for VISCOUNTS and in other VISCOUNTS have substituted for them. Most notable is the case at Connor Park, Rockhampton where VISCOUNTS (n!-TVL(?) on 26.8 and VH-TVB on 10.9) have substituted for PRUSTDSHIPS. Normally VISCOUNTS are not permitted to land at Connor Park because of their "high" pressure tyres. Plans are underway to strengthen one of the rmways so that LOCKHEED L.I88 ELECTRA3 can be landed at Connor Park. d.e.j./n.w.

In N.S.W. East West Airlines are operating a FRIENDSHIP VH-EWA "City of Tamworth". VH-EWA arrived at Tamworth on 12.8 and a second is to be delivered in July, i960. P.R.

On 29.8 VH-AAH of Aerial Agriciilture, Bankstown, was seen in Tasmania iinder charter to Ansett-ANA. This was the period when VH-INJ was being overhauled and repainted. For the past year Ansett-ANA have had only one BRISTOL FREIGHTER airw.Qr.thy (VH-INJ) .

Aircraft used by Ansett-ANA for freighter work are DOUGLAS DC-3C VHtANV, BRISTOL FREIGHTER VH-INJ and DOUGLAS DC-48 VH-ANF and VH-INX. Now that VH-INX is being overhauled at Essendon, a DOUGLAS DC-4 VH-TAB has been chartered from TAA. All TAA markings and the aircraft’s name have been painted out and Ansett-ANA painted on the fuselage in red.

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IntereatiHig aircraft that hare recently "been seen in Sydney

includes- G-AGHY AVEO YORK of Skyways Ltd. on 8.8,, 5I-3842 LOCKHEED ■r COISTELLATIOH on 29.8. Colour scheme was plain metal with ’’dayglow** nose, wing tips and tail unit. H LOCKHBm SUPER COHSTELLATIOH owned by Seaboard and ?»estern Airlines Inc., an American air freight company, was at Mascot on 25.8 and 26.8 with BRISTOL BRITAlTRIA engines. AVIO YORKS usually fly in these motors.

N954IO DOUGLAS DC~4 of American International Airlines was at Mascot on 17*8. Earlier this year DOUGLAS DC—4 H75415 seen at Essendon. Colour scheme of AIA aircraft (a Brussels based charter operator) is white upper with pale green trim lines and ’'wings" on the forward fuselage. These two aircraft comprise AlA's fleet and were forinerly owned by Slick Airways Inc. (an American contract cargo carrier). These aircraft were also in Australia during 1958. iP.R.

Following the incident on 17.5.59 in which the PIPER TRIPAGER VH-WFS was reported missing, one of the first light aircraft to he specially fitted with radio equipment was the PIPER THIPACEH VH-WAT of the Rockhampton Aero Club. The equipment installed was a Sunair high frequency five channel radio and cost approximately £450* D.E.J.

On 6.9 a "light aircraft" (probably CESSNA 175 YH-RPJ) dropped 800 lb. of emergency supplies to a lost-skiers refuge near the top of Mt. Bogong, 6,508 ft. Mr. A. Schutt, manager of Schutt Aircraft Pty. Ltd., Moorabbin, Melbotxrne, idiich owns VH—RPJ, claimed afterwards that the drop proved the value of light aircraft for snow mercy flights.

At the end of July the Rockhampton Aero Club took delivery of the ADSTER J1/B AIGLET YH-KAZ from the Royal Yiotorian Aero Club. The -i ■y>: aircraft is to be lised for club, training and charter flights.

1.6.51 Kingsford Smith Aviation Services, Sydney. (YH-KAZ) 16.7.51 Royal Yiotorian Aero Club, Moorabbin. 29.7.59 Rockhampton Aero Club.

The Royal Newcastle Aero Club has sold three DE HAYILLAND TIGER MOTHS (YH-RNO, -HNS and -RNW) to Aero Services Pty. Ltd., Maylanda, W.A. The aircraft left Broadmeadow Aerodrome (Newcastle) about 13*8. B.T.

The Royal Aero Club of have ordered another CESSNA 172 thus bringing their total to four. They already own YH—RKW c/n 36745» YH-RWA o/n 46O69 and YH-RTm c/n 46156.

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ACCIDEIT3 AilD ISCIDMTS s-

14.8.59 LOCKHEia) L.1049G SUPER COHSTSLLAflON. VH-EAO. Lost a propeller when making an emergency landing at Lovelock Field, Nevada, Arizona. The aircraft was on a flight from San Francisco to New York. Over the Rocky Mountains No.4 engine began to run rough and the pilot attempted to feather the propeller. On the approach path it fell off* Most of the fuel was jettisoned before the aircraft landed safely.

22.8.59 MILLICIR AIR TOURER. VH—MM. Was forced landed when on an aero club test flight at Tamworth, N.S.W. The engine (Continental C.65) failed and the aircraft was landed heavily ---- breaking the xmder- carriage and damaging the fuselage structure and wing. Repairs are expected to take about six weeks.

7.9.59 BELL 470. VH—UTB. Crash landed due to engine trouble in thickly timbered, hilly country 60 miles east of T/yndham, W.A. The owned by Helicopter Utilities Pty. Ltd. of Sydney, was extensively damaged but the crew of two were uninjured. It was on a flight to Port Keats mission station when the pilot reported engine trouble. A ground party from ?/yndham brought the crew out on 8.9* 24.1.58 Helicopter Utilities, Pty. Ltd., Sydney. The pilot, Mr. J. B. Stanwix, was also the pilot of the HILLER 36O (UH-12C) VH~THD I that crashed into Sydney Harbour on 19*6.59 was struck off the I Civil Aircraft Register on 3.8.59 because of salt water corrosion.

17.9*59 *" GRUNAU BABY. This sailplane spun nose first into the ground from 5O ft. immediately after launching at Kalgoorlie Airport, W.A. The pilot was killed. This was the first fatality within the boundary of the airport. Weather conditions were very gusty.

19.9.59 DE HAVILLAND CHIPMUNK. VH-RFW* Crashed near a South Perth pine plantation. Occupants believed not injxired. Thieves have looted the wreckage and used an axe to help remove parts. The aircraft was owned by the Royal Aero Club of W.A*

28.9.59 - D1 HAVILLAND TIGER MOTH. VH- . Destroyed by fire when being transported along the Owydir Highway, near Inverell, northern -•vS N.3.T.’. Cause of the fire is unknoim.

■■vW 28.9.59 DOUGLAS DC-6 or DC-6B. VH-IN * ’Yhen about 5® yards from the Ansett-ANA terminal at Esaendon Airport, Melbourne, smoke filled the cockpit and entered the passenger cabin. After a delay of one and a half hours the aircraft was allowed to continue its journey to Tasmania. The *'AGE" and ”HEHALD” recorded that a freak wind forced exhaust smoke into the air conditioning intake in the wing leading edge. The "SUN'* said a sparrow entered the air conditioning intake. Both of these explanations do not clearly satisfy this incident.

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