A.H.S.A. NEWSLETTER

Published by the Aviation Historical Society of Australia Inc. A0033653P, ARBN 092-671-773Volume 26 Number 4, December 2010

Print Post approved 318780/00033E-mail: nfollett@optusnet.com.au Website: www.ahsa.org.au

Editor: NEIL FOLLETT

From the Treasurer. By the time you receive this news¬letter you would have received your renewal notice for2011. We have, hopefully, only sent them to those mem¬bers whose subscriptions have ended in 2010. If youhave paid your 2011 subscription or are a life or honou¬rary member and received a renewal card please ignoreit. Again we are offering the opportunity to pay for twoyears membership at the 2011 price. If you are paying bydirect debit would you please notify the MembershipSecretary at the email address on the renewal card.

Melbourne Branch Annual Bar-B-Que. This once in ayear event will be held on Sunday 19 November 2010around midday. Bring your own meat, drinks and chair.Cooking facilities, condiments and good company sup¬plied. It will be held in the usual location, on the grassedarea next to the entrance gates to Moorabbin Airport. Incase of inclement weather proceed, under VFR condi¬tions, except for ceiling and visibility, to the Museum touse their undercover facilities.

Peter Isaacason AM, DFC, AFC, DFM was the Guestspeaker at the Melbourne Branch October meeting.Peter's talk was titled In Defence of Bomber Com¬mand .

He began his talk by showing Target photos, aircraft logbook entries, Mission reports and bomb drop plots for anumber of raids on German Cities. He then requested

the audience to close their eyes while he gave a graphicdescription of the crew being briefed, flying the missionand the debriefing.

He then spoke giving his views on Bomber Commandwhich suffered very large losses, reminding all of us thatthere was a war in progress against a country run bypeople elected by the citizens.

He concluded with a brief history of the crew of Q forQueenie, the Lancaster flown as a pathfinder aircraft

Obituary Bill Donovan Australian Air LeagueIt is with regret that we advise of the untimely passing,on Monday 20th September 2010, of Wing Captain(Retd) William John (Bill) Donovan, LM., MSA

Bill was born on 30th April 1942 and joined City of Mel¬bourne Squadron of the Australian Air League on 14thNovember 1958 where he became the Officer Com¬manding in April 1960. In 1968 Bill became Officer Com¬manding of Niddrie Squadron. During the following yearsBill occupied the appointments of Officer CommandingWing, Group Staff Officer, Assistant Group EducationCommissioner and Group Administration Commissionerrising to the rank of Group Commissioner. In August1987 he returned to Niddrie Squadron as its OfficerCommanding with the rank of Wing Captain.

He maintained his association with his beloved NiddrieSquadron throughout his 51.9 years service. Bill wasawarded the Meritorious Service Award in June 1985 inrecognition of his commitment to the tasks allotted to himand was, in May 1998 awarded Life Membership of theLeague .

Bill was the secretary of the AHSA for several years inthe mid-1970 s.

AHSA Sub-Committees. We currently have three ac¬tive sub-committees working to improve the AHSA. Wehave an Aviation Heritage, Archive and Website sub¬committees.

Any input into any of these groups or on any subject af¬fecting the AHSA is always welcome. Initial contactthrough the secretary who will pass your suggestions/concerns/ideas to the appropriate person.

Remember we are always looking for contributionsfrom members for Aviation Heritage. If you are not in aposition to actually author an article, a suggestion ofwhat you would like to see is also welcome.

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Melbourne Meetings. predated the opportunity to closely examine these histori-The August meeting saw the continuation of our Viscount cally significant artefacts relating to Australian Aviation,and Electra theme. Guest speaker was Don Whalley, whowas the senior engineer for DCA investigating the PortHedland and Winton Viscount crashes. Don spoke mainlyon the Port Hedland crash and how his team approachedthe investigation.

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Tom holding the framed photo of the Duigan aircraft.

Don holding the official report on the Port HedlandViscount crash..

The cause of the crash was an incorrectly fitted bushwhich eventually caused the failure of the wing spar. Itwas the findings of this investigation that caused all 700series Viscounts to be grounded.

Roger McDonald then gave a presentation of Viscountimages from his vast collection. This was followed byLance Fishman with a presentation of Electra images cov¬ering all Electras in Australian service and their subse¬quent operators.

September.Visitor Tom Hudson, spoke of the acquisitionby his family of artefacts of John Duigan. These itemswere given to his grandmother Grace Hudson by her bestfriend Kath Duigan who at the time was living in GrangeRoad, Toorak. Kath Duigan was the wife of John Duigan.Three items were shown by Tom Hudson and were al¬lowed to be inspected by AHSA members.

The Altimeter/barometer

After Tom s presentation were then subjected to our an¬nual aircraft recognition competition, again presented bythose two devious members, Dave Anderson and BarryColledge.

The format of the Quiz Night was most successful andencouraged great audience participation in the provisionof additional and interesting facts relating to the aircraftimages shown .

The winner again was Geoff Hearn with the runner upbeing Barry Tate.

Obituary. British aviation historian Francis Kenneth Ma¬son, RAF (ret.) died on 31 August 2010.

The first was a framed photograph of the first flight of JohnDuigan at Mia Mia in 1910. The second was a altimetermanufactured by B.J. Hall and Co. Ltd., 23 Victoria Street,London. The altimeter has an inscription on the backshowing the initials JRD. The altimeter is presented in amagnificent leather case and includes an adjustmentsheet. The third item was a hand held compass made inJapan by Carac Industry co. Ltd., also believed to havebeen the property of John Duigan. Members greatly ap-

Francis K. Mason was well known as the author of manyaviation books especially, but not exclusively, detailedhistories of Hawker Aircraft products. He had graduatedfrom the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell and served asa night fighter pilot in the RAF from 1948 to 1956. He thenjoined the Project Office of Hawker Aircraft Ltd. Whichgave him access to the detailed research material whichoften graced his written works..

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Named Aircraft.

FokkerF-27 Friendship, VH-MMR, Robe ex PH-FIXthis aircraft was first registered in Australia to MacRobert-son Miller Airlines on 20-7-1966. Ownership changed toAnsett on 29-9-1969.

In July 1962 it was sold to Chartwell Pty. Ltd. The man¬ager of that company was Mr. D.S. McKeller and re¬registered VH-DSM.

The registration was cancelled on 31-7-1992 as with¬drawn from use. It was reduced to spares at Melbourneand the fuselage was acquired by the BroadmeadowsTAPE an instructional airframe.An inquiry to the TAPE elicited the following reply: "TheFokker F27 aircraft we had as a teaching aid was dis¬posed of around 2002. The aircraft out lived its useful¬ness as a teaching aid. The aircraft was dismantled,cutup and disposed off as scrap metal.

When Donald Campbell came to Australia with his car"Bluebird to attempt the World s land speed record onLake Eyre, his Australian representatives arranged tocharter the Dove as a support aircraft and it was painedwith the registration of VPI-BCB, although that registrationwas never taken up.

VH-MAL at Eagle Farm. Photo by Henry W. Pryor via theQAM.

It was repainted as VH-DSM and make occasional char¬ter flights until sold to Nicholson’s Air Service in WeeWaa on 30 October 1968. Another ownership changeoccurred on 22 February 1980 to Swiftair Aviation Ser¬vices of Lismore, NSW.

Its last flight was on 20 October 1980, after which it wasstored at Evans Head before being struck off the registeron 28 September 1981.

De Havilland DH-104 Dove c/n 04120. VH-MAL RAI This Dove was built in 1948 with its first operator beingEast African Airways Corporation and registered VP-KEJ.

In June 1951 it was purchased by Mandated Airlines inNew Guinea, registered as VH-MAL and named Rai ,which is a district in New Guinea.

On 10 March 1954 Airlines (WA) Ltd became the ownerwith its registration changing to VH-AWE.

Southern Airlines Ltd purchased the Dove on 19 August1955, and had it registered VH-GVE. After the demise ofSouthern airlines, VH-GVE went to Rain Air Taxis c/-Australian Aircraft Sales, being operated by Executive AirServices from Bankstown.

In October 1986 it was acquired by the Queensland AirMuseum, who restored it and painted in the markings ofMandated Airlines and is now on display in their muse¬um. Rai is a district in PNG.

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Aviation Historical society of Australia

Index of audio tapes

Available on CD MP3 Format Updated 25 May 2009

Contact Ian Gunston on: (03( 9587-3525 email: igunston@australiaonline.net.au

77 Sqn.A 380Air Training CorpsAnsett International

Alan RoystonIntroduction and Engineering Ray Bmk May 2007July 1997 3 Speakers Doug Williams, Bob Bennett, Stan TaylorGeorge Palmer 29 May 1997

RAAF Armorer Greg McGregor Sept 2001Australian National Airways ian Holyman AHSA meeting 27 May 1981 at Aviation House, Melbourne (Quality good)Australian Planes in USA Gordon Reid (Slide Show & Talk) June 2007BallooningBattle of Sabo IslandBeaufighters

Chris Dewhurst (Legacy talk)Bill ShuttFeb 1998Ken McDonald May 1999

CAC DAP Keith Meggs June 2008Commercial & Private Flying Experience Capt. Peter GibbsCivil Airline Experience Capt. Peter Gibbes (Quality medium)Concord PilotDick RidoutDunlop AviationFishermans BendFishermans BendFlying FleaFlying the North AtlanticMenzies Forgerotten FlyGeorge PalmerGlidingGloster AircraftHaroldHaroldJindivikJohn McKenzieLancaster

Jock Lowe RVACMarch 1997Dieter Glenck July 2001Keith Meggs Apil 2002Keith Meggs June 2008Gil JohnsonGeorge Palmer 747 Captain May 1997Max Wearne May 2006

Slide Show &Talk Feb 2005Alan Patching July 2002Aircraft Bill Cornall 2008Shelton Barnstorming, Early Ansett DC2 DCS (Excellent) CivilBen Danneker Nov 2000Aug 1996Peter Isaacson AM DFC AFC DFM Nov 1996

Lancaster Pilot Gordon Stock Feb 1997Latrobe Valley Aero Club John Willis Jan 2006Lincon Pilot John Laming Junel999Luftwaffe to RAAF Frank Korbl June 2006Mangalore Sqd 153 Lancaster Colin ReesMirage introduction to RAAF Bob Bartram July 2006Mt Disappointment Les Lewis 2001Nomad ProjectGlidingSamuel P LangleySifkair GrashSir Raymond Garrett

Bill Prowse Nov 2005Farwell Meeting Percy Pratt at Jack Lggulden'sIS March 1965Jim Fullarton Feb 2006

Mac Job Oct 2001Larkin Aviation 29 Sep 1977

Spitfire Alex Henshaw ABC FM May 1998Spitfires Tony Gaze July 1999Stinson Crash Bernard O,Reilly Bushman (ABC)TAA Museum Jim Meehan Oct 2006 - a/so earlier talk in may 2000Tanks, Fleet Air arm to TAA Bill Wood June 2005? - Earlier talk in March 2005Test FlyingTony MoclairRAAF WW2Typhoon TalkWellington PilotWW2 Rear GunnerSutherland GunnerWamira

Randall Green May 1996Dec 2007Peter Joubert

Len Monison Nov 1998Peter Duncan Aug 2006Peter Duncan. Aug 2006 - also talked in Sep 2007Ron Tyson March 1984Bill Cornall March 2009

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BOOK REVIEWS.

Not a Poor Man s Field. By Michael Waterhouse.This A4 size 260 page hardcover book tells the story ofthe exploration and development of the New Guineagoldfields up to 1942., in which aviation played an essen¬tial role.

It is extremely well researched and tells the story frommany points of view. Although aviation is not the majorpart of the book it deservedly gets a detailed account ofthe role aviation played in the development of the gold¬fields.

We aviation historians always knew the important roleaviation played in opening up the New Guinea goldfieldsbut after reading this book one comes to the conclusionthat without aviation the vast amounts of gold recoveredmay still be there.

It is well worth reading as its gives a good account of thatpart of Australia s Colonial History.

Available at all good bookshops for $59-95 or from thepublisher, Halstead Press Publishers.

Ian K. Baker’s AVIATIO HISTORY Colouring Book(s) Numbers 70 & 71. Part five of this study of RAAFcolour schemes and markings cover late 1941 into early1942. No. 70 gives relevant historical background fol¬lowed by a comprehensive summary of RAAF colourschemes and marking changes introduced at that time.

No. 71 include a comprehensive study of Brewster Buffa¬lo camouflage and markings.

Available from: Ian K. Baker, 31A MercerSt, Queenscliff, Vic. 3225. Fax: (03)5258 3116. Email:ianbaker@arc.net.au

Spirit. By Kelly Brennan. As the sub-title suggests thisbook covers the first fifty years of Commando Skydivers.It is an A4 size publication of 124 pages and 100 s ofphotographs. It begins with a history of parachuting inAustralia and then covers the fifty years of CommandoSkydivers.

It is a very con¬cise historycovering amyriad of inci¬dents and thepersonalities ofAustralian sky¬diving. I foundit to be a veryreadable publi¬cation and amust for any¬one interestedin the para¬chuting side ofaviation.

The price is avery reasona¬ble $38-00which includespostage.

It details colour schemes and markings of twelve differ¬ent RAAF aircraft and other related camouflage dia- Available from the author K. Brennan 9/80 Queensgrams. Road Melbourne or email to kerplunk1967@hotmail.com

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The Bob Wills Memorial Plaque. The inaugural BobWills Memorial plaque was awarded to Judy Bowles forher article, From Farm Boy to Airline Manager. Ouradjudicator, Mac Job, considered Judy s article as thebest researched and written article for 2009.

The plaque was presented to Judy, by Mac, at the Octo¬ber meeting.

Both presenter and receiver seemed pleased.

The article appeared in the June 2009 issue of AviationHeritage and tells the story of her grandfather, Fred Kayand his career with Australian National Airways.

Judy proudly shows her plaque.

Not only does Judy receive the plaque but also oneyear s membership. In her acceptance speech Judy saidhow honoured she was to receive the award, particularlywhen her article was selected by none other than Mac

Job.

The AHSA does not pay for contribu¬tions to Aviation Heritage and forsome time the committee has beenconcerned that the only reward mem¬bers see for their research is its publi¬cation. To most of us this is rewardenough but a more tangible form ofacknowledgement will show howmuch their efforts are appreciated.

For those who have researched andwritten articles, even short ones, knowhow much time and effort is expendedto complete these projects, but it is avery rewarding experience .

Some of the articles published in Avia¬tion Heritage are not written by AHSA

members, so only articles written by members are eligi¬ble for the Bob Wills Plaque.

To all our unpublished members we advise you to startwriting and remember what you don’t know about yourchosen subject other members do just ask them .

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GONE BUT STILL HERE

In both Melbourne and Launceston buildings of a pastera still stand and proudly show their name. That nameis Holyman House.

HOLYMAN SE - The Launceston building as it was about ten years ago.

The name of Holyman House is still prominently visibleon both the front and side of the building.

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The name Holyman House is still prominent above themain entrance. The name also appears on the exteriorof the building.

MEMBER S QUERIES.

The AHSA has been publishing a journal for more than50 years.

Unfortunately, no complete set has been retained by theAHSA and it has been decided that we will attempt toobtain a complete set for our archive.

If you have any AHSA Journals that you no longer re¬quire and would consider donating to the AHSA for thepurpose of creating this important record of past achieve¬ments, then please contact Tony Clark on 03 9817 5773,or 0417 980 000, or tclark@melbpc.orq.au

This 1962 photo of Holyman House shows the name From Neil Follett: For a future Oswald Watt Medal arti-Holyman s prominently displayed on the roof line. cle I am seeking material on Wing Commander D.R. (Jel)

Cuming. Any information on him, his career and photo-In Launceston, on the corner of Brisbane and George graphs would be most welcome and very useful.Street, stands another Holyman House. This was built in1936 and is now used as offices.

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Can you identify?

The above photo was taken at the AHSA National Conference at Wodonga in 1976. The gentleman on the left is EdgarPercival. Who is the person on the right? Please send your nominations to the editor.

The odd shot.

Two entrants in the 1976 Benson & Hedges Australian Air Race from Jandakot to Sydney. Piper Comanche VH-WGPand Tiger Moth VH-SGC, both sponsored by Lew Wade Motors, a Fiat dealer in Melbourne. This is a publicity photowhich included a race car also sponsored by Lew Wade Motors. Taken Moorabbin Airport. Note the two control towersin the background.

Contributors to this issue: Ron Cuskelly, Roger McDonald, Tony Clark, Tony Arbon, Ian Gunston