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As I was building up the new webpage for our museum’s Desoutter mark II, I thought the members on this site may be interested in seeing the only other flying Desoutter other than Shuttleworth’s G-AAPZ
http://www.aarg.com.au/DeSoutter.htm
The Australian National Aviation Museum acquired VH-UPR in derelict condition in the 1960’s and it has been in storage for many years before being fully restored to airworthy condition by Life Member Nelson Wilson.
Our aircraft VH-UPR was imported into Australia in 1930 and spent its early working life with Hart Aircraft Services at Essendon Airport. Hart Aircraft Services was the Australian distributor for Desoutter.
The museum’s Desoutter was used for charter work, pilot training and performed duties as an aerial taxi, flew out to meet and escort the entrants of the 1934 Air Race as they arrived over Melbourne, and took part in the search for the A.N.A. DH86 airliner “Miss Hobart” which disappeared over Bass Strait along with airline’s founder, Victor Holyman.
It passed through a total of 7 other owners including Victorinan and Interstate Airway Pty Ltd in 1937, its role during the Second World War is unknown, however, a photo found recently shows the aircraft with RAAF colours on the fin and what appears to be a camouflage paint scheme. Post war the aircraft passed through various owners eventually being found by AARG members in derelict condition at Parkes in N.S.W in the mid 1960’s. It was rescued and brought to the museum and a meticulous restoration under the direction of our Life Member Nelson Wilson has seen the aircraft returned to its former glory, and flying condition.
Today our Desoutter is one of three examples surviving world wide, and the only survivor flying in the southern hemisphere, with a Desoutter mark I surviving in flying condition in the UK with the reknowned Shuttleworth Collection
In the RH lower corner of the first photo can be seen the fuselage of the museum’s BA Swallow, Nelson’s current project.
Regards
Mark Pilkington
By: flyernzl - 7th February 2009 at 10:09
Thanks for those photos Mark, look like Nelson has made a marvelous job of the restoration. What engine is now fitted? – presumably not a Gipsy III.
I have been interested in the Desoutter for many years as four of the type were used in New Zealand. Three Mk.I and one Mk.II. The last survivor was the Mk.II, ZK-ACJ, which was the Desoutter flown UK – Australia 9Feb-24Mar30 by Cyril E Kay & Harold L Piper as G-AATI before being shipped across the Tasman.
This aircraft was fitted with a Gypsy Major post-war and was finally destroyed in a forced landing in November 1950.
I guess for completeness we should mention the other Desoutter survivor, Mk.II VH-UEE ex EI-AAD and G-ABOM.
This is the ex-McKenzie Johnston aircraft that commenced flying the Launceston-Flinders Island service in 1932. The aircraft was refurbished to display standard in 1966 and initially exhibited at the Launceston Airport terminal, later moving to Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.
I was able to visit the museum on New Years Day 2006, and found the aircraft located behind highly reflective glass panels. Fortunately my wife was able to sweet-talk the museum guardians and gain close-up access for me. I guess the aircraft can these days be classified as ‘unrestored’!
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February 6, 2009 at 10:14 pm