Saturday, May 31, 2008

Marshall Airways Lockheed Electra Bankstown 1976

The sort of thing you went to Bankstown to see in 1976... The ex-Ansett Marshall Airways L10A Electra VH-ASM. Your typical sort of late 1930s airliner, really.

4 comments:

Bill Davenport said...

Here is a link to the very interesting history of this particular aircraft, which was originally a Lockheed Electra 10B.
"In April 1981 the remains were obtained by Laurie Ogle for restoration, which was duly completed a decade later. In the process of restoration the original Wright Whirlwinds were replaced by Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Juniors, effectively turning the aircraft into a Lockheed 10A. On 5 September 1991 the aircraft was restored to the Register as VH-UZO, and had its first post-restoration flight the next day. This historic aircraft still exists and today (c.2004) resides with Australia's Museum of Flight at Nowra, NSW."
In 2006 the Royal Australian Navy assumed ownership and management of the museum in Nowra and renamed it the Fleet Air Arm Museum, and the Lockheed Electra is no longer listed in the online description of the museum's collection. If anyone knows the current whereabouts of this plane, please let me know. Thanks!
Harbert William (Bill) Davenport hwmdavenport@gmail.com

Bill Davenport said...

This Lockheed Electra 10B c/n 1107 was restored between 1981 and 1991, with new engines that in effect converted it to a Model 10A. For a time it was displayed in Australia's Museum of Flight at HMAS Albatross naval air station near Nowra,NSW. That museum is now the Fleet Air Arm Museum of the Royal Australian Navy.
Would anyone be willing to contact that museum to ask the current whereabouts of this airplane? Is it still in their collection? Still on display anywhere on the base?
Or else post an email address for the Fleet Air Arm Museum office?
Thanks so much for your consideration!
Harbert William (Bill) Davenport, hwmdavenport@gmail.com

gtveloce said...

Hi Bill. I don't have an email but I believe the FAA museum can be reached on (02) 4424 1920. ASM/UZO doesn't seem to be on their display list, however it was gifted to them by Laurie Ogle so they should know where it is now.

Other links for anyone interested:
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/electra/vh-uzo.htm
http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Lockheed%2010%20VH-UZO%20Ansett%20crash%207-3-43.htm
http://www.navy.gov.au/history/museums/fleet-air-arm-museum#displays

Bill Davenport said...

Many thanks, gtveloce!
The pages you linked trace the remarkable career of this aircraft. I will try to learn whether it's still in the collection of the FAA Museum.
Bill Davenport