Cessna 310C VH-CAZ Cootamundra 1960s

DCA always liked to introduce the latest types of aircraft as a stimulus to local operators, and to gain local operating experience. In the late 1950s, the Cessna 310 was the hottest thing in light twins, and DCA acquired a single example in VH-CAZ.

Built in the USA (c/n 39023) and registered N6723T, this 'C' model was registered to DCA as VH-CAZ on 18 December 1959. It arrived at Sydney/Mascot on 1 March 1960 following delivery across the Pacific.

These photos show VH-CAZ at Cootamundra, NSW, some time in the 1960s. The large Bellman hangar in the background was occupied by Jack Masling. Maslings were one of the early Cessna and Piper dealers in Australia and started out in the northern half of this hangar, whilst the local cropdusting outfit, Airlands, occupied the southern half.

The smaller hangar behind, with the Aztec tail sticking out, was also occupied by Masling and had "MASLINGS PIPER DEALERS" blazened across the front above the doors. It burned down in 1971, in the process destroying, among others, Cessna 310I VH-RLY. Three of the other wartime Bellman hangars at Cootamundra were dismantled after the war. Two went to De Havillands at Bankstown for Vampire construction and the third, it is believed, went to Bourke.

Cessna 310C VH-CAZ

DCA always liked to introduce the latest types of aircraft as a stimulus to local operators, and to gain local operating experience. In the late 1950s, the Cessna 310 was the hottest thing in light twins, and DCA acquired a single example in VH-CAZ. Built in the USA (c/n 39023) and registered N6723T, this 'C' model was registered to DCA as VH-CAZ on 18 December 1959. It arrived at Sydney/Mascot on 1 March 1960 following delivery across the Pacific. These photos show VH-CAZ at Cootamundra, NSW, some time in the 1960s. The large Bellman hangar in the background was occupied by Jack Masling. Maslings were one of the early Cessna and Piper dealers in Australia and started out in the northern half of this hangar, whilst the local cropdusting outfit, Airlands, occupied the southern half. The smaller hangar behind, with the Aztec tail sticking out, was also occupied by Masling and had "MASLINGS PIPER DEALERS" blazened across the front above the doors. It burned down in 1971, in the process destroying, among others, Cessna 310I VH-RLY. Three of the other wartime Bellman hangars at Cootamundra were dismantled after the war. Two went to De Havillands at Bankstown for Vampire construction and the third, it is believed, went to Bourke.

The railway station in the right background of the shot below was West Cootamundra. In the mid 1930s Cootamundra enjoyed a brief prominence in Australian aviation due to its strategic position on the Melbourne-Sydney rail line, more-or-less half way between the two capitals. The politics of the day dictated that the mail should go by rail wherever possible, so Butler Air Transport Co. was contracted by the CAB to operate a service from Cootamundra to Charleville, Qld., connecting with the Qantas Empire Airways service to Singapore and beyond. Thus, all the air mails from the southern States to and from the rest of the world passed through Cootamundra! Click here to see another photo of VH-CAZ. (Photos: John M Smith collection) Back to Departmental Aircraft index page If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here