De Havilland DH37 G-AUAA


In 1924 the CAB purchased new De Havilland DH37 G-AUAA to be mainly used by Departmental staff for personnel transport. At that time the development of a network of aerodromes along the planned trunk air-mail routes occupied much Departmental attention and the DH37 provided a means for Departmental officers to inspect aerodromes and landing grounds first-hand.

Captain E C Johnston, Superintendent of Aerodromes, flew the CAB's Melbourne-Camooweal-Normanton and return, arriving back in Melbourne on 22 August 1926 [The West Australian states 22 Oct]. He was accompanied by LAC J J Davies, RAAF. They made the longest one-day flight in Australia to that time, from Longreach, Qld, to Melbourne, Vic. They departed Longreach at 4.50 am, stopped at Charleville, Bourke and Hay, and arrived at Melbourne at 6.10 pm - a flight of approximately 1,150 miles. The date and location of this photograph is not known, however it is thought to show Capt Johnston running up against the chocks at Normanton on this trip.

In 1927 the aircraft was sold to Salamaua Development Co Pty Ltd who in turn sold it to Guinea Gold (No Liability), Adelaide SA, on 13 Jan for £2,000. Click here to read more about its later history.

(Photo: CAHS/E C Johnston collection)


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