The
Adastra Fleet c.1946. Dragonfly VH-AAD is flanked by two Ansons. Note
that the Anson on the right is fitted with Oxford cowls for improved
cooling. This may date the photo as early as January 1946. It is believed
that the Anson on the left is VH-AGO which retains the original helmet
cowls. After successful trials, the fitment of Oxford cowls became
a mandatory requirement for all Australian Ansons.
UPDATE
29DEC03: The
caption was amended on 29DEC03 as the Ansons were originally thought
to be VH-AGO (left) and VH-AGG (right). This was based on the notion
that only VH-AGO had oval cabin windows.
UPDATE 07MAY05: The caption was amended again on 07MAY05 with the
emergence of a photo of VH-AGG with oval cabin windows! This feature
was originally thought to be unique to VH-AGO but there is now no
doubt that both AGG and AGO had oval cabin windows. Closer examination
of the original scan of this print reveals that both Ansons in this
photo do have oval cabin windows. Therefore, the original caption
supplied with this photo is probably correct i.e. VH-AGO on the left
and VH-AGG on the right.
UPDATE 27AUG05: This same photograph appears in Tom Carpenter's photo
album and thankfully it bears a caption on the reverse! The caption
reads: "In Ballarat early 1946, our second Anson en route to
Tasmania, called in at Ballarat to have its engine cowls changed to
Oxford types." Therefore, this confirms that the aeroplanes are
as follow (from left to right) Anson VH-AGO, Dragonfly VH-AAD, Anson
VH-AGG.
Photo: Ken Pares