The Journey has been long , manufactured and modified in the late 1920s , the aircraft started it's services in 1930 , flying for 'Iona Airways' in Ireland . And now, it got the deserved place in the Launceston Airport terminal , 90 years after it did the mainden flight there to the Flinders Island .
The Miss Flinders had a notable career, and received an equally remarkable retirement , that was made possible by the dedication of many passionate enthusiasts and professionals over decades since her last commercial flight.
Tasmania Government released statement,
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has been pleased to help return ‘Miss Flinders’ to the air, within the confines of the Launceston Airport terminal, 90 years since the aircraft arrived in Tasmania and took her first flight to Flinders Island.
The Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society, in cooperation with the Launceston Airport, has done a fantastic job of returning the 1930 Desoutter Havilland Gipsy aircraft to ‘the skies’ in the airport terminal.
From QVMAG to Launceston Airport terminal
Her first flight to Flinders Island was on this very day , 18 March, 90 years ago - taking off from what was then the newly-opened Western Junction Aerodrome.
With a recent stint at QVMAG, it is great to have Miss Flinders back in place at the airport. She always brings a sense of awe and wonder to people passing through the terminal, young and old.
She has become an important part of the Launceston Airport, not only from her earliest days in the transport industry but also being put on display for the opening of the new terminal in 1966 as well as her return in time for the airport’s 90th anniversary last year.
► In the late 1920’s André Marcel Desoutter obtained the licence to manufacture the Dutch aircraft F.K. 41 Koolhaven in the United Kingdom.
► The plane was slightly modified by Desoutter Aircraft Company with consecutive design improvements receiving the suffixes Mk I and MkII.
► It began service in Ireland registered as EI-AAD during 1930, the first aircraft flying for Iona Airways.
► The aircraft changed ownership in early 1931 and was purchased by Robert L. Baker who registered the monoplane as G-ABOM.
► In late 1931 Baker sold the Desoutter to J.H. Harold Jeffery and E.H. Harold Jenkins for their return holiday flight to Australia.
► Jeffery and Jenkins flew to Australia and on-sold the aircraft to Lawrence McKenzie (Laurie) Johnson in early 1932.
► Johnson established Launceston-Flinders Airline Services and registered the aircraft as VH-UEE ‘Miss Flinders’.
► The plane was flown by Laurie and became the first aircraft to carry passengers and mail between Launceston and Flinders Island.
► After a long service life and numerous changes of ownership the aircraft was struck off the airworthy register in 1961.
► The aircraft was placed into storage and in 1966, it was restored for display in the Launceston Airport terminal building.
► It was removed from display in 1997 for building refurbishment and after temporary storage at the Inveresk railway yards, it was relocated to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.
For restoring an important piece of Tasmanian aviation history , the project was funded by the Launceston Airport, the Tasmanian Liberal Government and the Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society in close partnership.
Pictures for representation / Courtesy : Government of south Australia , ArtLabs , Australia.
