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 State Library of Victoria circa 1930–1931 |
Aircraft History Built by Avro as Avro 616 Avian IVM with an Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major engine. Constructors Number 372. The first three flights were at an unknown location by an unknown pilot, likely for testing purposes. On December 4, 1929 flown for 15 minutes. On December 6, 1929 flown for 45 minutes. On April 8, 1930 flown for 15 minutes. Certificate of Airworthness 2491 issued April 12, 1930 then shipped to Australia and reassembled at Mascot Airfield. On June 4, 1930 took off piloted by Shortridge on three short flights. The first at 9:30am a test flight of 15 minutes. The second at 10:25am an engine test flight of 40 minutes. The third at 1:45pm a formation flying flight of 60 minutes. At 3:05pm took off piloted by Charles Ulm then another flight by Shortridge. On June 6, 1930 flown by Allen on a test flight of 15 minutes. On June 10, 1930 at 11:05am flown by Allan on a practice flight of 15 minutes. At 12:10pm flown by Charles Ulm to Richmond Airfield. On June 13, 1930 at 1:45pm flown by Hall and Ulm to Richmond Airfield then at 3:25pm flown by Hall. This aircraft was purchased by Charles Ulm as his first airplane. Nicknamed "Southern Cross Pup". On June 24, 1930 registered in Australia as VH-UOE with certificate of registration 387. On September 28, 1931 sold to J.T. Pethybridge & G.H. Purvis of Sydney. On October 1, 1931 registered to the new owners. On October 10, 1931 participated in an airshow (aero club) meeting at Lismore Airfield with tail number 7. On January 5, 1932 crashed at Harrington, NSW. On March 22, 1932 the registration was cancelled. Afterwards, repaired. On October 6, 1933 registered to G.H. Purvis of Marrickville, NSW and operated from Mascot Airfield. On May 18, 1934 sold to Nelson G. A. Mendham of Salamaua Aerial Services to operate from Salamaua Airfield in New Guinea. On August 5, 1934 took off from Salamaua Airfield piloted by Nelson G. A. Mendham on a commercial flight bound for Bulwa Airfield and crashed. Afterwards, repaired. During 1936, fitted with a DeHavilland Gipsy III engine. On August 4, 1938 sold to Stephens Aviation Ltd. On October 5, 1938 registered and operated from Wau Airfield. On September 28, 1940 took off pilot unknown from Slate Creek Airfield with and crashed shortly afterwards with the pilot unhurt. Afterwards, the plane was recovered and transported to either Wau Airfield or Lae Airfield for repairs. Meanwhile, the certificate of airworthiness had lapsed was never returned to airworthy condition. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped. On March 11, 1942 the registration VH-UOE was canceled. Memorials Mendham died on November 13, 1957 at age 51. He is buried at Forbes Cemetery in Forbes, NSW in the New Presbyterian Portion, Sec. 27, Lot 6. References AV ROE & CO Limited Production - Avro 616 Avian IVM 372 [PDF] Trove "Log book of Avro Avian, registration VH-UOE, 4 December 1929 - 22 November 1931" pages 1-13 Northern Star "Aero Club Lismore Meeting Pagent on October 10" September 10, 1931 page 4 NAA Civil aircraft accident and incident register for Australia and Papua New Guinea - 1928 to 1945, Section 1, Accidents 1931–1945 (NAA: A8324, 1) PDF pages 14 (VH-UOE) (Page 14) "Mendham, N. G. A. / 5.8.34 / Bulwa, N. Guinea / Commercial N. G. / Avro Avian VH-UOE Mendham Salamaua" Some sources claim destroyed by Japanese air raid on January 21, 1942. If that date is accurate, then the plane was at either Salamaua Airfield or Lae Airfield. WW2 Nominal Roll - Nelson George Alvin Mendham FindAGrave - Nelson G A Mendham (grave photo) Contribute
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